Finding Home Through Poetry | Najwa Zebian | TEDxCoventGardenWomen

Drawing on her experiences growing up in different countries and struggling to find a place where she felt she belonged, Najwa Zebian revelas the power of the spoken and written word. She demonstrates how words can pave the journey that leads us to our home, to a place where we feel we belong, understood and valued, and most importantly where we feel worthy of feeling that way.
Najwa Zebian is a Lebanese Canadian educator based in London, Ontario, Canada. Her passion for creative expression was evident from a young age as she delved into Arabic poetry and novels. She arrived to Canada at sixteen years of age and pursued higher education. In 2011, she became a teacher and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership as she teaches high school students.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@zghizlene]

“Everyone needs a place. It shouldn't be inside of someone else.” ― Richard Siken

[@muznarladha9094]

Whose here after Reading 'Welcome Home' Wishing all a Warm and Safe journey to your Homes :)

[@Official_Kemi]

Thank you

[@catieroeberry6090]

I read about you on instagram by accident. And your words immediately caught me. You know, when people feel pain, they try to express themselves. And when I read your lines, I felt like i could not have expressed myself better. Thank you for giving me the words for what I feel that sometimes takes my breath away. Your words and your story here in this video are amazing. Wish you the best!

[@gangsterprodigy8842]

As I was painted with thought and emotion through her speech. I could not help but be comforted and inspired at her humble expression of herself! There is just a deep distinct moving of my internally hidden desire for learning to be more open to myself as a person of deep emotional intelligence and turmoil in the same light. I felt so much in common with her need to seek a rightful place to find a home in others. Most my life my worth was from the service and care I offered to others in my social groups. When they were not able to stay I got lost many times. Though as I see it after this speech by this wonderful woman. I know in myself there is a place to call home. This was the best medicine I’ve taken in many months. A speech from a woman i discovered by a book recommendation. I am definitely going to buy her book. Really looking forward to reading it after her presentation. Hope she is doing well at this time in her life. Just a true beauty in the nature of her words!

[@MyBodyIsMyTemple]

The author Najwa, is doing well and has a new podcast also KZbin channel called In the Clear (something like that)

[@suad5567]

I cried while listening to this you explained how I have always felt

[@sam1763]

My baby Jenna ask me if I can buy the book... After I watched this video I said of course I'll buy it now. She gave me the sweetest look of joy... She said that she follows Najwa and she learned a lot about life. She's 16 and I Am so happy she has a heart of gold. Thank you Najwa. Jenna is the one in yellow in the photo when she was 9.

[@zohairsarter4079]

Who here after they saw this video in TikTok 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@iamcalu]

Meee

[@sukhpalkaur3665]

mee

[@bushramussarat5060]

Meee

[@yetime5667]

Me too

[@samjhanakarki1634]

mee 😍

[@katefresca4314]

Hi Najwa. I was in the bookstore, and while scanning your book, I feel like you are speaking to me. 😢 I learned so much from you! Thank you for your insights. I will find home from within.

[@Rayane123ish]

It is exactly how I feel !! Thank You for speaking up for me !!My dear self, I will not build homes in other people anymore !

[@Chickchick-fv7nh]

yap. we must be strong.

[@NajwaZebian]

Awesome! I am happy that you are making that promise to yourself.

[@herrants6295]

im currently 16 years old and its safe to say that i am the 16 years old u in ur past , i've never felt so connected with someone's words as much as i am with yours. 'ur too sensitive' those 3 words , man i've reached to the point where i truly hate myself because i think its my fault that i am this weak and sensitive and emotional and i say sorry to my friends all the time for being 'dramatic' when they say 'ur too sensitive ' i cant help it and im vulnerable. But now , i am really trying to build home within me and to get to know and love myself , i really want to read ur books , it is quite pricey in my country for me to afford well u know being a teenager 😂 but im saving up for it!! 😅

[@christiandulin7241]

Who's watching or rewatching this after being mentioned in her book, "Welcome Home"?

