I was born in the midst of the Iranian revolution and migrated as a toddler to France, growing up as a true Parisian and exiled Iranian. With this background, where nothing seemed obvious and adapting was my daily share, asking questions with wide open eyes became a second nature next to my idealism and love of people.

BE A SAFE HARBOUR

From an early age, I got so busy trying to make sense out of the world that I forgot to think about my own desires and wishes. Life was a puzzle to solve!

What is right and wrong? How to grow spiritually without the flaw of religions? How to grow the economy and thrive in business without succumbing to financial markets pressure? How to overcome the poison of power? Is it better to optimize resources or to create innovation? How to find our way in a world that throws at us pre-established models of success? How to become a better person? What is the best purpose? What is success? What shall I do with my life?

So many questions and every one leading to another… The more I explored, the less I was thinking about myself. Until one day, it ticked: You can’t bring anything to the world if you are not a safe harbour.

I had no time for myself! My corporate career was making me so busy, traveling here and there, giving my best to deliver outstanding results, taking on board increasingly challenging projects. But the little voice kept on coming back until one day it told me: “Why not try yoga?”

YOU HAVE ONLY ONE LIFE, SO DROP THE IDEA OF WORK-LIFE BALANCE.

In 2011, I was lucky to be in-between two jobs and have some months free to fully immerse in a daily yoga practice and later on Tibetan Buddhist meditation. As I learned how to breathe, to pause, to drop my preconceived ideas, to become familiar with my inner life, a whole new perspective opened.

I am no longer trying to understand the world with my idealistic lenses but rather nourish compassion and empathy for people and stay more with what is rather than what is past or what is not yet there.

It’s hard work to learn to relax, give away worries and trust that life will unfold just as it should! But it feels so good!

HAPPINESS IS NOT A MYTH, IT’S IN YOUR HANDS: LOOK WITHIN

As I shared my learnings with friends, I realized that putting my experience and thoughts in written would be very helpful to others as well.

I started writing PeeledOnion in October 2011 and every article is meant to share simple tips of self-help to grow happiness (for anyone, whether in business or not).

Thanks to all of you for your encouragements and your kind feedbacks. I am immensely grateful for your support!

All pictures (except otherwise indicated) are taken by me for PeeledOnion. Feel free to use them if you wish.

Namaste!

Sahar.