Slow But Sure — Wishing A Happy Birthday To Illumination with Champagne!

Not another story, but a very special story with a toast and cheers!!

Happy birthday, Illumination!!

Why this story?

So many people have written about Illumination. I would like to celebrate with Champagne! with the person who gave birth and bore the labor pains of Illumination to all of us editors, writers, and readers.

Yah! Pick up your glass and be ready to celebrate as the chief Dr. Mehmet Yildiz walks in and the master of ceremonies Geetika Sethi begins the wonderful evening.

Dr. Mehmet Yildiz has written a wonderful story discussing the growth of Illumination with the founder members and how it grew to fat and a big baby. He has a twin in Illumination Mirror and brother and sister as Technology Hits and Synergy and the most prestigious Illumination Curated.

He invites all the writers and assures them that everyone is welcome on this platform. He welcomes everyone to his publications. Sharing his views :

“to variety and flexibility, our contributors also enjoy sharing their stories with no fear of rejections. Adhering to Medium rules, we only reject content against Medium rules. Our volunteering editors help the contributors improve their presentation and inspire them to create better content”.

Geetika Sethi is the master of ceremonies and writes about seeking the blessings and guidance of the most loving, good, and kind-hearted living God, Shiva who forever shows us the way. We have begun to celebrate with Lord Shiva.

She has praised Dr. Mehmet Yildiz and truly so as he is very inspirational and I too find him, our third eye like Lord Shiva.

In her words, “His third eye is always open. Our very own Lord Shiva — who is the most kind-hearted and good soul, for us is none other than Dr Mehmet– the COO of ILLUMINATION”

It started with Dr. Mehmet Yildiz’s brilliant idea of starting a publication and making it to the top with 88000 followers.

Liam Ireland was my first friend as a writer on Illumination after Geetika Sethi introduced me to Dr. Mehmet Yildiz. I used to read all his stories with avid interest and he would mention me in all his stories.

He wrote of his struggle with his illness and how Illumination has helped him to get back on his feet now. I loved his Happy Birthday story.

He gives full credit to a lot of people. You may like to hear from his own words:

“Of course, all of this growth has taken a great deal of hard work on the part of Dr Mehmet Yildiz and his dedicated team of editors. That being said, a lot of credit must also go to all of those writers who on a daily basis beaver away producing the most wonderful articles, short stories, and poetry, covering an enormous variety of topics, and subjects”.

Just when I was thinking about these beautiful stories I read about Terry L. Cooper’s story as to why she writes on Medium.

She had to retire because of medical reasons and writing on Medium, now being an editor on Illumination publications she has found a sense of purpose. In her words,

she has “A reason for living. I’ve had readers/writers tell me that my stories have helped them, given them comfort. I’ve been thanked for telling my stories and even been told I am brave. It wasn’t bravery that had my fingers pounding on the keys”. It was needed

So on Illumination’s first birthday, I say: “happy birthday, Illumination. Your birth has given me life”.

Early morning when I again decided to write and wish Illumination a very happy birthday I read another beautiful story by Noorain Hassan, BMS.

She writes that Illumination is the hope of every writer as each one is given a chance to showcase their talent on Medium through Illumination. She has amplified this by her words:

“Dr. Mehmet and our dear editors strive hard to recognize our writers. Something that comes Free of the gift — No fare at all”.

Pranshu known as The Maverick Files is a wonderful down-to-earth person helping everyone on slack doing the right things has wished Illumination a happy birthday. He has respected and valued Dr. Mehmet Yildiz the editors, and writers on this platform. He has described Dr. Mehmet as a very humble person.

He has also shared his personal experience of being invited to be an editor on this publication and we all agree with him. He shares the values of Dr. Mehmet so newbies find it easy to publish their stories.

“ The only rules that the publication has in terms of accepting writers and stories is simple — you follow the rules of Medium, and we want nothing else. Well, simple, isn’t it? Don’t break the platform or cause us to do so, and we’ll get along just well.”

I am now in the closing so we have our champagne and give a toast to Illumination, its twin, and its brother and sister and the mich coveted Illumination Curated.

The toast is with the chief - Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, all his editors, and his writers and readers. Please join us as

I wish A very happy birthday to dear Illumination and wait for it to grow up soon.

Just a little bit about my story and why it is special today. I joined Medium exactly six months ago on the 17th of September and Geetika Sethi introduced me to Dr Mehmet Yildiz and he published my first story The Frisky Squirrel.

Due to Covid -19, I had just retired from a full-time formal commitment. To continue The Maverick Files story of humbleness Dr. Mehmet Yildiz sent me a message that I should write for Illumination Curated as well.

I agree with all the stories above of Geetika, Liam, Terry, Noorain, Pranshul that newbie indeed does not get a chance from many publications as rejections are quite common.

In the last six months, I have been learning so many new things about Medium thanks to many good people.

I feel especially honored to be an editor now of Illumination, Illumination Mirror, Synergy, and Technology Hits.

This story is special because:

I am now waiting for Lord Shiva to open his third eye and Illumination has 1,00,000 followers soon. In the meantime Geetika Sethi please ask Lord Shiva- of Illumination Dr. Mehmet Yildiz to join in the celebrations and with Champagne. All the editors, writers, and readers may please join and give a toast to Illumination’s first birthday.

A toast to you Dr. Mehmet Yildiz! Cheers to Illumination! May the Lord bless you with strength and good health.

Thank you for this wonderful platform and the family of Illumination.