I flew to New Zealand on 1st January from London Heathrow and landed in Christchurch, New Zealand on 4th January at around 1240am.

I have never been to this part of the world and the relaxed attitude of New Zealanders has actually taken me by surprise. They just live life at a much slower pace than we do in London, New York and Paris.

Landing in Christchurch was a relief to me because after being on three flights, I just didn’t want to see another plane or airport for a very long time.  I wanted to stretch my legs and be in a proper bed and have a nap without being interrupted by the passenger near me or the air steward checking on me.

My eldest son collected me from the airport and took me to The Hotel Elms in Christchurch which I really loved. I needed the black out blinds as all I could think of was sleep.

I timed my flight well because after a few hours of sleep, I woke up to have breakfast in the hotel.

I then decided to sleep again in the afternoon.

My body was begging me to sleep to not walk anywhere, to just rest and be stationary. After flying so many miles, I am not surprised.

I didn’t go sight seeing on the first day. I just stayed in the hotel or the nearby vicinity, popping casually to the local shop to get some bottled water.

I think in the evening my eldest son ordered some sushi which I had in the hotel room and I then found myself back in the bed, trying to orientate my body to being in the southern hemisphere.

I must have been adjusting to the new time zone when I found myself wide awake at 2 am in the morning, very hungry.

I forced myself to sleep and then woke up again at 6 or 7 and then had breakfast at the usual time.

On Sunday afternoon my eldest son and I visited Christchurch city centre and the Al Noor Mosque where over 50 Muslims who were praying there in 2019 were murdered by a far right wing terrorist. The Mosque was locked up when we arrived just before Asr Mid Afternoon prayers. A friendly Kiwi opened the mosque and the women’s area for me to pray in. I noticed the announcements on the notice board and how there was a community vibe in the air.

Christchurch doesn’t feel like a city,  it feels like a little town. It also doesn’t feel like it has recovered from the earthquake of 2011, the cathedral is still being renovated and many places are still being constructed and not open to visitors from abroad.

However walking through Hagley Park and visiting the restaurants and market places and art gallery, there’s a city vibe which is endearing.

I noticed many artists selling paintings and locally hand crafted jewellery and locally hand crafted clothing.

Christchurch has also a young feel to it

I saw the stadium being built which is being made READY for the Olympics.

The city doesn’t have a big population though and there seems to be so much space and the fact that it is surrounded by beaches, I found very hard to process.

I found there were many places where you can go and reflect, unwind from a hard day’s work. Reflective places are important to me in a city and being surrounded by nature is important to me.

The Reflective Space is what I offer online

If you can find a reflective space, the space that works for you offline, in your village, city or town that you live in, you are very fortunate.

I would recommend that you visit that space once a week at least by yourself. Sit down there in silence and invest in this simple self-care ritual for a few minutes a day before you start your day or at the end of your day to reflect on the day before or the day you just have had.

We live such, fast paced lives it is so important to slow down.

We don’t have to do this just when we are on holiday or as Americans say on vacation.

We can incorporate this in our daily routines whether we are high performers, high achievers, high performing leaders.

We are heart centred individuals after all that need to be connected to what lifts up our hearts.

For me nature, the vibrancy of a city, cafés and restaurants lifts my heart and spirit.

So next time you see a cafe or a restaurant or a spot near a lake or river or in a park or garden that really pulls you to it, then go there and wander around and experience it. Sit there and savour it

Your soul will thank you for doing so.

This is a balm for your soul and a strategy that helps you with your workaholism or your personal development addiction.

Did You Love This Article?

Did it really resonate with you? I have a feeling it did because you finally found someone who understands you—someone who can see the importance you place on reflection and has some awareness of the fact that we live in a hustle culture that actually feels very claustrophobic and can see past the superficiality of 21st century life and over reliance on being online.

Acknowledging The Lies of 21st Century life!

In our society, work and personal development are idolized, while drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and sex addiction are viewed as obvious villains. Yet, working is often celebrated in the 21st century, and self-improvement has become a multi-billion dollar industry.

The Limits of Self-Help

However, self-help can only assist you to a certain extent. While it’s important to spend time reflecting and sitting in silence, we are not islands. We are social beings, living in communities—both offline and online.

Many religious and spiritual traditions, some centuries old, teach that you have all the answers within you if you only look deep enough. This is contrary to the New Age Spirituality movement, which often suggests that you need to do certain things to heal. Most religious traditions teach that we come into the world whole and complete, but sadly, we forget this. That’s why it’s crucial to unlearn what we’ve been taught and much of what we see online and in modern psychology.

The Importance of Reflective Practices

Unlearning requires investing in a reflective space with a professional or a set of professionals. In social work and therapy circles, this is common practice and is known as reflective practice or supervision. While many professionals engage in this to understand their clients, I have found that many do not do this for themselves. This applies to innovative change-makers, visionary entrepreneurs, high-performing leaders, and high achievers, who often hire professional help for their teams, families, and pets but neglect their own needs.

