Being of Service to Others

 "The best way to find yourself, is to 

lose yourself in the service of others.”

 - Mahatma Gandhi

On June 8^th, I launched my new book: From Fear to Freedom: My Journey. Since then, I’ve written a series of posts about the fears I faced in my past and the 3-step process I used to overcome my fear. I’ve also shared how readers can conquer fears in their past, overcome relationship issues, and use self-hypnosis to process anything that life throws at them. Today, I want to talk about something I felt strongly about after I changed my life: being of service to others.
 

One of the greatest gifts that I have learned is to give and receive at the same time, allowing God's work to flow through me to those in need. I do a variety of different volunteer activities, including feeding those in need at a soup kitchen and giving away clothes and food every month. But one of the most impactful kinds of service I do is helping women suffering from abuse to change their lives.

The reasons for telling my life story, including the long-term effects of being touched inappropriately, were not clear to me for some time. But finally, I realized that by telling my story that I could help other women change their lives. There are so many women who are dealing with abusive relationships and in need of help. I provide counseling to help them increase their self-awareness and self-confidence, empowering them to move out from a dangerous situation.

Nine years ago, I joined the PWAM (Pakistani Women's Association of Michigan) to help women in my community through education, empowerment, and assistance. When I was asked to be a founding member and the general secretary of the organization, it felt like it was my calling. 

PWAM had done a lot of charity work since then. Recently, a Pakistani woman was kicked out of her home by her husband. We found her a place to stay. We have also volunteered with soup kitchens. I loved taking food to the poor people in Detroit for breaking the Ramadan fast. It’s so fulfilling feeding them good food.  

We hold an annual community bazaar for community women to sell their food, clothes, and jewelry. It’s a joyful celebration of creativity meeting needs. We give an annual woman of the year award to honor exceptional service. We’re the first Pakistani women's organization registered in the country and were thrilled when Michigan State Senator Debbie Stabenow came to our event, recognizing and encouraging us. We were honored by the Pakistani Ambassador in Washington, DC, who sent the first check to help sponsor our safe house. Honestly, this is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever been a part of!

This gift from our community takes care of physically, sexually, and mentally abused women who are kicked out of their homes by providing them shelter. We want women to have a space where they can find refuge from the abuse that they’re suffering from without the angst of fleeing.

This organization provides the ability to meet women's immediate physical needs. Then, we provide them with workshops to educate and empower them. We have qualified counselors, social workers, and physicians to treat their needs.

In authentic Islam, women have a lot of power and respect. Women in Iran are taxi drivers, pilots, and soldiers, able to do anything, contrary to the media depiction of them being cloistered.

Culturally, Muslims living in Michigan are liberated. There’s no submission, and the abuse issues are the same ones that Christian women face. However, abuse in Muslim families tends to be hidden behind closed doors. Nobody talks about until it gets really bad.

My mission is to talk about it safely. In revealing it, we begin to heal it. We offer women tools and resources that end suffering and lonely misery. I want every woman to know that there’s only one degree of separation between us. You don't have to suffer alone in silence anymore. You can heal in your own mind using the 3 steps in my book.

From Fear to Freedom: My Journey released on June 8^th, 2018. Order it today on Amazon.com or go to www.fearfreebook.com.

About the Author

Hena Husain is a mind coach, author and motivational speaker. She specializes in hypnotherapy, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), pain and stress management, core releasing, and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). Her coaching is grounded in the power of positive thinking and the achievement of success in business, health, and relationship wellness. As one of the most sought-after lecturers, Hena delivers an impassioned message that motivates participants to create positive change and personal growth in their lives. You can find out more about Hena on her website, balanceforlifebiz.com.

Moving From Fear to Freedom – Using Self-Hypnosis to Overcome Fear

 Unlock your full potential and live better, as you move from Fear to Freedom.

This is my fourth post in a series based on my new book: From Fear to Freedom: My Journey. In my first post, I wrote about the fears I faced in my past and the 3-step process I used to overcome my fear. In my second post, I wrote about how readers can overcome relationship issues. In my third post, I thanked early readers for their support of my book and praise in early reviews. In this post, I want to show readers how to use one of the most effective parts of this 3-step process, one they can use themselves at home – self-hypnosis.

Inner Reflection through Self-Hypnosis

In a very real sense, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis, since you are in control of your thoughts and your mind. A skilled hypnotist can guide your thoughts to produce the brain wave state where you can learn and change. They will then help you guide your mind by making carefully selected suggestions, based on their knowledge and training, but you can do some of this for yourself. It is a wonderful skill to learn as it will enable you to use your powerful mind to address anything life throws at you. 

Preparation

Start by making sure you are in a safe, quiet place. If you’re at home, make sure your stove is turned off and the doors are locked. Separate yourself from your family and turn your phone off.  You are taking 20 minutes to work on helping yourself.

Step One

Get comfortable and close your eyes. Focus on your own body. Starting with your feet and working your way to your head, tense and relax all the major muscle groups in your body.

