‘Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light.’  ~Norman B. Rice

If you have a friend or loved one who is experiencing hopelessness or depression, it can be difficult to know exactly what to say or do. While there isn’t any one magic thing to say that will alleviate their pain, there are many ways to offer support.

‘Never worry about numbers.  Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you.’  ~Mother Teresa

The best way to offer help is to listen, validate their experience, and provide acceptance. By offering this type of support, you can help put things into a more balanced perspective. In addition, your offer of companionship lets them know that they are not completely alone. They have someone with them even as they attempt to find their ways through a very difficult and dark period.

Some helpful hints to lovingly support someone are:

• to listen while making the person feel un-threatened.
• Show them with words and actions that they can trust you.
• Let them know that you are available.
• Use your positive energy and retain inner hope that change can occur.
•  Just because they don’t believe they can get through this doesn’t mean that you have to agree with their point of view.

Here are some words to say that will show your loving support, while also allowing the person to feel and understand what they are feeling:

“You are important to me even when you are feeling down.”
People who are feeling hopeless often think they are weak for feeling this way. They may believe they have a character flaw. Reassure your friend or loved one that you can understand why they might be thinking these types of thoughts, but in your eyes it isn’t true. Offer comfort as you speak from your heart and tell them that you know for a fact that depression or hopelessness isn’t caused by personal weakness, laziness, or because they have bad karma. This statement of compassionate truth validates their experience while also offering them another point of view. Their experience is a legitimate human experience.

“I may not understand what you’re experiencing, but I do know that there is always meaning in suffering.”
Without trivializing their experience, you can offer a model of acceptance that may help the person begin to accept their experience. Accepting one’s suffering is often a first step to claiming it, becoming familiar with it, and potentially moving beyond it. Don’t claim that you know the meaning of their pain. Let them know that you wish they weren’t hurting, and yet you have faith that this depression is valid and meaningful.

“Would you go outside with me for a short walk?”
The hurt inside and the struggle just to get through the day makes many hopeless or depressed people want to isolate inside the safety of their home or bed. Offer to take the person outside. They will most likely resist your offer. Don’t be pushy, but if at all possible be persistent. Fresh air and a change of scenery can help them breathe, can give them access to the healing power of nature, and can get them through at least part of the day.

“Can I sit with you a while? It’s okay if we don’t talk.”
Making small talk or taking care of you socially is often an impossible task to a depressed or hopeless person. Even though they are feeling lonely and isolated, they choose to be alone because the thought of keeping someone else entertained requires too much energy. Offer to be with a person and suggest sitting together outdoors, watching television, or reading together. Reassure them in advance that you have no expectations of being entertained. Don’t feel the need to fill up the silence. What is often healing or helpful is your willingness to sit comfortably, even in silence, without expectation.

“I’ve noticed lately that you have been down. Do you want to share your feelings with me? I’d like to listen.”
Listening with compassion to a person sharing dark or despairing feelings can be difficult for most people to handle. It’s a normal tendency to want to talk, give advice, or offer solutions. However, your ability to listen is immensely healing. When you give someone the freedom and safety to speak, they are able to hear their own thoughts, often for the first time. Validating and reflective listening (telling them back what you think you heard them say) allows them to hear, in a new way, what is going on in their heads. Listening (not fixing or offering advice) creates movement and allows a fresh perspective to be gained.

Effective paraphrasing reflections that allow the person to feel heard and understood include:

“Is there a way you can help me see how it is for you?”

“Let me see if I understand. What you want me to recognize is…”

“That’s a good point. You feel your life is not worth living…”

“I can see that you feel strongly about that. Can you tell me more?”

“I can understand how you could see it like that.” Then paraphrase how you think they see things.

“When bad things have happened to you before, how did you cope?”
They may not be able to come up with an answer, but asking this type of question may trigger them to remember that they have had bad times in the past and they did somehow get through those times. This type of question may help them mobilize their inner resources. It can also help them remember that there was a time before depression and hopelessness and that there is hope for change in the future.

Let your friend or loved one ask the “Why me?” question.
Don’t answer their question, but instead encourage them to voice their beliefs. If they fall silent, one way to lead them beyond the, “Why me?” question is to say, “I don’t know why you are suffering, but I am sure it is not because you are being punished or because you’ve done something wrong. What could we do right now to help you feel better?”

“How can I be most helpful to you?”
Most likely they won’t have an answer. Perhaps they have lost interest in things they used to enjoy. Many tasks or hobbies feel overwhelming. And they may have trouble thinking, recalling things, or even focusing. However, be persistent. You never know how your interest and compassion will make a difference in their journey.

Now What?

Now that you are verbally equipped to lovingly support those in your life, go out there into the world and look through your heart. You will see how many troubled souls walk the streets of this big world. You might not be able to heal or help them all, but you can try one soul at a time.

The immense satisfaction that comes from supporting and helping someone with their problems is beyond putting into words. All I can say, is that its a feeling of pure divinity working with you and through you.

The most recent message I got after helping and healing a troubled soul, “Thank you magic genie! I feel hopeful. I have not slept so soundly in years.”

Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others.  Unsuccessful people are always asking “What’s in it for me?”  ~Brian Tracy

But support without expectation. The moment expectation enters this divine equation, all the magic and love fly right out the window.

One of my favorite quotes and also my mantra for life : “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.”  ~Mother Teresa

What are YOUR thoughts on this topic? How do YOU lovingly support other souls? Do you agree with me….that we all need to do our part in lovingly supporting the ones who need it, rather than turn a blind eye? Please share your thoughts, comments and questions in the comments below. Your presence here is truly appreciated!

