Dealing with Personal Tragedy

I just returned from a fast driving trip to Colorado. My nephew died unexpectedly, three weeks ago. I went to be with my sister and her family.

When this kind of a tragedy hits home, it's strange how different it is from what you always thought it would be. I found myself alternating between feeling anticipation that anytime he would come over and see us, and then realizing that I would never see him again - and dealing with that aching, deep loss.

I felt good being there for my sister. We are so good together. She told me how irritating it was for her that people would tell her, "You're so strong." Her attitude was, what the heck does that mean? It has nothing at all to do with strength. A person does what they have to do in that situation, regardless of how they feel.

It's different when someone in your own family dies; it reveals things about you you may not have known before.

Where is Your Focus?

What is the difference between that client who came in for her second session saying, "I AM a nonsmoker!" and the next one who comes in and says, "I want to stop smoking."? There is no difference between them. One has simply chosen to create a new outcome for herself -and did it - and the other one is focused on what she doesn't want (to be a smoker).

To get what you want, focus on it. Don't waste your valuable energy pushing away what you don't want, or thinking and talking about the things that are holding you back. Instead, turn your attention toward your dreams, your goals, the future as you desire it to be. Hold on to that.

You will get what you focus on the most.

Imagine Your Greatest Thing

Feeling down in the dumps? Then do this:

Get out a piece of paper and a pen - don't use your computer. Write down - as descriptive as you can be - the greatest thing that could ever happen to you.

Now, close your eyes and imagine that you are smack-dab in the middle of this greatest thing, as if it IS happening to you right this minute. Make it vivid; see it, hear it, feel it, smell it, taste it. Experience it in surround sound and wide screen. Let the good feelings sink deep inside to your core, and once you are feeling those good feelings the strongest, squeeze your thumb and first finger together. Take a couple of deep breaths, and then open your eyes.

Now whenever you need a boost, you can squeeze your thumb and first finger together and get this same good feeling, wherever you are, whatever you're doing.

As an added bonus, take what you've written and fold the paper up small enough to fit in your wallet. Wait a few months before looking at it again. Do this every three months, and see how long it takes to manifest what you've written.

NonSmoker's Kit

Clients interested in smoking cessation will now receive a Nonsmoker's Kit, packed with tools to help in the transition. The kit includes a shorter CD - because people have busy lives - to reinforce the nonsmoking suggestions; a card to carry in your wallet; a booklet small enough to take with you everywhere you go; and some reading material. You may see the kit through a link on my website.

I have plans to develop the same kind of thing for weight management and cellular healing.

Stay tuned!

Do You See What I See?

Can you look unflinchingly at yourself? Are you able to see yourself from both the inside and the outside?

There are so many different ways of seeing and looking. That's why there is not only one truth. The truth of you - in this moment - not only depends on who's looking, but also on this very moment, because in the next moment, something will have changed and that old truth will no longer apply.

Learn how to see yourself not only as you feel from the inside, but also as others may see you. If you can do this without self recrimination, in total acceptance, then you are developing discernment. The ability to really look at - and see - ourselves is what gives us the inspiration to become MORE.

New Products for My Clients

I'm working on new products for my smoking cessation clients. I want them to have resources that they can take with them, carry with them, and use whenever they need to. I'm finished with the wallet card; if it's used, it will reinforce the benefits of being a nonsmoker.

Today I will work on the little handout booklet. It is small enough to fit into a purse, or even can be folded and put in a pocket. More reinforcement, plus tidbits and information - handy, useful, and designed to help people maintain a nonsmoking lifestyle.

I'm also considering making a shorter reinforcement CD. It will get the main point across in 15 minutes or less. Most people will listen if they have the time. Who doesn't want 15 minutes of relaxation every day?

A Successful Outcome

Another success today.

The client originally came in for smoking cessation, but during the second session other parts refused to cooperate and allow new and more beneficial resources to be implemented. To avoid an abreaction I backed away from the process and brought her out of hypnosis.

She told me that she'd seen some symbols that had disturbed her greatly; she didn't know what they meant, but they made her feel fearful. She decided to postpone hypnosis to see if her therapist could help her shed some light on what was happening, and why she was facing such resistance to letting go of smoking. Two appointments with her therapist did nothing to make the situation more clear for her, and she again returned to me for hypnosis at the suggestion of the therapist.

Instead of the smoking cessation, we decided to examine the symbols and see if they would tell us anything. My client - in spite of her initial fears, took the initiative herself and in hypnosis, she uncovered the cause of the symbols. She was able to successfully transform them into valuable resources that she could use anytime in the future. The ones that she no longer needed, she disposed of.

By the end of the session she said that she was feeling much better. She did a marvelous job, and what made it so special was that initially, she didn't think she could do it.

Next time, we'll start again on the smoking issue.