A Transitional Life

Drink Green Tea for a Smaller Waist

2011-02-14T07:56:00.000-08:00

"They" say that green tea is a waist-whittler. I'm all for anything that will do that!

I make my own green iced tea by mixing many different kinds of green tea bags and adding one other kind that has a distinct flavor, like spice or ginger. Interestingly, I had imagined that the tea would turn out to be green in color, but mine wasn't. It is, however, positively delicious! Lately I've been drinking it throughout the day.

Has it helped my waistline, you ask? In the past month I've dropped two inches, but part of that, I'm sure, is due to increased movement/exercise, and watching what I'm eating.

Just Relax!

2011-02-10T15:53:00.001-08:00

I love how, when I quit worrying over a thing, it leaves room for opportunity. When the worry stops, it is replaced with what needs to happen. Nice.
It's just another great reminder to relax and allow.

I'm Thinking Positively, So Where is It?

2011-02-06T19:06:00.000-08:00

Why is it that, when you hold a thought in your mind of what you want to see in your life, it doesn't happen? Don't they say that positive thinking gets you what you want?

Your conscious mind knows about your life and how it runs. This part of the mind is about 5-10% of your functioning. Your subconscious mind takes care of the other 90-95%. Keep in mind, though, that this part of your mind is like a tape recorder running in the background, playing the tapes of all the things you were told to believe during your entire young life. This is an automatic process; you face a situation, your tape recorder starts feeding you conditioned responses from long ago.

So here's how it works: You have a conscious, positive thought, like, say, "I am drawing to me a great relationship." And then you wait for it to materialize. And you wait, and wait, and nothing happens. And then you get frustrated and start talking to yourself - maybe, to that subconscious part of you - in scolding words - about why your great relationship hasn't appeared yet. Still nothing. Then you decide that you really have no control over what you get in life; maybe you really are just a victim of circumstance.

Here's what was really happening: You say, "I am drawing to me a great relationship." So, while your conscious mind is distracted with the stuff of life, it is not paying attention to the tapes being played about relationships. It doesn't even hear the tapes! And these are the tapes that are playing about your relationship: "I've always failed at relationships." "I'm not a good partner." "No one would want me."

So, even though you are consciously thinking positively about a great relationship, your tapes are telling you that you can't have one/don't deserve one. The result is that the intention for a great relationship is canceled out by the old beliefs that you've had about relationships.

What you need to do in order for positive thought to work, is to change those old tapes. The subconscious mind needs to be updated and given information about who you are right now. And, the conscious mind needs to pay attention to what you do, say, and feel in this moment that will help you - or keep you from - getting what you want.

Once you have the conscious and the subconscious minds working together - for your benefit - then positive intentions will manifest in your life.

Baby as Teacher

2011-02-02T13:04:00.000-08:00

I've discovered that being around my grandbaby is a wonderful way to stay in the present moment. When I'm with her, I'm not thinking about past or future, I'm just enjoying every moment of holding her and interacting with her. She is a great teacher!

Skype - Yet Another Resource

2011-01-29T19:14:00.000-08:00

Skype is a great resource to use for communicating with others. It can also be used as a way to connect with each other when you have questions about your hypnosis sessions, or something else that is going on that relates to your goal.

Skype can be used not only for clients who are close and able to come in to the office, but also by people who would be clients if they had the capability of using hypnosis long-distance. Wouldn't that be an ideal situation!

It would be better, of course, if both parties had a webcam connection, so that we could actually see each other. This would be very beneficial for me, so that I could tell the degree to which you are able to relax and access internally. I can't see why we couldn't proceed with a hypnosis session using this method. All you would need is a quiet place where you won't be disturbed, a webcam on your computer, a good sound card or even headphones, and away we would go.

Sounds like a lovely idea to me.

Technorati Claim Token

2011-01-23T10:19:00.000-08:00

I am hoping to be listed in Technorati. Here is my claim token: YZSZ8WVZNRX7

It's Time to Practice What I Preach!

2011-01-23T09:30:00.000-08:00

I've been on an awareness crusade this past week.

A week ago I got on the scale and - to my shock - I saw that I'd gained 5 pounds since the last time I was on it (maybe a month or so). After I got over being mad at myself, I thought back to the way I'd eaten during December. Then I remembered those two pound cakes I made, and how much of them I'd personally eaten. As the mind gave my memories free rein, I began to uncover the reasons why I gained so much weight.

I was very surprised that I'd mindlessly eaten enough to gain that much. I looked at the fat my body had accumulated and thought, I need to do something about this NOW.

So I immediately went online and hooked up with some websites that help you to monitor what you eat and how much you move every day. I decided to stick with one of the sites, entered my basic information, including my goal weight, and I've been faithfully following it every day since then.

I am proud to have faced one of my basic - though previously unconscious - fears: That if I disciplined my eating habits, I would suffer deprivation, loss, and noticeable discomfort.

None of that has happened! In the past six days I have written down everything I've eaten, as well as renewed my determination to exercise/move a certain amount of time every week, and written down the amount of movement daily. Although I am eating differently - in most cases, smaller amounts and more consciously - I don't feel the least bit deprived; as a matter of fact, I'm not feeling hungry during the day at all.

It's also interesting for me to see that I don't feel like I have to snack at night. That is such an automatic, unconscious habit to fall into, but once I got serious about being more aware of my food intake, it doesn't bother me to not eat in the evenings.

