“Practice not-doing and everything will fall into place.” – Lao Tzu

I love my time online! Love it!

Being a Libra by birth means my constant quest for balance continues in everything I do. Its just my nature and I love that I am constantly living a positively balanced life.

I love writing and sharing my word online….be it on the blog, on facebook, on twitter or email. I love connecting with like minded folk and diverse souls everyday. Its a marvelous treat to be able to sit on one chair and achieve so much in one session of being online. I am constantly amazed by technology and all that it allows us to DO.

The Need and Want to be offline

But I think I have been DOING too much online for far too long and now my brain and heart need a rest. This rest is coming partly out of want and partly out of need. The scales of my Libran Balance have tipped….eeks!

Lately I have found myself in the middle of a personal crisis. Things are changing, growing, and expanding. Many of the goals I had set for my life and my business are manifesting. At the same time, new opportunities are presenting themselves and it is becoming challenging to keep on top of it all, to have clarity about which is the right opportunity to pursue and which not. And things are happening at a pace that I am not entirely comfortable with.

It is beginning to feel like my life is running me, that these changes and new opportunities are taking on a life of their own and I am merely coming along for the ride. I am having a hard time making decisions about my life and my business, and I am not happy about it all.

The want to be offline cause I feel like I need to recuperate. I am experiencing mental fatigue and am unable to put good heart and time to the new Book “Blissfully Positive”  I’m writing(which I want to complete soon!). I want to be able to sit in nature and write without worrying about moderating comments or responding to facebook messages. I want to be able to pray and meditate deeply. Because of this mental fatigue, I am unable to put my complete heart into my conversations with God. And thats not something I like! I miss my quiet time. I wear many caps in my regular day…counselor,healer&writer professionally and full time mother, teacher, daughter and wife personally…among the many others. Lately I seem to be fatigued in all I do. Hence this Digital Sabbatical is the best decision for me right now.

The need to be offline: As I said before there is the ‘want’ to be offline and then there is the ‘need’ too. The timing for taking this time off from all things digital is divinely gifted to me. Both my want and my need are coinciding so seamlessly. The need for being offline arises from the home shift that I’m in the midst of right now. A home shift means, lots of sorting, lots of packing, lots of unpacking and above all…no internet in the interrim. See, its the perfect time for me to unwind mentally, by getting physically super active. Apart from cooking that I love to do to unwind, redecorating and decluttering also top that list.

The summer often brings with it NEW experiences…and this is the experience I am embracing this summer. Coincidently, my little one also has her summer break right now…and it brings the perfect opportunity for me to bond more deeply with her too.

Digital Sabbatical- The When and The How

Now that the reasons of this Digital Sabbatical are apparent…lets get to the from when and how of this new experience. Ideally I take a digital sabbatical once every 2 weeks(without anyone but me noticing it )

What is a Digital Sabbatical? A break for a specific time frame from all things digital… specifically blog, email, facebook, twitter etc.

Honestly, I will miss my time and my friends online…but I know my heart and soul are craving for some nature, some play and most of all some living. You know what that means right??? It means lots more full of LIFE articles when I come back from this break

For in living do we truly learn.

The When: I plan to go on a Digital Sabbatical from 10th of May till the 20th of May 2012. 10 days.

The How: Although I would like to be completely offline…that seems impossible cause I have all the emails, facebook, twitter and blog on my Blackberry. So all the notifications will pop up. But, with no internet(for my laptop) while I shift home….more than basic communication would not be possible. If there are any urgent requests or communications that require my attention..I will attend to them, but I wont freakishly check my email and facebook every few hours, like I do now. Ok, dont giggle….its not funny. I know you do it too

I hope to take full advantage of this time …and will be back on 20th of May with a New post and some pictures of my new cozy little home

Here is my list of things I hope to experience while on this digital sabbatical:

1. Meditate and pray more
2. Read a new book
3. Write my new Book – “Blissfully Positive”
4. Spend quality time with my little girl
5. Decorate and Reorganize the physical around me
6. De-clutter my mind
7. Dabble my feet in nature by going to the park and beach
8. Restart my Yoga
9. Take care of ME
10. Relax and breathe

Till then darlings, have a positively lovely time….and if youre in the mood for a break, take one. We all need some time to recuperate. Its like hitting the reboot on your computer..right!

What are YOUR thoughts on this Digital Sabbatical? Have you taken a break like this before? Do you have any tips on making this Digital Sabbatical a memorable one? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below. 

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

Related articles

• Seeking OurSelf ~ Positive Self Reflection (positiveprovocations.com)
• I Believe ….. In the Power of our Beliefs (positiveprovocations.com)
• 3 Positive ways to add Heart to your writing ~ Heart Centered Blogging (positiveprovocations.com)
• 4 Powerful Strategies to Fire Up Your Motivation! (positiveprovocations.com)
• 3 Powerful Steps that WILL Fill Your Life with Miracles (positiveprovocations.com)
• 9 ways to Get out of your boring comfort zone and SHINE! (positiveprovocations.com)

Beliefs are the core of who we are, what we do, and the success that we acquire. Claude M Bristol wrote a wonderful book entitled, The Magic of Believing. In his book he explains that there is one common strand woven throughout the many cultures and religions he investigated. All people, whether primitive or civilized, have shared a particular philosophy that is central to their culture. People of all ages have ascribed to the idea that if you believe that something will happen, it will take place. It is the power of belief that causes things to happen in our lives.

