In my teenage years I struggled with the question “why am I here” what is the purpose in life” and other similar thoughts. I couldn’t come up with an answer and it seemed to be a very depressing time for me. Over the years as time passed and I started dealing with challenges of life, the question would still pop up now and then, but I was too busy to pay attention to it. The more adult life sunk in, the less I seemed to think about the question…why am I here, what is the purpose of life.

In early twenties when my life was turned upside down due to the revolution in Iran I had to find the strength within me to go on. From a life of comfort to absolutely nothing and having to make ends meet. Had to make a choice and making it happen or going to live with my parents and depend on them. Like many others in my predicament, I could hang it up and end my life. I chose to make it happen but the road  has been a journey that books are made of.

In my journey I found my intentions and thoughts are at the center of living life and winning it. You can say I am single focused when comes to positive thinking. What comes my way I take it as a gift and give it my all and I come to understand the wisdom of life’s events in the future. However, all the inspirational thoughts and positive thinking would not lead to wining. There was a missing ingredient that is “know how”. During my life and educational journey I have been able to focus on “know how” and what that means. Being centered enough to be able to manage emotions and only take actions and not react, to identify goals, and take the right steps to achieve the goals.

The most important question I ask individuals that engage with me to better their lives is “what are you willing to give up for what you want to gain?” and through self-discovery process they truly realize if the goals they list are wish list or truly goals. Making sure the right behaviors are behind the purposeful actions to bring success to fruition.

I have been able to be a single mother of two children that are now happy, successful, and productive, have earned an MBA and PhD as I have climbed up the professional latter all with the recipe I have outlined above. I have found my purpose in life…to help others find empowerment, achieve their goals in life.

Shohreh Rostami