In today’s world, where information overload is common and scams are on the rise, discerning who to hire for your personal growth takes time. As a leader, I understand that you need to carefully select a consultant, coach, healer, or therapist who is not only competent but also highly skilled.

The Quest for Transformation

Honestly, I know that what matters to you isn’t just my identity or qualifications, but how quickly I can facilitate your transformation from point A to point B. And you want that transformation yesterday, am I correct?

While I can’t facilitate it overnight, I can certainly do it faster than my competitors.

– What takes others minutes takes me seconds.
– What takes others hours takes me minutes.
– What takes others days takes me hours.
– What takes others weeks takes me days.
– What takes others months takes me weeks.
– What takes others years takes me months.
– What takes others decades takes me years.

The Muslim Alchemist

I brand myself as The Muslim Alchemist, not out of arrogance or because it sounds cool, but because, as one of my coaches pointed out, I truly embody this title. With over thirty years of experience as a practicing social worker in London, United Kingdom, I have learned how to use limited resources to provide opportunity and hope. Even when faced with challenging situations, I have witnessed my clients transform their lives for the better.

By the way, alchemy is the process of transforming base metals into gold. It comes from the Arabic word “Al Chemy.” The ancient Arabs discovered this practice from the Egyptians, who found ways to turn base metals into gold. From alchemy, chemistry and other sciences emerged. Social workers are modern-day alchemists, and through my extensive experience with countless individuals—children, teenagers, parents, and professionals—I have seen many turn their struggles into success.

Personal Experience Matters

My lived experience as a parent of three sons, including one diagnosed with Developmental Language Disorder in 2013, adds depth to my understanding of being a parent and working with children and young people with special education needs. You can trust that I empathize with your struggles and have the insight you seek.

Moreover, I have been married for three decades. You know from your own experiences that long-term relationships come with their challenges, both good and bad. This extensive experience, combined with my knowledge of the human condition, offers you immense wisdom to tap into.

A Non-Judgmental Space

Having studied Islam, Judaism, and Christianity with various religious leaders since 1993, I provide a non-judgmental service rooted in traditional religious and spiritual wisdom.

I offer you **THE REFLECTIVE SPACE** in various forms. No matter how you choose to enter this space, the typical results are profound, rapid, and lasting transformations in health, wealth, or relationships. Many clients have embarked on this reflective journey since I started my business in 2018.

Diverse Transformational Journeys

Some clients, like Zahra*, have completed the personal alchemy journey. Others, like Liz*, have undertaken both personal and identity alchemy journeys. Some have explored all three journeys—personal, identity, and practical—with clients like Asma*.

What use is an adventure if it doesn’t equip you with practical skills for everyday life? Many personal development programs foster dependence on a coach or therapist, but I don’t believe in that model. Some of my clients have rehired me, but usually for entirely different challenges.

To complete the adventure—one that delves into your life and business in depth—there is the emotional alchemy journey. Transmuting repressed feelings requires confronting painful thoughts and emotions. This process demands skill and years of experience, especially if you have buried these feelings deep within. Doing this alongside someone who understands emotional pain can be incredibly liberating and nurturing.

Finding Peace in Vulnerability

I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to face emotional pain. For most of my life, I avoided feeling my own pain, immersing myself in work and family responsibilities until I slowed down in August 2017. The emotional alchemy journey is the hardest path to walk, especially if you’ve numbed your feelings with work and success.

Investing in a professional who understands that there comes a time when you can no longer carry the weight alone can feel incredibly peaceful. It’s like finding a friend who truly understands.

Building a Friendship Takes Time

However, I recognize that building a friendship takes time, and it cannot be established through a single article. I invite you to take a moment out of your busy life to join my Telegram community, where I share videos, audios, and articles, and engage in discussions about the latest insights.

-Join my Telegram Community
(https://t.me/+gYJKoX9iJv5iNjU0)

Or my Facebook communities

The Reflective Space Private Group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/gxBvXJBop2eRfPeZ/

Transformation of Consciousness Community

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/uJ2Wd9dgAX3Xd8CB/


Remember, transformation is possible, but traveling the road less traveled on your own takes a long time. You don’t have to go it alone now that you are awake and seeking a fulfilled life. The journey takes far less time when you have a friend to accompany you.

If you’re like me and want your transformation yesterday but are unsure which of my services is best for you, I encourage you to book a **FREE 15-minute consultation** using the link below:

https://calendly.com/contact-3453/15min

*Names marked with an asterisk are fictional to protect the identity of real individuals who wish to remain anonymous. I offer a private and confidential service, especially for clients who are well-known in their own communities or industries.