I will admit, though, that last night I was feeling like I wanted to nibble or munch on something. Several food choices popped into my head; I consciously thought of one thing after another, discarding each thought after imagining that I was eating this or that. One of the things that helped me to resist was that I'd already brushed my teeth. For me, this is a big deterrent to eating again; last night I brushed my teeth earlier in the evening, just in case this situation popped up for me.

Tomorrow I'll step on the scale for the first time in a week. I'll see if there has been any weight change, but even if there hasn't, the point of all this is not to let go of weight as much as it is to like the way I look again, and to enjoy feeling good in my clothes. Once that goal is reached and sustained for a few months, I will feel as if I've reached my goal.

Feature Article in The Chronicle

2011-01-09T13:28:00.000-08:00

The Chronicle newspaper will profile Awareness Hypnosis in a feature article on Monday, January 10th, 2011. The article will talk about my business, as well as my colleague, Loretta Rippee and her Weight Mastery group. I'm looking forward to reading it!

Bring on 2011!

2010-12-31T11:42:00.000-08:00

Another New Year's Eve is here. As I look back on 2010 I can feel the past 12 months of hopes, plans, accomplishments, and even disappointments. Twelve months of life reflected in feelings. I notice that my primary goal when this year started has not been met, and I'm sitting here thinking about that, and feeling it.

The best I can do for myself is to practice what I tell my clients: Think less, feel more, and imagine often that you already have what you desire. Because in the reality that my primary goal was not met, I am looking at why that has happened. What could I have done more, or differently. And I think that, perhaps, it is that nothing needed to be DONE at all; what was necessary was not a doing, but a BE-ing.

And so, for 2011, I resolve to BE more aware of my thoughts and how they are creating the landscape of my life. To know that I am the painter, and that each day is the canvas. To resolve to make plans and at the same time, be more aware of the beauty and joy in each moment. To feel that life is not so much about accomplishing more, but in really living the moment-to-moment experiences.

Okay, I'm ready: 2011, bring it on!

Happy Holiday To You

2010-12-24T07:26:00.000-08:00

As I write this it is Christmas Eve morning. Officially, Santa arrives tonight to fill stockings and surround Christmas trees with gifts. Tomorrow, children everywhere will awaken early, eager to tear into the surprises awaiting them.

I can't help but think of the kids who don't have anything waiting for them, and the people who spend Christmas alone.

Christmas means different things to different people. For me it is always a time of reflection more than anything else. I think about the gifts I gave and received during the past year. I think about how I want the next year to unfold.

I resolve to be a more conscious, caring person.

Have a wonderful holiday, whatever it may mean for you.

Getting Older - My Way

2010-12-14T15:42:00.001-08:00

I just celebrated my 60th birthday. It is momentous not because of the year, but because of how far I've come.

I first noticed how I felt about getting older when I turned 45; I had quite a struggle with it. Then, on my 50th birthday, I felt excitement at what the 50's would bring, as well as a deeper feeling of discomfort at getting older. Turning 55 must not have effected me much at all, since I don't even remember it.

Being 60 feels quite different than I imagined it would be when I was much younger. I thought I would be gray-haired, dumpy-shaped, have aches and pains, and feel grumpy a lot. I thought I would be like my mom's generation was at 60 - "an elderly person"; a "senior citizen".

I do not feel elderly nor senior, and when I look in the mirror, I don't really see elderly or senior, either. I do see a baggy neck, yes, and deeper wrinkles around the eyes and at the corners of my mouth. I see a body that has thickened in the middle and thighs that hold on to fat in a different way than I would like.

And I see a woman with brown hair cut in a current style (as opposed to gray in a short perm), a woman who still has shiny eyes when she smiles, a woman who has a spring in her step and who can hold her own when it comes to modern technology.

I haven't gotten old, and I am very happy to discover that. I am older, but not old. I still want to travel, do new things, meet new people, and learn more ways of enjoying every minute. I am alive and vibrant, in my opinion. And I plan to keep it that way for quite a few more years.

I've decided that - at least for me - age is not a number, but an attitude.

You Don't Want to LOSE Weight!

2010-12-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

Yes, you can let go of weight with hypnosis. And no, it's not as simple as coming into the office, being hypnotized, and walking out with the magic bullet.

Weight gain is an interesting issue, and not a physical one. Sure, it FEELS like a physical issue when you look down at yourself and see all those rolls and flab in the worst places, and when you feel it jiggling when you walk or run. But still, that is only the outward manifestation of something that has been going on too long on an internal level.

Eating too much comes from some kind of a feeling of lack. I don't know what that lack is, for you; for me, it might be comfort, or boredom (lack of a new or creative idea). Eating the wrong things can be lack combined with apathy, depression, low self esteem, or even ignorance.

The words we use make a big difference, too. That is why I will seldom use the word "lose" when talking about weight reduction. What happens when we "lose" something? We feel a lack! Imagine losing $50! Imagine losing your mate!

So I will say things like, "let go of", or "release", or something similar. I do not want to propose to your subconscious mind that by getting the shape you want, you will have to "lose" something. And neither should you; when you talk to yourself about getting rid of extra weight, you may want to change the internal messages to something more positive.

Weigh reduction is about changing the ways you talk to yourself about your body. It is also finding out what you're lacking, and filling that lack in a more beneficial way. And finally, it is about letting go of perfection. You are who you are, and perfection is never the goal. All that goal does is drive you to a vicious cycle of trying and failing.

You CAN let go of weight and have the shape you desire. It may not happen overnight, but if you look for what is causing the lack, and explore different ways of filling that lack, it WILL happen.

December is Already Looking Good!

