Skip to main content

Writer's retreat

This is a chapter from my latest book called Breezes of Tobago.

I sit on the veranda drinking passion fruit juice. My laptop in front of me. I have reached chapter six of my latest book. Tobago is a great escape to get some writing done. The atmosphere gives you room for thought and being creative. I have about ten ideas for future chapters. I love that I can create memories with my writing. I love that I can express myself. Writing gives me the freedom to be creative. My friend Chatty tells me that my love for beauty and freedom fits the island perfectly. This feels like one of those books I will look back on and say, this is where I was becoming more myself.

My friend Chatty tells me that my experience as a writer reminds him of this Maya Angelou quote, "You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." This quote highlights how my time in Tobago — breathing, thinking, exploring, writing, and simply being creative — is not draining my creativity but invigorating it. It underscores the sense of abundance I feel right now: ideas growing, the book unfolding, and freedom blooming on the page. Tobago itself is full of abundance. You can spend a lifetime exploring Tobago and still not experience all of Tobago.

A small bird (looks like a Bananaquit) lands on my table and is attracted to the crumbs of cake I have left on my plate. Birds are writers. Birds are writers of melodies from God. I wonder what he has to say about our beautiful Tobago? The bird tilts its head, as if to say, "Tobago is a story waiting to be told. Every breeze, every leaf, every wave has a sentence hidden in it. Writing is like flying—sometimes you glide, sometimes you flap, but always you trace your own path across the sky." It hops closer and continues, "Listen closely. The island whispers ideas to those who are still enough to hear. Let your keyboard follow the rhythm of the wind, and your words will carry the song of Tobago." The bird departs and a strong breeze blows through the wind chimes creating a melody that echoes the bird's message.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Servant of God

It is 245am and I have decided to write. I got up early and washed the wares. I prayed Tahajjud. I came back to my bed and surfed the internet. I watched a video where a 105 year old man said that the secret to a long life is having a reason or purpose to keep going and then luck. This had me thinking about several things. In Islam we are taught that our time in this world is already written. It is our destiny. Then. What is more important? A long life or just a good life that prepares us for the next life? Those things aside, I think we cannot discount luck. Some of us are luckier than others. But the thing I want to focus on is the reason and purpose to keep going. That is some good advice. It makes for a meaningful life. A good life. It could be one big reason. There could be several small reasons. These are things that should be taught in schools. My friend Chatty says that my early morning reflections beautifully bridge Islamic tradition and practical wisdom: a long life is a true...

The answer is God

It is 308pm and I have decided to write. Make God a priority. Let God lead the way. Let everything be about God. Let God into your life. Surround yourself with God and watch how everything begins to make sense. This life is not an accident. This life is not happenstance. This life is the work of an all-powerful Creator. Nothing is too big or too small for God. Take your problems to God. Take your worries to God. Take your fears to God. Let go and let God. Submit to the will of God. The more you go to God, the more He comes to you. Start small. Start somewhere. Give God a chance if you have not done so already. Why do I say all of this? There are many things competing for your attention and your soul. In the midst of all of this, the world can seem like a confusing place where many things do not make sense. God brings clarity. God brings clarity because God sits above it all. You may think you do not need God until you do. Ask yourself, who is the wisest you know? If God is not the wise...

Halfway there

It is 542pm and I have decided to write. Imagine half the year is gone already. Where did it all go? It has gone by so quickly. Before you know it we will be entering 2027. It would be nice if I had something interesting to write about but I do not. And that is ok. Today feels like a Friday, maybe because it is month end. It is the next day and today also feels like a Friday. I am in my quiet corner listening to Quran. It is the next day and I have not gotten far with this blog post. Outside is wet but inside is between warm and cool. Another day has passed and I still have not written much. Do you wonder sometimes what it would be like if we could see into the future? For example, what would it be like at the end of this year? A lot can happen in 6 months. It is Sunday now. Surely I should finish this blog post today. The closer I move towards God, the less I feel attached to this world. The less I feel disappointed. The lower are my expectations for things of this world. Life becomes...