Most people define beliefs as inward convictions, a feeling of certainty about what something means. They are what you hold dear and are rooted deeply within. A belief is both mental and emotional. It is imbedded in the mind and in the heart.

Your beliefs will dictate your actions

Isn’t that true? If you believe in a cause, you fight for it. If you believe in your religion, you live it. If you believe in others, you support and uplift them. Beliefs drive us. They are at the root of all purpose and all action.

History is replete with famous people whose belief in a concept or a cause drove them without question to accomplish remarkable things. Think of Gandhi and his belief in a free society in India. He gave his life for the cause he believed in. He is famous for saying, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Those are not just words to Mohandas Gandhi. He fully believed them. We know because he lived them.

Nelson Mandela has had a life struggle against the Apartheid in South Africa. He has been willing to suffer because of the passion and belief he has for freedom.
Another example is Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King had a dream (a belief) that one day all people would have the same freedoms in the United States, and that belief drove him to fight for change. It dictated his actions.

Limiting or Negative beliefs

Unfortunately, while beliefs can be very empowering they can be equally disempowering. Many times our beliefs are negative, or pessimistic about a person, situation, even ourselves, and they limit us and sabotage our results. It is important to stop and take time to analyze your beliefs. Are they helping or hindering? Do they move you forward or hold you back?

Power of Positive Beliefs

Successful people think differently and believe differently than most of the world. These beliefs that they adopt lay the foundation for the level of success they experience. You see, beliefs are not necessarily what’s true or factual in the real world. The power of each belief comes only from the individual believer. That means you can believe whatever you want to believe. As long as you believe it to be true, it will be true in your life. Consequently, you will attract events, experiences and people in your life to match your beliefs. For this reason, it is crucial to adopt only the beliefs that serve you and to let go of those beliefs that limit you.

The Root of the word BELIEF

Many years ago I read a book by John Milton Fogg, which gave me a tremendous insight into the word belief. When you study the root of the word belief you gain greater understanding of its depth and meaning. The true definition of belief will teach you why our beliefs are so powerful. The word belief comes from two words.

Be — and — lief

Be comes from being, which is a state of existence. To be is to live.
The second word lief comes from the Indo-European word leubh which means – love.
So when you put that together it changes the entire idea of the word belief.

Belief means to be in love with.

A true belief is something that resonates both in heart and mind.

Think about this in your life. Instead of letting the lack of an immovable belief hold you back. You just need to start because you love the notion. When you believe in someone else; your spouse, a friend, whomever, what you are really saying is you love them.

Let me give you an example. Most researchers would say that less than 5% of the population writes down their goals. Why is that? Most likely it is because they didn’t believe with absolute certainty they would attain them. Have you avoided writing down your goals? If so, what kind of damaging message are you giving yourself? Goals not written are only a wish. What if instead of having to have unshakable conviction, all you had to do was to be in love with your goals. Love the idea, love what they stand for, what they would do for you, just simply be in love with them.

If you love them, you will act. Not only will you act, you will also attract all that you believe into your life. James Allen, the author of As A Man Thinketh stated, “The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors; that which it loves.” It is a liberating concept! In my life there are a lot of things that I love, and because of that I believe them.

With this in mind I asked a few of my favorite Personal Development bloggers/friends what they Believed in…and below are their Positive Liberating and loving Beliefs: 

Melody Fletcher @ Deliberate Receiving : “I believe… that we are so much more powerful than we’ve been led to believe, and the way to that power isn’t through suffering or hardship or paying our dues. It’s through joy.”

David Stevens @ Personal Power for me : ”I believe that my thoughts create my present and my future & focussing on the positive ones creates a better me” ”I believe that having goals, dreams & vision for our future allows us to live to our full potential”

Nea Joy @ Self Improvement Saga : I believe happiness is a gift we get by loving ourselves enough to choose it–not just when it’s convenient; but when it’s easier to choose apathy, anger, revenge or despair.

Jodi Chapman @ Soul Speak : I believe that all of life’s answers are inside of us. And when we slow down and embrace the stillness, we can hear our soul’s wisdom.

Andrea DeBell @ Brite Talk: I believe ….that we’re way more powerful than we give ourselves credit for and that we can all achieve greatness if we dare to dream.

Sandra Pawula @ Always Well Within : I believe we can bring an end to suffering by recognizing our fundamental interdependence, getting in touch with our good heart, and coming to know the sky-like nature of our mind.