2010-12-02T20:33:00.000-08:00

After November's snail's pace, December is really off to a good start.

Here it is, only the first week of December, and already I've written a new smoking program (well, I've got it started, anyway, and halfway through); finished my new website and it's now live; had several new calls and a couple of new clients; and I've pretty much finished my Christmas shopping.

December's newsletter is out and the outline is completed for the next Hypnosis for Living group - which, by the way, won't be held during December but will resume again in January.

Since I've been so productive lately, maybe it's time to do some fun things, like sew, or read, or just sit and let new ideas flow.

Weight Mastery Group Changes

2010-11-15T21:58:00.000-08:00

Our Weight Mastery group is going well, and participants are definitely that! There is always lots of group discussion and, of course, laughter. We are having a great time.

As a matter of fact, people have mentioned that they would like to have it occur more often than just once a month, so after some discussion, we all decided to change the group from the first Saturday of every month to the first and third Tuesdays of every month.

We are hoping this change will give us a bigger turnout and meet the needs of those who attend regularly.

The next group will be held on Tuesday, November 16th, and the one after that will be December 7th.

Please join us, if you can!

I'm a Grandma!

2010-10-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

I became a grandma for the first time this week - Tuesday, October 26th. My daughter gave birth to Arli Rae, who is 7 pounds and 2 ounces and 20 inches long. She is a beautiful, pink healthy-looking baby.

I am ready for this new phase in my life. I feel that I have a lot to offer as a grandma.

We drove two hours to visit the new family in the hospital, and I realized halfway there that I forgot my camera! Luckily the hospital gift shop had some disposable ones, and I'm hoping the photos I took will be keepers. But if they're not, the other grandma and my son-in-law took some great shots, too.

Was I or Wasn't I?

2010-10-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

Was I hypnotized? How do I know if I was hypnotized?

These are among the most common questions asked of hypnotherapists. I'm thinking that they are asked because people are coming in with some kind of a preconceived idea about what hypnosis 'should' or 'will' feel like. And if what they experience doesn't match with what they thought they would experience, then the doubt creeps in.

So, let me simplify things a bit. If you feel anything differently than the way you feel when you're walking-around alert, then you probably were hypnotized.

Hypnosis happens differently for everyone; sometimes and for some people it feels like an all-out trance, with immovable limbs, quiet mind, and extreme, deep relaxation; I think this is what most people expect it to be. Yet, at other times, and for other people, it can feel like daydreaming. Or like being very relaxed, while still hearing everything.

I cannot predict for you, ahead of time, how your mind and body will react to hypnosis. And even beyond that, there is the very real possibility that it will feel differently to you each time you have a hypnosis session.

So my best advice would be to just RELAX and allow the process to unfold in whatever way it will, without analyzing it to death. It happens the way it happens, and can't be dissected or analyzed.

Did you feel more relaxed than usual? Then call it hypnosis.
Did your mind focus on the process? Then call it hypnosis.
Did your body feel heavy, or like you just didn't want to move? Then call it hypnosis.
Did you hear some of it, but space out at other times? Definitely a sign of hypnosis.

The whole process of hypnosis can be thwarted by trying too hard to figure it out or second-guessing it. Only by disengaging from that analytical part of your mind - the conscious - will you be able to fully enjoy the experience of hypnosis. Then there will be no doubt what hypnosis feels like.

Damn This Traffic Jam!

2010-10-09T04:00:00.000-07:00

It is not the challenges that are getting in your way, it is the way you think about them.

Every day there can be unexpected issues that come up. They can be anything from a bounced check to a major traffic jam. Life is full of the unexpected; that can't be avoided. These are things that you have no control over.

But you can control your thoughts, and the way you react to them. Remember, your conscious mind does not necessarily tell you the truth, and it is not necessarily accurate. It just "reports the news", complete with ego. So of course, everything that part of your mind tells you will be tainted with a personal, "how does this effect ME?" slant. That's what you have to watch out for.

That traffic jam was not created just to piss you off or make you late. The traffic jam JUST IS. Your responsibility is to lead yourself through it with as little drama and heightened emotion as possible. And here's how to do it:

Take a nice, deep breath. I know you don't want to, but do it anyway. :-)

Now, as you are breathing in deeply and breathing out completely, you are not focusing on those incessant thoughts in your head, you are focused on that breath. And as long as you are thinking about that breath, you are NOT thinking about the traffic jam and how it is making you late.

Once you let that breath out, you can tell yourself the truth - that there is nothing you can do about this traffic jam, and it really isn't out to get you. Then you can begin to think in more helpful ways. Is there a way for you to go around it, take a different route? If not, then you'll have to wait it out.

If you are stuck in your car waiting, you still have choices; you can make momentary choices about how you will use this time. This is a great reminder for why you should keep interesting reading material in your car, by the way.

You could make a phone call that you've been putting off - as long as you are not in moving traffic! You could write down important things that you don't want to forget. You could listen to music or talk radio - as long as the talk radio doesn't make you mad all over again! You could imagine that you were in your favorite place, enjoying your favorite pasttime. You could reminisce about past good times.

The point is, even though you have been delayed and your day is not going as planned, you can still maintain a positive outlook and not get de-railed by those random, unhelpful thoughts. This you DO have control over.

New Groups a Success!

2010-10-06T09:16:00.001-07:00

On Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 we held the first of our new monthly groups, and they were a success!

Master Your Eating was well-attended and provided for some interesting discussions about how and what we eat, and the results we get from that.

