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

On December 14, 2024 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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Try These 6 Somatic Exercises to Calm Your Anxious Mind

On November 18, 2024 By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn Emotions, healing, Mind, Mind-Mental Health, Positive Self Reflection12 Comments

“I move, therefore I am.” ~ Haruki Murakami

Over the years as I have become better and better at healing my trauma, I’ve also become a better therapist for my clients. As I heal myself, I help those who I counsel to heal too. In that process of learning new and better ways to heal myself, I learned somatic exercises. And, I can safely say, that they are a game changer in terms of healing stored trauma.

What are Somatic Exercises?

The term “somatic” is derived from the Greek word soma, meaning “body.”

Somatic exercises are movement practices that focus on improving body awareness, releasing tension, and enhancing the connection between the mind and body. These exercises emphasize internal sensation and perception rather than external form or appearance, allowing individuals to consciously experience and control their movements.

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The Serenity of Silence: Lessons Learned on My Healing Journey

On November 1, 2024 By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn Emotions, healing, Mind, Mind-Mental Health, Positive Self Reflection, spiritual healing12 Comments

Does silence make you uncomfortable?

“Everything that’s created comes out of silence. Your thoughts emerge from the nothingness of silence. Your words come out of this void. Your very essence emerged from emptiness. All creativity requires some stillness.” ~ Wayne Dyer

I live with my husband and teenage daughter in the hustling and bustling city of Mumbai. Both my loves are vocal and noisy. I do enjoy the life they bring to my home, but that also means there’s not a lot of quiet in our house. On the rare occasion I’m in the house on my own, the washing machine is usually running in the background.

I welcome silence.

Some people reject silence, and some people embrace it…I am the latter. Silence recharges me.

However, I have observed some people seem really uncomfortable at the mere prospect of a period of silence. This is why today we see people surrounding themselves with noise: phones, texts, podcasts, tv etc.

Why is this so?

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