Doesn’t mean your own life has to suffer.

We’ve been saying that a LOT around the homestead.

I mean who wouldn’t be appalled at what’s going on all over the world?

There’s carnage and bloodshed and dying and starving all over the place.

I’m trying really really hard not to hate rich people!

And I’m trying really really hard to keep it together what with all the suffering that’s happening.

It’s not always easy.

I just read an interesting article in the most recent issue of the SCBWI magazine and the lady stated factually that most authors are suffering from a lack of school visits. That for many, they’ve all but dried up as a form of revenue, and I thought really?

I’m still getting them, albeit yes, the numbers are down, but I’m still plenty busy!

It also helps that I was fortunate enough to receive another Toronto Arts Council grant to be Artist in Library again. This fall, at Downsview library, although now that I’m typing this I’m not sure if I already mentioned this on the blog.

If I did, please forgive the repeat.

But that should prove interesting and will keep me busy this fall.

Wanting Mor was published in Sharjah in November and I’ve been invited there in April to the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 2015 there. I’m really looking forward to that!

The folks are planning to fly me business class and the weird thing is I’m kind of conflicted about it.

Is it strange to feel that spending so much money on a ticket that will get you to a place in pretty much the same way as if you flied economy, is shameful?

Shameful!

I’m tempted to ask them to fly me economy and then donate the rest of the money to the refugees in Syria or something. But then part of me feels that no, just take it, and see what business class is all about.

But honestly, I’m starting to hate this ‘class elitism’ nonsense!

I’m starting to hate the whole idea of ‘status’.

And yet don’t I suffer from it all the time? Don’t some people take one look at me and think I’m beneath them? It happens a lot!

You can see it in their eyes.

In the curl of their lip.

And then more often than not, I can turn that curl around when I actually get up to present. And then it’s like a look of astonishment on their faces, but not on everybody’s face.

You can’t win everyone over.

You just can’t.

Some people just aren’t able to get past the package.

I’ve got a new project coming out very soon alhamdu lillah. I hope it blows people away!

It’s called Not Guilty and I was reminded of it even with some of the recent happenings.

When I have more news I’ll tell, but for now, keep your chin up and remember, from that old Afghan folktale, about the subjects giving the king a ring that he could always look upon with good advice that read, “This too shall pass.”

Every time something awful happens recite that mantra to yourself, “This too shall pass.”

And every time something wonderful happens recite that mantra, “This too shall pass.”

Ups and downs, life is bound to have both.

So ride them both equally, knowing in your heart that the things that happen to you, do not define you.

And your economic stature or your other status do not define you.

You are something else.

You are the soul, deep within the shell of your body, that looks back at you, that runs the shell of your body to do its will.

And try to do good.

That is who you are.