Tess Marshall @ The Bold Life : I believe that only fear and love exist. Love is real. Fear is an illusion. Whenever I am in a state of fear, my only job is to return to love

Betsy Henry @ The Zen Mama : I believe…. that a positive attitude is everything. If you change the way you look at thins, the things you look at change. And if you can add on a little more: And if you pass this on to your children, they have a great tool to repair any problems they up come against in life.

Arvind Devalia @ Make it Happen : ”I believe that we are all connected and we are all the same, no matter what our colour, culture or creed is. We all have the same dreams, hopes and aspirations and no matter what our differences are, ultimately LOVE is all that matters.”

Joy @ Facets of Joy : “I believe that choosing to live centered in gratitude and fully open to love allows us to experience inner peace and abundance in each moment, regardless of external circumstances.  It is an honor to be here on Earth; when we allow that reverence to guide us, each moment is a miracle.”

Ken Wert @ Meant to be Happy : ”I believe we were meant to live exceptional lives, that we were meant to grow and exercise courage and develop character and reach out in love and passion and decency and experience more happiness than most people realize is possible.”

Sibyl Chavis @ The Possibility of Today : “I believe … there is a different way to live and move through the day. It doesn’t take much to make each day better, but it does take intent.”

Vidya Sury @ Going A Musings : “I believe… that  we should let go of grudges and petty stuff and live positive – appreciating what we have in life…that when we love someone, we should show it NOW without waiting for an auspicious moment, for who knows what may happen the next minute.”

Cathy Taughinbaug @ Treatment Talk : “I BELIEVE….real power comes when you acknowledge that change is needed, and you are able to make that change happen.”

Ok, so before you ask me what I believe in…here goes:
“I believe that LOVE is the best healer. I also BELIEVE….that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.” By the way, this whole blog is about what I believe in

Now its YOUR turn…What do YOU believe in? Share your thoughts, beliefs, wisdom and questions in the comments below. Lets believe Positive beliefs together!

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

Related articles

• Seeking OurSelf ~ Positive Self Reflection (positiveprovocations.com)
• 4 Powerful Strategies to Fire Up Your Motivation! (positiveprovocations.com)
• 3 Powerful Steps that WILL Fill Your Life with Miracles (positiveprovocations.com)
• 9 ways to Get out of your boring comfort zone and SHINE! (positiveprovocations.com)
• How to Positively melt those Creative Blocks (positiveprovocations.com)
• 12 Positively Amazing ways to Be Young Forever (positiveprovocations.com)

“We live in a house of mirrors and think we are looking out the windows.”~ Fritz Perls

Who are you looking at? Who is looking back at you? Who are you looking for?

On some level or another, all of us are seeking ourselves whether we know it or not.

We all have beliefs, ideas, thoughts and attitudes which govern our thinking, our knowing and our living. Changing our thinking, our long held beliefs can dramatically change our daily lives.

Try looking at it this way…..We live in a house of mirrors and think we are looking out the windows.

Take a moment to think about what this sentence on self reflection means for you.

It is talking about how we perceive ourselves and our surroundings – how we fail to see that life reflects us back to ourselves.

Because we keep on looking out the windows, many of us take forever to realize that we are looking at ourselves mirrored back to us by others and by the events of our life.

This saying about self reflection helps us to become empowered.

If we see that our negative feelings towards others are reflecting back to ourselves our own sense of negativity then we can do something to help ourselves forward. By continuously looking out the window and putting the ‘blame’ on others we fail to utilize all the power in the moment.

Changing our perception of the problem by seeing the reality as it is reflected by us and to us, brings empowerment, change, discovery and consciousness.

As we learn to look for that reflection in the mirror rather than to project our senses outwards we gain a sense of responsibility for our own lives. Our authentic self begins to shine through.

There are monsters hiding around every corner and they are mostly the monsters of our own making – our ego self and all its responses to our lived experiences.

One of our deepest psychological needs is our need to return to our truest Positive self, and people are more hungry for it than ever.

Seeking ourSelf is the best journey we can embark upon.

What about you? Have YOU journeyed within yet? Do share your self reflections in the comments below.

What is Positive Self Reflection? 
Positive Self Reflection is a bi-monthly column on Positive Provocations, where I gently nudge YOU back towards your truest most purest self. My aim with this column is to make you aware of your pure heart and soul, so that you may live a more positive, happier and heart centered life. 

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

Related articles

• Are You Joyfully Nurturing Your Complete Being? (positiveprovocations.com)
• 3 Powerful Steps that WILL Fill Your Life with Miracles (positiveprovocations.com)
• 4 Powerful Strategies to Fire Up Your Motivation! (positiveprovocations.com)
• How to lovingly support someone who is experiencing Hopelessness and Depression (positiveprovocations.com)

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”  ~William Wordsworth

As a writer and blogger, I often feel like there is a deadline somewhere I need reach successfully. In the beginning when I began to take my writing seriously, I often would write for the sake of writing, for the sake of a deadline. I have to admit those were my worst articles ever! Those articles would be so technical and cold.

