“One of the beautiful phases in my life… I had gained 35 kilos, I was wobbling like a duck, I used to eat with great appetite wishing no one would be hungry, my cheeks became the size of my behind, my slim fingers looked like hotdogs, my narrow feet were only fitting in my husband’s sports shoes, & my hair was everywhere… That was on the outside. On the inside, heartburn, excessive bladder pressure, physical discomfort, you name it… Although I never slept a full night, since then, although the concern about that phase never left me, since then, yet, it truly was the beginning of the most beautiful phase of my life. Did you guess what was that phase? Pregnancy! Do you know why I woke up discussing pregnancy? Well, It is Mother’s day in Lebanon on March 21st, and I always think about my life as a mother, but never, the phase that made me one.
I guess you all know by now my mother and child story told in my biography, Where is My Angel?. I invite you to visit the book link, read the first two paragraphs, and you will certainly understand my concerns, yet, I guess this is where my motherhood instinct and strength came from, I was eagerly ready to live that experience and become one.
Going back in time, to my first pregnancy, I recall this day, now as I am talking to you all, a day I chose not to block from my memory, it was beautiful, I was living in the states, and I told myself, Happy Mommy-to-be day!”
#MOI Motherhood is precious…
I am the Host of the online daily Livestream of “Let’s Grow Corporate Style” & others…
“Do we all need a break? Well, truth be said, I feel I need a break from the long paused life, the break, of what we I call, being alive!
I don’t think we can jump from the confinement, the virus, and it’s variants, back to our routine life without a break or intervention discussing what happened.
To be honest, I believe every home saw the traumatic side of the virus & lost someone dear to them; our mental health was scratched, we are shattered, we are tired, and no, it cannot be cured with a band aid or a tap on the shoulder.
During the past few years, and still ongoing, we learned more about each other, in view of the confinement, we realized whether we can or not live with the person we are with; & additionally, we learned about ourselves, about how precious our life is, and mainly we learned to appreciate what we have, our strength, and who we are!”
#MOI All I am saying, you may decide to ignore my value, but I know my value & the person I am!
I am the Host of the online daily Livestream of “Let’s Grow Corporate Style” & others…
“About memories & time… well, memories are meant to bring life to a picture you had forgotten, & a meaning to existence when you lose the essence of why are we still together.
& then, at times, you find a picture, & tell yourself, thank you for reminding me…
I was not happy, I wasn’t myself, I can’t remember, I can do better, or what a waste….
Yes, time is precious, & so is your life!”
#MOI Be happy!
I am the Host of the online daily Livestream of “Let’s Grow Corporate Style” & others…
“Define the word Friends… actually, it’s the most common word used, representing a non-matrimonial bond between two people, built on trust, loyalty, acceptance, honesty, support, love, dependability, encouragement, & much more…
The best friends you may ever have are those that cheer for your success even though they are not involved in the process!”
#MOI ARE YOU MY FRIEND? Before you answer remember friendship is a two-way street!
***Once upon a time, a child was born. Between the different events, that child learned that the end in sight is more important than the beginning. My story is not unique, maybe the sequence happening to one person is. I am every woman, every story behind closed doors, every marriage, and every company. This is the story of a woman born in Lebanon with an international view on life. After losing her mother at birth, being exiled to the States and experiencing family leaving her life, Badiaa developed an inner strength that has allowed her to cope with events that would have broken someone less strong. Take Badiaa’s journey with her and discover truths about yourself and inspiration to take through your own life.***
#MOI All I can say, if I had survived and succeeded, you can!
I am the Host of the online daily Livestream “Let’s Grow Corporate Style”
Hi Badiaa Hiresh, thank you for agreeing to this interview.
Oltobooks : Tell us a little about yourself and your background? Badiaa Hiresh : Badiaa Hiresh was born in Lebanon in 1964 where she eventually lived and worked, raising her two daughters Vanessa and Tiffany. Badiaa also spent time in the USA after surviving the bitterness of the Lebanese Civil War, which gives her a unique international perspective on her home country. After working as an accountant and manager for the family jewelry business, Badiaa found herself in the field of education, helping to start a school. As well as writing, Badiaa is an advocate for peace, spending many years as a Peace Coordinator. Badiaa, the child born to a painful beginning, dreamed, and reached International by publishing three books, Where Is My Angel?; Mommy, I Am A PACER; & Life’s Detours, Alexandra’s Choices.
Oltobooks : What are your ambitions for your writing career? Badiaa Hiresh : To inspire readers and change their life, and see my books on the big screen.
Oltobooks : When did you decide to become a writer? Badiaa Hiresh : I wrote since I could think and hold a pen. Having lost my mom at birth, made me write to her in my mind, and speak to her to feel safe; and then came my diary.
Oltobooks : Why do you write? Badiaa Hiresh : The topics I write about touch upon reality. I want to heal the world from pain, I want people to get over their issues and deal with them and prevent them through actions.
Oltobooks : What made you decide to sit down and actually start something? Badiaa Hiresh : I always had that passion and imagination. When I was in Grade 2 I won the reading award and I always knew and wanted to write. So what made me decide to sit down and actually start something, well, imagine you are at school event, all mothers are there, and your mother’s seat is empty… so you fill the blank of the seats, events, life moments, etc… with words.
Oltobooks : Where do your ideas come from? Badiaa Hiresh : From real life events, personal and those I lived, and witnessed.
