Meet Sandra Bittar | Writer. Poet. Speaker. Mental Health Advocate.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sandra Bittar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sandra, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 17:20

Where there is faith, there is hope. Hope is what keep’s us going. We hope that tomorrow will be better. We hope that things will work out. We hope that we will succeed. That we will meet the right person. That we will have a household overflowing with love, peace, and joy. That we will live an abundant life. That we will heal.

At this stage in my life, I value deeper faith. Tomorrow is full of uncertainty and it can be very easy to allow anxiety to creep in slowly and take hold of you. I’m sure we’ve all been there and I know that I have. To have faith in God means that I am able to lay all of my cares at His feet and trust that He will work all things out for my good. It also means that you no longer need to monitor the things that you gave Him to resolve, and can free your mind to focus on other things.

I’m grateful for the people I have in my corner that approach life in that same way. When I feel overwhelmed, or when someone I love is going through a difficult time, we can remind each other of God’s promises and be encouraged again.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When it comes to storytelling, I believe each person has a unique voice regardless of commonalities. No two people are the same. We are all pulling from moments of impact in our own lives and the ones who came before us. Even with having experienced a similar circumstance, our reactions to them can be completely different standing next to someone else. I think for myself, I’ve found my voice through recognizing the power of my intersectionality. Our overlapping social identities can be both oppressing or empowering. I’ve grown to see the strength and beauty in what could otherwise be called a burden to carry.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to a local art event. We have so many creatives, and some of my personal friends like Yasmine Isaya (Stylist) and Fitch Jean (Film Director) doing some really amazing things and trailblazing the way in their industries. From fashion, to filmmaking, to poetry. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.

I would also love to take them to a worship night at Campus Rush to gather together in song and spend quality time in God’s presence.

I’m really big on nature too, so if the weather allows it, I’d say let’s go hiking in Gatineau Park. There are a few spots I have yet to discover. I heard there’s a cool cave…

Then food, no itinerary is complete without food! I’d take them to go for some Pure Kitchen cause I just adore their delicious plant-based menu. Also exploring different coffee shops and sipping on matcha lattes – believe it or not, Second Cup’s matcha lattes are undefeated so far.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” – Proverbs 15:22

It’s hard to pin-point just one person to shoutout, I feel like so many hands had an impact on my life and met me at different stages throughout my journey. My good friends, my mother, my significant other, my community. They all had a hand in either inspiring me, motivating me, loving me, and giving me sound advice to be able to use poetry in accordance with my purpose.

Just last year, I was asked to perform spoken word poetry at a half-time basketball game for the UOttawa Gee-Gees. To be quite honest, I wanted to cancel because I wasn’t sure if I was ready to perform in front of a large crowd. My best friend, Leaha Kahsay, wouldn’t let that happen. She pushed me by getting me to remember why I do this in the first place and I can’t thank her enough for that. It worked out for the best. It not only increased my confidence in my craft, but I also ended up meeting my fiancé, Borys Minger. At the time, Borys was playing on the team and had a hand in coordinating my performance. He has been a major pillar in my growth. I’m talking best hype-man and everything-consultant (God has a plan lol!).

To back-pedal, the very beginning of my writing journey was much more isolated. I was writing in my room, and for two years I had started sharing my poems on an Instagram page without thinking much of it. I was receiving so much love and support on my page. Having people resonate with my words served as confirmation that what I was writing was not only helpful to me, but was also moving others to reflect on their own unique experiences and develop a strong sense of self and surroundings.

Through encouragement, I moved from sharing poems online, to also posting spoken word videos. Not too long after, I decided to perform at my first ever Poetry Open Mic – Spoken in the (Park)dale by MayaSpoken. I’m grateful to Maya for having created such a welcoming space where I got my first taste of public speaking!

Today, I get the opportunity to speak and listen in rooms filled with inspiring individuals, teach workshops, work on creative projects that really sustain me, and host Open Mic Nights as a means of spreading that same love that filled my cup to the brim.

I’d also like to shoutout Rey, for allowing me to host my first open mics at Drip House Cafe !

Instagram: @sandraspoesy

Image Credits
Annita Kayiba & Elisabeth Priscilla