With Immense Love & Gratitude,
~Zeenat~
Counseling Psychologist/ Spiritual Counselor
Motivational Speaker/Naturopath
Holistic Healer/Writer

GET YOUR ‘HAPPINESS GOODIES’!!! 
Get the latest articles(FREE) as soon as they are published, by Email OR RSS.PLUS if you are an Email Subscriber, You get the Positive Living Handbook(new 2012 release!)+My Ebook “The Best of Positive Provocations”+ “Your Self Healing Starter Kit”+a free Positive Newsletter on the 15th of every month with the months highlights+Positive Living Affirmations +New Tips and articles which are Exclusively for Email Subscribers and not published anywhere else. Come Join the facebook community & follow me on Twitter and Google+ for Positive Provocations Everyday!

Further Positive Reading:

• How to Be Non-Judgmental of Yourself and Others (positiveprovocations.com)
• Are You Joyfully Nurturing Your Complete Being? (positiveprovocations.com)
• Simple ways to Nurture your Spirituality (positiveprovocations.com)
• Transform Yourself with Self-Compassion (positiveprovocations.com)
• Four ways to make sure that today ends better than yesterday (positiveprovocations.com)

“Be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars. In the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.” ~Max Ehrmann

In our rush to meet the daily obligations of work, family, and social life, we tend to overlook our own needs. As a result, we feel exhausted to the point of emptiness. What’s missing is a relationship with ourselves. We need time to get to know ourselves, time to joyfully nurture our spirits, and time to create.

Wondering if you are doing a decent job of taking care of yourself – or how your self caring could be improved? Review the following questions, and reflect on your answers. Chances are you are struggling in at least a few of the realms where self-care is most important: a satisfying diet, physical activity, solitude, and reflection.

Joyful Eating

“Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.” ~Veronica A. Shoffstall

How often do you cook creative or enjoyable meals for yourself?

Do you eat fruits and vegetables everyday – not because you have to, but because you feel more alive when you choose foods that provide energy and life?

Do you eat regular, healthy meals – or do you skip meals and reach for junk food?

Do you enjoy the physical sensations involved in peaceful eating?

Do you eat some meals in the company of friends and family?

How often do you use food, caffeine, sugar, or alcohol to make yourself feel better?

When you are thirsty, do you get something to drink immediately, or do you ignore your need, take care of something else first, or delay?

Do you clear your plate of situations that drain your energy?

Joyful Body

“If you can learn to love yourself and all the flaws, you can love other people so much better. And that makes you so happy.”~ Kristin Chenoweth

Do you engage in fun or enjoyable physical activity most days of the week?

When was the last time you had a massage or a long bath?

Are you in touch with your boundaries and your bottom line?

Do you express your desires, concerns, and limits to all people in your life, most of the time?

If you are tired, do you rest or do you keep pushing?

Do you get too much sleep because you want to escape life, or you just don’t have enough energy?

Do you enjoy your own company?

How often do you laugh everyday?

Joyful Spirit

“I love myself for I am a beloved child of the universe and the universe lovingly takes care of me now.”~ Louise Hay

Do you have a nurturing morning routine that helps you align with the goals and activities that are most important to you?

Do you let your family members know exactly what you need from them?

Are you satisfied with your work choices?

Can you be counted on to keep your word – to others and to yourself?

Do you allow yourself to go outdoors for at least an hour every day?

Do you spend time listening to your emotions and expressing them in a self-supportive way (good cry, communication, feeling your fear or joy, journal writing)?

Do you have a hobby that rejuvenates you? If so, do you spend time with your hobby?

Do you celebrate your efforts and successes on a daily basis?

Do you talk to yourself in a supportive, uplifting manner?

How often do you take time to reflect and feel at peace?

You STILL need nurturing!

Even though you are an adult now, you still need care and nurturing. Only now, it’s your responsibility to see that your needs get met. No one else can do it for you. As you take specific steps to make self-care a priority, you’ll not only feel better you will also have more energy, creativity, and vitality to share with life!

And what a glorious life that will be!

What are your thoughts on this topic? How do you nurture your complete being? When you read the above questions, how were your answers, in the affirmative or not so much? Please do share your thoughts, comments and questions in the comments sections below. Its always my pleasure to hear your thoughts. 

With Immense Love & Gratitude,
~Zeenat~
Counseling Psychologist/ Spiritual Counselor
Motivational Speaker/Naturopath
Holistic Healer/Writer

GET YOUR ‘HAPPINESS GOODIES’!!! 
Get the latest articles(FREE) as soon as they are published, by Email OR RSS.PLUS if you are an Email Subscriber, You get the Positive Living Handbook(new 2012 release!)+My Ebook “The Best of Positive Provocations”+ “Your Self Healing Starter Kit”+a free Positive Newsletter on the 15th of every month with the months highlights+Positive Living Affirmations +New Tips and articles which are Exclusively for Email Subscribers and not published anywhere else. Come Join the facebook community & follow me on Twitter and Google+ for Positive Provocations Everyday!

Further Positive Reading:

• Simple ways to Nurture your Spirituality (positiveprovocations.com)
• How to Be Non-Judgmental of Yourself and Others (positiveprovocations.com)
• Refresh Renew Rebirth (positiveprovocations.com)
• Simply Empowering Steps to attain your goals (positiveprovocations.com)
• Four ways to make sure that today ends better than yesterday (positiveprovocations.com)

“Look at the weaknesses of others with compassion, not accusation. It’s not what they’re not doing or should be doing that’s the issue. The issue is your own chosen response to the situation and what you should be doing. If you start to think the problem is “out there,” stop yourself. That thought is the problem.”~ Stephen Covey

As time keeps changing and our vibrations are moving into higher realms and seeing thinner veils, we become more enlightened – more aware of who we really are and becoming fully conscious that we are all connected. We are one ~ we are perfect.

About Judging Ourself:

We are bombarded through television and other media of what “perfect” is – it is constantly present, on television shows, commercials, advertisements, etc. all expressing an ego based side that is very contrasting to our higher-aware selves. These images can cause feelings of imperfection and a lack of oneness.

We begin to judge ourselves against these images and judge others as well. We forget in a moment our higher selves, our perfect selves, and our oneness. Being exposed to the lower vibrations of television, celebrity magazines or other forms of media can wreak havoc on our self esteem. The criticism and judgment passed onto is sad and unjust.

