avatarCarolyn Hastings

Summary

The author expresses deep appreciation for Sahil Patel, a poet and challenge initiator on Medium, whose work and encouragement have significantly impacted the author's writing journey and inspired a community of writers.

Abstract

The author discovered Sahil Patel's poetry in January and was moved by his ability to articulate deep emotional experiences. Sahil's poetry, characterized by simplicity and depth, resonated with the author, who recognized the young poet's talent and the shared struggles of writers. The author felt compelled to support Sahil, particularly after witnessing others overlook his contributions. Participation in Sahil's 30-day poetry challenge led to personal growth, increased confidence, and a sense of belonging within a supportive writing community. The author commends Sahil for his integrity, authenticity, and commitment to helping fellow writers navigate the challenges of Medium, despite language barriers. Sahil's initiatives, including poetry prompts and essays, have enriched the author and many others, fostering a nurturing environment for writers to thrive and connect.

Opinions

  • Sahil Patel's poetry is seen as both inspiring and relatable, particularly in its expression of emotional vulnerability.
  • The author believes that Sahil's work has been undervalued and that he has not always received proper credit for his ideas.
  • Sahil's poetry challenges are perceived as a powerful catalyst for self-reflection and creative growth among participants.
  • The author values the sense of community and mutual support that Sahil has cultivated within the Medium platform.
  • Sahil's essays are viewed as helpful resources, offering practical advice and encouragement to writers seeking to improve their craft and success on Medium.
  • The author admires Sahil's determination to overcome language barriers and his humility in acknowledging his weaknesses while striving for excellence.
  • Sahil's impact on the author's writing and self-confidence is profound, leading to the production of pieces that might not have been written without his inspiration.
  • The author extends gratitude to other individuals and publications that have supported Sahil and contributed to the author's own development as a writer.

My Inspiration is Right Here on Medium

He makes me feel brilliant and he wants you to feel the same

Image by msandersmusic from Pixabay

We rise by lifting others Robert Ingersoll (1833–1899)

I am a poet, That makes you feel brilliant, And inspire millions. from I Am A Poet by Sahil Patel, February 2021

If you haven’t read any of Sahil Patel’s poetry, then you’re missing out on something special. Simple words that come from a uniquely special heart.

I first came across Sahil’s poetry in January of this year. I had just dipped my big toe into the world of editing by accepting an invitation to be a co-editor for a poetry publication.

I remember reading the first poem Sahil submitted to Paper Poetry. It was called Alone.

By being alone I don’t give a chance to anyone To hurt me from Alone by Sahil Patel, January 2021

His poem spoke to me of a young man in pain. Someone who was nursing a deep emotional wound. Someone who chose to be alone because it was safer that way.

He sounded like some of the young people I’ve worked with over the years. Except, unlike them, he was able to articulate his feelings and express them in poetry.

Something told me I would need to remember this young man.

A month later Sahil submitted his second poem to Paper Poetry. This one was called I Am A Poet. It struck a chord with me. There was an urgency in his tone as if he were trying to convince himself that he had something to offer the world.

I am a poet, Who knows it, How to commit, And resist. from I Am A Poet, Sahil Patel, February 2021

I found the brevity of his words disarming.

The following month I was tagged into a poetry prompt, I Choose. The prompt initiator, I soon discovered, was Sahil Patel.

I read some of the prompt responses from other poets. I noted all of them had garnered more attention than Sahil’s original piece. I felt a pang of sympathy — and familiarity. I’d had something similar happen to me.

Knowing that others have run off with your bright ideas without giving you the due and proper credit — or worse, attributing it to someone else — is one of the many downsides of being an entrepreneur. I’m sure Plato knows what I’m talking about. And, Jesus Christ, Him too. I had a sense Sahil was suffering the same fate. I wanted to do something to help him.

My opportunity came in the form of more poetry prompts. With each prompt, Sahil showed a little more of himself and his desire to reach out and connect with other writers. I wanted to reach out and connect with him.

I responded to two of the prompts — Hope and I Want To Be Free. I made sure to give Sahil the credit he deserved for having initiated the prompts.

The Poetry Challenge

In June, Sahil launched his second poetry challenge. He invited a small group of writers to help him get it off the ground.

Guess what?!

He invited me!

Me! The one who’d never committed to a writing challenge beyond the occasional one-off here ’n’ there.

This was a serious challenge.

30 days, if you don’t mind.

My heart skipped a beat.

Could I do it?

Yes I could. No I couldn’t.

Damn it, I will!!

I’m in!

And so I signed up for my first ever writing challenge!

The prompts will be based on self-reflection. It will give you a chance to take a deep dive into your creativity. Sahil Patel, June 2021

Sahil was true to his word. The poetry and prose that accompanied each prompt were characteristically Sahil Patel. Simple in its presentation. Inspired in its execution.

Each prompt delved deep into the nitty gritties of what makes us human. He asked us to drill right down into our core to discover and uncover things we’d forgotten, lost, hidden, desired, failed, learned, avoided, or just never really stopped to think about.