Hypnosis for Living gave us lively discussions about how the words we use change our perspective, and how the things we tell ourselves - about ourselves - can effect us in the long term.

Both groups ended with a nice, relaxing hypnosis session.

Next month, Saturday, November 6th, in our Hypnosis for Living group I will be talking about the Representational Systems - how we view and relate to the world. I'm not sure yet what Loretta will be discussing in Master Your Eating, but I'm sure it will be as interesting as the first meeting was!

We'd love to have you join us! Call if you have questions!

Don't Let Sleeping Dogs Lie!

2010-09-07T20:53:00.000-07:00

If there are things from your past that have not been dealt with and are still bothering you, they are not going away on their own - ever. This doesn't mean that we need to dig up every slight and offense ever committed against us during our earlier life; but it DOES mean that things that you still feel overly emotional about will continue to bother you until you take care of them.

There are several ways to work that out, of course. You don't necessarily have to get psychoanalytical about it; that's one way, but not the only way.

You can pay attention to what happens when you begin to feel that emotion and see where it's coming from. If it leads you back to something that happened in the past, you can commit to forgiving the offender; you can have an imaginary conversation with the person/people involved, hearing all sides and getting a larger perspective; or you could just feel the emotion, notice what triggered it and where it's coming from, and acknowledge it. Then let it go. Or, you could use hypnosis.

Hypnosis can be a great catalyst for releasing old emotions that have created barriers to your progress. The conscious mind will usually do what it can to keep you from this kind of deep exploration, especially if it would be painful. But the subconscious mind is at home with these issues and knows how to handle them skillfully and effectively, if you are willing.

How I Want to Live

2010-08-31T07:53:00.001-07:00

Symphony

To live content with small means;

To seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion;

To be worthy, not respectable and wealthy, not rich;

To study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly;

To listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages with an open heart;

To bear all cheerfully, do all bravely; await occasions;

Hurry never.

In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden, unconscious, grow up through the common - this is my symphony.

William Henry Channing

New Groups Starting in October

2010-08-27T18:02:00.000-07:00

On October 2nd, 2010 my colleague and I will be starting two new groups. They will be held on the first Saturday of each month. The cost to attend each group session is $20 - so, every time you come to a group it will be $2o.

Master Your Eating will be from 10:00 - 12:00. This group will discuss 8 different components to developing better eating habits. The focus will not be on food, however, but on feelings and behaviors. You will learn to pay closer attention to the triggers that cause your eating to spiral out of control. A different component will be discussed at each group session.

Hypnosis for Living will be from 2:00 - 4:00. In this group you will learn new ways of dealing with old issues - like stress, anxiety, communication problems, self-esteem, and more.

For more information visit my website or call me at 360-736-2000.

Getting to Know Me

2010-07-28T20:06:00.000-07:00

I'm working on getting to know myself. I want to be more authentic, and I feel that it becomes easier to do that the more mindful I am. Little did I know that I would also become more aware of my past mistakes.

Part of getting to know myself means that I am less able to hide behind my denials, attitudes, and erroneous perceptions . I must look at my life honestly, without hiding. It means really examining my relationships with others and seeing my part in them. Some of what I've seen has made me feel guilty, ashamed, and very regretful.

I know that this path is not an easy one, but I am determined to follow it anyway. I want to be as compassionate and loving as possible, and I know I cannot learn to do that until I can face myself head-on. If I cannot see who I've been, how can I become a better person?

In order to be a more compassionate, genuine, loving person, I must first be compassionate, genuine, and loving with myself. That includes forgiving myself. I will learn to do that, too.

The Conscious and the Subconscious Join Forces

2010-07-28T19:41:00.000-07:00

The other day I had some errands to run on my way in to the office. During one of the errands I passed a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop. I wouldn't have time to go look for a place to eat, and I started thinking about eating ice cream.

I thought about what kind of ice cream I would get, and whether I would get it in a little cup or a waffle cone. I imagined how cold and sweet it would taste. I saw myself driving through the drive-up, paying, and taking my ice cream from the hand extending from the drive-up window. My car began moving closer and closer.

Then another part of me kicked in and said, "Hold it a minute. How will you feel about yourself if you cave in and get that ice cream? Are you even hungry? Could you wait a couple more hours to eat something more nutritious? Don't you have some almonds in your desk that would hold you over? Aren't you trying to do something about that spare tire you're carrying around? Huh?"

It was then that I came to my senses. I knew that the pesky voice was absolutely right. I wasn't going to eat mindlessly this time. So I did the next best thing: I allowed myself to totally enjoy the vision of buying that ice cream, imagining how it would taste, and really getting into it for a few minutes, savoring the image and the imaginary taste of that ice cream.

It was almost as satisfying as actually eating the ice cream, with extra benefits: I didn't spend any money, I didn't feel bad about myself, and I didn't add to my weight. This time, my desire to stick to my goal overrode the voice of temptation.

Temptation can be overcome by giving it a few more minutes before acting on the thought - and in those few moments, I was able to remember my commitment to myself. It just made me more determined to continue being mindful of my eating habits.

A Shift in Perception: The Green Light

2010-07-08T09:23:00.001-07:00

Lately I've been feeling creatively blocked. Well, maybe that's not entirely true; I have a lot of ideas that I would like to implement. What seems to be in the way is not a lack of creativity, but perhaps a lack of time. Better yet, it is a perceived lack of time.

I'm realizing, as I write, that it is nothing more than time management and organization that I am needing. I have the same amount of time as everyone else. The difference between what someone else gets done in their time frame, and what I get done in mine, is simply time management. We all arrange our time differently.