Many so-called “reality shows” and cosmetic surgery shows and now even home improvement shows only express superficial elements of what is considered beautiful, loveable or desirable. These types of programs can make us judge ourselves and others, enabling us to forget – even if it’s briefly, that we are perfect, in every way.

We cant completely avoid the media but when we can avoid letting the media and imagery of perceived perfection get to us. By tuning into our higher self and living a heart conscious life we can easily see our perfection on every level. We accept ourselves and others without judgment – we see The Divinity in everyone and ourselves. Pure love.

Let’s not allow others to change how we feel about ourself; we are powerful, strong and beautiful. We are perfect and one with God. Judgments of others are not your reality unless you make them so. Judgments to yourself are not your reality unless you make them so.

Loose sight of numbers on scales and clothes and anything which conveys a perceived image of acceptable – and simply accept you as you are, perfect and divine. Listen to how you feel…feel good…feel happy…feel bliss…feel love…As God is perfect, so are you.

Here are some affirmations to use if you wish to incorporate them. Use them to replace any negative or judgmental self talk:

I AM Love
I AM Perfect
I AM Beautiful
I AM the Creator of my world
I AM the Peace I seek
I love ME
I Send Joy to my Body
My Body Heals me
I Care about Me
I Love Life
I AM One with God

About Judging Others:

“Be curious, not judgmental.” – Walt Whitman

In the past 10 years or so, I have worked and counselled many souls who have been on the receiving end of societal judgment. ‘Why did you stay with him? Why didn’t you leave? Why were you out so late? Why didn’t you wear something more conservative?’ are some of the questions these souls would hear again and again…and these have left very deep scars in their hearts, which take time to heal. We pass judgments and form opinions not realizing how it affects the opposite person. We don’t even bother to get to know these people…yet we can’t keep a handle on that muscle inside our mouth. That tongue is like a whip lash on the heart if left untamed. And this very tongue has the power to inspire and empower with love if we live heart centered lives.

Why do we judge others? Isnt it really the easy way out? We much rather judge others than look at our own issues. Its the perfect cover. It makes us feel superior, like as if we were better than them and that temporarily makes us feel good.  Least do we realize, we are only dwelling deeper into the abyss of negativity with this action.

Do you think you are not judgmental? Believe me, there are times I am a bit judgmental too. We all live with preconcieved notions of whats right and wrong, and the minute someone or something doesn’t fit our bill of perfection we become judgmental.

Here are some ways you can use to squash that judgmental bug and let the non-judgmental loving you shine(my personal ways of being non-judgmental):

• Awareness- Become aware of your thought patterns. This might seem hard to do at first, but once you get used to catching your thoughts in ‘judgmental mode’ you can simply stop them. How? The next way will help you ….
• Understanding- Develop an understanding of the other person by thinking about why this person acts, talks, dresses or just is a certain way. Try to put yourself in this person’s shoes and wonder why this behavior has emerged. If you want further understanding, you can strike a polite(I emphasize polite) conversation with this person and get to know them. Knowing them, makes you further understand them.
• Acceptance- Once an understanding has been created in your mind of this person, acceptance of this person just as he/she is becomes easier. Accept that this is the way he/she will react, cause its the way they are made up. There will most certainly always be things you dont agree with, but that doesn’t mean you cant accept their presence in the world. When you accept, frustration that lead to judgment take an automatic backseat.
• Love Love Love-Ok so, now you might wonder, whats love got to do with it? I say everything! When you have reached a point of acceptance of things around you a certain calm comes over your complete being. In this calm Love is ever prevalent. It becomes inevitable to love the person you so freely wanted to judge. Atleast try to love him/her…as a fellow human being, as a brother or sister…and realize that you need to give love to this person no matter what he sounds like, looks like, acts like …just love. You might be loving to only a certain degree, and thats ok. The positive effect of this love is not only on the opposite person but on you as well. You become happier when you give love…believe me. I’ve tried and tested this far too many times. Life changing is an understatement for the effects of love.And really who ever became happy by being judgmental?

What are your thoughts on this topic? Have you successfully become non-judgmental towards yourself and others? What are the preconceived notions you carry within you that make you react in a judgmental way? Do you have any personal tips to share about how we all can become more loving and less judgmental? Please do share your thoughts, comments and questions in the comments section below. I’d love to hear from you.

“Special Mention: Illuminations from the Heart is a weekly subscription letter by Sandra Pawula of Always Well Within. Its beautiful and Insightful, just as the author herself. Please CLICK HERE to find out how you can receive this in your inbox.“

With Immense Love & Gratitude,
~Zeenat~
Counseling Psychologist/ Spiritual Counselor
Motivational Speaker/Naturopath
Holistic Healer/Writer

GET YOUR ‘HAPPINESS GOODIES’!!! 
Get the latest articles(FREE) as soon as they are published, by Email OR RSS.PLUS if you are an Email Subscriber, You get the Positive Living Handbook(new 2012 release!)+My Ebook “The Best of Positive Provocations”+ “Your Self Healing Starter Kit”+a free Positive Newsletter on the 15th of every month with the months highlights+Positive Living Affirmations +New Tips and articles which are Exclusively for Email Subscribers and not published anywhere else. Come Join the facebook community & follow me on Twitter and Google+ for Positive Provocations Everyday!

Please Share Positive Provocations: If you like what you read and see here, please spread the word by sharing this article on your favorite social networks. I appreciate every bit of love and support from each and every one of you.

Further Positive Reading:

• 9 Simple Ways to Get Rid of a Negative Mindset (positiveprovocations.com)
• How to Live a Phenomenally Miraculous Life (positiveprovocations.com)
• Four ways to make sure that today ends better than yesterday (positiveprovocations.com)
• Transform Yourself with Self-Compassion (positiveprovocations.com)

“By being yourself, you put something wonderful in the world that was not there before.” - Edwin Elliot

Apart from a lot of online counseling emails, I also recieve a lot of questions from readers about the fine art of blogging. So this is the first article of the New Heart Centered Blogging column! Yay a 2012 first

Readers Question: I see a lot of interaction in the comments section of your blog. What makes people come to your blog again and again?

