They Said – When other people’s voices becomes fuel for growth

The best remedy against too much and not enough is to do you. They will say a lot, not much is useful.

They told me I’m not a boy, and I shouldn’t play outside. So I became a tomboy and climbed all the trees, went up all the sand dunes, played in the mud, played rugby.

They told me I wasn’t smart enough to finish high school, so I finished first of my class, got my baccalaureat with high distinctions and went to law school.

They told me I was ugly, so I became a model.

They told me I would never finish uni because I was skipping too many classes (to be able to provide for my brothers, to pay for the roof over my head I was working 2 to 3 jobs at all times on top of uni), so I got my bachelors with high distinctions and went on to study in the Netherlands my first and then my second masters degree.

They told me I shouldn’t travel alone because I’m a woman, so of course, I travelled alone. My first trip was to Senegal when I was barely 18.

They told me I’d never move to Australia and I was all talk. I did move to Australia, with €500 in my bank account and no plan whatsoever.

They told me I’d probably never go back to surfing after I broke my back, not like before. So I went back to surfing and fought the anxiety it suddenly brought to do one of the things I loved the most, until the anxiety subsided and it became pure bliss all over again.

They told me I didn’t amount to much and I would be destined to working low paying jobs, I became an English teacher, I became a lawyer, I became a COO, and I am becoming a successful business owner.

They told me business should be cut throat, so I chose to create a business that reflects my beliefs. That reflects all the love I have for people, for life and for myself. I am creating a Work of Love, a Community of Lovers with Women Make Waves

They told me I could not succeed more times than I can remember. They told me I couldn’t achieve my dreams more times than I can count.

They really did try to crush my dreams.

They told me how I should lead my life, according to the confines of their own mind.

I
NEVER
LISTENED

If anything, it fueled me to prove them wrong.

This woman is a feisty one. A lover that will never shy away before adversity and whatever challenge comes her way. This woman is the biggest dreamer the earth has ever carried.

This is Me.

Picture of Sonia Houria Rivas

Sonia Houria Rivas

Women Make Waves Founder, Mentor, Speaker, Adventurer, Writer, LL.M.

share this post:

Facebook
Email
WhatsApp

Want to keep reading? Here’s more

Sahara Project
Sonia

The Magic Of Plans – Or a Side Effect of Inner Work

I went for a walk at dusk at my local beach. Put my feet in the sand and started walking, my mind wandering over the details of my life. Life has been a bit hectic lately as I shake old trauma out of my system, they awaken in me the strongest responses. Inner work is no joke, but I also see gigantic steps that make it easier for me to project myself into the future and start making plans. I’ve never been one for plans. Survival strategy for someone that grew up with emotionally unstable and sometimes unsafe parents. I am seeing with exquisite detail the mechanisms of my childhood and how they play out in my adult life. Houria is my middle name, and it holds significant meaning to me. It eludes to the wind of freedom and liberation that carries me. Free woman, a name that paved the way before me. My grandma’s name.I lovingly named the healing process I created after it because as it turns out, it became my mission to free women alongside me. And as I slowly put the shackles down, I turn to my deepest dreams. As I walk along this beach, feeling the sand under my feet, its many different sensations, the repetitiveness of walking, I brings me to the Sahara. I will be walking in its sands. I remember the Sahara as being a wonderful place but a place that look so monotonous. A few weeks ago, I talked to Regis on the phone again. I hadn’t heard since before Indo and my poor little neglected child mind kept pounding me: he doesn’t care. He’s given up on you. You won’t cross the Sahara. So I messaged and a day later, I was on the phone with the man I could call a mentor if I dared. He gave me my next task. As a true teacher, he reveals just enough to help but not enough for me to cut corners. I am an adventurer in training. The current task? Map each day precisely along the imaginary line I traced, based on the terrain using satellite mapping. Once I’m done, I’ll send it and he will give me feedbacks. As I scroll through the many km along the initial rough itinerary so I can truly see where my 6 camels, the Chamelier who I am yet to let the universe bring to me and myself will be walking. Step after step. Day after day. I feel blessed, and amazed at the diversity of landscapes in the Sahara. It is such a pretty place from the sky… I’m really looking forward to seeing it throughout the months it will take to cross to my planned destination. Plans! Ah! Who thought I would one day not dread them! 💙

Read More »