So, to start over here, I need to become better at time management. Just putting it that way felt entirely different inside. Now, instead of feeling like there is something that I need that I can't quite get - like creativity - it feels much more within my capabilities. I can do something immediately about time management!

When you feel stuck or stymied, it is very helpful to go through the process of breaking down each thought until you get to the core of the issue. Your perception will change, and as your perception changes so, too, do your feelings about the subject. A simple shift in focus can be the breakthrough you may have needed in the first place.

It's About Time!

2010-06-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

Half the month is gone already! Time really is speeded up these days. I find myself feeling busier than ever, with so many things that I want to do clashing with the things that I feel I have to do.

If you find yourself feeling frantic about time, then slow it down to a crawl and think about it. You only have so much time in which to get everything done. So if you feel rushed or pushed for time, maybe it's time to set some priorities.

Sit down and draw 2 columns on a piece of paper. Label one column "Have Tos" and the other "Want Tos". Then list the things you want to get done. Next to each item put down how much approximate time it would take you to get it done. Be as specific as you can - you don't need to include "brush my teeth" but you should include things like "sleep", "take a walk" or "meditate". This will show you how many activities you can actually fit into a day.

You could also go through your lists with more descrimination; for instance, which items are fantasies or dreams you would like to accomplish someday? Those can be eliminated, especially if they take the form of a 'bucket list'. Sure, there are a plethora of things you could - potentially - get done, but for right now you're trying to manage your time on a day-to-day basis, so narrow it down to the actual activities that you are likely to do - or HAVE to do - in a day.

Once you've finished with your list, walk away from it. Go outside or someplace quiet, and just sit for five minutes and watch the breath. Listen to the sound it makes. Feel it as it enters your body and goes back out. Take a time out to just enjoy having the time that you do have.

Depth of Trance

2010-06-02T08:48:00.001-07:00

When you engage in hypnosis, how the process takes place is up to you. You cannot 'do it wrong'. There is nothing you are 'supposed' to do. Your mind works in a way that is unique to you, and different from everyone else. How it works is impossible to predict ahead of time.

Hypnosis is a quieting and distracting of the conscious mind in order to bypass the critical factor and allow helpful suggestions to reach the subconscious, where the real work begins. Whatever occurs during the process is natural, and okay, and can be used to reach even deeper levels of relaxation.

Some people worry that they are doing it wrong, or that there is something specific that they are supposed to be doing or feeling. That is just evidence that the conscious mind is still operating, trying to direct you and tell you how to do things. When the conscious mind worries about right and wrong, then it has not yet been bypassed. Therefore suggestions cannot reach the depth of mind that is necessary for hypnosis to be effective.

Once you've reached a 'place' where you feel relaxed and your mind is focused inward, then you are at a trance depth sufficient for suggestions to take hold. You will know when your mind is focused inward, because it will not be concerned with 'how'.

To use hypnosis for your greatest benefit, just let go of wondering and worrying about whether or not you're doing it right and let the process take shape in its own way. Allow the body and mind to relax as much as it wants or needs to. Let go of the chattering conscious mind and your hypnosis experience will be perfect for you.

And one more thing: Your hypnosis experience can vary from time to time; sometimes you will feel as though you're 'deeply' into trance, and other times you will feel perfectly aware of everything that is being said. Or, you may experience something in between those two; whatever you experience is perfect and right for you, as long as your conscious mind has ceased its chatter.

The key to getting the 'right' depth of trance is to just stop worrying about it at all. Your mind and body are very wise, and they know what they need. When you get out of your own way, your hypnosis experience will be just right for you.

Statistics and Averages

2010-05-25T13:15:00.000-07:00

I wanted to get a different perspective on my clientele, so I sat down and looked at the types of clients I've seen since the beginning of 2010. Here are my results:

New clients: 21

Ratio of women to men: 8/1

Age range: 32-87

Average age, women: 54

Average age, men: 40

Most common reason for coming in: Weight

Second most common reason: Smoking

Number of hospice clients since January 2010: 2

New programs developed since January 2010: 4

Number of new programs being purchased by clients, to date: 1

Presentations to Educate Hospice Professionals

2010-05-20T14:40:00.001-07:00

I have been a hospice comfort therapist since 2004; I used to work with Providence SoundHome Care and Hospice, and now I work with Assured Home Health and Hospice. I provide therapeutic touch and hypnosis to hospice patients.

I gave four presentations this month on hypnosis - all to professional staff, comfort therapists, and volunteers - in two cities. It was a wonderful opportunity to educate people on the many uses and benefits of hypnosis. The main focus of these presentations was - of course - using hypnosis with hospice patients.

Here are some of the things I talked about:

- the difference between Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy (hypnosis is a state of mind and hypnotherapy is a process for working on issues)

- the difference between the terms Hypnotist, Consulting Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist (In Washington state, they are interchangeable and pretty much mean a person who practices hypnosis; every state has different guidelines and rules under which a hypnotist can practice, and what they can call themselves.)

