Living a meaningful life possible amid challenges

Shereen Afifi

“It’s not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something,” said Winston S. Churchill.

Living fulfilling life for purpose, pursuing passion and deal with challenges and improve quality of our relationships are common interest topics that Egyptian certified Life Coach and Writer Heba El Sawah discussed in her two best-selling self-help books “Cinderella’s Secret” and “Sharzad on Fire”. El Sawah was in Sharjah for giving group sessions. Gulf Today sat with her to explore how to lead meaningful life.

Why and how to live on purpose?

God created human being and honoured him with role to play in his life, there is purpose behind creating each and every one of us and purpose behind all events go through, real happiness is to realise and know our value, work on it, know what God wants us to do here and leave our impact as much as we can with all our current abilities, circumstances. This is my belief which I talk about in my books or sessions. And it is not related to career or money, you play many roles in your life, mother, wife, work, friend so it’s how you fulfil Gods purpose in all roles. It starts from one has this belief then starts to develop self-awareness that enable you to use yourself at the best for all roles you play

How can someone find his passion?

This is not through test or magic. First he should have feeling of his value, that’s why I start my course “Living on Purpose” with self-esteem, then he will have balance in his life and awareness of  thoughts and things  behind his decisions, values important to him his points of weakness and strengths, his areas of  interests. Then starts to get free himself from thoughts that holding him back. Then starts to try different things in life to find out a particular interest that he wants to put his impact on it.

Why you always focus on the idea that we are not victims?

I focus on the idea that we shouldn’t lock ourselves in victim’s role. There are people or situations could harm us   we have the choice either to take our time to heal and free ourselves or remain stuck in victim mindset and it can ruin our other aspects or roles you play in your of life .If I remain waiting for those hurt me to come and heal me I would bleed to death. It’s my choice to heal myself and take decision what I am going to do next.

How to improve or increase quality of relationship with others?

Each one of us deal with world and other people through mirror he sees himself. So people who have real self-peace, acceptance and love in healthy way are people who deal with others same way. And those who have issues in the way they see themselves, that is reflected on people around them in shape of criticizing everyone. Those who criticize a lot they have a problem at some level that they can’t accept their own mistakes so they make projection on others.

How to feel inner peace and regain strength when feeling down?

Many things, first to know what makes me feel down and accept feeling down. So accept its ok not to be ok. Second is to have self-talk and understand/ figure out how I am feeling in the mindset or attitude you do with friend or someone you love. You accept her emotions and ask how she feels at moment with sympathy and support. Sometimes we can do this step ourselves or with help of friend or life coach. So based on knowing the problem, I can find solutions to regain my inner peace.

What is your favourite book and writer?

My favorite book is Eat Pray and Love, I love Elizabeth Gilbert and Brene Brown. I love the way they talk they are vulnerable and authentic

What you have learned from life so far?

I have learned that only peace with Allah. When you have kind heart and good intentions, God makes things easy for you. Nothing guaranteed in life and I should have flexibility to deal with ups and downs. And everyone has his own journey.