In the year 2004, I embarked on an adventure, unknowingly setting sail into the uncharted waters of psychology. Little did I realize that my voyage would navigate the intricate realm of human behavior, relationships, and the multifaceted essence of life. My journey began with a fascination for Clinical Psychology, back then, mistakenly believing it encapsulated the entirety of psychology. However, life had a different chapter written for me.
As I ventured deeper into the realm of clinical psychology, I gradually sensed a misalignment. It became clear that this wasn’t the path that resonated with my soul. My heart yearned for
something more profound, something beyond the clinic’s sterile walls. I had just completed my Masters in Psychology, and I found myself at a crossroads, my mind abuzz with vague ideas, and my spirit hungering for a deeper purpose. I could list the things I didn’t want to do, but the path I should follow remained shrouded in mystery.
In my quest for purpose, I explored opportunities within educational trusts and international non-governmental organizations. However, a persistent sense of incompleteness lingered, whispering that something significant was still awaiting my attention. I knew that a calling was concealed within the recesses of my being, yet its voice remained distant.
Then, in 2012, serendipity intervened, and I stumbled upon Positive Psychology Coaching. It felt like a perfect harmony, resonating with the faint notes I had carried for so long. I was fortunate to embark on a journey of discovery, enrolling in a Positive Psychology Coaching course led by a pioneer in the field. This marked a significant turning point.
Armed with these newfound tools, I embarked on a quest to help my husband unearth his true passion. Our conversations and coaching sessions unveiled a profound yearning within him—a desire for something tangible, something outside the confines of a Engineering research lab.
“In the midst of our journey, my husband was at a crossroads, searching for his true calling. I became his guiding light in the quest to uncover his passion. As he found his path, something remarkable happened – our journey together led to the creation of Shah Hemp Inno-Ventures (SHIV). It wasn’t just his journey; it became our shared dream, a collaborative effort that allowed us to turn our vision into a reality. Guiding him through this transformative process, he reconnected with his purpose, and we embarked on a journey that led us back to Nepal, his homeland. It was a defining moment in our lives.”
Through Shah Hemp Inno-Ventures, my husband found his true calling—designing and engineering products using natural resources and local skills in his hometown, Janakpur, Nepal. For me, it was a chance to work with people, guiding them towards more fulfilling lives, not merely through words but through the teaching of essential life skills.
Our journey with Shah Hemp Inno-Ventures has been nothing short of extraordinary. We’ve erected the first hemp wall and hemp house in Asia, established a bag manufacturing workshop with local craftsmen and women, developed personal health and care products using hemp seed oil. We’ve become an integral part of the local community, embracing the simplicity and joy of life in a small town. We’ve learned to cultivate our own food, and, thanks to hemp, gained the confidence to build our own home and embrace an organic lifestyle filled with purpose.
Over the years, people with relationship and life challenges gravitated towards me, drawn by an invisible thread. Guiding them towards surmounting obstacles and achieving their dreams brought me profound satisfaction. Relationships often took center stage in my coaching sessions, enriched by my experiences with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, from open societies to more primitive ones.
Yet, a restlessness began to stir within me, a persistent sense that something more significant was missing. This restlessness steered me back towards my true passion, LightenLife, a concept I’d envisioned alongside Shah Hemp Inno-Ventures in 2015. While both projects shared a similar ethos, coaching was still relatively new in our part of the world, and Shah Hemp Inno-Ventures demanded our undivided attention.
Now, as Shah Hemp Inno-Ventures takes off, I’ve decided to take a step back and focus on Lighten Life (www.lightenlife.in). This platform is not just a reflection of my personal journey but an invitation to others seeking guidance and insight on life and relationships. I formally offer coaching and consulting sessions, providing a space for individuals to explore their own paths, find their passions, and navigate the complexities of life.
Through LightenLife, I share my thoughts and insights, drawing from years of experience and cultural diversity. It’s a space where I hope to inspire and guide others on their journeys, just as I’ve been inspired and guided on mine. Life has placed me in a unique position, allowing me to hear people’s stories and offer them comfort. This privilege comes with humility but also the responsibility to help more and more people.
