Binnur Demirel TP in Turkey
Lessons in leadership and love: a mother’s perspective
just about grades or achievements but about growth, discovery, and the courage to try again when things don’t work out. Every day, I strive to be an example of resilience, lifelong learning, and leading with kindness. For now, though, the most frequent thing I hear is, “Mom, can I play for five more minutes?” But hey, small steps lead to big dreams! And the million-dollar question: “Mom, what do you expect from us the most?” My answer is simple: Be happy. Respect life, people, animals—every living thing. The world is already full of so-called “successful” yet deeply unhap- py people. My hope is for a generation that stands strong, is at peace with itself, and knows how to love without fear or conditions. Being a woman in the corporate world is already a challenge. But being a mother and trying to set an example for your children? That’s the ul- timate test. Every day, I juggle between crisis management, leadership, teaching, cooking, and answering “Mom, why is the sky blue?” as if I were a scientist. And sure, some days I feel lost in the chaos, but if, one day, my children turn to me and say, “Mom, because of you, we look at life with hope,” then I’ll know I have truly won. For now, this story isn’t over—it’s just a pause. Because, well… teenage storms are approaching!
Sometimes life throws you situations so bizarre, they feel like they came straight out of a movie script. Well, I’ve lived through one of those and no one believes when I tell them. Picture this: I was rushing to a business meeting, and in the chaos, I fell out of a taxi and ended up giving birth to
my daughter prematurely! Yes, you heard that right.
Juggling between the corporate world and motherhood, I literally hit the ground—hard. But I learned that day: mothers don’t fall; they just em- bark on new adventures. My daughter was born so tiny, like a little bird. Yet she fought fiercely and proved to the world that she was here to stay. Fast forward 16 years, and she stands tall: strong, confident, and deeply aware of the world around her. She has learned to question, to challenge, and to shape her own future. I always encouraged her to think critically, to be independent, and to understand that intelligence is not just about knowledge, but about curiosity and resilience. Education, in our home, was never just about school; it was about learning how to navigate life with wisdom and em- pathy. Sometimes, she even gives me life advice! But then, in the same breath, she says with a playful smile, “Mom, you just don’t get it!” Well, dear daughter, maybe I don’t, but I am the mother who brought you into this world under the most unexpected circumstances—so, a little respect, please! Then, there’s my 10-year-old son: curious, bright, and full of endless possibilities. My biggest wish for him is to realize that limits exist only in our minds. I encourage him to dream big, explore fearlessly, and em- brace challenges with confidence. I want him to see that learning isn’t
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SOURCE OF INSPIRATION
LETTERS TO MOTHERS
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