My answer: Up until I actually started this blog(in 2009), I had no idea on earth what a blog was. really really! I remember when I visited a blog for the first time, I thought ‘oh my God, I love the author of this article. She is so thoughtful to respond to all the readers.’ Its only after I poked around that site, did I realize that there was a new article every few days, from the same blog owner/blog author….I thought to myself(still as a first time reader) ‘woohoo….more awesome writing from this lovely author. I want more.’ So I looked around and subscribed. Yes, my very first visit to a blog, and I made my way to subscribe…and yes I also left my very first comment there. From then on ofcourse I developed an amazing connection with this blogger.

So whats the point of my above rant?? To answer the reader’s question about what makes people come back again and again to the blog…

In the above experience of being a first time visitor to a blog, I didn’t fall in love with the site, or the design, or even the actual topic of the blog….I fell in love with the writer/blogger. And thats what I incorporated in Positive Provocations, when I began blogging.

There is nothing narcissistic about being authentically YOU. Infact I applaud people who stay true to themselves online and offline. There is a certain humility that comes through when you can respond to every interaction on your blog. I am just exactly the same in person as I am online.

A few ways I sprinkle a bit of personal touch to this blog:

• I read and respond to every comment, even if it takes me a little while to get to it.
• I think of each person who comes to my blog as a beautiful soul.
• I end every article with Love and Gratitude to the reader.
• I create a lot of Free Ebooks, Handbooks etc for the readers.
• I keep myself open to and love connecting with each reader on facebook, twitter, google+ and email.
• Every week I write a small thank you note to a few readers, thanking them for being part of the Positive Provocations community.
• When I am on the blog reading the comments and responding, nothing else matters. I am completely there heart and soul in the conversation.
• I share stuff about my life, without inhibitions but with some amount of filtration. I know my personal stories and experiences help many face their challenges everyday. One reader emailed me right after receiving one of my newsletters and said, “I cant tell you how much I needed to read your soothing words. Your emails make my day and recharge me to be better even when I am having a very bad day. Thank you for all you do.”
• I am polite and react to every comment with love and respect for the commenter/reader.
• Most of all, I am Me only me.

What are your thoughts on this topic? As a blogger with heart, how do you add YOU to your blog? Do you have any tips to share? And dont you think adding these tips to our offline lives can help us live more heart-centered lives too? Do share your thoughts, questions and comments in the comments section below.

What is Heart Centered Blogging?
Heart Centered Blogging is now a weekly column on Positive Provocations.
Heart Centered Blogging simply means to blog with Love, completely.  In this column I’ll share my personal experiences and give you first hand info on how you too can become a Heart Centered Blogger.
I’m opening myself up more to answer any questions you may like me to address about Heart Centered Blogging. Lets put the LOVE back in blogging! I know there is a lot of technical stuff that goes into making a blog, but here in this column I’ll share what I feel works to touch a readers heart and soul, not just tickles their fancy.

Please Note: This Sunday I will be talking about how you can free yourself from the ‘being judgmental’ bug!

With Immense Love & Gratitude,
~Zeenat~
Counseling Psychologist/ Spiritual Counselor
Motivational Speaker/Naturopath
Holistic Healer/Writer

GET YOUR ‘HAPPINESS GOODIES’!!! 
Get the latest articles(FREE) as soon as they are published, by Email OR RSS.PLUS if you are an Email Subscriber, You get the Positive Living Handbook(new 2012 release!)+My Ebook “The Best of Positive Provocations”+ “Your Self Healing Starter Kit”+a free Positive Newsletter on the 15th of every month with the months highlights+Positive Living Affirmations +New Tips and articles which are Exclusively for Email Subscribers and not published anywhere else. Come Join the facebook community & follow me on Twitter and Google+ for Positive Provocations Everyday!

Please Share Positive Provocations: If you like what you read and see here, please spread the word by sharing this article on your favorite social networks. I appreciate every bit of love and support from each and every one of you.

To acheive happiness, we should make certain that we are never without an important goal.~ Earl Nightingale

Aimlessly living each day is not a way to truly LIVE. To Live means to feel alive. To feel alive means to thrive. To thrive means to have a Dream. To have a dream means to have a goal. To have a goal means to have purpose. To have purpose means happiness!

We all want our dreams to materialize. Today, without going into too many details I will share with you simple empowering steps that will help you to attain that goal. Each goal achieved means you are that much closer to your dream.

If you want to create positive change in your life and attain that goal a few empowering steps can increase your success rate by ten fold:

Simply Empowering Steps to attain your goals

1. Choose a goal that enlivens you!

2. See yourself as willing to live your goal! Follow your heart and imagine yourself living your dream in a way that feels really, really good inside your spirit and body.

3. Make sure your goal is something you really want. Let your goal begin and continue as a free decision to have something new in life, not a guilty verdict whose sentence you must now pay.

4. Make a choice and apply an action step to that choice. For example, if you decide to lose weight, instead of rewarding yourself for losing five pounds, reward yourself for taking action each day. Weight loss is variable and dependent on many factors. However, choosing an action step such as walking 2 miles every day or taking the stairs instead of the elevator for two weeks is finite and tangible. At the end of each day, you know whether you followed through with your word to yourself or not. Take time every day to recognize that you made a choice. Then apply an action to that choice and follow through.

5. Break down your goal into manageable steps. Take tiny, small, achievable baby steps daily.

6. Reward yourself for your efforts. Feel good in the process – not only once the goal is attained.

7. Be flexible and have fun!

Attaining your goals and living your purpose is not impossible to do when you simplify the process. Try these steps. They have worked wonders for me personally, and I’m sure they will create miraculous results for you too! Just keep the faith in yourself.

