Hyenas know they're no match for a lion in its prime, so they keep their distance. They wait. They wait until the lion is wounded, tired, or worn out from a fight with another lion. Only then do they come close and act brave.

In our lives, too, some people wait for our weakest moment. They stay quiet while we're standing, and speak up when we fall. They act brave over our downfall, but they know very well they could never face us in our prime.

Don't deny they exist. Denial isn't kindness. It leaves you exposed. And don't live in fear of them either. Plan for them:

• Choose who sees your wound. Not everyone deserves to know you're hurting.
• When you're tired, move closer to the people who truly love you, and keep a little distance from those who enjoy your fall.
• Remember that weakness is a moment, not who you are. The lion gets up again.
• Notice who showed up beside you when you fell, and who showed up against you.

So never explain yourself to them. Heal quietly, take your time, and then get up and walk again. And even if you're falling apart inside, never let the hyenas see it.

And one honest little question: have I ever waited for someone to fall before I spoke up?

With you, Wanas

Never tell your children «we can't afford it». Say «we choose not to spend our money on this». The first sentence makes money a wall of fear. The second makes it a tool, and the decision a choice.

And it's not only about money:

• «I have no time» becomes «it's not my priority right now».
• «I have to go» becomes «I choose to go, because I love them», or «I won't go this time».
• «I can't say no» becomes «I'm the one who chooses yes or no».
• «At my age, I can't» becomes «I choose to try».
• «These colors aren't for my age» becomes «I choose to wear what looks like me».

And when money or time is truly tight, the choice is still real: «we choose food and school first». That's honesty, not pretending.

A belief isn't a fact. It's a sentence we've repeated so often that it started to feel true, like the elephant tied with a thin rope since it was small. Many of our sentences were given to us as children: «you're the nervous one», «you're bad at math», «you're not the pretty one». Those are their words, not your truth. They gave what they had, and now you choose what to keep.

• Catch the sentence: «I'm not…», «I always…», «women my age…».
• Ask: who said it first?
• Write three times it wasn't true.
• Write a new belief you can believe: not «I'm a genius» but «I'm still learning, and learning well».
• Take one small step a week that proves it. The belief follows the action.

Fear isn't always the enemy. Sometimes it protects you and gets you ready: you study, you check, you prepare. And sometimes it freezes you, over a future that hasn't happened or what people might say. Ask yourself: «is this fear protecting me, or locking me in?» Then take the smallest step while you're still scared. And notice: the racing heart of fear is the same racing heart of excitement. Try telling yourself «I'm excited».

Time is the most precious thing we have, and it never comes back. So don't spend it on regrets over what has already passed, or on being upset about things that will never happen. Most of what we worry about never happens, and the past won't change no matter how many times we replay it.

• From a regret, take one lesson, then close the page.
• From a worry, ask: «can I do something about it now?» If yes, do one small thing. If not, let it wait.
• Give worry 15 minutes a day at a fixed time, not the whole day.
• Spend the time you saved on someone you love, or on something that makes you happy.

Sadness isn't a waste of time. Feel it and give it its due. What wastes time is staying stuck there.

«لو احتجتي مساعدة: ارجعي لدكتورك، اطلبي النجدة، كلّمي صحابك أو حد بتثقي فيه.»

«ونسك، ونس»