I truly believe that we are all connected. I also believe that there is positive energy in us and all around us. I believe in doing good and putting that good out into the world. I believe we can all heal, if only we believe in this magnificent connection between each and every soul.
Its been more than 3 years since I began this journey called Positive Provocations. I’ve written hundreds of articles and eBooks. Connected with amazing hearts all over the world and most of all have grown with each and every interaction. The connectedness of it all blows my mind. I am in awe of what we all can achieve should we set our hearts and minds to it.
Spirit of Connectedness
In the spirit of connectedness, I have decided its time I get to KNOW YOU. Yes, really really know you. There are thousands of people who land on Positive Provocations everyday. Many stop by to read. Some to heal and learn. And many just stop on by mistake…maybe a click here or there 🙂 But all in all, I believe each soul who lands here is meant to be here.
We are meant to meet. We are divinely guided to honor this connectedness that exists.
Many I do meet(virtually) through email, comments, facebook, twitter and other social networks. But, there are many silent readers, who I haven’t met, but would LOVE to meet and get to know.
Trusted Positive Healing Circle of Specials
You know, how every-time you share a secret with someone, a special bond instantly forms in between you. Thats the kind of bond and connectedness I’m talking about. That’s the bond I want with each of my readers…a ‘trusted positive healing circle of specials’ is what my intention is. And the best part, you are all special.
If you’re one of those lovely silent ones, I suggest you stop by and share a bit of yourself here. If you want to do it anonymously, that’s fine too. I’ll know you are trying 🙂
Like every good hostess, let me start by sharing a few secrets about me, you never knew before…just to make you comfortable…What say? You in?
My 4 Positive Secrets to Instant Happiness:
Lately I have been on an ’emotional down’. Yes, I get like that too. Sometimes for no rhyme or reason a weird emotional ‘down time’ kicks in and I fall prey to it…just for a bit though. Ofcourse I’m out of it now and can get all colorful about it, but when it was On…the ‘Down time’ was ridiculously painful. I didn’t like how I felt and was determined to get myself out of it. I had to rummage through a few really old techniques I hadn’t used in a while to get out of it. So here goes, my best kept instant happiness secrets along with my ….. weaknesses:
- Visualize Happiness: When we are in our ‘down time’ phase, we often think of the worst possible scenarios and pull ourselves further down. I was doing the same thing under my sulking face all day…till I got tired of feeling like this. Although I was feeling super low, I lay down and closed my eyes and brought up a bright shiny rainbow with fluttering butterflies in my minds eye. I held that weak visual for a long time, with disturbances of the sad sad kind coming in the way. Then the visual got happier, stronger and the sad sad disturbances vanished. See its magic visualization. I did this nearly thrice a day. Now everytime I close my eyes, the rainbow automatically appears to cheer me up.
- Chocolate Indulgences: I LOVE chocolate in any shape or form. But, I’ve been avoiding it for a long time especially to keep my weight in check(which still isnt 😉 ). During this recent down time, one of my aunts from out of town was visiting and she stopped by to see us, holding a bag full of gorgeous milk chocolate for my little girl. I looked at those beautiful slabs of dark heaven sitting in my fridge for way too long till I decided ‘one bite’. I’m telling you…that ‘one bite’ was pure heaven and in that moment of heaven in my mouth….no ‘down time’ did dare come close to me! I am not saying we have slabs of chocolate to feel better…but a piece sometimes can truly lighten the mood. The little girl in me really needed it 😉
- Catch and Trash: Ever heard of a mental trashcan? That’s the place all the negative thoughts should go after processing. If they don’t go there, they can fester and smell in the mind. Yuck! is exactly how it makes us feel is they stay on for too long. My ‘down time’ made me realize that my mental trashcan was literally empty, with negative crappy thoughts flying all around my mind. An old habit of mine was to regularly(every night) think of all the crappy stuff that has affected me and shove it in the mental trashcan. I even visualize and hear the trash compacter sound after the box is full :). I restarted this old habit and it’s feeling great already!
- Add Romance: Another Secret about me is that I’m a sappy romantic. I love romantic movies, poetry, art…anything romance is right up my alley. The big secret is…I never show it. Never. My hubby is gonna have a shock reading this! But, in my ‘down time’ this romantic me needs nurturing. I bring out the romantic movies to make me feel all warm and fuzzy. My favorite to date is ofcourse ‘Titanic”…the against all odds kinda movies get me feeling all good. Dont even ask me how many times I have seen that movie….I have lost count!
With many of my sappy secrets out in the open…I feel like I’m already in a deeper connection with each and every one of you. I would love if you could reciprocate this connection by letting me get to know YOU a bit better.