When I was in the 8th grade, my English professor would often kick me out of class for being way too talkitive. I’ve mentioned before, my nickname all through high school was chatterbox I loved it too! Although I was never really in class during my english lectures, I scored the highest in my english exams. Seeing this happen for two consecutive years, my English professor sat me down and had a chat with me. He said in his stern but nurturing voice, “You can write! One day I see you becoming a writer and having great impact but only if you focus. Channelize your energy little girl and you will be a force to reckon with. Dont get caught up in the hormones and throw your talent to the dogs.”
At the time I cried buckets thinking my English Professor thought I was a lost cause. But in time as the hormones settled down and I started questioning my purpose…my english professors voice kept echoing in my head and nudging me in the direction of writing more.

Before I started this blog I wrote journals and journals and journals. Then I wrote for magazines and newspapers. But my heart came truly alive when I started writing for my own blog Positive Provocations. Why? Cause I was finally writing about something that was close to my heart and soul.

Today after 3 years of blogging and a lifetime of writing, I still feel like there is so much to say. It seems to be the beginning of something wonderful.

There are 3 ways I make sure my writing remains authentic and heart-centered. Here they are:

3 Positive ways to add Heart to your writing

1. Jot when you feel:

“Wait until you are hungry to say something, until there is an aching in you to speak.”~Natalie Goldberg~
What works for me is keeping a little notebook in my purse. As soon as I ‘feel’ the need to write about something I jot down the idea in this notebook, which I then refer to later when I sit to write. I know many people say ‘I will remember’…but I have lost many ideas to that ‘I will remember’ bug. Today we have many ways to jot down ideas. Technology with its ipads, smart phones etc have a Note app which works well too Less paper, more ideas and lots of heart!

2. Real life stories:

“The good writer seems to be writing about himself, but has his eye always on that thread of the Universe which runs through himself and all things.”~Ralph Waldo Emerson~
Most of my best writing comes from my own personal experiences. When I write from my own experiences the writing automatically has life in it. There is a certain heart connection to the words that come out from a real experience.  These words not only have life, but have enough feeling in them to touch lives far and wide. And our stories are what make us who we are..Unique!

3. Never lose focus:

“It is by sitting down to write every morning that one becomes a writer.”~Gerald Brenan~
Ahhh the big focus word I hear my professor say, kept coming up over the years and here it is again. We must never lose focus. Period. Ok life does get in the way many a times. But the essential focus need never go too far. I take breaks from my writing sometimes, but the Big Goal never fades from my mind. When we have a goal that our heart is set on, we WILL make time for it.

I believe we are all writers. We all have a need to write. Be it a journal, a blog, a book, facebook status updates or corporate email. We all write. Might as well do it with heart. Right??

What is Heart Centered Blogging?
Heart Centered Blogging is now a monthly 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.

What are your thoughts on this topic?
Do you write? How do you motivate yourself to write authentically and with heart? Do share your tips, experiences and wisdom in the comments below. Lets learn from each other

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

Related articles

• How to Positively melt those Creative Blocks (positiveprovocations.com)
• 5 Positive ways to Lovingly GROW your blog ~ Heart Centered Blogging (positiveprovocations.com)
• YOU are your blog ~ Heart Centered Blogging (positiveprovocations.com)

“If you paint in your mind a picture of bright and happy expectations, you put yourself into a condition conducive to your goal.” ~ Norman Vincent Peale

I’m a positive thinker. Nothing phases me nor do I allow anything to suck my mojo.

Three years back when I started Positive Provocations I had no idea I could consistently sustain a blog for so long. I didnt even think I had all this stuff inside me that needed to be written.

It seems like I have been nurturing Positive Provocations forever, like it was always meant to be. An attachment, a love, a feeling for this blog and all its beautiful readers is difficult for me to put into words. I’m overjoyed and swimming in gratitude for all the blessings this Positive Provocations community has brought me.

What Positive Provocations has achieved in the past 3 years:

• Created 3 healing ebooks for the readers: Best of Positive Provocations, Your Self healing Starter Kit & Positive Living Handbook.
• Has over 250 articles in the archives.
• Has attracted 462,000+ Beautiful Readers since april 2009.
• Has successfully counseled a little over 3000 souls through the free counseling service.
• Has written articles for and been mentioned on so many amazing Personal Development blogs all over the blog-o-sphere: The Bold Life, Balance In Me, Advanced Life Skills, Always Well Within, Everyday Gyaan, Dragos Roua, Jungle of Life, Change Your Thoughts, Evolving Beings, Change Warrior, Worlds Strongest Librarian, Healing with Juices, Unlimited choice, One Cool Site Blogging Tips, Quest For Balance…. (I’m creating a page with all the links to all the articles I have written. It should be up within the week for your reading pleasure.)
• Has had more than 50 writers/bloggers(other than me) share their voices in the form of guest posts here.
• Has a thriving Facebook Community of  2800+ ‘likes’ !