Step Two

Breathe deeply, hold, and then let go.

Say to yourself: “I am twice as relaxed.” Repeat and say, “more relaxed still.” Repeat this ten times.

Focus on your breath. Feel the air going down into your lungs and your chest expanding. Feel the tension leaving your body as you breathe out.

Step Three

Notice the random thoughts in your mind.  Acknowledge each thought as it appears. Let it drift away, watch it get smaller and smaller. Let your subconscious take over.

Step Four

Imagine a safe place where you feel happy or secure. This may be a memory of a place you know, or it can be somewhere you create in your imagination.

Step Five

Imagine this place as strongly as you can, using all your senses. Make the colors brighter and the picture clearer. Listen for the sounds. Feel the temperature. Feel how the air or the ground feels on your body. Notice the smells around you.

Step Six

Tell your mind to find any issue you wish to consider. Imagine you are holding it in your hand.

• Imagine this issue as an object in your hand.

• Now use your mind to change how that object looks and feels to you.

• Let any negative energy and connotations leave the object.

• Watch as they float away.

• Focus on the object as it changes and becomes what you want it to be. It is likely to feel lighter and look brighter. 

• Turn it around in your hand noticing how the light reflects and refracts.

• Be aware that it is your powerful mind that is making these important changes.

• Let the changes happen, as they will, at the pace you choose.

• Continue until you know that you have done as much work as is right for you today.

• Put the object down but be assured you can return to do more work and make new discoveries if you want to.

• Focus on your safe and lovely place and notice any differences here.

• Promise your safe place that you will return very soon.

• Stretch out your arms and take a deep breath. Open your eyes and return to your everyday state.

After this exercise, you should feel relaxed and peaceful. This process will get easier with practice. If you can, pick a regular time of the day for practicing self-hypnosis.

As you let go of layers of fear, you will free up the space for love and freedom.

From Fear to Freedom: My Journey released on June 8^th, 2018. Order it today on Amazon.com or go to www.fearfreebook.com.

About the Author

Hena Husain is a mind coach, author and motivational speaker. She specializes in hypnotherapy, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), pain and stress management, core releasing, and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). Her coaching is grounded in the power of positive thinking and the achievement of success in business, health, and relationship wellness. As one of the most sought-after lecturers, Hena delivers an impassioned message that motivates participants to create positive change and personal growth in their lives. You can find out more about Hena on her website, balanceforlifebiz.com.

Moving From Fear to Freedom – Praise from Early Readers

Unlock your full potential and live better, as you move from Fear to Freedom.

This is my third post in a series based on my new book: From Fear to Freedom: My Journey. In my first post, I wrote about the fears I faced in my past and the 3-step process I used to overcome my fear. In my second post, I showed readers how fears in their past can hurt their relationships with loved ones and how to overcome this. But I know some readers still wonder whether From Fear to Freedom can really help them change their lives. I’ve been moved by the positive feedback I’ve received from early readers of my book. It touches my heart to know that the pain that I experienced, and the steps I have taken to overcome problems from my past have already begun to help others. This is what readers are saying about the impact of my book:

"I lent this book to my mom who has had a pretty traumatic past… She read this book in one day. The next day, she was on the phone with Hena who was immediately ready to help her along her journey. I can't wait to see how my mom progresses. Thank you Hena for writing this book and taking it a step further by being there to help.” - scrimmin07

“What a gift....sometimes I’m struck with the power of the written word to change lives and even change the course of history. The heartfelt sharing and deeply learned wisdom in Hena's new book is bound to change the history of many reading it. To yearn to be free....pretty common. To have keys to release people and to share them so liberally with them...that's the kind of thing you find in the hands of a master. Thanks Hena.” – Gordon Boyd

– Aisha Abbasi, M.D., Psychoanalyst/Psychiatrist and Author of The Rupture of Serenity: External Intrusions and Psychoanalytic Technique

“Hena has taken a taboo topic and dug out the root of its shame and shambles which had grown in the shadow of her life. It is an inspiration to read her clearly charted path, with tools and other action steps, which all who aspire to heal can easily follow.” – Ellen Waara

“Hena's book started with a personal journey and ended with a divine journey. This book has the potential to awaken the truth within which can allow the human race to meet at the point of oneness. This book should be read by each and every one, no matter which religion” – Manish Patel, Author of Second Childhood

“I found this book to be a must read for women who have been sexually abused. Hena shares her own personal story of abuse and shame and how she transformed and reinvented herself. In the telling of her story for growth and personal change she communicates with the reader the tools she used to overcome her inner demons and fears. This book is filled with prompts and exercises that guides the reader on their own personal journey. I think we can all relate to her story of suffering, but do not know how to move out of our own way; Hena shows us how.” – Joanne Edwards

“This is a book to return to again and again.” – DW

On July 4^th, we remember that freedom is a precious gift, both for our country and for ourselves. I applaud the readers of From Fear to Freedom for addressing their fears with courage. And I want to thank the readers who have written reviews of my book from the bottom of my heart. From Fear to Freedom: My Journey was released on June 8^th, 2018. Order it today on Amazon.com or go to www.fearfreebook.com.

