Positive Reflections on the Year gone by 2024(+Free Printable)

On By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn Emotions, Heal Your Soul Column, healing, Mind, Mind-Mental Health, Positive Self Reflection3 Comments

“We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.” ~ John Dewey

This is the last month of the year 2024, and for many, it can feel like a dark and quiet time. End of the year energy is usually very deep and that is understandable as we are all in this reflective space.

And that is why it becomes the perfect time for deep healing reflection.

I usually use this month to go deep into a reflective state, almost like a year end ritual that nurtures my heart and soul positively.

Rather than be in a state of angst and panic for the year ending, and the inner critic screaming of all the things I could not accomplish this year, I prefer this calmer way. That’s why I call it a positive reflection on the year gone by. Because honestly, by default we go into a negative state…which ultimately is not healing or productive.

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5 Unhealthy Habits I Let Go Of This Year To Regain Inner Peace

On By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn Emotions, healing, Mind, Mind-Mental Health, Positive Self Reflection, spiritual healing5 Comments

Letting go of unhealthy habits can be transformative in regaining inner peace. As I have begun my reflection practices on the year gone by, I made a note of all the unhealthy habits I let go of this year for my own inner peace.

You know that moment when you’re stuck in the supermarket line and the contents of your bag spill on the floor just as your phone starts ringing? That’s when I knew I needed to find inner peace within, right as I was suppressing the urge to unleash a stream of four-letter words(!)

I think we look for circumstances to help achieve a sense of inner peace. I know I do. I know I function better when I am at peace within. In fact, this calm, compassionate, deep awareness is actually within each of us. It’s like we have a deep reservoir of peacefulness and serenity within. What we have to learn to do is tap into it. ❤

The first step in tapping into that deep sense of peace is to dissolve the unhealthy habits that are a HUGE barrier to it.

Here are some common unhealthy habits that I recognize as barriers, and had to let go of this past year to regain inner calm, along with suggestions for how you can address them:

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7 Daily Intentions I Set To Bring Clarity To My Day

On By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn Emotions, healing, Mind, Mind-Mental Health, Positive Self Reflection, spiritual healing5 Comments

“When your intention is clear, so is the way.” ~ Alan Cohen

Everyone has busy, stress-filled, hectic lives. Right? Some days I barely have time to grab a cup of coffee in the morning, so I think there’s no way I have time to set a daily intention each morning, and that’s precisely why I know I need to. If I don’t set an intention, I let the day determine my mood, rather than taking control and determining how I want the day to be.

An intention is an aim or purpose, something you plan to do or achieve and setting intentions can do truly incredible things for our life.

For me Intention setting is empowering. Instead of feeling like a victim of circumstance, I become the conscious creator of my days and my life.

The benefits of setting intentions are manifold, but it’s not as simple as wishing on a star or meditating on something you want. Here’s how to set intentions the right way…

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