What Positive Provocations plans to achieve in the coming year:

• More positively healing articles.
• A new book which will be on sale on Amazon(Dec 2012 fingers crossed).
• The continuation of the Heart centered Blogging column each month.
• New columns that will start in May 2012: Self Reflection, Happy Relationships, Positive Challenge
• Many more writers will be sharing their voices here in the future too, for the sole purpose of lending a healing hand to the readers.
• So many more Free Giveaways

“Clouds may come, but clouds must go, and they all have a silver lining. For behind each cloud you know, the sun, or moon, is shining.”

As I look back at these past three years, there were times I wanted to just throw in the towel. I felt like I couldnt cope with a blog and life. But then I realised, this blog has become so much a part of my life…I couldnt just let it go. The hundereds of emails I answer every week to counsel souls, the countless people who have been helped through this site alone, is enough to keep me going forever. I’m gathering good blessings here….why would I ever want to stop?

My Vision for Positive Provocations

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” Mother Teresa

My vision for this blog is for it to be a ‘loving go to feel good space’ online. I want readers to feel at home when they come here. I want each soul who comes here to feel special. To feel like they matter, what they think matters. And yes, that we indeed can be happy and healed. I want everyone to feel loved and whole.

The New Look

You must’ve noticed by now that the Whole look of Positive Provocations has changed to more suit the readers needs. {if youre reading this in your email please click here to see the shiny new changes} Last month in the monthly newsletter I asked my darling subscribers what colors they would like the blog to be. What you see is what the majority chose in terms of colors. I will keep tweaking the design to best suit your needs, so please dont hesitate to share your thoughts. I’m listening.

Let me end this article today, where I celebrate 3 amazing blog years with my favorite Ho’oponopono blessing for you :

For without your love and support this blog wouldnt be where it is today.

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

“I learned if my heart was going to connect with the hearts of others, I had to be the one to connect it. I learned it was up to me to create the life I want.” ~ Alex Blackwell author of “Saying YES to change”

There are books we read and then there a books we re-read and take something new from them every time we read them..this amazing book Saying YES to Change is like that. You can re-read it, and love it more and more everytime.

When Alex sent me his book, I couldn’t contain myself. I was so excited to read it, mostly cause Alex is an amazingly soulful writer. His writing has a way pulling back all the layers and getting right to your heart.

The 10 lessons shared in this book are truly timeless! Each lesson comes from a deep place of understanding the soul of the human heart. Each example is real and has a way of making you say, ‘yes, I went through that too..’ Each lesson is so relatable to your real life.

If you want Positive changes in your life, then this is the book that can get you there.

I have the opportunity today to interview the brilliant Author of this book  Alex Blackwell of Saying YES to Change! YAY!

Enjoy the interview and CLICK HERE to Grab your own copy today! PLUS details of the Book Giveaway are below too

Zeenat: What sparked the thought of writing your own book?

Alex: I’ve been blogging on The BridgeMaker for the past several years and thought it was time to stretch myself a little by writing a book. One benefit of writing two blog posts each week is I think I have become a better writer. The other advantage of continuous writing, and the one that inspires me most, is I have found my voice. So, extending my voice to a book felt natural, and it felt aligned with my life’s purpose.

Zeenat: While writing your book, what was the most challenging part? Was there a time you wanted to just give up? 

Alex: To be honest Zeenat, this is the hardest post – promoting the book. The time I spent writing the book was good for me. Writing feels like medicine for soul and I look forward to writing every day. But now my focus is marketing the book, and that’s hard.

There are so many quality books out there, so to make your book stand out in a crowded sea is difficult. The idea of giving up is occurring to me just now, because I want to get back to writing.

But I’m a person of faith. I know I was called to write this book. Whatever happens will happen because it is meant to be so.

Zeenat: Your book has a lot of personal stories. How easy or difficult was it to share such personal details in your book?

Alex: Each story comes from my heart, and I believe each story has a powerful message that can change lives. Perhaps the most difficult story was the one about my mother. She died three years ago from organ failure due to years of excessive alcohol and drug abuse.

When I became a parent, it was then that I realized what a poor parent my mother was to me. But, she was still my mother. The conflict that vacillated in me between disgust and pity was overwhelming at times.

But before her death, I found the way to forgiveness. And sharing stories of forgiveness is a beautiful thing.

Zeenat: Do you have a message for the readers of your book?

Alex: Creating positive change begins with discovering one powerful truth: You cannot change or heal what you do not acknowledge.

Zeenat: Which is your most favorite lesson from the 10 you share in your amazing book?

Alex: Zeenat, I love them all because each one has taught me how to be a better father, husband and person. But, if I can pick only one, I choose: Take Down the White Flag. When we find the courage to overcome barriers, we can see our lives begin to change for the better.

Zeenat: Who would benefit from this positive book?

Alex: The book is for anyone who feels the nudge to change; and it’s for people who are already walking the paths to positive change. If you feel stuck, alone or scared, the book will inspire you to acknowledge what you need to heal or change so you can begin living a happier, more meaningful life – right now.

Alex’s Awesome Book Giveaway

Alex is generously offering 2 copies of his book to the readers here on Positive Provocations!! All you have to do to take part in this Giveaway is write a comment below about what are YOUR life altering life lessons that have brought about a positive change in your life….Share in Comments to WIN! Simple na

Are you reading by email? Just click here so you can leave a comment, and take part in this awesome giveaway!