About the Author

Hena Husain is a mind coach, author and motivational speaker. She specializes in hypnotherapy, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), pain and stress management, core releasing, and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). Her coaching is grounded in the power of positive thinking and the achievement of success in business, health, and relationship wellness. As one of the most sought-after lecturers, Hena delivers an impassioned message that motivates participants to create positive change and personal growth in their lives. You can find out more about Hena on her website, balanceforlifebiz.com.

From Fear to Freedom – How to Overcome Relationship Issues in Your Own Mind

 Unlock your full potential and live better, as you move from Fear to Freedom.

This is my second post in a series based on my new book: From Fear to Freedom: My Journey. In my first post, I wrote about the fears I faced in my past and the 3-step process I used to overcome my fear. In this post, I want to show readers how fears in our past can hurt our relationships with loved ones. I will provide action steps for understanding the root causes of these relationship problems and mending our broken relationships.

Our Past Affects Our Present Relationships

We don’t realize that our past keeps creeping up on us and affecting our relationships. We get into arguments or feel attacked for reasons that have nothing to do with our loved ones. They have to do with baggage from our past that we are hanging onto and that lead us to misinterpret the actions and motivations of others.

This happened to me when my husband, Nasir, was in his medical residency. Nasir is a very bright man and we have always had a strong commitment to each other, but the requirements of his residency were tough. He was always pre-call, post-call, or waiting to be called. Throughout his residency, he was sleeping if he wasn’t working. He disconnected from me and the kids to cope with it.

For two days, I’d wait for him to come home. When he was back, he went straight to sleep until he went back to work again. This pattern drove me crazy and made me angry. His perspective was, "I don't even get to sleep." I'd think, "I waited for two days for you to come home, and now I have to sit at home and watch you sleep?" There was no time for love. I didn't have a social life or someone to confide in and have fun with.

I felt abandoned and betrayed. My ‘happily ever after’ seemed to have sunk like a wedding cake without the baking soda. I was miserable and made little effort to hide it. The little time we had was spent bickering. I was filled with angry tears and judgment while he was depleted, exhausted, and unable to meet my needs.  I’m sure he was as frustrated by my irrational behavior as I was with his. We were shut down and triggered by one another. Neither of us understood why. Our problems grew.

No Matter How Big or Small – Resolve Your Past

My constant judging and fear made it impossible for me to see that responsibility for my happiness lay inside of me. My absentee mother and husband made me overcompensate as a mother, a daughter, and a wife. In general, we duplicate the patterns that were role modeled to us when we were growing up. I took a vow to break that pattern in my family. But, I was conflicted. My inner vision and my outer reality weren’t matching up. That inner conflict took up a lot of energy. Conflict occupied space in my mind and body; it was blocking meaningful prosperity and enjoyable relationships. It was getting in the way of my living a healthy, happy, prosperous, and peaceful life. Finally, I realized it was my choice to be happy regardless of my circumstances.

“Since we create these feelings in our own mind, we can uncreate them in our own mind.”

.

I Began to Reinvent Myself 

I was committed to finding my own happiness and restoring my close, loving relationship with my husband. But how?

When we are reinventing ourselves, we start looking at different areas of our lives. We look at our key relationships, thoughts, and beliefs. We explore how we judge ourselves and sabotage our own goals by making up stories based on our past. Figuring out where my issues began and who I'd been all my life became my life's passion.

-          What were my daily thought processes?

-          What did I say to myself on a daily basis?

These answers were the brush with which I was painting my reality.

The problem was that my inner dialogue about myself was based on fear from past experiences. It affected my relationships deeply. I believed that if my relationships didn’t work, then nothing in my life would. I was determined to pursue happiness in my life, so I started taking responsibility for my own thoughts and actions. Then things started to shift. The intention to change was the first step.

ACTION STEP: Releasing Fear by Taking Accountability 

1. Get your notebook and a cup of tea.  

2. Write a list of people with whom you would like to improve your relationship.

3. What’s missing from each of those relationships?

4. Where is it possible for you to take responsibility for your part with each one of them?

5. What fears can you identify [Action step in From Fear to Freedom: Chapter 1] that are affecting these relationships?

6. How can you personally be accountable and change so that the relationship will change?

As you let go of layers of fear, you will free up the space for love and freedom.

From Fear to Freedom: My Journey released on June 8^th, 2018. Order it today on Amazon.com or go to www.fearfreebook.com.

About the Author

Hena Husain is a mind coach, author and motivational speaker. She specializes in hypnotherapy, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), pain and stress management, core releasing, and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). Her coaching is grounded in the power of positive thinking and the achievement of success in business, health, and relationship wellness. As one of the most sought-after lecturers, Hena delivers an impassioned message that motivates participants to create positive change and personal growth in their lives. You can find out more about Hena on her website, balanceforlifebiz.com.