[@julieflandez163]

It was incredible to hear you. I have a daughter who is so sensitive and creative... One day, something extremely unpleasent happened to her. Since then, has been hard to her to take her own pieces and recovery herself... I almost sure that with your words she can find her own way...Thanks for your BEING, and share with us...♥️

[@m4rm4ry]

Everytime I hear your words I can't stop myself from crying. I love you Najwa, thank you for everything!

[@NajwaZebian]

[@Gamina2009]

your last words, that poem, it made me cry because i see the truth in those words. and I look at myself and I see that I to build all my homes in other people. and I to feel empty. and I don't have to feel that way. not anymore I now can build a home within myself. thank you Najwa for this realisation.

[@MrMuyass]

I'm in tears. That's what I've been feeling all along. I don't even know what to say right now, except to thank you. I wish your speech never ended. :'l Thank you. Much love❣

[@Skyofstars1]

in tears! amazing talk. i love you, najwa ❤👏

[@NajwaZebian]

Thank you, Nadia

[@Michelle-mr5hx]

I have always felt different from others, like no one could possibly understand me, no one could look at me and really understand me. Watching your video has felt like a turning point in my life. I hope to climb the mountains of my own pain and rise above all the hurt I've been running away from. Thank you for your kind, inspirational words.

[@harsukhkaur5713]

I watched the video and throughout the whole video, I was feeling pain as deep as yours, like darkest as yours. Even so, at the same time, I'm feeling blessed that I saw this video because today I realised that I'm not alone in this world. Thank you so much Najwa for inspiring me and billions of people out there.

[@thamayanthimeganathan7174]

your words have made me cry and through your both books i have realized self worth,self love and found my self that has been lost in someone i once loved. thank you so much Ms Najwa. thanks alot.

[@daria_avery]

Thamayanthi Meganathan. Me too 😢

[@malilbitofeverything]

Thanks Najwa. I too have realized that building a home, a place you can call yours within you is the most important and best thing someone could do for herself.... Our JOURNEY has just begun. All the best to you my friend... 👏🏼👏🏼😇

[@wjohnson9233]

Now THAT talk resonated with me 100%. I’ve never thought of it this way before but it ‘fits’ & all of a sudden, the ‘light bulbs’ went on…… I’m definitely going to listen to it over and over again. Thank you🙏🏻💙

[@tarzaabdullah3911]

Such an inspiring talk!! I love the way you give motivation to others through your pain 💖

[@NajwaZebian]

Thank you, Tarza

[@merigashi9724]

Omg, Sooo so beautiful. I can't stop listening ...you are so special.😘🥺🙏❤

[@rubenoh07]

I've rarely heard such accurate words

[@NajwaZebian]

Thank you Ruben

[@rubenoh07]

Thanks for answering :D it's an honor. Once I've finished reading some books in my list I'm sure I'll read your books, keep doing what you do :)

[@christinapautu7078]

This is so relatable.Left me in tears.Just what I needed.Thank you so much for this talk!

[@shammilanka2185]

I just have to say, dearest sister , its a piece of all of us.. We were carrying the mountains which we were only supposed to climb while stop building homes in someone else. I dont want to be a victim again I promise myself I will only build my home in me and loving me and myself💖

[@nkkkkkk99999]

I love you Najwa! You are amazing, I feel you! Respect ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@kaylamarie2512]

This empowers me and make me cry at the same time. Buying both your books today. Thank you so much!💕

[@cooltop10]

I can't put into words what i'm feeling right now. I'm extremely thankful for your existence !

[@anamariavolney4368]

This is one of my favorite speakers; her wisdom resonates with me in all of her interviews/talks. The gift of Self Love is so impt, for both men & women and I love the way she communicates her experiences & messages. Thank you Najwa, evolution is for life & I am always learning from teachers like you. 🧡❤️

[@pandoraelysium]

Dug deep into your pain, let it rise, let it fly, let it go, let it grow - into love. ❤

[@kcharlesherrera]

Thank you for giving expression to what so many of us feel but cannot adequately put into words. God bless you.

