By Sameh Ibrahim
1. What inspires you?
When I was a little girl there was a TV series called “The Secret to Happiness” starring Mohamed Reda and Safaa Abul Seoud – as far as I can recall. Every episode happiness seekers would go on an adventure to explore one of the possible secrets to happiness; food, wealth, jokes, money, strength, etc.
Freedom was my answer to that question; freedom is the secret to happiness. This is what inspires me; anything that would allow me more freedom and more independence inspires me.
2. How spiritual are you? How do you define spirituality?
Spirituality is keeping your soul alive, having your own code of ethics and abiding by it, and knowing that in this life there are no regrets, only lessons.
3. What are the main things that shaped your character?
What people refer to as bad experiences are the milestones I had to pass by to get where I am today; such milestones were rugged and left their scars but I still owe them all the lessons I have learnt.
4. Do you believe in Karma? If yes, can you give us a real life example?
I do! Karma is the universal justice that manifests itself everyday around us and to us. It is true that what goes around comes around and what you do today is echoed back into your life one way or the other.
I can give you a very recent example; over the past years I have almost dedicated myself to helping people whose hearts are aching. I did my best to be there for them even by just listening. Last year I got pregnant with Adam and I decided that I will have an unassisted home birth! No medical interventions of any sort! For the rest of my pregnancy, I was all over the internet searching forums and communicating with free-birthers world wide. I met Cheroona; a British wife and mother of three. Now let me ask you this:
What are the chances of meeting a stranger online and finding all that support that this woman has given me? What are the chances of that stranger dedicating all that time and effort to you and your baby? What are the chances of that stranger coming up with ideas (like the blessingway and the lotus birth support information) to guide you when you felt so alienated? What are the chances of that stranger involving her whole family (husband and three kids) into your birthing experience only to offer more support? What are the chances of that stranger sending you a generous gift just to tell you that you are not alone? What are the chances that that stranger would dedicate a special ceremony (whole family involved) to help you ward off negative vibes from people around you and to help you restore love and peace into your relationship? What are the chances of that stranger taking their inheritance and flying over to Egypt, renting an apartment for a month, leaving their business behind, and dedicating themselves to support your birthing experience?
This is exactly what happened!
Cheroona and her husband William decided to take their three lovely kids and come to Egypt for a month because they felt that this was their calling and that they just wanted to be there for Adam and I!
Well! If this is not karma, then I do not know what is!
5. How do you keep your inner peace?
By being true to myself; I never do anything that I do not want to do, I never make a promise that I would not keep, and I do not lie – lies make you ill! I can honestly say “I did it my way” when I talk about any aspect of my life. If you are not struggling with yourself, you will not struggle with anything or anyone.
6. What do you like to do in Ramadan?
See more of my family
7. What are the things you regret doing the most?
Not visiting my grandmothers enough before they died! I miss them tremendously now and it hurts me to remember that they asked to see me so many times before they passed away and I was always busy with work.
8. What’s your favourite spiritual movie? What do you like about it?
Pay it Forward … This is how human beings should deal with one another
The Trueman Show … We are all Trueman
9. What’s the hardest change you’ve been through?
Knowing who I am and what truly makes me happy. It took years and years of trial and error until I got it right:)
10. How do you deal with stress?
I sleep
11. Do you have any daily rituals that you like to share with us?
Showering in the morning and tidying up the house before I go to bed. I believe that the “mess” inside and the “mess” outside are related. Taking a shower is like cleansing from within and tidying the house helps me remove clutter from my mind. If the house is a mess, I feel like a mess and when I feel like a mess from within, I tidy up the house. This is a childhood ritual that I never outgrew.
12. How does being a spiritual person affect your personal and professional life?
Knowing deep down that I am ok and that I will always be ok gives me the strength I need to pursue my freedom and independence regardless of who agrees with me or who objects.
13. What’s your favourite quote?
“My whole love and respect is for the person who accepts himself totally, as he is. He has courage. He has courage to face the whole pressure of the society which is bent upon splitting him into divisions — into good and bad, into saint and sinner. He is really a brave, courageous being who stands against the whole history of man, of morality, and declares to the skies his reality, whatever it is.”
By Osho – on courage
14. What books do you like to recommend?
Courage: The Joy of Living Dangerously by Osho
Freedom: The Courage to Be Yourself also by Osho
15. What advice do you give to our readers to improve their personal and spiritual life?
Love who you are if you expect any love from others and treat yourself the way you would like others to treat you.
You must be logged in to post a comment.