When you want to really know someone, all the physical characteristics dont really matter. You begin to dwell in their energy, recognize the scent of their soul. You see only the essence of the person, not the shell. That is why its impossible to fall in love with beauty. Beauty can be lusted after, you can be infatuated by it, even want to own it. You can love it with your eyes and body but not your heart. And that’s why, when we really connect with a person’s inner self, any physical imperfections disappear, become irrelevant. We are all in perfect divine connectedness.
Are you willing to be in my “Trusted Healing Positive Circle of Specials”? I know I’d love to get to know you. Tell me about who you are? What makes you tick? What makes you sad? What you want to heal in your life? What is your favorite color? I want to know everything….I want to be there for you. I want to help you heal so that you can BE happy.
Hand in hand & heart to heart we shall and can heal together.
Now its your turn! Share a little bit about yourself in the comments below. Let me know you’re there 🙂
With Immense Love & Gratitude,
~Zeenat~
Counseling Psychologist/ Spiritual Counselor
Motivational Speaker/Naturopath
Holistic Healer/Writer
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Wow, Zeenat. have you ever done this before? You’ve put yourself out there and asked us to do the same. It’s “naked truth” time! I’m guessing you’re wondering if people will open up and respond. We’ll see!
Cycles. Life has cycles and cycles within cycles. Doesn’t it? And, boy, have I been through them. I’m newer here but have commented a few times (I think you’ll remember.) But, back to cycles, I’m coming out of a long time cycle (maybe years) of struggling. Living too much in my head and neglecting my heart. I don’t mean the heart of romance (as you mentioned – which is wonderful) but the heart of truth – my inner being.
Man, I’ve spent a ton of time with self awareness, self observation and a giving up of self-judgment. That’s been the key to the transformation. Whew! Things are so much better, Zeenat. Having started my blog has been fun. Writing my “manifesto” on “Guru Addictions” has been a blast (I suffered from that for years myself.)
On the flip side, I’ve always been naturally optimistic. I’ve always tried new things and found different ways to do things. I LOVE nature, mountains, lakes and streams. Sunrises and sunsets and walks really bring me to that “connectedness” you spoke about. Love green too! (the good greens, ha!)
Okay, i’ll let others have the floor now. Thanks for sharing and I hope you’re feeling more energized soon! (although, wherever you are is perfect!)
Ciao for now,
Carmelo
Hi Carmelo,
I am loving this ‘knowing’ feeling I’m getting after reading your words above 🙂 Thank you for sharing so openly. And i do share openly without too many personal details always….this time I got personal. But I feel good for doing this..I love my readers na…a sharing of self brings us closer.
Life can throw many things our way, but you are proof that a healthy optimistic frame of mind can conquer all.
I have to read your ‘manifesto’ and ‘guru addictions’ soon!
May you grow to new heights everyday dear friend 🙂
Much Love~
Hi Zeenat,
thanks for sharing your human challenges. We all have them. I’ve spent years depressed about circumstances, but not really doing anything to change them. Last year I started my blog as a journey toward living more proactively and joyfully. My life and attitude are gradually improving and I still have downs, but I don’t wallow in it anymore. Small steps and improvements have lead to a life of writing for my jog, fun caring coworkers and a boss who has initiated a ” HappIness Makeover” for our staff. Life is looking up! thanks for your heartfelt sharing and wisdom. your friend in Arkansas, US, brad.
Hi Brad,
oh my human challenges makes me feel like I was something other than human before this post 😉 Technically i am from Venus 😛
And your blog…oh I love that you started it and are on this journey with me. Its fun to have company on the most inclusive and exclusive journey right?
I want to meet that boss of yours…”happiness makeover” sound so awesome! Give him a happy hug or handshake from me…if you can…we dont want your boss freaking out 🙂
Life is UP always….and I’m so happy youre noticing it.
My friends from Arkansas,US…I appreciate you and your sharing here always.
Much Love~
Very sweet, Zeenat. Oh yes, chocolate can single-handedly work magic. (God bless your aunt!) I love visualizing happiness too – I go a step further and make an instant list of 10 things that make me happy at that particular moment -it helps tremendously, because it means automatically thinking of good times. Another thing that works for me is physical activity – a brisk walk, vacuuming (yes, really) or looking at photographs (I have thousands!)
I wish you zero down time 😀 and 100% up time. Hugs!
Darling Vidya,
I cant wait to sit with you and indulge on chocolate 🙂
I love that youre a list kinda gal…I on the other hand never ever make lists. I often either lose them or wont do a thing on them…am kinda rebellious that way 😉 Even my own lists can tell me what to do ha! I prefer my heart guide making decisions for me.
Oh and cleaning destresses me too!
In hindi we say ‘tere moon main ghee shakkar’ when you say something ‘good’….I;m telling you that today for the last line of your above comment.
