Overcoming Depression
(PRWEB) March 31, 2005
As a motivational speaker, coach, and bestselling author of, Psychology of the Hero Soul, an inspirational book on awakening the hero within and developing peopleÂ?s leadership potential, Sharif Khan has come a long way since his days as a teenage alcoholic suffering from depression, loneliness, and years of racial abuse.
Raised in Scarborough, Ontario, Khan grew up with a lot of bullying and abuse simply because of the color of his skin. Over time, Khan took the abuse personally and felt that something was wrong with him. He suffered years of low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness growing up as a youth, and as a result, shied away from leadership roles in school.
Then one day, his father, the hope of his life and pillar of strength he looked up to, died in a car accident in Saudi Arabia while he was studying in the States. Khan was devastated and fell into a deep depression. His family was still abroad, and feeling depressed, lonely, and nowhere to turn to, Khan started drinking. At 18, he had become an alcoholic passed out on the streets and subways of Queens, New York.
Â?At that point, I hated myself, I hated the world and everything in it, and I wanted to destroy myself by drinking myself into oblivionÂ? said Khan. Â?Then one day I realized I was going nowhere and I decided I wanted out. But I didnÂ?t know where to turn to Â? everywhere there was darkness. So in a moment of prayer, I humbled myself and let go and let great. I asked for help and God intervened in my life.Â?
That was a turning point for Khan where he realized that regardless of our circumstances we have the power to choose to react in a positive or negative way and that itÂ?s not what happens to us that matters but what we do about it. Khan likes to quote the line from Shawshank Redemption: “It comes down to a simple choice really, get busy living, or get busy dying.” Khan got busy living, and he dedicated his life to bettering himself to inspire others and learning how successful people and leaders overcome great odds. His ten years research in the field of human development and leadership culminated in his acclaimed book, Â?Psychology of the Hero Soul,Â? which documents the genesis of greatness Â? the potential for which lies within us all.
Looking back on his life journey, Khan is not surprised with his turnaround due to his faith, prayer, and belief in learning from suffering. In fact, a Duke University study of 577 men and women hospitalized for physical illness showed that the more patients used positive religious coping strategies (seeking spiritual support from friends and religious leaders, having faith in God, praying), the lower the level of their depressive symptoms and the higher their quality of life (Journal of Mental and Nervous Disorders, 1998).
Khan now provides inspirational keynotes and business leadership seminars based on his book topic to entrepreneurs, executives, and educators who need to be dynamic leaders in their field. He also gives talks on character development for what he calls ‘youth-with-power’ through programs such as the Toronto Police Empowered Student Partnerships.
“I don’t like the term ‘youth-at-risk,'” says Khan. “It victimizes and places an unfair judgment on a group that is disempowering. After all, we all face varying degrees of risk. If we are to place a judgment, then it should be an empowering one. So I’ve coined the term ‘youth-with-power.’ This is because youth facing hardships, be it abuse, addiction, bullying, depression, poverty, whatever, have a tremendous potentiality and capacity for change. These hardships are precisely what help build strength of character and leadership and a strong desire to become successful.”
The success of Psychology of the Hero Soul has been a blessing for Khan, who has received many phone calls and e-mails with praise for the powerful, life-changing inspirational message in his book. Parents especially are finding The Hero Soul to be an empowering read who in turn are buying it as gifts for their graduating sons and daughters in high-school for guidance and inspiration in entering a brave new world.
The author can be contacted for interviews and speaking engagements by calling Diamond Mind Publishing at (416) 417-1259. The Hero Soul is now available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchases for sales promotions, premiums, fundraising, or educational use.
Psychology of the Hero Soul, by Sharif Khan, ISBN 0973192208, Distributed by University of Toronto Press, 160 pages, $ 19.95 CDN/ $ 14.95 US, trade-paperback, Self-help/Inspirational, Copyright © 2004, 2005
For more information, contact:
Sharif Khan
Diamond Mind Publishing
416-417-1259
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