Let's talk: Haarka Hin Keninii

I am not a good friend.

Okay, I might need to rephrase that. I PERSONALLY question whether I am as good a friend as I should be.

You see, I usually feel like I'm tiptoeing through life, always feeling I could do more, be better. Imagine the sky is the limit, some are content with staying grounded, others float above, and then some touch the sky. I'm among those on their toes, aware of their potential to touch the sky but unable to reach it. Yet, we have to walk because life goes on. Can you imagine walking on your toes for a lifetime? It'd be simpler to join the grounded or the floating, or even better touch the sky and rest.

That is how I feel about almost everything. In school, I consistently placed second, third, or fourth, though I knew I had the ability for first. Over time, I learned that the real victory was in doing my best and improving each year. My motto has always been personal progress, not comparison to others, but surpassing my former self.

This philosophy has guided me, and it has made my life rather content.

But what happens when you feel like the you, you haven't met, the possibly best version of you is always winning? You see, I feel like I can always do better in everything. I can be a much better writer, I can have much better communication skills, I can be a much better daughter, I can be a much better sister, I can be a much better employee, I can be a much better... friend.

My friends would likely vouch for my loyalty and support, but I can't shake the feeling that it's not enough. This brings us to Bezawit Zeryihun's new book 'Haarka Hin Keninii'.

In this beautifully written book, you get to see the world from a woman's perspective including friendships, love, family, death, hope and dreams, all of it. Bez is an amazing writer who can put down feelings in words and make you feel them, and that is what you find in this second book of hers as well. You will also find her acknowledgement section, where you will see my name mentioned as being a supportive friend. And, that was when the questions arose: do I truly deserve this recognition? Am I really a good friend? Am I doing enough?

You see, I am walking on my toes. I can be better. I can be better. I can be better.

Attending the book launch, which celebrated womanhood through poetry, music, and dance, shattered the misconceptions about women's friendships. True female friendship is beautiful, it's warm, and kind, it's nurturing, it's affectionate, it's filled with love that can speak, it doesn't have ego, it doesn't hide, it communicates well... and I love it.

Bez, I am grateful to you for portraying the world from a woman's perspective. I am grateful for the beautiful way your book launch celebrated women, and most importantly, I am grateful to you for making me feel like, for once, I've touched the sky.

Despite feeling like I'm tiptoeing through life, constantly aspiring for more, your portrayal of friendship made me feel like, with you, I've touched the sky. Thank you for this and so much more.

Of course, I highly recommend her book; it's a beautiful read you're bound to love. You can find it at Mexico Book Corner as well as Jafar and Walia bookstores.

Follow Bez and explore more of her stories on her Facebook page, available here .