What are you thoughts on this topic? How do you reach your goals? Do you have  any special steps you take to make sure you are attaining your goals? Please do share your wisdom, thoughts and questions in the comments below. I’d love to learn from you.

With Immense Love & Gratitude,
~Zeenat~
Counseling Psychologist/ Spiritual Counselor
Motivational Speaker/Naturopath
Holistic Healer/Writer

GET YOUR ‘HAPPINESS GOODIES’!!! 
Get the latest articles(FREE) as soon as they are published, by Email OR RSS.PLUS if you are an Email Subscriber, You get the Positive Living Handbook(new 2012 release!)+My Ebook “The Best of Positive Provocations”+ “Your Self Healing Starter Kit”+a free Positive Newsletter on the 15th of every month with the months highlights+Positive Living Affirmations +New Tips and articles which are Exclusively for Email Subscribers and not published anywhere else. Come Join the facebook community & follow me on Twitter and Google+ for Positive Provocations Everyday!

Please Share Positive Provocations: If you like what you read and see here, please spread the word by sharing this article on your favorite social networks. I appreciate every bit of love and support from each and every one of you.

“We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”  ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

The first day of the highly awaited 2012 is right here! 

This day is bringing with it limitless opportunities. An opportunity to write our own book which can be full of glittery love, glowing happiness, core healing, limitless abundance, precious memories and immense success.

Have you started YOUR Positive Living Opportunity book as yet?

Let me take this opportunity to lend you a helping healing hand in the form of the NEW Positive Living Handbook~50 Soulful Ways to be Positive Today & Everyday.

Yup, its complete. Yippee!! Full of soulful positivity, love and happiness with dashes of peace, intuition, healing and growth.

As I type this, I am overcome with emotion-all good ofcourse. The reason for this burst of emotion is, that creating this handbook has been on my mind for so so long. Whenever I would think about starting, I didn’t feel the pull to take the next step. I know, all things have their destined time to come to life, just like this handbook. I literally finished the book in a month once I started. The whole book is indeed a labor of love. I loved every moment of creating it and loved how my state of being kept getting happier and happier as I progressed.

“You give but little when you give of your possessions.  It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”  ~Kahlil Gibran

This is my New year 2012 Healing Gift to all my Readers! Just as this article is being published, so is the email being sent out to all the Email Subscribers with the Positive Living Handbook in it. This Handbook is now part of my “Happiness Goodies” which go out to each new Email Subscriber as a Gratitude Gift for being here and sharing in the Positive Provocations journey.

I might not be able to gift you with material riches and pots of gold, but what I can gift you with is a part of my healing self. So that you too may Positively Heal.

To receive this Positive Living Handbook and all the ” Happiness Goodies” please subscribe by clicking here, if you already haven’t done so. I know I would love to have you on board this Positively Healing Path.

Spiritual Healing & Counseling Contest Winners:

After countless personal emails and messages from the readers I have decided on the two most deserving souls based on the depth of their issues which were shared with me. All the others who write in to me personally, I am going to help you all too…an email will be coming to you with the details

The 2 winners of this contest are: Swatcat aka Swathi & Sara

Both you lovely gals will be getting an email from me soon with the details of setting up our skype sessions.

Thank you for taking the opportunity to enter this healing contest and trusting me enough to share your story with me.

My New Year 2012 Wish for YOU:

Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!

~William Arthur Ward~

Could I have said it any better? May You all be immensely Blessed!

With Immense Love & Gratitude,
~Zeenat~
Counseling Psychologist/ Spiritual Counselor
Motivational Speaker/Naturopath
Holistic Healer/Writer

GET YOUR ‘HAPPINESS GOODIES’!!! 
Get the latest articles(FREE) as soon as they are published, by Email OR RSS.PLUS if you are an Email Subscriber, You get the Positive Living Handbook(new 2012 release!)+My Ebook “The Best of Positive Provocations”+ “Your Self Healing Starter Kit”+a free Positive Newsletter on the 15th of every month with the months highlights+Positive Living Affirmations +New Tips and articles which are Exclusively for Email Subscribers and not published anywhere else. Come Join the facebook community & follow me on Twitter and Google+ for Positive Provocations Everyday!

Please Share Positive Provocations: If you like what you read and see here, please spread the word by sharing this article on your favorite social networks. I appreciate every bit of love and support from each and every one of you.

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” ~ Lao Tzu

As the new year comes closer, I feel its like a New dawn approaching rapidly. I feel that same level of excitement and happy butterflies inside my being, as I felt when I was waiting for my little girl to enter this world. I am not sure if its just me or not..but this coming year is feeling Pivotal in my heart. There is so much happening around the world that is making me feel like “yes! we do have a chance to make a positive and happy world.”

There is the BIG 2012 approaching us all. You and me both have a New chance to create history. How are you going to create history? What did you do in this past year that WILL be remembered?

Personally for me there were lots of amazing moments this past year. Here is a snapshot of what 2011 is leaving me with:

• My daughter went from Nursery to Junior K.G. and to Senior K.G. in such a short span!
• I helped, counseled and healed countless souls.
• Wrote literally millions of words and learned lessons that will last me a lifetime.
• I discovered that even in the most trying times, I was never alone. The Divine love was always with me, supporting me and making me stronger.
• Moved to the Big City of Mumbai, after literally 30 years of being away. The change was major, but am now able to silence the constant hustle bustle around me. Inside peace is all that matters.
• Have finally learned the art of calm in my thoughts, words and behavior. Which means I only speak where absolutely necessary, all other times I quietly pray. This for me is a major achievement…cause I have always been labelled ‘the chatterbox’

Its not that there were no ‘low’ moments. Infact there were many, but the eternal optimist in me chooses to look and focus on the positive.

