I have known Dr. Sohail for a long time. His simple looks, casual way of dressing, his sweet smile, and his welcoming manners, might deceive you. This humble man is not only an experienced psychiatrist (perhaps the only one in Pakistani community in Toronto), a poet, a writer, author of several books, and a humanist, but also a sincere, respectable and respectful person who would never cross the boundary in meetings and casual discussions, whether with a friend or a client.
I have the honour of being a person whom he calls a friend!
A short while ago, his new book on human psychology by the name The Art of Living in your Green Zone with an extremely catchy subtitle of “Lifelong-happiness and Relationships” came into my knowledge. Now, who wouldn’t want to learn the art of an everlasting happy life? So, I gave him a call and requested a copy of the book, emphasizing that I will pay for the book and the mailing cost.
He promptly sent the book by Canada Post, and a couple of days later, the book was in my hands. Upon my query about the cost, he just said “write a review on this book.”
It’s my habit that I read a new book in one sitting, even if I have to stay up all night or go without lunch or dinner, until I finish it. I can’t put it on till the next day. With this mindset, the same night, I opened the book and started flipping the pages. I was hoping to go through the book by the next morning, and that writing a few pages about it, won’t be a big deal!
Boy! Was it a deal! I was in for a big surprise.
I am a scientist and also a teacher of English language for adult students. But this was a book on Psychology! I had to go through it paying lots of attention – sometimes reading the sentences twice. It was difficult but interesting at the same time. And I didn’t want to leave the book until I finished at least half of it.
Although not my subject of training, I’ve always had an interest in human psychology.
As I kept reading, my interest grew deeper and deeper. Slowly the concepts became clear to me.
Humans are a sensitive being. By nature, when someone hurts our feelings, we REACT accordingly. The author presents a different perspective to our feelings and connects it to our own actions: He places our feelings, and subsequent reactions into three categories and gives them the name of Zones.
According to him, we have three zones: Green Zone, Yellow Zone, and Red Zone.
Now let me explain it in easy English: Imagine you are driving. You have to get somewhere and you are in a hurry. The traffic signals are all green, the road in front of you is clear and there is no obstacle to slow you down. You are singing, whistling, or listening to music. You are in your green Zone.
Suddenly the light turns yellow. Now you have to make a split-second decision whether to stop and give the right-of-way to the on-coming driver, ready to make a left turn or take your chance, speed up and cross the signal. The decision is yours. Sometimes it’s difficult, but the outcome of this decision would eventually decide the future. Now you are in the yellow Zone. You may yell at the other driver, and speed up, causing an accident, or try hard to slow down and prevent the accident. You save your life and the others’.
Now imagine this scenario: You had a fight with your boss, or your spouse, a friend, a neighbour, anyone. They wronged you, they hurt your feelings, you are mad like hell and you want to release your anger somehow. You are also driving at the same time. In this state of mind, the next extreme would be crossing a red light, getting a ticket, or getting into an accident. Who would be responsible for this loss?
I guess you’ve got my point.
“Life is not fair. It’s up to you to make it comfortable or a miserable hell for yourself. It’s your choice if you want to stay in Green, Yellow or Red Zone.’’ You must have heard this lecture several times, and also would have thought “How the hell I am going to know where is my green, yellow and red zone in every situation in my life? How do I detect these silly ZONES, and how to bring my mood into the required mindset? What does this Psychiatrist want to tell us? Ah, these doctors!” you must have wondered in frustration.
Well, I did. Many times. Then I got my hands on Living in the Green Zone.
After reading about a quarter of the book, I felt the fog was clearing. I was able to see. I focused on the book again. Soon I realized that so far, we were talking about the diagnosis of a mental condition, leading to a reaction, created by and evolved due to circumstances. The author has made us pretty much aware of it by now.
Luckily, he doesn’t just leave the reader here to wander: He also gives the methodology to reach to proper conclusion, identify these stages of mind, and, not only that, he provides the solution (or so to say, medicine) that can help us with these everyday pestering situations — situations that can become like a weight tied around the neck in our way to a happy lifestyle.
Want to know how? I’ll highly recommend you to buy this precious work of Dr. Sohail, read it carefully, and apply to your everyday dealings with your family, friends, co-workers, and even your boss.
Note: The book is available on Amazon at a cost of $20 Cdn.
- Living in the Green Zone - 10/09/2024
