BE RADIANT // ISSUE 5

BE RADIANT

JAN 2019

A HELLO / /

Light is something we are always looking for. It’s what keeps us hopeful, gives us strength when everything seems to have been overwhelmed. But what we forget is that we have the power to be light ourselves, to radiate what we want to see in others, in the rest of the world. That is what not even the worst of times can take away from us. Light.

January is always referred to as The Blues. It’s cold and lonely and yet, it’s filled with new expectations of what we aspire to be and do. Here’s to steeping in light, beginning with ourselves. This is Be. With love, Jennifer Xia -founder & editor-in-chief

CONTENTS / /

January Tunes // 1 Venture Outwards // 2 HerStory: Nabeeha Qazi – Feel Good Cupcakes // 3 – 5 Feel Good Cupcakes Menu // 6 When I Wake up in the Mornings // 7 Daylight Savings Poem // 8 Light // 9 – 12 Sources of Light // 13 This Suburban Street // 14 Cozy Café // 15 A Person of Extremes // 16 Reflections // 17 – 18 Mental Health in Plano // 19 Never Deserted of Light // 20 Coffeehouse // 21 What are Your Sources of Light and Hope? // 22 Perfectly Imperfect // 23 Look up // 24 – 26 Where you Give Your Energy? // 27 Be Radiant // 28

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JANUARY TUNES Cali – Matthew And The Atlas Changed – JP Saxe Cheerleader – JP Cooper cliché – mxmtoon Cough Syrup – Young the Giant dear insecurity – gnash (feat. ben abraham) Don’t Forget About Me – CLOVES Featherstone – The Paper Kites Girl Crush – Harry Styles Hero – Family of the Year Make It Happen – John Splithoff Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra Next to You – John Vincent III No Goodbyes – LÉON Normal – Sasha Sloan On the Low – Tove Styrke Past Lives – BORNS Safe Haven – Ruth B. Sincerity is Scary – The 1975 Slumber – Lewis Watson Souvenirs – Kina Grannis Summer on You – PRETTYMUCH Talia – King Princess Thank You Light - Florist The Few Things – JP Saxe these are my friends - lovelytheband Tough – Quinn XCII ft. Noah Kahan Violent Crimes – Kanye West

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Facebook: @FeelGoodCupcakesPlano Instagram: @feelgoodcupcakes

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Meet Nabeeha Qazi, an eighteen-year-old senior at Plano West Senior High School. In September of 2018, Nabeeha started her business called Feel Good Cupcakes to raise money for refugee families. An avid cupcake baker a year prior to creating the business, Nabeeha’s friends encouraged her to find a means of sharing her cupcakes with a larger community. “Baking is one of my passions,” Nabeeha says. “I love expressing myself creatively through food. It’s also a great stress reliever. Making something with my own hands gives me a sense of accomplishment once I’m finished.”

“Making something with my own hands gives me a sense of accomplishment once I’m finished.”

However, Nabeeha strives to extend this sense of purpose to an even greater cause. “As someone who has moved around a lot as a child, I understand the difficulties refugees face as they try and assimilate into new and unfamiliar cultures. I think it’s unfair to abandon these people and it is

our duty to help them grow accustomed to their new lives,” Nabeeha says. Nabeeha uses 50% of the profits she makes to go towards helping raise money for job training, food, and other resources refugee families may need to help jumpstart their lives.

According to The Texas Tribune, “The number of refugees resettled in Texas has plummeted under the Trump administration, with some of the most significant drops reflected in decreases of refugees from the Middle East” (Ura & Cameron, 2018).

Through Nabeeha’s business, she hopes to not only support refugee families but encourage others to feel good as well, hence the name “Feel Good Cupcakes.” Nabeeha says, “The most rewarding part is seeing people enjoy the cupcakes and asking to order again and again. I love seeing the smiles on their faces. Being able to deliver this positivity is reward enough on its own, but I feel proud knowing that the money raised from my cupcakes is going towards a great cause.” Nabeeha’s ardent compassion is what gives her the drive to continue her business and she urges others to take charge as leaders in their own ways. “I hope that I can prove that everyone can make a difference. We see problems as highlighted in the news and feel insignificant because we feel that as one person, we can’t make a difference. But all it takes is a mission and passion. You shouldn’t let the gravity of a problem discourage you from trying,” Nabeeha says.

“You shouldn’t let the gravity of a problem discourage you from trying.”

Her business is not without challenges.

Getting exposure out to others is a difficult task without using a large amount of money for advertisements, especially in a world where everyone is competing for attention. “Most of the order I’ve fulfilled so far have been through word of mouth or mutual friends. It’s been a struggle to find an outlet that works. Social media is a tricky beast,” Nabeeha says. Despite this adversity, Nabeeha remains determined to continue her mission in helping others. Even in her cupcakes, she tries her best to accommodate for others, fervently thoughtful towards others. “I try to make the

5 cupcakes affordable, while also providing a myriad of flavor choices for everyone’s tastes. As a Muslim, I also choose to make all my cupcakes 100% vegetarian and halal to cater to the dietary needs of others. I can also make eggless cupcakes upon request.” Nabeeha says. Her personal favorite cupcake to bake and eat is the salted caramel and chocolate cupcake (shown on lower right corner, page 5). “I enjoy the process of making it because I love the rich chocolatey smell of the cocoa powder that I use in the cupcake base. It’s a complex and entertaining recipe that helps relieve any stress after a long day. It also tastes the best out of all the cupcakes in my opinion,” says Nabeeha.