2011 for Positive Provocations- the year that was:

• 100+ articles written.
• Successfully counseled and healed 1240 beautiful souls through online counseling.
• 60,000+ monthly hits.
• 3000+ daily hits.
• The Positive Provocations Facebook community grew by 10 folds. Currently 1557 beautiful people “like” it.
• Learned a bit of CSS code to spruce up the blog= fonts colors and all ~ Shout out to Loving Sandra for all her help and support.
• Just last week received the TOP 50 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT BLOG OF 2011 AWARD from Steven of Change Your Thoughts. Thank you awesome Steven!

2012 for Positive Provocations- the awesome year that it WILL be:

• We will ring in the new year with the POSITIVE LIVING HANDBOOK-50 Soulful Ways to be Positive Today & Everyday for all the Email Subscribers. Sign up here to get your copy in your Inbox on 1st Jan 2012.
• The start of a new column- Heart Centered Blogging because everyday I recieve countless emails about how I have created and grown this blog in the past 3 years. In this column I’ll share my simple blogging/writing experiences.
• The Re-start of an old column- Sunday Inspiration (with a MORE positive twist )
• A New page on ‘Healing’ coming soon!  Being a Holistic healer as well, I’m going to start offering online Healings to all those who need it. Details about which will be on the “healing” page that will be published on the 1st of Jan 2012 too!
• More guest authors will be sharing their positivity and knowledge here for your constant growth and evolution in the coming year.
• And ofcourse MORE tips and ways to heal and fill your life with positivity, love and happiness!

“It is for us to pray not for tasks equal to our powers, but for powers equal to our tasks, to go forward with a great desire forever beating at the door of our hearts as we travel toward our distant goal.” ~ Helen Keller

As I take a nostalgic look back at 2011, I dont have any regrets. I have had up and downs this past year, but each experience had made me learn a new life lesson. These experiences in turn have helped me understand myself and the world around me in a new light.

Positive Provocations 2010 Year end Free Counseling&Spiritual Healing Contest:

As you all know I offer counseling online via skype(paid), email and chat(free). I’m adding ‘spiritual healings’ to this too now. As I mentioned earlier there will be a new “healings” page that will have the details of how you can avail this service from me in future.

But, for now as my NEW YEAR Gift to YOU…I’m offering 2 free spiritual healing and counseling sessions for January 2012. This simply means 2 beautiful souls will receive these session absolutely free.

The counseling and spiritual healing sessions will help you to gain clarity in thoughts and actions while giving you the opportunity to share your deepest fears and issues with me. The sessions will be completely private and your thoughts will remain between the two of us only.
Counseling  provides a safe space to explore your emotions and find new ways of looking at your life. In a confidential environment you  can express your feelings without fear of judgment. This involves helping people explore their inner stuck places, such as that which motivates a particular behavior or thought, or how we come to believe what we believe, especially if that thought or belief produces unhappiness in us. Occasionally, we may feel a feeling that we don’t know how to cope with, or we possess a painful emotion that doesn’t seem to go away, no matter what we do.
Spiritual Healing is the restoration of wholeness or wellness to one’s experience. It is recognizing, accepting, and realizing the atmosphere of The Divine, or the perfect spiritual idea of being, in the individual. It removes the toxins of distorted self-acceptance that appear to have separated the person from wholeness.

The combined approach of counseling and spiritual healing helps you immensely in your current situation and also in healing past emotional wounds.

How you can take part in this Free Spiritual Healing & Counseling Contest?

All you have to do to be eligible for this free Gift from me is:

1. Leave a comment below, stating your interest in receiving this Counseling and Healing. If you want to state the reason for the same, you can do so too. But I would prefer you share the reason with me either by email or by a message on facebook as it would be more private.
2. “LIKE” and become part of the Positive Provocations facebook community page and share your beautiful self there. I would love to get to know you better.
3. Share this article on Facebook or twitter and let me know you have shared this article by tagging me in the post. For facebook you can tag facebook.com/positiveprovocations and on twitter its @zeenatsyal

Thats all you have to do to. The winner of this contest will be announced on the 1st of January 2012 with the launch of THE POSITIVE LIVING HANDBOOK!

This contest is my little way of giving you a new year gift of healing and prosperous health. May your new year be filled with love, happiness and abundance. 

The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.  ~Abraham Lincoln

My Wish for you: Lets look to the future. Lets plan happy days and nights. Lets fill each waking moment with laughter and joy. As you look to the future, Know that right now, in this very moment you are Creating a future with your thoughts and actions. Every new moment is a new chance to create history….simply moment by moment and day by day.

My special heartfelt gratitude to TimeThief, Sandra Pawula, Joy Holland, Evita Ochel, Robin Easton, Angela Artemis, Jonathan Wells, Steven Aitchison, Stephen Borgman, Farnoosh Brock & Invisible Mikey… among many others who have been loving and supportive beyond words this past year. May our connections grow and grow and grow Love you all!

Loving Seasons Greetings to all!!

What are your thoughts on this topic? How are you planning to ring in the new year? What are your plans for the coming 2012?

Please Share Positive Provocations: If you like what you read and see here, please spread the word by sharing this article on your favorite social networks. I appreciate every bit of love and support from each and every one of you.

With Immense Love & Gratitude,
~Zeenat~
Counseling Psychologist/ Spiritual Counselor
Motivational Speaker/Naturopath
Holistic Healer/Writer

DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE?
Get the latest articles(FREE) as soon as they are published, by Email OR RSS.PLUS if you are an Email Subscriber, You get My Free Ebook “The Best of Positive Provocations”+ “Your Self Healing Starter Kit”+a free Positive Newsletter on the 15th of every month with the months highlights+Positive Living Affirmations +New Tips and articles which are Exclusively for Email Subscribers and not published anywhere else. Come Join the facebook community & follow me on Twitter for Positive Provocations Everyday!

The end of a delicious feast is often marked by an after dinner sweet dessert. Dessert time not only provides perfect closure to a memorable meal, but also assists digestion, aids assimilation, and creates space for good conversation.

