Positive Weight-loss Tips from a Happier, Healthier and Lighter me

On December 22, 2014September 16, 2025 By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn Body-Physical Health, Heart& Soul-Motivation&Inspiration, Mind, Heart& Soul-Motivation&Inspiration, Mind-Mental Health11 Comments

“Because weight loss is really a mind over matter thing.”

I was always the chubby and bubbly girl growing up. Always.

Ask any of my friends and they will say YES so fast its not even funny 🙂 And I loved being that way. I had fun eating what I wanted and being simply happy.

Tumultuous Times

But, all that happiness changed and took a nasty turn when I entered my teens. Suddenly, the cute chubby girl needed to become thin to fit in. I tried. I tried. And then I tried some more. I just couldn’t become thin and hence never fit in. Now, in this healed state, I know that’s a good thing. I know owning my Uniqueness is my happiness. But in that tumultuous teenage time, it was horror. I became SO conscious. Stopped being myself and did many awful things to fill that hole in my heart. Rest assured it never got full till I began to love myself when I discovered spirituality. Continue reading “Positive Weight-loss Tips from a Happier, Healthier and Lighter me” →

The ONLY Two Promises you NEED to make(to yourself!) for A Positive New Year

On December 15, 2014 By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn Heal Your Soul Column, Mind, Heart& Soul-Motivation&Inspiration, Mind-Mental Health, Positive Self Reflection14 Comments

‘For last year’s words belong to last year’s language And next year’s words await another voice.’ ~ T. S. Eliot

As the year end inches closer and closer, I find myself introspecting a whole lot. I find myself thinking about the year in terms of achievements, high points, low points, successes, failures, learning points etc. Introspection and a constant need to be a better more evolved human(e) being makes me think of the year that’s gone by in a learning light. I have definitely learnt a whole LOT this past year.

We are all in a state of constant growth, be it physical, mental or spiritual. We don’t necessarily like to believe we are growing constantly, cause that would mean an admittance to NOT knowing EVERYTHING. Funny how we love to show the world we are master champions about everything, but in reality we are just trying SO hard to fit in. Continue reading “The ONLY Two Promises you NEED to make(to yourself!) for A Positive New Year” →

6 Timeless and Positive Life Lessons from #RUMI

On December 8, 2014September 4, 2023 By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn Heart&Soul-Inspirational Quotes, Mind, Heart& Soul-Motivation&Inspiration14 Comments

Rumi’s words, his verses and his poetry has always inspired me. Its moved me at the soul level. Its made me understand so many of life’s truths that sometimes when I sit to soak in his words, I am astounded by what they reveal. You can read the same poetry a hundred times over and each time you will come to understand another layer of the wisdom it offers. Amazing right?!

I was introduced to Rumi by my very brilliant dad. He loved all things poetry and I was always surrounded by books and debates discussing essential life philosophy. I started reading Rumi when I was just 12 years old! While other girls my age read Nancy Drews I was reading Rumi and Gibran…go figure 🙂 I obviously couldn’t process Rumi’s words at the time, but I loved how his words calmed me. Dad would often quote Rumi in his day to day interactions. He would quote him in Urdu, Farsi and English. All these years of being exposed to this Sufi wisdom tends to rub off 🙂 Continue reading “6 Timeless and Positive Life Lessons from #RUMI” →