avatarNiru

Summary

The web content discusses the author's appreciation for the diverse and inspirational articles found in the Illumination publication, highlighting the personal growth and community engagement experienced through reading and interacting with the pieces.

Abstract

The author expresses a deep admiration for the Illumination publication, emphasizing the variety of topics and forms that the writers cover. The articles are described as inspirational and enlightening, offering life lessons and reflections that resonate with the author despite differences in background. The publication is praised for fostering a community of writers and readers who support each other's growth, exemplified by the words of Dr Mehmet Yildiz, who aims to empower writers and improve their skills and connections. The author points out specific pieces and writers who have made an impact, such as Alison Acheson's perspective on life, Noah Levy's relatable high school memories, and Desiree Driesenaar's encouragement for new writers. The content is seen as a source of personal development, prompting the author to explore new writing styles, including a poem on motherhood that challenges societal norms.

Opinions

  • The author loves reading Illumination articles, finding them inspirational and a source of daily learning.
  • Illumination writers are commended for their honest reflections and diverse perspectives, which the author finds enlightening and compelling.
  • The author appreciates the use of food imagery in writing and finds it adds a distinctive flavor to the stories.
  • Despite initial skepticism, the author finds pieces by writers of different demographics (male, young, Caucasian) to be very relatable.
  • The author values the sense of community and connection promoted by Illumination, highlighting Desiree Driesenaar's welcoming words to new writers.
  • Personal favorites of the author include pieces that reference relatable cultural elements, such as Indian TV shows, demonstrating the writer's understanding of the audience.
  • The author is inspired by the publication's content to stretch their own writing skills and try new forms, such as writing a poem that questions societal standards on parenting.
  • The author sees the publication as a catalyst for non-measurable growth, with writers collaborating and experimenting with new works and forms.

Learning from Illumination Writers

Lessons from Diverse Thoughts, Forms and Topics

Photo by Frank Romero on Unsplash

I love reading articles in Illumination.

They are truly inspirational.

Whether it’s the stories that made me chuckle or the splendid use of language that made me a fan or simply the the messages- I love reading, nay, learning from the articles in my feed from this publication every day.

Illumination writers pen their thoughts on a variety of topics and forms. As a reader, that is what draws me to the stories here. The fact that they truly embody the vision of the publication as outlined by the brilliant Dr Mehmet Yildiz:

…We aim to bring writers, editors, and readers to create a social circle of content development, dissemination, and consumption with joint effort. Our aim is to empower our writers to improve their skills and connections which can enable them gain visibility to their content…

Whether it’s about life’s winding paths or growing up, I love how writers reflect honestly on their journeys and come away wiser and nicer and more empathetic. It inspires me and makes me want to do the same.

Like Alison Acheson’s words about life being big and wonderful! Her path may have been full of twists and turns, but she’s been soaking up all the lessons and gifts that came along the way. And motivating others to see the wonderful lessons in our own.

As a big fan of food imagery in words, I treasure lines like

“… What happens in a desk is a side-dish — a relish maybe. Adds some distinctive flavor, some sharpness or sweet…”

Then there are pieces of reflection from folks completely unlike me- male, young, or Caucasian. I am your average Asian mom of two, youngish in age and ancient intellectually- so personal essays from those groups, I am always bit skeptical of, wondering if they will feel riveting at all to me. But let’s face it- that diversity and those completely varying perspectives are truly enlightening and compelling in more ways than I imagined.

Like Noah Levy’s piece on reminiscing about High School. I found it- surprise, surprise… very relatable. Especially the line-

“… But that’s good, because it means that I’m growing…. we should all strive to be our best selves…”

Similarly, I love how here readers and writers are welcomed in the true sense and encouraged to make connections : my favorite is of course Desiree Driesenaar’s words:

All I can say is, don’t be overwhelmed. Don’t be shy.

The more daring you become, the more friends you will find.

The piece she wrote is right here:

I also have personal favorites like the piece that uses examples relatable to me. Anyone who cites Indian TV shows Savdhaan India and Crime Patrol and rightly adds lines like “…to improve your Hindi and then can’t sleep because you’re alone in the house.” knows her stuff! I loved it and started following Elisabeth Khan immediately!

There are also plenty of informative and inspiring pieces like finding contentment and abundance in what we have like the series by Trista Ainsworth. So helpful for mamas like me alternating between feelings of ecstasy at having the whole family with us and a ‘familiarity breeds contempt’ scenario.

In my opinion, it’s like being part of a writing masterclasses- many teachers, so much inspiration and an amazing community. I mean it- I totally decided to stretch my skills further. And suiting action to words, I penned a poem on motherhood recently. Unlike my usual, all rosy and rainbows and unicorns and uber positive self, I actually composed lines that question the standards society sets for parenting!

And that is the amazing non-measurable growth of this publication that I have been seeing- writers stretching and collaborating and trying new works and forms! Amazing, right! So, what are you learning today?

Personal Development
Writing
Personal Growth
Learning
Diversity
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