- the wide variety of research and studies on the efficacy of using hypnosis with hospice patients (or anyone, for that matter)

- Interesting hypnosis word derivatives: hypnosis, somnambulistic, mesmerize (Greek god of sleep was Hypnos; Roman god of strange dreams was Somnus; Dr. Franz Mesmer introduced 'animal magnetism')

- how to refer to hypnosis when discussing this modality with patients and caregivers (call it guided imagery, visualization, a way to use the mind to give you more control over your life, using the resources in the mind to make you feel better, or relaxation)

- ways that hypnosis could benefit a hospice patient (relaxation, difficulty sleeping, reduce anxiety, reduce pain/discomfort, gain insight, relive pleasant memories)

- different techniques that I've used with hospice patients (story telling, distraction, pattern interrupt, humor, guided imagery, visualization, reframing, scripting, changing the discomfort)

Hypnosis is a subject that I could talk about forever, and there is a lot to tell. My presentation time was limited, since I came in at the end of regular staff meetings, so I did my best to make the presentations short, interesting, and informative, giving the professional staff enough information for them to be able to understand how and when to make referrals for their hospice patients to receive hypnosis as a comfort therapy.

I really enjoyed giving the presentations. It helped me to get over my unease with public speaking and showed me that there are many ways to say something; each talk I gave was a little different from the one before.

Hypnosis is not just for working through life's issues. It is also a very valuable tool for people who are facing the end of life.

Humor and Hospice

2010-05-12T20:36:00.000-07:00

Just because a person is on hospice care does not mean they don't have a sense of humor. I found this out when I began expressing my own sense of humor during visits with hospice patients, and I was pleasantly surprised at the responses I received.

When we think of hospice, or death, we think of gloomy, dark, sad, depressing, painful days and lonely nights. This may very well be a part of a person's hospice experience, but it is definitely not all there is for a hospice patient. There is usually a part of them that appreciates a good laugh just like the rest of us, and can give as well as receive in that regard.

I've shared many a funny story, joke, humorous situation, and good, hearty belly laugh with most of my hospice patients. I always marvel at the ways that laughing together seems to bring us closer in trust, respect, and genuine fondness. And I really am humbled that they look forward to my visits, knowing that for that hour, we will have a very good time together.

Laughing is also good for the body; it boosts the immune system, relieves tension and stress, increases energy, and keeps the muscles relaxed for as long as 45 minutes.

Don't let the fact that someone is ill or on hospice stop you from sharing humor with them. If you try humor and get no response or a negative one, then ease off. But if you notice that your sense of humor has been well received or reciprocated, then by all means, use it. There's nothing better than knowing that someone is looking forward to the next time you can laugh together.

For more information on the benefits of laughter, visit Laughter is the Best Medicine

Mother's Day

2010-05-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

Today is the day to think about motherhood; not just in the biological sense - as in birthing and raising children - but also metaphorically, as in those internal qualities that represent 'the mother'.

The internal mother expresses herself as nurturing, comforting, compassionate, and loving. We all have these qualities within us. How does your internal mother manifest?

Allow that part of you full rein, not just today, but everyday. It is the mother in us that encourages us to be loving and caring with others, regardless of whether or not we 'think' they deserve it. The mother offers comfort and solace whenever needed.

Whether your biological mother is living or not, close to you or not, today is a good day to offer a silent moment of gratitude for the care and love you received growing up.

Become aware of your own internal mother. She is always there to nurture and care for you.

Pay No Attention to What You're Thinking

2010-04-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

Your thoughts are both confirming your beliefs, but also attracting that which you believe. Thoughts are only that - random mental ramblings. Once you attach to them or identify with them, then they become something else - an actual entity in your life.

Thoughts do not necessarily need to have your full attention. They effect you according to how much attention you give them.

You are driving to work and you get stuck in a major traffic jam. You may think: "I'm going to be late to work." You react to that with the following thoughts: "Why does this always happen to me?! I'm supposed to present this project at today's meeting - I have to be there on time! AARGH! Nothing ever goes right for me!!"

Your belief system, in this case, tells you that bad things always happen to you. Because of that belief system, you are not only looking for only the bad things to happen to you, but you are actually attracting them to you by that way of thinking. Therefore, anytime something inconvenient happens to you, you will interpret it that same way, filtering it through your internal belief system.

Take the same scenario, with a different set of beliefs. In this instance, you are still stuck in traffic, but you believe that every situation is a new opportunity, so you take advantage of this unexpected 'down time' by going over your presentation again, imagining how you will present it to your colleagues, and making sure that every point is well-addressed.

During the first scenario you are stressed out, anxious, and angry. During the second scenario you are calm and relaxed. In both scenarios you are experiencing the same situation. The situation doesn't change; what changes is how you react to it, and therefore, how you end up feeling.

Thoughts do not need to control you. They are only thoughts, and left to themselves, they will continue on their way, followed by an unlimited amount of other thoughts. What you experience in life will depend on your attachment and reaction to those random thoughts.

Who Says I'm Not Busy Enough?

2010-04-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

Am I behind on my blogging? I feel like I am, but I'm not sure how to tell if I am or not.

I'm troubled sometimes by that voice inside who is always so willing to tell me to get going. It tells me in lots of different ways, for instance:

-- Why are you just sitting there when there is so much to do?

-- Can you really just go off camping when there's things to do/people to attend to?

-- There are still a couple of hours of light left; get up and do something.

-- You've only seen XX number of people this week. What's wrong with you?

-- You haven't blogged or posted anything new to your website in a few days. Get busy!

I'm getting to where I really dislike that voice. It's the same one that tells me not to let the phone ring; if it rings, answer it! And if I see my husband working and I'm not doing anything, then I'm lazy.

I may need to get to the root of this inside nag. Where did she come from, and why is she still here? Is she right, am I just lazy? Are there ever any valid reasons for not being busy all the time? What is so valuable about being busy all the time, anyway?

