#Grateful-- A Nasdaq Reflection

As I have officially completed my 10 weeks as a summer intern, I am still marinating in ultimate excitement and gratefulness to have been featured on the Nasdaq screen along with animated centaurs that subtly encourage me to keep dreaming of unknown possibilities!?

The Following is a true story and humbling transparent reflection:?

Under this screen, almost 3 years ago I was in an incredibly difficult place.

One night, during my first visit to NY, I was painfully contemplating taking a medical leave from my 3rd semester of law school at Georgetown Law (because of incredible health challenges).?Fascinated by the lights and noticing a bus really close to my rear, I tried to dodge the bus while riding my bike under this sign.?Gravity powerfully kicked in, and I fell over crashing into the sidewalk.?

Growing up with limiting labels and judgments, this public fall seemed like a physical manifestation the inner nightmare that I was enduring. Oh the horror—I was seen at my “worst”.

With the “people of New York” watching, I tried to run off and tend to my knee in a hidden location.?But my husband, Daniel, intervened, somewhat stopping life in this moment, laid our bikes on the sidewalk to hug me in the midst of starring traffic.?(Maybe even causing even more of scene. ) He held me for what felt like eternity.?Here, a life shift happened.?I allowed the eyes of people because I felt safely seen by my life partner. And allowing myself to be seen in this moment set me up for an empowering journey beyond any that I could craft.?

I am grateful for this moment that Nasdaq was unknowingly apart of.

After this fall, during the “speed-bump” of my medical leave, I became curious and began questioning varying mindsets and expectations that I had accepted for myself. And I determined to break these “glass ceilings/boxes,”?on my intense journey of physically healing.??

Within the continuation of?my journey, I realized I love corporations and corporate law, because I love the idea of finding problems and creating solutions. ?Something that I believe Nasdaq does so incredibly well.

Oddly enough, this accident in Times Square was the beginning of me learning to unapologetically show up as Akeela... bruises, battle scars, and all.?And honestly, I’m still working on this... Even in the middle of Times Square.

Today, I’m still showing up with strength, excitement, but also vulnerability.?I am learning to appreciate my imperfections, because I realize that I am actually (surprisingly ??) human.?This realization enables me to richly appreciate the beautiful humanity of others and encourage and empower them beyond their perceived limitations.?This is one of the reasons why Playing as a Team is Integral to Fueling Success within any platform.

I am so grateful for my Nasdaq-infused story of Redemption.

And, honestly, despite this post, I still feel somewhat at a loss of words.

I'll start by saying THANK YOU.

Thank you Nasdaq for presenting an invaluable connection to a dynamic and world-changing Nasdaq Family (and other connections this internship has facilitated).

It is impossible to name each person who has supported me along my evolving journey of self-realization. A special thank you to Daryl, Sohini, Amma,?Erik, Simone, and Janet for broadening my perspective and enlightening my experience.

In the current world of limited interpersonal gatherings, I am grateful for each individual who has reached out virtually for random check-ins, reviews of my work product, and refreshing Zoom coffee dates. Thank you for making space for me to show up as the best version of myself.

Thank you, Everlasting Hope and Heavenly Intervention, for your participation and compassionate role in the CREATIVE development of my uniquely eventful story.

From the initial support of GULC encouraging an unfamiliar version of self-care, to the celebration of Nasdaq for my participation in this internship, I am amazed to see glimpses of divine redemption on my journey.

Lesson: Yes, we will fall in life.?We will sometimes fail. We may even miss our "planned for moments." But maybe, just maybe (and more than likely), you’ll come to this place again, standing taller, with an empowered voice, clearer mind, insightful perspective, healed wounds, and powerful stories of redemption?and be recognized for an honor that heaven has facilitated using an equally inspiring?and pioneering presence (Nasdaq) to remind you that there is hope in front of you...And a story behind you. ?

We make the first step in allowing ourselves to be seen.?

Whether you are currently on a mountain top or reeling from a fall, know that your life is a powerful redemption story that you get to unveil.

We don’t have be discouraged by setbacks, prior limitations, unfortunate and even embarrassing moments (like falling off of your bike in the middle of Times Square)—the journey of overcoming, pioneering, and being victorious?starts with getting up.

It is a sign of strength to make space to take care of our “knees.” Here, we choose to press forward. Be curious. Be powerfully vulnerable. Be radiantly sincere.? In not judging the process/what it looks like (or ourselves in the process),??we are empowered to keep moving with renewed hope.?From here, we will encounter our versions of redemption, and gratitude becomes our superpower--and with it, we get to enrich the world.