Lots of love~
Hey Zeenat, I am one of your silent readers. I stumbled on your blog when I lost both of my parents (death), my boyfriend(break-up) and then my job (lay-off). With no one or anything to focus on except myself, that was not helping me. I had always known about positive energy and wanted to know more. Your posts helped me to get started and then I kept moving and finally have come full circle. I now have my eyes on God/Jesus and have been studying Him. I read somewhere that we are all here for our character not our comfort. When I am feeling blue, I ask God to help me and then I think of five things to be thankful. As you have always written, it really is all about love….period.
Welcome Shannon!
I’m so happy to read your comment here. Thank you for coming over and sharing yourself with me.
Our hearts and souls have a way of connecting beyond all explanation…and I believe thats what connects us. God does his bit way too well..dont you think so?
I cant tell you how ecstatic I am to read that my posts here have helped you through your rough times.
May all the times you have be beautiful and full of love and happiness.
Love love all the way darling 🙂
Love and hugs to you~
p.s. I hope to see more of your beautiful energy here again.
Wonderful post Zeenat. I don’t have a ‘trashcan’. It’s an interesting concept. Does it really stop you from thinking about the negative you have put into it? Ahhh, and the chocolate. I live in the US so the chocolate isn’t quite as good as it is on the other side of the world. I don’t know what the difference is but there is a definite one.
Hi Glynis,
The key is not to stop you from thinking negative thoughts…the key is to process it and then well trash it. It important to know why that negative thought is coming. When you know why, trashing it is easier…cause you have taken the lesson you require from that thought. Once you get into the habit of it, the negative thoughts automatically reduce drastically and stop having a negative effect on you.
I used to think you guys have all the awesome chocolates…but if you think our are better…then by all means send me your address…I’ll fedex some to you 🙂
Thank you for your lovely comment here.
Much Love~
Hi Zeenat, I love that post. I especially enjoyed the part about the mental trashcan. It’s a great way to process any negative feelings and let them go. Holding on to negativity is toxic and is probably the biggest obstacle to happiness for most folks. I know for myself that was something I needed to learn to do. I used to be so angry about every little thing and I played the blame game to absolve myself of responsibility for my life not being what I wanted it to be. It was always somebody else’s fault. How ridiculous is that? Once I realized that my happiness was my responsibility and wasn’t dependent on anyone else, everything changed. It is not always easy to maintain this mindset, but knowing that there are people like you that I can turn to for advice and inspiration makes it easier. Thank you for all you do. By the way, my favorite color is blue 🙂
Dear Larry,
I loved reading your comment here. You are absolutely right! When we take responsibility for our own happiness we Grow and will most certainly fly 🙂
It not easy to be positive always…but once you get into the habit of it…the negative thoughts dont ‘get’ to you as much.
I’m so glad that my words here are your ‘go to’ place to feel inspired. Yay!
My favorite color is pink Larry 🙂
Thank you for your wonderful comment here.
Much Love~
Ah, Chocolate. Our office keeps some in intersting places for those moments when we just need that little lift. I find that nature can do wonders – iit is the movement, the breathing, the simplicity and complexity of the world and its beauty. I have discovered a few siler hairs sneaking on to my head – the aging process is one I don’t often notice, but I do (these days) it sometimes hits me a little harder than i would like. My daughter pointed out that this is my “silver lining” showing through. I like that idea… and it does make me lighter when I think of it. Silver linings… we all have them. It is kid of like being able to see a golden ray of sun wherever I am.
I love that office of yours….with its secret places full of chocolate how fun!
As for that silver lining…you wont believe it but there are some springing up on my head too…. 🙂 I feel like its proof of how much my head thinks…but hey I could be wrong 😉
I’m glad you and I have our daughters to shine the sun on us now and then. Keep the happy meter up.
Thank you for stopping by. Lovely to see you here after so long.
Much Love~
Hi Zeenat,
I acknowledge that 60 – 75% of your readers will be extroverted people but I’m not in that group. I’m in the 30 percentile of introverts who are coping with society’s preference for extroverted behavior. Consequently, any indication that I may not be sharing enough or sharing frequently enough could feel like a put down if I chose to interpret it that way, but I don’t. I just SIGH and remind myself that it’s intent behind what we say and do that matters and your motive is pure and beautiful.
I do love you and I acknowledge the goodwill behind your invitation to encourage your readers to share more about themselves with you. I’m keenly aware that we are all connected but I’m sharing as much as I want to and as frequently as I desire to in my blog and in my comments on other blogs. In other words, I’m doing what comes naturally for me and feels right for me.
Creative visualization is a practice we share. However, I don’t always use this practice only to visualize good times, success and happiness. Now and then I use it to remind myself how we all exaggerate hard times and bad times. When I imagine the worst possible outcome I experience an instant reality check. That sets the stage for a positive visualization experience which follows.
I don’t remove every weed from my gardens. I allow a few to remain on the edges knowing weeds contain elements that nourish my food plants and herbs as well. In like fashion I don’t reject all negatively focused people from my life not negative thoughts from my mind. By allowing them in and being with them without trying to change up I have learned many life-sustaining lessons.