As this year comes to an end, what will you be thinking about? What will you be reflecting on? Will you be thinking about what you ‘did’ and relishing the dessert or what you ‘didnt’ accomplish and ending the year on a sour note?

End of the year reflection is like the “dessert” of the year.

It is a perfect opportunity to assess significant accomplishments, provide closure to the previous year, and to prepare the ground for a new year ahead. It’s also an important time to tie up loose ends, let go of things that no longer work, and sweep out old energies. This year, instead of just letting the final days of the year slip on by, treat yourself to “dessert” to digest what you have learned, and feel the satisfaction of accomplishment and closure.

Here are five ways to end this year on a Positive note:

1. Clean Up 
Take these last few days of the year to bring harmony and balance in your living and working environment. Walk around your personal spaces and sense what’s working and what’s not. Open the drawers, step in the garage, look into all the nooks, crannies, and dark spaces. Intuitively, you know what’s calling to you. Follow that urge and straighten the  cabinets, organize the garage, or vacuum the hair from the under the bed. Cleaning up can be a great way to remove old energies and allow new positive flow. Take the next few days to put in order, sort out, clean, or rearrange your space. Then breathe, relax, and revel in the new harmony!

2. Let Go!
The end of the year is a great time to let go of anything you no longer need or want. What may have felt near and dear to you last year may no longer hold the same feeling now. Go through your “stuff” and throw out, give away, or donate clothes, furniture, kitchen gadgets, knick-knacks, or anything else that no longer fits your personality. Just because Aunt “B” once gave you that ceramic dog figurine for Christmas or Eid or your birthday in 1987, doesn’t mean that you have to keep it around forever and ever. Let go of what no longer feels energizing or uplifting.

3. Manage Out of Control Email
Feeling buried in your inbox? It’s not uncommon to start the day by opening email, checking the 40-plus new messages, and feeling the burden of the ones that haven’t been yet answered from earlier in the week (month or year!). In addition there’s the weightiness of hundreds of emails saved in various folders. Take the next few days and get a handle on your overflowing email. Answer any pertinent pending emails, delete everything you don’t have to read, and unsubscribe from newsletters that may no longer provide value to your day. Take back control by deciding how much time and energy you’re willing to give to email.

4. Take Long Walks
Over the next several days give yourself some quality alone time by taking long walks. During those outings practice conscious deep breathing. Breathing helps dislodge old stuck energies and emotions. In addition, breathing relieves stress. As you begin to relax, be nourished by nature. Feel the wind on your checks, listen to the birds signing, and breathe in the scents of the season. Breathing, relaxation, nature, and quality alone time provide an opportune time to daydream about fun times, revel in giving your best to creative endeavors, and being open to the beauty in life. When you feel good, you invite yourself to participate in more experiences that feel good.

5. Love and Introspection
The end of the year is the perfect time for self-love and self-evaluation. As you look back on the dreams, goals, objectives, and projects you had planned for the past year, take stock of where you actually are. Did you allow your life to develop in meaningful ways over the past year? Avoid the temptation of self-flagellation for goals that weren’t met, and use the opportunity of reflection to assess what’s still important. Be supportive of yourself as you recognize what you achieved, what you learned about yourself, and the strengths that developed over the past months. Love yourself for who you are right now and love yourself for knowing who you want to become more of.

As the year winds down, stop and give yourself a good closure.

Let yourself know that you have come to the end, summarize your achievements, and reinforce your commitment to a central idea. Follow the tips above and know that there’s no reason why this year can’t have a perfectly fabulous ending! You create an ending YOU want by your choices.

What are YOUR thoughts on this topic?
How do you usually handle the end of the year? Do you have any positive tips to share here, so we can all practice immense positivity while this year comes to a close? Share your thoughts, questions and comments in the comments section below. I look forward to Your positive input here always! 

In the next article a Positive Provocations 2011 Review and what awesome positive additions and gifts YOU can look forward to in 2012 PLUS an End of Year contest!! Woohoo psst…lots and lots of NEW !

Please Share Positive Provocations: If you like what you read and see here, please spread the word by sharing this article on your favorite social networks. I appreciate every bit of love and support from each and every one of you.

With Immense Love & Gratitude,
~Zeenat~
Counseling Psychologist/ Spiritual Counselor
Motivational Speaker/Naturopath
Holistic Healer/Writer

DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE?
Get the latest articles(FREE) as soon as they are published, by Email OR RSS.PLUS if you are an Email Subscriber, You get My Free Ebook “The Best of Positive Provocations”+ “Your Self Healing Starter Kit”+a free Positive Newsletter on the 15th of every month with the months highlights+Positive Living Affirmations +New Tips and articles which are Exclusively for Email Subscribers and not published anywhere else. Come Join the facebook community & follow me on Twitter for Positive Provocations Everyday!

Do you want to live a better life?

A happier life. A content life. Ofcourse you do.

We all very well know what it’s like to want to live a better life. We want to be healed of our childhood wounds. We want to be free of the burdens that weigh us down. We want to feel happier and more content. We want to be engaged in a life we love. We want our hearts to sing, our minds to relax, and our bodies to feel good.

In over 10 years helping people make a shift into a more fulfilling life, I have seen firsthand what works and what doesn’t, what brings success and what brings struggle. From my years of interaction, I have found one tool that makes the most difference to people’s successful transformation. That tool is self-compassion.

What is self-compassion?

Consider your answers to these questions:

• Are you compassionate and gentle to yourself when you lose, fail, or face disappointment as well as when you win or excel?

• Are you kind and forgiving to yourself when you feel regret and sadness?

• Do you build yourself up instead of beating yourself down?

• Are you more likely to think, “Everybody makes mistakes now and then” or fall into a “I’m such a loser” attitude?

Very simply, self-compassion is having mercy, love and sweetness for yourself no matter what else you might be experiencing. It is the ability to treat yourself kindly in the face of failure, rejection, defeat, and other difficult experiences. And it is the ability to accept yourself as human, having a wide variety of human experiences.

