I Shared My Story | Finding Courage to Speak Openly About Faith and Identity | Fathima S Meer, South Africa

About the Storyteller

Fathima S Meer is a ghostwriter, blogger, editor, proofreader, and a full-time mum to four delightful daughters with a passion for life, travel, and politics.

This is what happened when Fathima shared her story ... 

What Happened After Sharing Her Story

Describe any personal benefits sharing your story has brought you:

Each story I shared felt different. The one about the face veil lifted a burden, and I felt relieved when it enlightened others.

I got so many positive comments that it renewed my faith that people are good, essentially. It also proved that I could make a positive contribution and teach people about people like me. Ignorance is not always bliss. It can be painful and hurtful. With the exposure of myself came a sort of closure.

The Taxi Driver was a feel-good story that made me see the goodness in others, and sharing that recognition with others is powerful. It made me feel that it is possible to change the world by doing a good deed or changing one negative person's view. It gave me clarity of purpose.

What was the greatest challenge you had sharing your story?

My greatest fear was speaking about my religion and worrying about how people will react. With so much negative publicity in the media, it was the biggest challenge I faced. I spoke openly and honestly to Karletta. I was worried she would lose her readers. She encouraged me to go for it, and her positivity helped make me brave and emboldened me.

Were you helped in any way by the process the DIL team used to help you develop your story?

Karletta showed me how to grab the reader's attention from the start, draw them in, and how to bring out the essence of my story succinctly.

I appreciate the fact that she allowed me to reword or edit my story and did not do it on my behalf. She asked questions when she needed clarification, and it helped me process what I wanted to say. Sometimes, what is common knowledge to me is not always the case for others, and Karletta was there to tell me when I was losing the audience.

Did sharing help you understand yourself more deeply?  What were your greatest lessons?

I learned that I am strong mentally. I can tolerate people who belittle my faith or my choice of dressing. I also learned not to assume everyone will be critical of my dress code.

Telling my story released the burden I felt weighing me down. I also understand now that I must be more open-minded to receive the goodness people offer. I am usually skeptical of people's intentions, but I realize that trusting others is worthwhile.

Did you enjoy the response you received from others in relation to your story?  How So?

It was heartwarming to receive the good wishes and inspirational messages people shared. I was in awe that I could touch someone on a personal level.

Did sharing your story have an impact on others in any way?

I think it did. Talking about my face veil could have removed the veil (blinkers) that covered others' eyes. I hope it will be a start to a conversation. I would like to have more engagement with others to put to bed the prejudiced and bigoted views that mainstream media espouses.

Would you recommend others share their story?

Definitely, it heals, purges, and enlightens others. It makes you feel lighter and more lively. Storytelling is a powerful tool to use to bring out positivity. Every cloud has a silver lining.

Anything else?

I enjoyed it. The process was simple. My story remained within my control.

Many people who share their story experience a similar shift.