Life has a way of throwing us into the storm when we least expect it. For me, that storm began early—a relentless series of health setbacks that tested not just my body but also the very core of my spirit. I underwent seven surgeries, endured therapies, and faced challenges that made even the simplest tasks feel insurmountable. But it was in that storm that I first discovered the quiet strength of resilience.
The title of my upcoming memoir, *If You Hug Me, I Will Fall*, captures a profound truth I learned in those years: support is most powerful when it empowers, not when it smothers. My parents, siblings, in-laws, and buddies gave me just the right balance—enough encouragement to rise, but enough space to stand on my own feet. That delicate balance became the foundation of my recovery.
This lesson extends far beyond my personal journey. In business, leadership, and life, storms are inevitable—markets crash, teams face setbacks, and individuals encounter obstacles that feel impossible to overcome. What determines success isn’t the absence of storms, but the ability to withstand them, to adapt, and to emerge stronger on the other side.
Resilience isn’t built overnight. It’s forged through patience, the discipline to keep moving when progress feels invisible, and the clarity to focus on what can be controlled. That’s the philosophy that guided me through recovery, and it’s the same philosophy that professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders can apply in navigating uncertainty today.
As I prepare to launch *If You Hug Me, I Will Fall* this September, I invite readers to reflect on their own storms. What challenges have tested you? And more importantly—how have they shaped the person you are becoming? For me, the storm didn’t just test my resilience—it whispered my name, calling me to rise again.
This is just the beginning of my journey. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing more reflections from my memoir with NewsWire.lk readers, leading up to the official launch on 27th September 2025. My hope is that these stories will not only inspire, but also offer practical lessons in patience, leadership, and growth.
—Rihazudin Razik, Freelance IT Professional | Author of *If You Hug Me, I Will Fall*, Email: Rihazudin.r@gmail.com