I know that the voice is from the past somewhere. It may be my mom or a big sister. Possibly my dad, but it doesn't sound much like him. Could it be from a later time, an ex-husband? Nah, they don't have that thing going on at all. Wherever she comes from, she is no longer valid. I know I'm not a lazy person; I spend more hours on work-related tasks and projects than anyone I know.

I think it's probably not a personal issue at all, but one handed down by someone else who didn't get to enjoy any fun time. Since they couldn't, then I shouldn't.

Just to test that theory, I'm going to force myself to do something totally fun/frivoluous/just because I LIKE doing it, at least one hour every day. And I will refuse to feel anything but GOOD about that one hour. I take back control over what I do with my time!

Rigid Minds Snap; Flexible Minds Bend

2010-04-14T07:43:00.000-07:00

A rigid mind it tightly controlled. The only thoughts allowed are the old ones - thoughts that have been there for so long that any new thought or idea seems foreign, almost alien. The rigid mind can also be considered to be narrow or constricted; there isn't room for anything unique or unexpected. Rigid thinking gets you exactly what it's always gotten you - more of the same; the perceived safety inside the box.

A flexible mind bends with the circumstances. Flexibility goes with the flow, moving with rather than against. The flexible mind is open and expansive, embracing new and innovative thoughts. Flexible minds thrive on new ideas and outside-the-box thinking. With a flexible mind, anything is possible.

A mind that has years and years of experience at rigidity can become flexible and fluid, given the right ingredients: Practice thinking new thoughts and ideas; Repetition - thinking that new thought or idea over and over until you get used to it; a strong Desire for something more; and Time - know that it will happen over time, and that time can be short, depending on your commitment.

Whose Fault is it, Really?

2010-04-08T08:01:00.000-07:00

No matter how you want to look at it, the fault - or the power - lies with you. Outside forces are never the cause; it always originates with you.

Deep within your mind is everything you ever were or could be. All of your experiences are stored there, including the feelings or thought patterns that caused you to succeed or fail many times in your life. If you are looking for a reason why this happened or that didn't happen, you only need to be still long enough to allow the answer to surface - and it will.

Most of our actions are results of almost unconscious reactions to our world. We function as robots, almost, giving in to those previous ways of thinking and feeling without ever realizing that we are on automatic pilot, responding to situations the same way we have for years and years.

You can wake up and regain control anytime you want, by taking in a very deep breath, holding it for a moment, and letting it back out. In the time it takes to do that, you will be able to return to the 'right now' moment, where you can guide and direct your next thought, have a better understanding of the next feeling. By doing that, you are becoming conscious once again, making choices in the present moment that are not based on past experiences.

Once you learn to become present more often you will also notice that the quality of your life is changing. You will feel more in control of your life - those thoughts, feelings, and actions that used to seem so random can now have true purpose.

Placing blame outside of yourself only prolongs that trance state where you have no control.

Map? Territory? Reality??

2010-04-02T07:43:00.001-07:00

What you experience everyday is unique to you. How you feel about those experiences is a very personal thing, and also very unique to you. Those two things would define your version of "reality".

What is reality, after all? Is it the entire world around us and everything/everyone in it? But what about how we each respond to that world, and the actions we take as a result of those personal responses? Wouldn't that, then, make my reality different from yours, even though we are sharing some of the same space?

In hypnosis training we were taught the provocative phrase, "The map is not the territory", and when I think of reality in that context, it makes perfect sense to me: Imagine that we are all out in a huge forest, and each one of us has a map. Our maps are only for the area right around us. Therefore, even though we're all walking around in the same forest, we each hold a different map of that forest. The forest is the world around you; the map is your personal beliefs, internal mental and emotional patterns, and responses to that forest - all of which shapes your own personal version of reality, and differ from everyone else.

The next time you find yourself in conflict with someone else, consider the maps; the conflict will undoubtedly be due to the fact that your maps are different; you are experiencing a shared event in two different ways. In what ways could you bring those two maps into alignment?

What Does Your Timeline Look Like?

2010-04-01T08:07:00.000-07:00

When you imagine your life as a timeline, what does that look like? is it behind you, or in front of you? Maybe it goes off to the left, or the right? Does it have color, or density? Is it wavy, or straight?

Your timeline is the internal image you have of your life. Close your eyes for a moment and get a good image of your life, and get as clear an idea of how that is for you as you can.

My timeline has always been the same when I visualize it. It has always been in the form of a zig-zag. Birth through childhood is one section, and at my teens it turns to the right; then my 20s turn again, going straight. At my thirties, my timeline turns again to the right. At my forties, it turns and goes straight again.

When I imagine my timeline, I am floating above it, but I know for some people they are actually standing or moving in or on their timeline.

Everyone experiences their timeline differently, and there is no 'right' or 'wrong' timeline visualization. Some people don't visualize it at all - they feel it or get some other kind of sense about it.

When I remember events in my life, the memory takes me to whatever decade that was on my timeline. If I imagine my life beyond my 60's, then it is off in the uppermost part of my timeline, and it becomes fuzzy and indistinct. It's definitely there, yet I have no clear image unless I strongly imagine something about me during those years.

Working with your timeline can give you an entirely new perspective on your life. You can not only imagine it as a whole, but also drop in at any point, reliving memories or events, or even float above it at a distance, so that you can have a memory without having the strong feelings associated with it.

Contact List Hacked!

2010-03-30T22:11:00.000-07:00

I had my email contact list hacked into early this morning. What a nightmare this has caused!

Apparently someone got my contact list and sent everyone (clients, family, friends, colleagues, etc.) emails saying that I was stranded in London and I needed them to send me money. The emails were full of grammatical and syntax errors, but still, they had MY email address and name on them, so some recipients didn't know, for sure, whether it was from me or not.