Nabeeha one day hopes to become an emergency care physician and continue to expand Feel Good Cupcakes on the side. I admire her determination and passion so much, along with her willingness to share her journey with us. Please reach out to the social media platforms Feel Good Cupcakes has on Facebook and Instagram to eat some delicious cupcakes while supporting an amazing cause. This is HerStory.

Red Velvet

Peach

See menu on next page !

Salted Caramel and Chocolate

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when i wake up in the mornings My limbs crackle as I wake up, a fire’s laughter I call it. Each day starts with a spark. Light. Despite how I feel the night before, each day starts with light. A promise one can count on. A promise often forgotten to be true, but always proven right.

They say productive people make their bed every day in the morning. I’m not sure if it works but I do it anyway, knowing that small things lead to big things.

The rabbit stirs the bedding in his cage and I am reminded that there are other hearts to take care of. My mother told me how she bought so many animals because they kept her moving, how taking care of something else gave her a sense of purpose. I know that feeling. However, I know the importance of doing the same for myself and letting others help as well. The more light we let in, the more light we can give.

Most mornings, I turn on the music instantly.

Silence has always made me uncomfortable. Awkward pauses. Brain working anxiously to say the right thing.

The sound of loneliness, an empty house. I’m learning how to give the quiet its space. Mindful silence. Brain resting from its constant marathon. The sound of calm, a tranquil house.

When I wake up in the mornings, these are the little things in disguise of the big things.

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sources of light 1. My dad bringing up a bowl of cut apples when I’m up late doing my homework.

2. Wind blowing through my hair and the trees in the same way.

3. Laughter, the kind where your stomach aches and you don’t care how it sounds.

4. Locking eyes and stealing glances with someone you love.

5. The smile that follows that stolen glance.

6. The irreplaceable bond of sisters.

7. Washing your face and settling into comfy clothes, like returning home.

8. Getting a warm, heartfelt message for no reason or occasion.

9. Getting a warm, heartfelt message for a reason or occasion.

10. Love.

11. Myself.

12. Others.

13. The world.

14. Rollerblading so fast down a hill I become a bird.

15. Clean hair.

16. Dancing in the kitchen while cooking food or microwaving leftovers.

17. Nice, unexpected conversations with strangers.

18. Staying off of technology and not missing it.

19. Doing something brave while feeling scared.

20. Waking up well-rested.

21. Wearing an outfit that makes you stand up a little taller, walk with stride, and smile a little more.

22. Having a good day and remembering that good days are to come, even after bad ones. Even after good ones.

23. My mom tending her garden and placing flowers around the house, a believer in making the most out of things.

24. Coming home to pets that are happy to see you.

25. Light itself.

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A PERSON OF EXTREMES I am a person of extremes. Of worst and best case scenarios. When I was little, I used to wait by the window as my dad pulled out of the garage in his car, waving goodbye until I couldn’t see the car anymore. Worst case scenario, I was afraid that it would be the last moment I saw him and I wanted it to be something worthy of being the last. Even now at eighteen years old, about to go off to college and leave myself, I still wait outside and wave.

But with the intent of making my moments count, there is a fear of being overbearing, too attached. I message people I love after watching T.V. shows, where people lose their loved ones or make cheesy monologues. I tell them how much I love them, how I can’t stand to lose them. And I imagine it must feel strange to receive such a message out of the blue, and I often feel silly the morning I wake up after sending a long message. But I think of the worst case scenarios and I know that I have no regrets for saying I love you, even when it feels like too much. There are too many moments where we wish we could have said that one thing that’s been sitting in our chest, hugged for one second longer, savored the moment as it was happening more.

However, in the same way I am a person of worst case scenarios, I am one of best case ones in the same way. I am an optimist, a believer in people and good things. As much as I believe that he won’t come home, that I won’t ever see my loved ones again, I believe that I will hear the garage doors open and that I will see them at school the next day.

At times, I wish I wasn’t a person of extremes. That I didn’t fall and rise so easily. But the pain and joy I feel is much better than the greyness of nothing. To have empathy from the lows and optimism from the highs is something I cherish. I am a person of worst and best case scenarios, and I aim to live my life in extreme love and light.

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MENTAL HEALTH IN PLANO According to the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 24 in Texas. The isolation of a suburban lifestyle in Plano and the pressure students feel to succeed can attribute to the growing depression and anxiety students experience.

I have personally seen how devastating the stress of school coupled with personal and family problems can be on a person. Academic pressure in a competitive environment is alone enough to be damaging to one’s self worth. But when wellbeing is neglected, it starts to affect physical and mental health, which will only hurt academics in the end as well. It’s hard to see your friends struggle, especially when you don’t feel equipped to help properly. So what can you do?

