Thoughts, fears, aspirations, doubts, complexes, envies, unfulfilled dreams, regrets, and emotions… People are a conglomerate of all this and much more. Our wonderful complexity makes us brave and courageous, but also vulnerable. We struggle with a paradox in which we believe we have control of our lives, and yet we never stop reeling like drifting ships.
Will we ever be able to reach a balance? Will we reach that emotional wisdom that allows us to truly understand ourselves and others? This is a difficult journey, certainly. Every day, we are challenged to investigate a new part of ourselves, to look a little further in order to find the truth about what we need and what we are.
In this nervous life full of responsibilities and problems, we barely have time to hear our own voice. Instead, we are bombarded by the echoes of other people’s words—of marketing messages, of influential people from our past, of those we believe are judging us. Meanwhile, we are overwhelmed by work and personal obligations that provoke stress and anxiety, those modern diseases that are not soothed buy aspirin or antibiotics. Among all the chaos, where are we to find wisdom?
To answer these questions, we shall take into account some insights from Eiman Al Zaabi, a transformational coach who holds seminars and workshops on spiritual beliefs and well-being. Eiman has written a book called The Art of Surrender, which is a spectacular read on the topic of spiritual awakening.
1. Pay attention to being, not just doing
Every morning, your mind will present you with the agenda for the day: you must do this and that, you must call such a person, you must go here, forget about that other thing because you won’t have time… The human mind is like an engine, always pushing us toward what we are supposed to do. But what about ways of being? How do you feel? Do you look forward to getting out of bed each day? How do you want to feel? Al Zaabi points out that each of us has are intended ways of being in the world. These include states such as serenity, beauty, creativity, and joy. Ask yourself what state you are in when you feel happiest and most content. Then set up your life so you have opportunities to be in that state.
2. Appreciate your mind
Many popular self-help approaches, meditation chief among them, will tell you to quiet your mind. This is a mistake, says Al Zaabi. The discerning and inquisitive human mind is a spiritual gift. Don’t smother your curiosity with distraction or substances that lull you. Do not repress your thoughts; do not shut up your inner voice. Do not allow yourself to be fragmented in silence. Use your mind to investigate life and seek the truth.
3. Live from your inner wisdom
True happiness always begins inside. If you are satisfied with what you are and what you do, you will be able to bring well-being to every aspect of life. Heeding our inner wisdom is so simple yet so difficult. It’s not always easy to do what we know, not what we owe. The path of integrity is undoubtedly complex, but as far as we can, it is essential that we always seek this end. Doing what is gratifying and enriching to us, that which is true and reflects our purpose in life, is essential for our personal and emotional development.
4. Use change as an opportunity to mature
Change is the nature of life. It’s challenging to take on new realities, yet you can look at these experiences as an opportunity to achieve your own well-being. According to Al Zaabi, life is evolutionary in nature. Situations that we perceive as challenging are meant to help us grow. So pay attention to the lessons that are placed before you. Feel, listen, and learn. A flexible spirit knows how to adapt and faces tomorrow with optimism. There is wisdom in not being afraid of change.
5. Nurture yourself on every level
Self-care is not selfish; it is the key to living your best life. Al Zaabi advises us to nourish ourselves at five levels: physical health, mental well-being, emotional stability, relationships and social support, and spiritual development. If you pay attention to all of these areas, you will grow into your best possible self.