[@catherineursula]

Thank you for such a beautiful and sensitive talk. Such an inspiration! It must have taken a lot of courage to share those private and delicate but you make us all stronger in sharing your story. Thank you so much.

[@Myselfmerin]

I don't have words...u just touched the core of my heart!!!!

[@jacquimokadikwa-raseroka817]

I'm working and listening to you in the background, I just broke down and cried for I never felt that I fitted in this world, I believed that there were certain things I was not capable of doing in this world. Thank you, you have no idea of how you revived the inner me. Bless you.

[@jameym7771]

Great talk! I kept reading your poems on Instagram and when I saw your name at first I figured this must be a great intellect that everyone was quoting that I had never heard of. I was pleasantly surprised to see how wise beyond your years you are. You are helping get through years of abuse and find a place of healing thorough your work. Thank you!

[@aishagalang5079]

I feel the same way. I haven't home. "my real home" I grew up to my grandmother, aunties and my sisters. I felt the same way they don't even understand me. to the point I chose to sit in the corner feels the pains alone. I don't know how to express myself because I feels like there is something walls between us and how do I started to talk with. I been inspired to your words Ms. Najwa Zebian. Thank you so much. I will do the best as I can. so from today I promise to start building a home for myself. within me.. Thank you so much!

[@zee87zalikha]

I built home in people and now I'm paying the price. All I have now is this emptiness in me,the moment they walked away. And this talk is really touching. It makes me realise how I should put myself first and build a home in me 💔.

[@ashaarrh]

Such a genuine soul. I have been following you on social media for a while and hearing your story was so touching

[@NajwaZebian]

Thank you

[@businesswithawatef5487]

rarely when we find speaker that talks with so much passion and such an accurate words that are not only find on internet or written by couple of books . your speech was so beautiful that it reached my soul .

[@fatheenmohamed9531]

I am here after reading welcome home book by Najwa Zebian.

[@hunny585]

i just came across ur writing on fb and immediately linked up on youtube to hear u out. It takes immense courage to pour your pain and inspire people with it. I hear you, everything you said and which didn't. More power to you Najwa. Love from Dubai. :)

[@diaheres6717]

in some ways I feel related and your words, your story really give me new courage to pass each days and I do feel a lot stronger, realizing that I am not alone to feel that way. Realizing that to love my self and to be the way I am is no wrong. Thank you for inspiring me Najwa Zebian. May Allah subhan wata'ala bless you.

[@aankana18]

I feel like I’m living your life. I can relate to everything Najwa. I love you so much. Thankyou for everything.!

[@khardiatatall8708]

Ya Najwa, thank you for being part of my healing process, for lifting me up. God bless you

[@divyaseetaram3593]

your words and poetry touch me at such a deep level. I cry. The pain is so tangible - I read the same lines again and again because I can relate so much to them and I'm like , WOW!!!!! You are a true inspiration

[@roseoconnorbackup2469]

Loved your talk. Can't wait to get your books. THANK YOU!

[@NajwaZebian]

Great, Rosaleen :) Please let me know what you think once you read them.

[@daria_avery]

Rosaleen O'Connor me too..I'm waiting to receive my books. Najwa I will leave a review on Amazon for you

[@samsirat4614]

I have watched this video several times and every time I watched it I cried, because that is what I going through, you have lift me up higher, I'm still hurt and I hope we all will be alright one step at the the time.. Thank You again

[@Fatima-gr4zr]

I'm moved to tears. This was beautiful and sincere. Your words have touched many lives. ❤

[@NajwaZebian]

Thank you

[@hadiyaljignesh8065]

Fatima

[@Melia_Mer]

What a beautiful soul! ❤❤❤

[@wajeehayousaf2299]

Ur words always touch my soul 💕 I, without any doubt, can say that ur msg in this talk is a driving force for me to escape from my problems. It has reached me on a perfect time through a perfect source!