It’s never easy to know with certainty what signs to look out for but according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, here are some common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents: • Extreme mood changes • Excessive emotions of worry or sadness • Avoiding friends and social activities • Changes in sleeping habits and energy • Abuse of substances • Inability to carry out daily activities • Suicidal thoughts/ideation • Intense concern with appearance • Changes in school performance Now once you see the warning signs, what can you do? An important thing to remember is that someone’s wellbeing is not your responsibility, no matter how much you want to help someone. You can support but when you are not professionally trained and equipped to help someone, you can’t expect that from yourself. You could do more harm than good, something I had to realize myself when I felt the great weight of wanting to help someone I loved.

Although my school has made its efforts to bring attention to mental health with the implementation of a Mental Health Break, I still find that education surrounding the issue is still lacking.

But that does not mean that there are a lack of resources. Beacon Care Services, a service committed to offering mental health care, has

opened a facility inside a Walmart Supercenter in North Texas. Anyone can walk in or schedule an appointment and receive therapy services, offering both convenience and affordability due to its accessible location and reasonable price. If you are interested in therapy sessions here is information: Beacon Care Services Location: 1213 E Trinity Mills Rd, Carrollton Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tues, Thurs: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

How else can we help? Conversation.

“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable.

When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” – Fred Rogers. Why people find it so difficult to reach out for help is the fear of being misunderstood and judged.

Stigma is what anyone who battles with their mental health struggles against. I have had friends go to school counselors for help but unfortunately, most counselors are trained to focus on more academic and administrative activities. However, if school counselors are someone you can trust, then reach out to anyone you feel comfortable with confiding in because they will help you the best you can. But what we can do is open the conversation surrounding mental health and build greater compassion and understanding.

Something I really hate is the romantization and humor that has developed around mental health, especially on social media. Although I recognize that humor can often be a way to cope, I think it has normalized it in a dangerous way while still avoiding meaningful discussion. Acceptance of the way things are is not what we should be doing, but actively working on how we can as a community address mental health. This starts at ourselves. This means the tedious self-care that seems pointless but actually helps.

This means reaching out for help when you need it.

This means talking. My greatest fear is being too late. I don’t want a tragedy for real action to take place.

If you are having any suicidal thoughts, call the suicide and crisis hotline at (214) 828-1000.

Here is a website for more resources as well: https://www.plano.gov/2445/Helpful-Resources

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Inspired by @helsinkimonamour

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What are your sources of light and hope?

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Too often are we pursuing perfection, an ideal that isn’t realistically attainable, not without compromising ourselves in the process.

I myself have gotten caught up in the numbers, the comparisons, the evaluation of self-worth based on something completely out of my control. The increasing presence of social media has transformed how we view ourselves and how we view others. When we start to lose ourselves in others and expectations, we need to take a step back and recognize the imperfections that make us unique and beautiful. Gaps in our teeth. Stretch marks.

Freckles. Scars. Birth marks. Curves. Laugh lines. Wrinkles. Nobody, no beauty ideals should tell us otherwise.

So I think it’s important to embrace these imperfections that traditionally aren’t considered beautiful. Be silly. Make fun of the quirky parts of yourself. There is no other love like love for oneself. It is the most powerful thing and it is a revolution that you can lead yourself. So go. Lead yourself in what you know best.

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Where you give your energy I would say I’m an introvert. If I spend a long time with large groups of people, I slowly become drained and burnt out. It has nothing to do with not enjoying the time I am spending, but simply where I get my energy from. But I think it’s extremely important to think about where you give your own energy, how you expend it and who is receiving it.

Motivational speaker Jim Rohn has famously stated that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. Whether we can boil ourselves down to five people is something that can be questioned but the concept rings a truth: who we spend time with impacts our decisions and thoughts, how we perceive ourselves and others, and how we feel.

A lot of the times we can’t control who we are surrounded by. Strangers we encounter. Classmates.

Teachers. Employers. But we do have control over who we give our energy to. I personally try to actively surround myself with people that are motivated and positive. Of course, people have their bad days and you don’t abandon people when they are only human, but if there is persistent negativity that begins to drain you, it is okay to walk away. Do not stay out of obligation or responsibility or guilt. I have friends that get entangled in drama or feel frustrated by the people they talk to, and I always ask why they are choosing to keep unhealthy relationships and what they want or need instead. It’s hard to say no, but nothing is worth compromising your own wellbeing. Having people around me that show me how bad days are lessons in disguise, that pain isn’t permanent, that light persists when hope is kept alive, makes all the difference.

I also love being around passionate people that motivate me to both better myself as a person and work harder. There is something magical in the momentum you get from being inspired instead of discouraged by someone else’s success. I grew up in a competitive school district that often pushed people to be cut throat and see other peoples’ successes as their own failure.

But I think it is so important to realize that we can build each other up together and reach for even higher.

I’m constantly learning from those around me. How to be a better friend. How to prioritize. How to study.

How to be empathetic. So think more intently about where you give your energy to. You are a light.

Radiate where you have the space to shine.

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Be radiant.