Oltobooks : What is the hardest thing about writing? Badiaa Hiresh : The hardest thing about writing is writing about yourself, and the decision of how much to say!
Oltobooks : What is the easiest thing about writing? Badiaa Hiresh : The easiest thing about writing is the process itself, at least to me. Once I start, I keep on writing, no planning, no mapping, just words and ideas flowing!
Oltobooks : If this book is part of a series, tell us a little about it? Badiaa Hiresh : Where is My Angel? my biography Once upon a time, a child was born. Between the different events, that child learned that the end in sight is more important than the beginning. My story is not unique, maybe the sequence happening to one person is. I am every woman, every story behind closed doors, every marriage, and every company. This is the story of a woman born in Lebanon with an international view on life. After losing her mother at birth, being exiled to the States and experiencing family leaving her life, Badiaa developed an inner strength that has allowed her to cope with events that would have broken someone less strong. With time, she learned to stand alone. She learned about the importance of a smile, she learned about the steps towards happiness, she learned about true friendship, she learned about inner-peace, she learned about what makes a family, and additionally, she learned to differentiate between fate and destiny. Fate came with her birth, but she knew that destiny was in her own hands. Mommy, I Am a PACER: Meet Abigail. Abigail is a girl who’s made a difference in her community by becoming a PACER, but what is a PACER? A PACER is a person who exhibits perseverance, agility, clarity, empathy, and respect. In this collection of short stories, each book represents one of the letters of the word PACER and its attributed characteristics. Join Abigail as she perseveres in welcoming new members into her community, demonstrates her ability to make quick and successful decisions, learns to resolve conflicts by talking openly and honestly with others, and so much more! Mommy, I’m a PACER encourages children to adopt the attitude of a PACER and teaches them how to interact with others and react positively to many different day-to-day situations. Life’s Detours, Alexandra’s Choices This story is about women and for women. Can broken hearts be mended? Alexandra is a dreamer, the youngest child of a large, reserved family. She longs to escape her small-town life and begins a secret life when she is nearly sixteen, singing at a small pub in the next town over. Her parents find out and give her a choice: stop singing or leave home. She leaves and soon finds herself involved with a much older man. When she discovers she is pregnant, however, her entire life changes once more. She sets out on a journey to a big city, determined to make her own choices and find her dreams, regardless of the challenges she faces. Between the life chosen for us and that we chose, we learn lessons that we forget with time. We end up sinking, derail from the right path, and then miss opportunities as we dread embarking on new waves, thanks to the depth of the wounds caused by those closest to us. But when we feel most disappointed in ourselves, we must be strong and remember we deserve happiness, justice, and success. This novel follows the life and journey of a young woman facing an unexpected pregnancy without support from anyone and choosing to chase her dreams anyway.
Oltobooks : What are your thoughts on writing a book series? Badiaa Hiresh : I love it, I did in the 5 short stories of Mommy, I AM a PACER, it connects you with the characters.
Oltobooks : What is your favourite positive saying? Badiaa Hiresh : Nothing will change until the day you take the first step. You are not alone!
Oltobooks : Where can you see yourself in 5 years’ time? Badiaa Hiresh : Watching one of my books on the big screen, and in inspiration talks.
Oltobooks : What advice would you give to your younger self? Badiaa Hiresh : Keep your diary at your fingertips and document your life!
“Perfection standards are in your hands… Right or wrong is an opinion…
People will judge, people will criticize, with time people forget a story, to move on to another person and/or story, but deep down there is a story, right or wrong is an opinion, and it’s yours, of your story and your opinion of the facts!
You are faced in life with obstacles & challenges that arm you with more skills and self-confidence… It’s your life, live it to look back not to regret, missing an opportunity or messing it up…
#MOI Live it, for you!”
I am the Host of the online daily Livestream “Let’s Grow Corporate Style”
“Hello Sunday…. what goes around comes around! What a morning, I woke up with a serene mood, I had a chat with my mentor yesterday, and I felt not on standby anymore.
You know, I used to wait, all my life I did, to receive a call, or a message, before I proceeded with what I wanted to do! But, yesterday, was my last standby, decision made, if convenient, let it be!
So I woke up energetic, free, and ready to do what I had planned. Of course, while having coffee in bed, I started the movie “The family man”, then the electricity went off, so I searched the movie on Netflix and found instead “A family Man”. You wonder how two movies would run with practically the same title, but since I have watched both, I tell you, every word counts in a sentence, and every moment counts in life!
To begin with, I do recommend this movie, watch it, actually both are worth an evening. But, truth be told, I had some angry moments, reflecting on my life, and those who took away things from me, things that affected my life, but, being the woman I am, and became, no one can ever, again, do that. I made it in life, despite launching in the world with a lack of credit; I made it, despite them depriving of everything, literally… I made it, WHERE IS MY ANGEL? will tell you how, guide you, and inspire you.
Then, the movie gave me peace, and reassured me, that what goes around comes around… I never wished evil, sickness, or misfortune, to anyone; and as well I don’t forgive. I always say, forgiveness is Holy, and I am only human; I do not hold grudges though, I just move away, and let things be! Human power can beat you on earth, but Holy power will beat you while living, sleeping, working, and when it’s time to face eternity! Today’s movie reassured me about Karma, and gave me more peace to live, and more space to enjoy… The space you need in your mind, and soul, to get to know yourself more, your value more, the person you are, and the feeling you deserve… Happiness and a piece of peace!” #MOI Have a peacefully happy Sunday.