[@sonalaparajitanand6186]

Your words have always amazed me.. given me peace and strength.. all that i needed to put myself together.. the clarity and the accurateness of your speech does the magic.. God bless !!

[@tanukhan3807]

I don't have words to Thank You Najwa.. When I watched your videos, tears find their way out of my eyes and i feel so relaxed. Ua story is matching mine. I actually can relate to that. I always supress my soul, stopped myself to say what I actually want to say. Throughout my life I made home in others heart and they dismantled it in pieces before my eyes and move away. Thanks for such healing words. I wish u all the luck and bless.. Fee-aman-lilah!

[@sunisahi]

Jazakallah khair sister Najwa, for such a inspiring n heart touching talk... 💓👌... in tears😢😢... May Allah Subhan wata'ala bless you with khair in Dunya n Aakhirah, Aameen Ya Rabb

[@NajwaZebian]

Thank you so much for your kind words

[@nefnaf96]

She took off hijab and muslims boycott her .. It. looks they never heard what she was telling.. They just wanted her as a muslim girl to to spread islam to feed their naricist ego :)

[@gargiasingh4210]

You Are Amazing... Najwa...may u get what u want... and ur pain Vanishes through the entrance of brightness and light...Keep Writing...

[@sunflowerb4646]

She made me cry ..she touched my soul..... i love you najwa😞💜💜💜💜.

[@rifkasuheir331]

sister you made my day 💕 you are such an inspiration to all the girls out there . I can listen to your speeches for hours. May Almighty Allah bless you always for making people feel better .Its rare to find prople like you .Thank you .

[@ShubhamBedi]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. Such a wonderful talk. Loved your book "Mind Platter" and looking forward to "Nectar Of Pain"

[@odunayodina4031]

Greetings from Nigeria and bless your soul for having the courage & vulnerability to share your story and touching many lives

[@MahvashFeroze]

I am in awe of someone expressing the struggle so painfully real as it is that I am going through synonomously .. Thank you .. I have started writing too .

[@bikramjeetsingh185]

What a beuty in her voice ...i bought his book from amazon ...and it changes my way of life ..😌😌😌😌😌😫😫😫

[@sjd868]

Love you Najwa Zebian, you are beautiful inside and out! I resonate so much with your story because I had such similar experience to yours, and my God, you speak of your feelings as if you were speaking of mine, but with so much stronger voice and so much more powerful words. God bless you young, courageous and talented woman, your life will have such a beautiful impact on human race.

[@sorayayulita2322]

Subhanallah..so inspiring.. Deep words and meaningfull. I adore u sis 💕

[@vaibhavbhujbal3598]

Loved the way you have put those in words..Hardly does anyone has courage to put their life story in front of the whole world. Love every single bit of your writings

[@mihikaarora]

I tore apart towards the end. Thank you so much for sharing ur life with us. It means a lot. I see pieces of me in you. Thank you thank you thank you for writing for urself. Thank you for writing such amazingly and I do understand what u hv shared very well. Thank you for coming out and sharing ur life with me. Thank you for boosting me to build a home for myself within me. "Happiness lies within " these phrases which poets made a long time back on history even in the culture of India 🇮🇳 are just not uslelessly made. These quotes hav a deeper meaning within these 3 words. Thank you . God bless u. May we all hav peace and happiness. Inshallah

[@ajamali3315]

This. is. beautiful💕 I feel this deeply.

[@jovacullen]

Najwa I absolutely love your work and your transparency. I can relate to many of your works and you've inspired me to also share my story. Much love! 💖

[@beeteee]

Thank You so much for all the strength you put in us. Love You ❤

[@NajwaZebian]

[@ranian.boufakhredine9130]

I feel this whole pride as you speak, and in a way that makes me proud too . I've got huge respect for your courage and deep love for yur poems. awesome talk 🌹

[@nabilaabid3245]

This made me feel soo good. I really adore the purity and goodness in you. Keep it up. Masha Allah.

