Visualization and hope can help overcome obstacles and achieve dreams
Embracing empathy and kindness can make a difference in the lives of others and bring fulfillment
Finding meaning in what we do and doing things differently can create positive change and make a significant impact
Deep dives
Wahid Arian's Journey from War to Success
Wahid Arian shares the incredible story of his childhood in war-torn Afghanistan, where he endured trauma and loss. Despite the hardships, Wahid maintained hope and used visualization to overcome obstacles. He escaped to the UK as a refugee, faced challenges as a student at Cambridge University, and ultimately fulfilled his dream of becoming a doctor to give back and help others. Through his experiences, he emphasizes the power of compassion, finding meaning in life, and doing things differently to make a positive impact on individuals and communities.
Showing Empathy and Kindness
Wahid Arian encourages listeners to embrace empathy and kindness in their interactions with others. Drawing from his own experiences, he emphasizes the importance of extending a helping hand, especially to marginalized and vulnerable communities such as refugees and asylum seekers. He highlights the power of compassion and how it can make a difference in someone's life, while also bringing fulfillment and joy to our own lives.
Overcoming Failure and Finding Resilience
Wahid Arian shares moments of failure in his life and how he dealt with them. He discusses being arrested upon arrival in the UK and feeling like a failure, but he channeled his resilience and wrote down his case to argue his situation. He also reflects on struggling academically at Cambridge University and feeling out of his depth, but he persevered, developed effective learning strategies, and achieved academic success. These experiences highlight the importance of not giving up, finding ways to overcome obstacles, and remaining focused on long-term goals.
Finding Meaning and Doing Things Differently
Wahid Arian emphasizes the significance of finding meaning in what we do and doing things differently to create positive change. He suggests reflecting on one's passions, interests, and abilities, and finding ways to contribute value to others and society. He shares his own journey of combining technology, compassion, trauma-informed care, and cultural sensitivity to develop innovative solutions for mental health and well-being. He believes that by focusing on purpose and finding meaning, we can make a significant impact in the lives of others.
The Power of the Human Spirit and Resilience
Wahid Arian's story highlights the incredible strength of the human spirit and the ability to overcome adversity. From enduring the traumas of war to being a refugee and facing challenges in unfamiliar environments, he exemplifies resilience and the power to thrive. He emphasizes the importance of gratitude, exercise, empathy, and kindness in nurturing the human spirit. By recognizing the magic and small moments around us, we can cultivate resilience and find the courage to face difficult circumstances.
Dr. Waheed Arian, a doctor and radiologist, endured a challenging upbringing in war-torn Afghanistan, and at 15, he was smuggled to the UK. He had a singular ambition: to become a doctor. In a heartfelt conversation with Jake and Damian, he candidly reveals the harsh realities of living amongst bombings and military presence. He recounts visiting his father in hiding, who sought to evade front-line military service.
Such traumatic experiences have shaped Waheed's character, instilling vital lessons he carries to this day. He shares with Jake and Damian the key lessons he learnt from his childhood and how he still carries them with him. The loss of childhood innocence early on forged a determined mindset, focused on supporting and caring for his family. Throughout the darkest times, his dream of becoming a doctor served as a lifeline.
Waheed discusses the moment of kindness that changed his life, the importance of responsibility and how we can find meaning in what we do.