The Art of Being Alive Series: Why We Should All "Steal Time Back"

The Art of Being Alive Series: Why We Should All "Steal Time Back"
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INTERVIEW WITH Garni Sohrabian, FOUNDER OF "STEAL TIME BACK", a company whose vision is to bring more oneness into the world by reminding it of the present of the present.

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The meaning of life is for each of us to find out. A bird must fly, a fish must swim. And every human has a unique beautiful purpose that makes the whole clockwork go around. Mine is to steal time back and remind the world of our infinite nature." -- Garni Sohrabian

Imagine looking at your wrist to check the time and you see the word " NOW" written on your watch? How amazing would that feel to be constantly reminded to invite stillness amidst whatever crazy day we might have been experiencing, a reminder to feel present in the moment rather than overwhelm, a reminder of the NOW, a reminder that the essence of being alive is to feel alive. The 'stealtimeback' company creates a watch line that has great message of reminding us to be present, my favorite one of their watch line is the watch that reads "NOW" ; which I was lucky to receive as a gift from Gahrni after I reached out to him for an interview with me.

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When I came across Garni's company's website "stealtimeback.com" I was really inspired by his concept of creating a conscious meaningful and mindful product that serves as a great reminder of the essence of life and why spending moments being fully present matters. I really wanted to know his background story on how this concept came about and also help share his message with the world which is why I invited him for an interview for this series. The consciousness of the products we make, buy and consume in anyway is very important and I'm happy for this journey i'm on to bring in inspiring stories that highights what truly matters...

Here is a snippet of his interview, and the full interview will be in the book:

What is your organization is about?....
Reminding the world of the present of the present

You created this organization because?
In a world full of distractions it is easy to forget that we are all connected. An obsession with knowledge has lead us to forget the wisdom of simplicity. An epidemic of noise and movement has made us forget the beautiful stillness underneath it all. Now is the time for a new kind of movement, a "stillness movement". When we immerse into the moment we become our best selves and feel the oneness of all things. When we feel one with everything we naturally try to better ourselves and the world, as we do not want to hurt a part of ourselves.

I think the meaning of life is for each of us to find out. A bird must fly, a fish must swim. And every human has a unique beautiful purpose that makes the whole clockwork go around. Mine is to steal time back and remind the world of our infinite nature

What is the unique story behind your company?...
Living in 4 countries by age 20 made Global Studies the logical major to study at UCSB. I graduated in 2006 and became the co-founder/ president of a shoe company that grew into 19 countries. Everyone thought I was living the dream, but I was suffering on the inside. I felt a very strong pull towards something, but wasn't sure of what. As I went up in the mountains every day, I learned to see life from above again. Nature helped me remember that all is one. I sold my ownership in the company and left. I knew that my purpose was to remind the world of unity, but not sure how until one odd day.

Two months after leaving my job, I found an old black & white wall clock I had bought 8 years earlier. I had never used it, I really don't like clocks. I only bought it because it said "the truth" on it. Something about it made me keep it all those years. As I was looking at it that day, I realized something. The time is always now. The clock should say now, that is the truth. When we shed the illusions of separation and labels and immerse into the present, we feel the unity of all things. That is how "the truth" inspired us to steal time back!

starting this company meant.?
To redefine what a company is. We call it an ABC Brand, we take the best elements of Art, Brand, and Charity and combine them into a new kind of hybrid. We hope it will inspire others to create new kinds of organizations. Our imagination is the limit.

What do you think a conscious company is?
A company that realizes that the stakeholders are all of the universe and makes decisions that betters the whole

What is the essence of your work in our word today?
To steal time back to be free, to remind the world of infinity

What is your definition of Art ?
Something that is created from a place of complete presence and oneness, which makes the observe feel what the artist felt when creating it

What does "The Art of Being Alive mean" to you?
To immerse into each moment with all of your being, life can be art when we do so, as become participants & creators in this painting we call the universe

What is Company wellbeing to you?
To respect the dynamic human nature and allow freedom for it to grow in beautiful new ways

Creativity for your company means...
To create is to be fully present and become one with the created. When the creator achieves this the observer feels it too and is reminded of the oneness of all things

Your clients are...
Amazing souls

Your company philosophy is ....
To remind the world of their infinite nature in a world that tries to put us in boxes and labels.

Your products/service matters because?
In a world full of distractions it is easy to forget that we are all connected. An obsession with knowledge has lead us to forget the wisdom of simplicity. An epidemic of noise and movement has made us forget the beautiful stillness underneath it all. Now is the time for a new kind of movement, a "stillness movement".

What is your company's way of inspiring aliveness?
To be so alive that what we create is felt by others and make them feel more alive

What does Meaningful work mean to you?
To do what you are born to do

What Advice/message do you have for millennials on discovering their art of being alive?
Now is the time don't forget, for if you do you will lose it

The solution and global impact you make in the world....
Change starts from within. When we are fully present we realize that all is one. When we realize that all is one we naturally try to better ourselves and the world, as we do not want to harm ourselves.

If you have a company or a brand with a meaningful cause or an inspiring message, I would love to interview you for the compilation of this book. Also, inviting you as an individual, a millennial living a unique lifestyle, creating positive change and making a difference... sign up to be part of the amazing contributors we have so far.

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