[@NajwaZebian]

Thank you, Nabila :)

[@sunflowermonroe666]

Love this lady and all her books. SO Inspirational.

[@stephaniegenoudmaiz8354]

Gratitude ! 🙏💜

[@janetgarcia5543]

Love this, I lost my home and now I’m lost but I know what I need to do

[@geethamadhuri8537]

🙌🙌🙌 just love the way you motivate people.Lots of love ❤😘 stay blessed 😇

[@dorothychebet9239]

I'm here from your instagram. You're such an inspiration for me and other potential writers.

[@bhangooharkamal8655]

It really inspiring and touching video. Because of this I Can easily understand your journey. I can relate your journey with my journey. You are beautiful soul.❤❤

[@safiayasmeen1029]

A very inspirational talk. I felt as if someone is talking exactly the me😓😓...building home in others.. and being the victim of others🤕🤕.. Thanks a lot for this motivation😊

[@samahkhan4123]

Such a beautiful soul mashaAllah . I'm so proud of Najwa. She bravely took the pain and turned it into a masterpiece. ❤️❤️❤️ You have my heart and respect 😘. And you are a woman that a real man dreams to marry. 😊

[@saradaydream3212]

I started when she did, I love her so much and I relate to her a lot

[@Naturmuslima]

SubhanaAllah, thats exactly what I needed right now. We wanna move, and somehow its confusing, scaring, worriyng me a lot. بارك الله فيك، حبيبتي

[@dikshabhat6089]

You are such an inspiration Najwa Much love❤❤

[@d-etoile5596]

Wow Najwa..🎉I can relate so much..

[@nafghijklm6331]

OhmyGod😻 Such an inspiring talks! Its just incredible👏🏼 proud of you!!!

[@NajwaZebian]

Thank you!!!

[@chaitanyakeerthi74]

MashaAllah ❤️ Magical words💖

[@NajwaZebian]

Thanks :)

[@chaitanyakeerthi74]

Najwa Zebian OMG❤️ Thank you so much for ur reply😍& Always most welcome sis☺️

[@harazad1]

Beautiful ... thank you for sharing your courage and pain that is universal in all of us.! it is the greatest gift to come back to ourselves, our own strength.

[@mefatoum1979]

Amazing speech ! and indeed that IS exactly how i feel, and me too i left writing 5 years ago or more exactly bcz i felt that each time i write i'll have to feel and to deal with these feelings and THat was exhausting , to go through that pain all over again, but i forgot one thing , it was so releaving to write about my feelings and not letting them grow inside, i might even consider writing again . . Best of luck Najwa ❤

[@allatousa3097]

What a beautiful young lady. Got me in tears. x

[@norishamohammed9228]

Mashallah, love your work. Thank you!

[@NajwaZebian]

Thank you, Norisha (My laptop kept changing your name to "nourish" haha)

[@tavarez415]

I love you Najwa Zebian!

[@pupatelp]

tremendous wisdom. Can still hear the pain in your voice. Please continue to carry on and help others with your message

[@ahnrina13]

this inspired me so much. now I have to read her books!

[@boss.l.l573]

I wish this talk never ends ❤👏

[@NajwaZebian]

Haha aw

[@Official_Kemi]

I’m here after reading Welcome Home by Najwa

[@yousraelma122]

I am actually in tears! Thank you for this inspiring talk..

[@lizzieann866]

Magical. Thank you Najwa.

[@nonosoloman7729]

You answered all my questions I had in my head for years and years thank you. I was in a similar situation because I had no home. By the way I'm middle eastern so I understand %100.

[@badgurlrule]

You are amazing, thank you Najwa ❤️

[@sihem1075]

Ireally hope you are gonna do this more. It's beautiful. Greets from the Netherlands

[@nali3352]

Inspirational and true words. I love it!❤❤❤❤

[@TheSjumc]

Thank you. I see my self in you. Hugs and much love to you!

[@nagpalpriya32]

Yep Make Your Pain ur Superpower 💪 True Queen 👌👑