Surviving and thriving are collective endeavors.
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The dual concepts of surviving and thriving have shaped my journey through life—a voyage marked by upheaval, resilience, and unyielding determination.
From the chaos of war and revolution to the triumphs of professional success and the challenges of personal survival, my path reflects the profound human capacity to rise above adversity and find meaning in every experience.
A Journey Born of Turmoil
Growing up in Iran during a time of revolution and war was a lesson in survival. The familiar world around me was turned upside down. Leaving Iran meant saying goodbye to family, friends, and the comforts of home. The journey to Europe and, eventually, the United States was not just a geographic move but a complete transformation of my life and purpose.
I faced the daunting challenge of starting anew. Language barriers, cultural differences, and the weight of expectations fueled my resolve to succeed. I channeled my energy into building a career, culminating in my role as a businesswoman contributing to developing a groundbreaking drug for cancer treatment. This professional achievement became a testament to the strength of perseverance and hard work.
Confronting Mortality: A New Definition of Survival
Life, however, is seldom a linear path. My next battle came not from external circumstances but from within—cancer. Suddenly, I was no longer the professional conquering challenges in the boardroom; I was a patient, confronting my own mortality.
Cancer is a unique adversary. It challenges not just the body but the spirit. Treatment was grueling, filled with physical pain and emotional uncertainty. Yet, I emerged from this ordeal as a survivor, albeit with a new understanding of what survival truly means. It was no longer about merely enduring or “getting through” life. Survival became about finding purpose and joy despite the scars—both visible and invisible.
The Shift from Survival to Thriving
Initially, my definition of survival was rooted in endurance—holding on, functioning on autopilot, and doing only what was necessary to make it through each day. This mindset served me well during the darkest moments of war and illness. It allowed me to focus on the immediate and persevere when the future seemed uncertain.
But over time, I realized that this version of survival was incomplete. While it enabled me to weather the storm, it didn’t allow me to truly live. Surviving, I discovered, is just the first step. Thriving is what comes next.
To thrive is to embrace life with boundless energy, to seek joy and purpose, and to strive for excellence in all endeavors. It is a mindset that transforms challenges into opportunities and turns survival into a celebration of resilience.
The Wisdom of Rumi (Persian poet and philosopher): Rising from Ashes
The poetry of Rumi has been a guiding light throughout my journey. His words remind us that we are not defined by our circumstances but by our response to them. In one of his most famous verses, Rumi writes:
“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?”
These words resonate deeply. Life’s challenges—whether war, illness, or loss—are not endings but beginnings. Like the phoenix rising from ashes, we are capable of renewal, emerging stronger and more vibrant. Each trial becomes an opportunity for growth, and each setback a step toward the perfection and happiness we seek.
Embracing Life’s Cycles
Thriving requires embracing life’s cycles with courage and grace. Every loss is a prelude to gain, and every ending is a preface to a new beginning. When we accept this truth, we unlock the power to live without fear and build without hesitation. This perspective allows us to thrive not despite adversity but because of it.
For me, this meant reframing my experience as a cancer survivor. Rather than seeing myself as someone who had endured a disease, I began to view myself as someone who had gained new insights and strengths. The fear of recurrence remains, but it no longer defines me. Instead, I focus on creating, building, and striving for a life filled with meaning and impact.
Rediscovering the True Meaning of Survival
I rediscover the meaning of the word survival from Bob Duggan, an American entrepreneur, who defines the word survival as:
“The word ‘survive’ holds a profound and often overlooked meaning. In French, ‘sur’ means ‘above’ or ‘beyond,’ and in Spanish, ‘vive’ means ‘to live.’ Together, they form a word that originally signified something extraordinary—a life lived above and beyond the ordinary.”
What if we reclaimed this original meaning? What if survival was not about mere existence but about living a life of purpose and vibrancy? To survive, in this sense, is to thrive.
This shift in perspective is empowering. It transforms survival from a state of endurance into a celebration of life. It encourages us to grasp the challenges we face and the opportunities they bring. When we truly understand the essence of surviving, we unlock the door to thriving—a life filled with joy, fulfillment, and meaning.
Living Life Above Normal
Life is meant to be lived with passion and vitality. Thriving is about stepping beyond the boundaries of the ordinary and embracing the extraordinary. It’s about finding beauty in every moment, even those tinged with pain. It’s about understanding that our experiences—both good and bad—shape us into the people we are meant to become.
For me, thriving means channeling my energy into meaningful work, nurturing relationships, and pursuing personal growth. It means taking the lessons learned from war, illness, and hardship and using them to inspire others. It means living boldly, without fear, and striving for a life that goes beyond normal.
Conclusion: Thriving Together
Surviving and thriving are not just individual pursuits—they are collective endeavors. As a society, we can support one another in moving beyond survival and into thriving. This requires compassion, understanding, and a willingness to share our stories and strengths.
My journey—from the upheaval of revolution to the trials of illness and beyond—has taught me that life is not defined by its challenges but by how we respond to them. By embracing resilience, courage, and the wisdom of life’s cycles, we can all rise, flourish, and thrive.
Let us reclaim the true meaning of survival and strive for a vibrant, extraordinary, and purposeful life. Together, we can create a world where surviving and thriving are one and the same—a world where every challenge is an opportunity, and every ending is a new beginning.