With self-compassion, if you care about yourself, you do what’s healthy for you rather than what’s harmful to you.

There are always things in life or in ourselves that we are not quite satisfied with. Cultivating self-compassion helps you focus on your present circumstance with more kindness and less judgment. By doing so, you are more likely to relax and find your creative center. Tapping into deep inner creative resources can lead you to discover new solutions to life’s unpleasant events.

When things get rough, take a breath, and give yourself a big compassionate break. You deserve it!

Your thoughts: As always, please share your thoughts, stories and questions below. Your interaction here provides a living wisdom for us all to benefit from.

Please Note: the NEW ‘POSITIVE LIVING HANDBOOK-50 Soulful ways to be positive Today&Everyday’ is being created beautifully. I’m having so much fun creating this for YOU. So much so, that even in my dreams I’m writing the chapters for this book Darling Email Subscribers, Be ready for a New years Gift in your inbox! Here is a peek at the cover.

Please Share Positive Provocations: If you like what you read and see here, please spread the word by sharing this article on your favorite social networks. I appreciate every bit of love and support from each and every one of you.

With Immense Love & Gratitude,
~Zeenat~
Counseling Psychologist/Spiritual Counselor
Motivational Speaker/Naturopath

DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE?
Get the latest articles(FREE) as soon as they are published, by Email OR RSS.PLUS if you are an Email Subscriber, You get My Free Ebook “The Best of Positive Provocations”+ “Your Self Healing Starter Kit”+a free Positive Newsletter on the 15th of every month with the months highlights+Positive Living Affirmations +New Tips and articles which are Exclusively for Email Subscribers and not published anywhere else. Come Join the facebook community & follow me on Twitter for Positive Provocations Everyday!

“Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.”~ Helen Keller

Like most of us I’m sure you started out the year with dreams, good intentions, and new hopes. However, it’s all too easy to let busy schedules, work priorities, stress, and bad weather cloud over the optimism of those great objectives.

Delaying happiness is a big mistake!

While anticipating the arrival of your goals is a wonderful way to create direction for your life, don’t fall into the trap of postponing self-love and happiness until the end of the journey. Delaying happiness is a big mistake! That’s because if you are not having more of the feelings and experiences you want today (more joy, more worthiness, more self-love, etc.), then they won’t be there at the end of the goal journey.

To have a better day today, take a stand and take action.

Here are four ways to make sure that today ends better than yesterday-

1}Are you choosing to make it a great day? 
Decide that today will be a great day. If you want to enjoy greater inner peace, contentment, fulfillment, and happiness in your life, you are going to have to shift your focus from everything that is going wrong and make a decision to enjoy today. Place attention on what you could do today to feel even a small bit more confident or hopeful.

2}Are you enjoying life right NOW? 
Be present in this moment. How? Take several slow deep breaths. With each breath relax and let go of tension. As you settle down, unwind, let yourself smile. You’ll feel a little better right now.

3}Are you happy in your relationship with your Self? 
Make daily decisions that allow you to reprogram yourself to believe that you are deserving of having what you want. You are deserving of feeling good in your body, worthy of focusing on success, and worthy of your own love and appreciation. Although it may require effort and perseverance, you can become your own best friend and unwavering supporter of yourself. Determine how you want to feel and then take daily actions that promote those feelings.

4}Are you taking action to have what you want most? 
Remember what you wanted most this year, and then complete one important action today related to your dream. When you achieve one important action, you will feel a sense of accomplishment. That will make you feel great today!

What can I do to enjoy my life today? 

“For me there is only the traveling on paths that have heart, on any path that may have heart, and the only worthwhile challenge is to traverse its full length–and there I travel looking, looking breathlessly.” — Carlos Castaneda

Instead of focusing on what you want to banish from your life, focus on actions and choices that add to your life. Make it a point to indulge in heart luxury that increases your joy and love. This doesn’t meaning giving yourself permission to gulp down a pint of Hagen Daz ice cream if you’re deciding to lose weight, or going on a wild spending spree if you’re already struggling with debt. Instead, look within your heart and do something that will make you smile and feel alive inside.
For example:

• spend time with family and friends who love you,
• go for a nature walk,
• read an uplifting book,
• have deep conversations with God,
• smile for no reason,
• see the beauty in the minutest things like a baby’s smile or the colors of nature.

We are always surrounded by beautiful hopeful blessings, but we fail to see them cause we are so caught up in the future or the past.

Happiness right now is possible! You just have to look in the right places with your hearts eyes. The heart knows best. Let it be your guide and see how all your Today’s become better than your yesterday’s….what you will be creating in the long run, is a life full of joy and happiness and no bad days to ever worry about! Isnt that worth persuing?

What are your thoughts on this topic?
How do you make the effort to make your days better? How has your today been so far? Are you planning to add some of the above ways to your day? Share your beautiful thoughts in the comments below, I’d love to learn from you and get to know you better  

With Immense Love & Gratitude,
~Zeenat~
Counseling Psychologist/ Spiritual Counselor
Motivational Speaker/Naturopath
Holistic Healer/Writer

GET YOUR ‘HAPPINESS GOODIES’!!! 
Get the latest articles(FREE) as soon as they are published, by Email OR RSS.PLUS if you are an Email Subscriber, You get the Positive Living Handbook(new 2012 release!)+My Ebook “The Best of Positive Provocations”+ “Your Self Healing Starter Kit”+a free Positive Newsletter on the 15th of every month with the months highlights+Positive Living Affirmations +New Tips and articles which are Exclusively for Email Subscribers and not published anywhere else. Come Join the facebook community & follow me on Twitter and Google+ for Positive Provocations Everyday!

Please Share Positive Provocations: If you like what you read and see here, please spread the word by sharing this article on your favorite social networks. I appreciate every bit of love and support from each and every one of you.
Other Positive Articles for your reading&healing:

• Refresh Renew Rebirth
• How to Live a Phenomenally Miraculous Life