Last date for entries 16th April 2012! Hurry!

About the Author: 

Alex Blackwell is the Founder of The BridgeMaker.

His first book,Saying Yes to Change: 10 Timeless Life Lessons for Creating Positive Change is now available on Amazon.

Connect with Alex on Facebook.

CLICK HERE to Grab your own copy today!

——————————————————————————————————–

I hope all you darling readers get a chance to read this book! I highly reccomend it from my heart to yours.

Alex and I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

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

Related articles

• 6 Positively Powerful tips to Re-ignite Your Excitement about Life (positiveprovocations.com)
• 5 Steps to Accepting the Beauty of Change (positiveprovocations.com)
• How to Positively melt those Creative Blocks (positiveprovocations.com)
• How to Be Non-Judgmental of Yourself and Others (positiveprovocations.com)
• 3 Powerful Steps that WILL Fill Your Life with Miracles (positiveprovocations.com)
• Simply Empowering Steps to attain your goals (positiveprovocations.com)

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”~Zig Ziglar

Are you stuck in the same old rut, feeling uninspired, demotivated, tired, and bored?

The most common question I get asked is “how on earth do I stay motivated? I start something/a project I love and I can never finish it cause I get bored or distracted in the middle.”

Are you wondering how to gain motivation for the things you really want to/love to do? Motivation is an ongoing process, a behavior that you can nurture and expand, but motivation cannot be forced. If you are ready to live a meaningful life, then here are four powerful strategies to pump up your motivation to start acting on the goals that are important to you and your life.

4 Powerful Strategies to Fire Up Your Motivation!

1. Build Potential
Motivation flows from the heart, it does not rain down upon you. To gain motivation, first link to what you feel strongly about. Tap into an idea or goal that excites you and fires up your imagination. Allow this vision to provide a higher purpose in your life. For example, instead of trying to lose weight by following yet one more restrictive and boring diet take a closer look at the benefits you gain by participating in the action of achieving your goal. It’s not just about the weight you are moving away from, but the life, strengths, and empowerment you are moving toward. How will the process of achieving your goal change who you? Whenever you are feeling unmotivated, set your sights to the stars and focus on the pleasure of the ideas that arouse your passion.

2. Protect Your Goals Closely
There are differing opinions about how soon we should tell other people about our plans and goals. Some experts advise that we must tell others about our plans so they can support us, and so that we become more accountable and committed to following through. I personally believe that first we must nurture our goals within. Initially a goal is a tiny seed that requires tenderness, love, and security within so that it may grow roots. When your idea has sprouted some leaves, perhaps then it may be safe to share it with others who are of like mind. However, sometimes even when people want to be supportive, they may offer their support in a manner that is counterproductive. So do share your goals with others, but use discernment as to when you share, whom you will share them with, and be clear within yourself about what you hope to gain by sharing.

3. Rewards and Recognition
The journey toward reaching your goal is often a long road. It’s frequently full of experiences, challenges, obstacles, and even failures. With all this going on, we often don’t notice the change that is occurring or the progress we’ve made. Without recognition and reward, it is easy to become frustrated and even cynical about your ability to effectively reach your goal. To counter this de-motivational outcome, chart your efforts. Deliberately recognizing effort, successes, and accomplishments keeps motivation flowing. Make sure to reward yourself and your positive behaviors soon after you notice hem. This helps to show yourself consciously that you are able to make changes in your life, and that your goal can actually be achieved.

4. Manage Stress
Fear and stress are great motivators – for a very short time. That’s why yelling at yourself won’t light a spark under your butt for very long. When you are stressed, it is easy to loose the motivation that keeps you going. That’s because stress creates a sense of danger, a feeling of being overwhelmed, and a loss of focus on the bigger picture. Stress inspired actions are fight or flight generated responses that help you to deal with disaster. Taking measures to bring stress back down allows you to regain center, reconnect to the excitement that your goal carries, and discover a creative solution to help you move forward.

Come on you gorgeous souls, Fire up your motivation and live life to the fullest! You deserve it!

What are your thoughts on this topic?
How do you stay motivated? Do you have any special strategies or tips to share? Share your thoughts, queries, wisdom and tips in the comments below. Lets stay motivated! 

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

Related articles

• 6 Positively Powerful tips to Re-ignite Your Excitement about Life (positiveprovocations.com)
• 5 Steps to Accepting the Beauty of Change (positiveprovocations.com)
• How to Positively melt those Creative Blocks (positiveprovocations.com)
• How to Be Non-Judgmental of Yourself and Others (positiveprovocations.com)
• 3 Powerful Steps that WILL Fill Your Life with Miracles (positiveprovocations.com)
• Simply Empowering Steps to attain your goals (positiveprovocations.com)

What is a miracle?

