Working in the corporate world and also in the world of healing as a ThetaHealer, Yoga Teacher, Reiki Healer, Access Bars Practitioner, Hypnotherapist and Life Coach, it’s safe to say Dalia Halabi has interests far and wide. The Dubai-based multi-hyphenate is redefining what it means to fire on all cylinders and still come out sane on the other side. She has a Masters in Applied Psychology from Middlesex University London and is grappling with ways on achieving more self-compassion. This is what she’s got to say…
So your dissertation was on how meditation can lead to self-compassion. What did you discover?
I was drawn to this subject because when we understand what happiness is, it can lead to drastic social changes as it impacts governmental processes, educational teachings, approaches to therapy, and even parenting, mainly because they all attempt to improve the human condition for the better. Meditation has well-documented effects on psychological health and happiness. Recent findings suggest that increases in both meditation practice and self-compassion may mediate these outcomes. A significant relationship between meditation and happiness was completely accounted for by a combination of mindfulness and self-compassion scores. If meditation and self-compassion are both constructs that can be taught, and if they do in fact result in happiness, then there is a great need to channel research energy into exploring these relationships and how people can benefit from learning them to lead happier lives.
You’re doing all this while coping with the demands of the corporate world. How?
I believe you can give 100 per cent to everything you do, especially if you’re lucky enough to have found the things that make you feel happy. So I’m able to give my job 100 per cent because it allows me to be creative and it challenges my mind. I’m also able to give my healing clients 100 per cent because that is my passion and I derive a sense of purpose from it. And of course I give myself 100 per cent because I wouldn’t be able to balance it all if I wasn’t prioritising my own wellbeing. Balance is a state of mind really, no excuses.
How do you transmit your healing energy into your work environment and to your clients?
I have a full time job working in media which means a lot of time crunches. I’m a certified ThetaHealer, Yoga Teacher, Reiki Healer, Access Bars Practitioner and Hypnotherapist as well as a Life Coach. I wouldn’t be a healer worth my salt if I didn’t heal myself first and use these modalities on myself. Not only do these tools keep me sane and happy, they help me in my job, too. I’ve found that meditation stimulates my creativity at work, makes me more patient, more optimistic and helps me deal with stress in a healthy way.
What is your goal for the next five years?
My goal is to be happy and fulfilled. We are so conditioned to believe that a goal should look a certain way. A lot of people place external goals and once they achieve them they find that it didn’t really make them feel the way they thought it would. How about feel fulfilled now and then set your goal?
Who inspires you?
Every day I meet someone who inspires me. Not just a single person comes to mind because inspiration is everywhere, you just have to look for it. Anyone who has found their passion and is living their life out loud is someone I find inspiring. Happy people glow differently you know?
What kind advice do you have for today’s over-worked, burnt out generation?
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Prioritise your wellbeing and do whatever it takes to get yourself to feel the way you want to. It doesn’t have to be therapy or healing or coaching, it can look however you want it to, as long as it works for you.
What are some of the small and effective ways to start healing ourselves?
Alone time is a great way to get to know yourself. If you are aware of your thoughts, you can learn to deconstruct them and begin to question where they come from and understand how they shape your reality. Your relationship with yourself is the most important relationship you will ever nurture. That means being kind, compassionate and loving yourself.
Do you feel it is necessary to write healing and self-care into school curriculums?
Yes! 1000 per cent. It’s never too early to teach kids how to self-care. A lot of schools have already adopted meditation as an intervention instead of detention. They also begin classes with a quick meditation to start the day and the results on the students have been extremely positive. These are actual life skills that kids can use so the earlier they learn how to incorporate mindfulness strategies, the better.
Where do you stand on style? Is it acquired or innate?
Style is subjective. It shouldn’t be forced, it’s your own creative expression and it should make you feel good about yourself.
Do you go by a less is more, or more is more mantra?
I’m all about abundant thinking so when it comes to life, love, fun, and humanity, more is more is more is more. What you put out in abundance, returns to you in abundance!
Now, meet the millennial shaping the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
