Fatima was a resident of a little community in the Arabian desert where time stood still and customs were preserved. But her imagination took her far beyond the dry sands that surrounded her. She wanted to grow above the limitations that society placed on her.
On a night when the dying sun imparted its wisdom, she uncovered an old book from her grandfather’s trunk. It was called “You Squared”, which is a mathematical expression. The moment she opened it, a whirlwind of untapped potential rushed into her consciousness. Fatima received her first taste of an outrageous goal when she decided she wanted to write a book that would be read all over the world. She knew it was the right step because no one in her hometown would ever dream of pursuing such a goal.
The book’s advice to have faith in the strength of pursuit helped Fatima overcome her doubts. The ceaseless speculation and “what if” games disappeared. Every morning, at first light, she would sit down at her desk and pour her soul into her work. There was a definite sense of urgency; it was no longer sufficient to simply dream; she needed to take action.
She found that failure and rejection were old friends as she posted her writings online. The world’s criticism replaced her family’s praise for her work. Fatima recalled the book’s advice, though, which stated that setbacks are inevitable on the way to success. She looked at each critique and rejection as a gift that would help her grow as a writer.
Fatima recalled another book principle: Ignore the Naysayers. The chorus of doubters and detractors got louder by the day. She made the conscious decision to guard her vulnerability, building her sense of self-worth into an impregnable shield against the skepticism of the outside world. Her creative drive was her north star, not the critics who tried to knock her off course.
After a few months had passed, Fatima began to feel the aches of stagnation and a suspicion that her dream had reached a plateau. Another guidebook principle came to mind, and she realized she needed to force herself out of her usual routine. She overcame her hesitation and entered a worldwide writing contest. The unknown was terrifying, but it energized her to her core.
The book’s plea to let go of control lingered in the back of her mind as the days passed. Fatima stopped worrying about the results and instead sent her writings out into the world like messages in bottles, letting fate take its course. This letting go was the key that unlocked the door to magic in her life.
She was blessed with unexpected resources. Her blog was discovered by a literary agent who volunteered to represent her after sending her a brand new laptop from an unknown donor. Fatima experienced the truth of the book’s message: there is always enough time, money, and support to pursue your goals if you are truly passionate about them.
Then, late one night, an unexpected email arrived. Fatima read it twice and then again to make sure she understood it. The book agreement was worth a six-figure sum. Not at the number itself, but at the realization that her quantum jump had actually occurred, her eyes rose up with tears.
After putting “You Squared” back in her grandfather’s chest, Fatima watched the desert sun go down. The pages had guided her through the process of becoming a writer, with each tenet helping her evolve from a sand-bound dreamer into an author whose work would touch readers far beyond her own desert.
One tear fell on the wooden surface as she closed the lid, the wet proof of a desert dream realized with the help of an ancient book and the boundless well of a young woman’s fortitude.