Characteristics of Miracles

• There is no order of difficulty in miracles. One is not “harder” or “bigger” than another. They are all the same.
• Miracles are natural. Miracles occur naturally as expressions of love.
• Miracles should inspire gratitude, not awe.

3 Powerful Steps that WILL Fill Your Life with Miracles

• Use The Power of Gratitude

• Use The Power of Forgiveness

• Use The Power of a “Miracle Journal”

The Formula for Miracles

“The miracle comes quietly into the mind that stops an instant and is still.” - A Course in Miracles

So, whenever I truly desire a miracle in my life, I simply use the power of gratitude and forgiveness (as detailed in the processes above), along with keeping my “miracle journal.”

They have been the most effective and powerful ways that I have found to quiet my mind enough to allow the miracles to flow and manifest in my life.

What are your thoughts on this topic? How do you create or request for miracles in your life everyday? Do you have any miraculous secrets to share? Do share your thoughts, questions, wisdom and insights in the comments section 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

Related articles

• 6 Positively Powerful tips to Re-ignite Your Excitement about Life (positiveprovocations.com)
• 5 Steps to Accepting the Beauty of Change (positiveprovocations.com)
• How to Positively melt those Creative Blocks (positiveprovocations.com)
• How to Be Non-Judgmental of Yourself and Others (positiveprovocations.com)

“The future is completely open, and we are writing it moment to moment.” -~Pema Chodron

Have you ever felt stuck in a rut and were not sure about how to get out? If so, you’re not alone. It’s easy to get bored in the comfort of doing the same things in the same way at the same time. Even that sentence is boring!

I know a time when I had my life completely planned, even my fun time was planned! Then, ahem..life happened I grew up, I experienced the world, I understood the world, I understood myself and most of all I realized, NOTHING that I had so meticulously planned worked out. The only part of that plan, that actually did work out….”be happy”. Ironically the only reason I became happy was because I let my plan go. Being stuck with plans is really not my thing. If there isnt one new thing added to my ‘today’ as compared to my ‘yesterday’ I know I’m stuck in my boring comfort zone.

Below I share Nine simple and practical things I do to keep things fun and allow me to shine and enjoy life Yeah I do love that word *shine*! Its so fun and sparkly na

9 ways to Get out of your boring comfort zone and SHINE!:

1. Conscious Breath
It all starts with breath! Conscious breath. Taking a conscious breath relaxes and energizes. Breath after breath, real life comes forth again. It brings you back into the present moment, out from the past, and out from the future. In the here and now, breath brings energy, relaxation, and clarity. Breathe in deeply, slowly, and consciously, and exhale. Do it again! Feel the difference?

2. Do Something You Aren’t Doing Now
It’s easy to get into a rut with the same uninspiring routine every day. You get up out of the same side of the bed, shower and wash your body parts in the same order, drive to work on the same route, then come home to watch television on the same spot on the sofa everyday. There is an easy way out. Do something you aren’t doing now. Do something different! Something big, something small, something silly, something out of the ordinary. Wear one black sock and one red sock. Wash your feet before you wash your hair. Hold your tongue instead of bickering with your spouse. Take a walk to the neighborhood grocery store instead of driving. Do one thing different and make a positive difference in your life today.

3. Talk to Yourself Lovingly
Self-talk tends to gravitate toward the negative. This self-critical self-talk rut can rob you of your enthusiasm for your dreams and leave you feeling less confident. It’s not necessary to control your negative thoughts or to only think positive ones. Instead, look into the mirror regularly, focus on what you’re doing right, and speak constructively to yourself. Realistic constructive self-talk can reduce stress, leave you feeling more capable, and help you put more enjoyment into your life.

4. Love Your Body
It’s easy to fall into a routine of neglecting, mistreating, or even hating your body. No matter what your weight or health, do something radically different today. Walk on over to the nearest mirror and have a real conversation with your body. Tell it what a great job it’s been doing of helping you go through the experience of life. And no matter how much abuse or neglect you’ve put it through, it’s still done its best to give you a home to live in.

5. Stop Complaining
Complaining about how things are is an easy habit to fall into. But complaining doesn’t resolve a situation. And deep down it doesn’t provide much satisfaction. Next time you find yourself complaining, take a breath and switch your focus to something that is going right or well in your world. What you give your attention and focus to will grow.

6. Get Outside
Have you been hibernating indoors? Too many hours sitting behind your computer or in front of the television? The average person spends about 90% of their times indoors. Staying indoors for too long can leave you bored, not to mention unhealthy. Fresh air, sunshine, and natural scenery provide peace, relaxation, greater psychological resilience, and stimulation of all your senses. No matter what the weather is, get geared up and head outside into nature. Sharpened senses, psychological health, and greater connection to your spirit will all get you out of the rut.

7. Clean the Clutter
Get your energy moving by taking a good look at your environment. Clutter drains your energy and can leave you feeling uninspired. Are your closets stuffed with too many clothes and shoes? Are your kitchen pantry, shelves, and drawers filled with old boxes of food, stacks of unorganized Tupperware, and trashy drawers? Is your office overflowing with piles of magazines, stacks of paper, and unfiled receipts? It’s never easy to start cleaning your clutter. To avoid overwhelm, take fifteen minutes every day to tackle one area. When the time is up, just leave it until the next day. You’ll feel successful and your clutter will be gone in no time at all. Think of all the energy you’ll free up to enjoy life!