I found myself writing and sharing insights about myself that I never thought would see the light of day. Let alone have others read them. And connect with them.

It’s been quite a journey.

A revelation.

Being part of the poetry challenge has given me confidence in myself as a writer that I didn’t have before. It has sparked my creativity in a way that I couldn’t have done on my own. It has motivated me to push through the barriers that I’d set up in my path. It’s inspired me to aim higher than my dreams.

What’s more, it’s proven to me that an online writing community really does work. The concept of working remotely scares a lot of people. Sahil understands that. His way of drawing people together through the common pursuit of crafting inspired poetry has fostered an atmosphere that feels safe and nurturing.

By taking part in Sahil’s poetry challenge, I’ve connected with other writers who I am happy to call my friends — my writing buddies — my support team.

The Helping Hand

When he’s not writing poetry, Sahil is working on essays, many of which are about Medium — see here for example –

While he talks about his ‘up and down’ Medium journey, Sahil’s primary motivation is to help others achieve success on the platform.

In his essays, Sahil offers advice about strategies that have/haven’t worked for him and encouragement to keep moving forward. His generosity of spirit, enthusiasm and willingness to help his fellow writers filter through everything he writes.

Sahil writes with integrity and authenticity. He’s experiencing first-hand the same frustrations that many of us here on this platform have. He’s down the rabbit hole with us trying to give us a heave-ho up to the next level. Trying to haul us up with him. Giving us a helping hand.

What’s not to like about that?

Sahil is the first to admit that his language skills are not up to scratch. He often speaks of the difficulties he has with grammar and written expression and how grateful he is to publication editors and other writers for their guidance.

English is not his native language, but he doesn’t let that stop him from being heard — or read.

He’s a young man who acknowledges his weaknesses and then rises above them.

That’s what I call inspiring.

Thank You, Sahil

Sahil, you are the person Robert Ingersoll was talking about when he said, We rise by lifting others. I credit you with being my inspiration and for that I thank you beyond words. I, for one, could not have produced the pieces I’ve written if it hadn’t been for your prompts seeding my thoughts and reflections. I think I can speak for many of us when I say what you have done already, and what you will continue to do for writers on Medium (and anywhere else you choose to be) is truly making a difference to people’s lives. Our lives. You’re enriching us by building connection, and encouraging us to be the best version of our writer selves. By doing this for us, you’re embedding a token of yourself. Sahil, I wear my token with pride. I hope you ‘inspire millions’.

Thank you to Jolie A. Doggett and the team at Creators Hub for setting the #writehere writing prompts. This essay is my response (sorry, it’s late!) to the Week 6 prompt: Who or what inspires you?

You can learn more about the #writerhere prompts #righthere!

Thank you to Liz Porter at Boomerangs for accepting this piece into her most excellent publication. 🙏 💕

If I may, I would like to tag some writers into this piece. These writers are my co-participants in Sahil’s poetry challenge — Orla Kenny | Jupiter Grant | Carolyn F. Chryst, Ph.D. | Jeff Ehren | Kimberly Hampton Nilsson | Joel A. Johnson | Colleen Millsteed | Melanie J. | Josh Balerite Acol | John Uzuegbu | Dr. Fatima Imam | jenine bsharah baines | Giulietta Passarelli | Anthi Psomiadou 🙏 ✨

I would also like to call on Dr. Preeti Singh. I know that she has been a tremendous support to Sahil with her encouraging comments, suggestions and guidance. 🙏 💕

Lastly, I would like to tag my co-editors at Paper Poetry — Suntonu Bhadra and Indubala Kachhawa. They are both well aware of the excellent contribution Sahil makes to inspiring others here on this platform. 💝

Thank you ever so much for reading. 🙏 💕

Writehere
Inspiration
Writing On Medium
Sahil Patel
Baby Boomers
Recommended from ReadMedium
avatarDebra G. Harman, MEd.
Rescuing My Friend’s Dog Was a Crime, and I’d Do It Again

Often kids get pulled apart in the tug-of-war of divorce, but what about the pets?

5 min read
avatarEllen "Jelly" McRae
I Self-Published My Book. Two Days Later, I’m Full Of Regret.

Here’s everything I wish I’d done differently in the publishing and book-writing process.

12 min read
avatarBebe Nicholson
The Day My Mother Didn’t Recognize Me

We are not defined by any one moment in life. We are the sum total of everything.

5 min read
avatarBarack Obama
Statement on the Passing of Mrs. Marian Robinson

Marian Lois Shields Robinson — our mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother — had a way of summing up the truths about life in a word or two…

5 min read
avatarYour NativeFriend
Dear White People: You will never suffer from racism, time to grow up

The desperation to be the center of attention and the victim is a real issue among white people

3 min read
avatarKarolina Kozmana
Common side effects of not drinking

By rejecting alcohol, you reject something very human, an extra limb that we have collectively grown to deal with reality and with each…

10 min read