I take great delight in music and dance and I think the way I savor those two may rival your love of chocolate. Just a few moments of song or dance can realign my thoughts and refocus my energy. I love Nature and I escape to secret gardens in the forest I live in or to tide pools and trails on beaches. I whistle, trill and sigh in harmony with with the orchestra of birdsong, wind and waves around me. My eyes feast on the colors, shapes and and textures and my nose delights in the smells. I return energized, in perfect balance and knowing we are all connected to all there is.
With much love,
TiTi
Hi TiTi,
Loved reading your comment here. I do completely understand how the introvert in you doesn’t always feel like sharing. I’m like that to some extent too.
Youre also truly right on the mark when you say that its the intention that matters most.
Some connections are such, that even no communication at all can keep the connectedness strong. I feel that way with you 🙂
I find so much wisdom in your comment here…thank you for sharing your beautiful ways with me. I appreciate you so much.
I apologize for the delay in responding to your comment here….my laptop crashed on me…and the whole week went by trying to salvage it. eeks! Hopefully fingers crossed its better now.
I dont believe there is anything that can rival my love for chocolate 😉 Just saying.. 🙂
Lots of love~
hi zeenat,
as usual i love reading your articles………….i liked and enjoyed much is visualizing happiness. To be frank i am one of your silent readers, kind of extremely introvert person. But i do implement your tips which i find to be very handy and helpful in the time of crisis.
Hi Swarna,
Love having you here too 🙂
I’m glad this post made you come out and share a bit about yourself here. But I appreciate you and am so happy that the tips I share here are having a positive impact in your life.
Thank you for your lovely comment here.
Much Love~
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Feeling low in extended periods (like 55 years as in my case) often feels like there is this despondency that tries to creep in, and you have to fight all the time. Or accept a depression. And then there are periods when you a real happy, God has painted the sky a bright blue, and everything is wonderful.
I always had the feeling that I was the only one on the planet having these periods, and that the rest was more stable, only their general behaviour changed rapidly.
Now, I don’t care much. It is what it is, and my job is to enjoy life as much as I possible can, finding help where ever I can. This is where a few blogs play an important role. They, together with other things, quickly remind how wondeful life is, and how much ordinary people can find their way through the maze. If they can, I can, too. And if I can, I have a duty as an example, just as I am a warning when I don’t.
But the world is daunting. Being unemployed for a short while, it’s shocking to see how fast one slips into a pattern of having ‘lots of time’ and thus achieve good stuff, but do so rather slowly. Slow enough for enthusiasm declining into contentment declining into complacency or worse.
Sharing with the world that I am a lazy coward, miserably unsure of my own talents and faculties, is not the nicest thing. It is not entirely true, either. But true enough, and for all of my bravado, I fight for my periods of flow, and often succesfully. I have a background that more than justifies a few problems, but excuses must end at some point.
Now, the weather in Denmark starts to be winter-like, cold, damp and grey with only few hours of daylight. October and november are the months of topping off in our part of the world, but I have begun to like this dismal time of the year: Nobody expects me to be out in the in the garden or at the beach: I may finally go indoor and write my books.
Sitting here in my study, it could be easy to feel lonely. But as long as you guys are around, I think I’ll be ok. I am very grateful for the possibilities offered by the internet, it opens the world of the mind if not of the body, and that’s really precious.
I’m so honored that you shared yourself with me here. Thank you! I love that I now know more about you.
And do know this…I’m here for you always…may loneliness never come close to thee 🙂
The internet is such an amazing place to work right…I’m constantly flabbergasted by all that can be done here in terms of knowledge and growth.
I await the first unedited copy of that book youre writing 🙂
Thank you again for your loving comment here.
Much Love~
I’m with you on that chocolate! Deeper, though, I’m with you on the oneness.
Hi Galen,
Thats wonderful!!! Chocolate and Oneness loving sisters 🙂 I like it!
Thank you for stopping by.
Much Love~
Zeenat: Hey! Thanks for sharing a little about yourself with us and providing positive tips. I love positivity it’s such a beautiful thing!
It’s funny that you mention The Titanic. I can’t even watch The Titanic for I might end up crying like a baby. I admit that it is a classic, but just not one that I can watch. It just seems to make me sad maybe because it’s a true story. I like romantics just not one where people die.
As for me, lately I have been doing a lot of reading. I think that it’s been lifting my spirits because I’ve been waking up on the right side of the bed (If you know what I mean). I can say for sure that just being more aware throughout my daily life and not so much trying to control everything has helped me probably more than anything.
Thanks again for your positive helping hands! ( :
Best Wishes,
William Veasley
Hi Zeenat your advice is wonderful I never thought that I will find such uplifting stories , Thank you