8. Redecorate
Give your life a much needed lift by redecorating your living or working space. How about painting the walls a new color? Vibrant colors can leave you feeling invigorated and enthusiastic. Don’t feel like painting? Rearrange the furniture and rotate the pictures on the walls. Rearranging furniture is one of the easiest ways to feel refreshed. Rearranging brings variety, clears energy, and helps you sort things out in your head.

9. Define Fun
It’s a big world out there and there’s so many ways to have fun. And so many definitions of fun. Where do you find fun? Is it being creative, being alone, being in good company, enjoying the fresh air, laughing, going on an adventure, or perhaps trying something new? Write down your list of ideas, activities, and actions that bring the fun back into your life. Then go out and have some fun!

Being stuck in a rut can leave you unmotivated and uninspired. If you find yourself in a rut, use these nine ideas to break free and shine! Simple changes can get you energized, happier, and living life the way you really want to once again. Shining bright then remains your only option.

What are your thoughts on this topic?
How do you keep things fun in your everyday life. Do you have any special ways to get out of those boring comfort zones? Do share your thoughts, comments and way in the comments below.

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

Related articles

• How to Be Non-Judgmental of Yourself and Others (positiveprovocations.com)
• 6 Positively Powerful tips to Re-ignite Your Excitement about Life (positiveprovocations.com)
• How to lovingly support someone who is experiencing Hopelessness and Depression (positiveprovocations.com)
• 12 Positively Amazing ways to Be Young Forever (positiveprovocations.com)

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.

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” Scott Adams

Is there an area in your life where you feel, you just cannot move forward? You may be experiencing a creative block…

I’ve been experiencing writers block since the past three weeks. Previously, inspiration had been flowing. It was a beautiful experience. Ideas fell neatly into place, difficult concepts were easily expressed, and I had words! I was living in the land of milk and honey.

But Why Creative Blocks?

And then one day I woke up and the creative juices had stopped flowing. I’ve been writing long enough to know that creative blocks can be due to a variety of issues. Some blocks are due to anxiety, a lack of focus, time constraints, writing about what you “should” instead of what you love, perfectionism, or needing to resolve an inner fear before moving forward. Other blocks are simply due to the natural ebb and flow in the creative process.

After assessing the nature of my block, I knew this time I was simply in the natural cycle of writing and not writing. My personal mantra- This too shall pass. As of yesterday, my writing ability has returned! Yippee!

You may not be a writer, but creative blocks are common to all

Perhaps there are areas in your life where you want to move forward, but just can’t get over the hump? If so, it’s easy to get disillusioned and push your dreams and goals to the back burner. However, just because things aren’t moving forward at the speed you had intended, you don’t have to give up.

If you’re suffering from a creative block, you’re not alone. It’s typical to experience creative highs and dry spells. Sometimes the cycle is long while other times it can pass quickly. What’s most important to remember is that this creative block will pass. It’s up to you to keep your creative project in the forefront until you bounce back.

Here are five positive tips to get through your block and back into the flow once again:

• Keep on working:
  You may not be producing your best work, but keep yourself actively engaged with your project. It keeps the dream alive!
• Don’t, please don’t give up and throw your project away:
  It was meaningful when you started and it’s still meaningful. Believe in your ability to express yourself even when the going is difficult. I promise, it gets better.
• Relax:
  Creativity like art cannot be controlled or forced. Take the necessary action steps that help you alleviate stress, relax, and think self-supporting thoughts. A bit of tender loving care towards yourself can do the job.
• Something bigger is coming:
  Creative blocks are frustrating when they occur, but they often lead to greater inspiration once they have passed. Often a block occurs because a bigger “wow” idea is trying to get through(some really awesome wows happened during mine!). Accept that there is value in your down time, take care of yourself, and breathe often.
• Change a habit:
  When you’re stuck in a rut, change something habitual or routine in your life. Make it easy but different. For example, get up earlier than usual, wear clothing you don’t normally wear, eat a new food, or take a new route to work. Breaking old habits can lead to feelings of renewed possibilities and excitement.

The next time you hit a creative block, remember that’s all it is. Your creativity hasn’t run out, it’s just temporarily blocked by something. You have infinite creativity within you.

Use these simply positive yet profound tips to overcome your creative blocks and to get your creative juices flowing again!

The possibilities of our dreams becoming realities are truly limitless.

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

Related articles

• Are You Joyfully Nurturing Your Complete Being? (positiveprovocations.com)
• 6 Positively Powerful tips to Re-ignite Your Excitement about Life (positiveprovocations.com)
• 5 Positive ways to Lovingly GROW your blog ~ Heart Centered Blogging (positiveprovocations.com)
• 5 Steps to Accepting the Beauty of Change (positiveprovocations.com)