I had so many concerned phone calls and emails all day and into the late evening. It really made me feel good that so many people were genuinely worried about and for me.

As a result, my Awareness Hypnosis Facebook page was shut down and I now have no access to it, or even to my personal Facebook page.

I will attempt to duplicate the fun we had on my Facebook page here in the blog. If you are a client or were a Facebook page fan, please follow me here on this blog from now on.

High Expectations and Common Sense

2010-03-26T14:31:00.000-07:00

When my clients ask what they can expect, I like to tell them that sometimes changes can show themselves sideways. By that, I mean that - for instance - when you come in to get rid of extra weight, you will probably not leave the office 50 pounds lighter, but you may notice these things happening, seemingly '0ut of the blue':

-- Your focus on food has diminished.
-- You are not finishing everything on your plate.
-- You may delay eating without noticing.
-- You walk right by the kitchen without seeking out something to eat.
-- You feel a deeper sense of calm and general well-being.
-- You're sleeping better.
-- You feel more in control.
-- Your mind is quieter.

When you use hypnosis to make personal changes, you benefit from many things at the same time. You not only get suggestions and new ideas related to your core issue, but since we work with the subconscious - that part of you that helps you get what you want, I also offer suggestions that reinforce self confidence and a sense of control over your life; support your goal achievement by reminding you of previous successes in your life and your ability to reach your goals; and you experience a deep sense of relaxation and calm.

The body remembers that deep sense of relaxation and can give it back to you when you want to re-experience that depth of calm and relaxation. The subconscious mind remembers and stores all of the new learnings and resources for you to be able to draw on during the day, anytime they are needed.

Back to my example of weight reduction now: During the first few days you will undoubtedly experience some of the results listed above, or even some that aren't mentioned. You may or may not experience an immediate drop in your weight. Logic will tell you, though, that getting rid of extra weight can take some time, and almost always involves other components, such as how you feel about yourself and your life, how much you move your body, and how willing you actually are to make changes.

It is imjportant and even necessary to have high expectations from hypnosis. And, it is wise to understand that for issues that took a while to develop, it will probably take a little while to get back on track.

Listen In The Moment

2010-03-14T15:40:00.000-07:00

I was having a conversation with my sister the other day. She was telling me how she couldn't do something, and while I waited for her to finish her sentence I formulated my own judgment and answer about what I thought she was saying. As soon as she finished, I dove right in with my response, and right in the middle of what I was saying I had a huge AHA moment - I clearly saw and felt what she was trying to tell me. My AHA moment shed a very bright light on several things all in one split second:

-- I was answering her automatically, from previous patterns of thinking caused by my beliefs about her. I was not responding to what she was telling me about the here and now.

-- In this case - and probably in many, many other conversations between us - I was reacting and responding from those old tapes inside my head, and NOT from the moment.

-- She was trying to tell me about her deeper feelings, and at first this went right over my head.

-- Once I "got it", I saw the conversation - and her - from a much more expanded perspective, and I was able to alter my response to one that was much more conducive to this new information she was giving me about herself.

-- At the close of the conversation I understood more about her than I had at the beginning of the conversation.

-- At the end of that conversation, I understood more about myself than I had before.

A simple and seemingly innocent conversation between my sister and I showed me about my own presuppositions and helped me to adjust how I will respond to others in the future. I've learned the difference between HEARING and LISTENING.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

2010-03-04T07:41:00.000-08:00

There is no official starting point. You do not need to wait until you get that perfect job, or that ideal relationship, or your health improves a little bit. You don't have to wait for anything at all in order to begin. Just do it. Start right here, from where you're at, with whatever set of issues you may have, and take the next step. In that next step, take in a big, deep breath and say, "with this step I begin my new life." That's all it takes.

Notice what you were not noticing before. What has changed? Anything that is different from your previous experience or way of acting/reacting is change. Change is neither good nor bad, it is just different. The purpose of 'changing' your life is to experience and express differently, in a new, more beneficial way. There is no need to attach a value of 'good' or 'bad' to it. That just muddies the waters. Change occurs around us all the time, and all you need to do is notice it.

Once you notice that something has changed, that you've reacted or felt differently, then feel grateful not only for the difference, but also that you've noticed. When you feel gratitude you open yourself up to notice even more changes, and also to be able to take advantage of those changes. Because the secret is that YOU are creating these changes on a subconscious level, from within.

When someone seems to have done an about-face and begins leading their life in an entirely new way, it is because they have decided to create change, notice the change, feel good about that change, and therefore create more change.

Changing your life is more about setting the intention for a better life than about knowing how to do it. The how takes care of itself, once that deeper part of your mind knows what your intention is. This is all you need to do: Get clear that you want things to change; make the commitment to accept change into your life; imagine, often, how good you will feel once those changes occur; give gratitude for the changes that you are about to experience; and then go about your business.

Beneficial changes WILL happen once you set them in motion. Don't get slowed down by needing to know how. Don't get impatient about how fast change happens. Just allow it into your life. It will show up, in its own perfect time and in its own unique way.

Exercising - How's That Working for You?

2010-02-25T19:27:00.001-08:00

It's been just about two months now since I started working out. I thought I would look a lot different by now, but the truth is, I look pretty much the same.

I'm going to quit getting on the scale because it's meaningless. No, really, it is. How much you weigh doesn't have a lot to do with the exercise or its effects on you. It's just a number, and once you start working out, it is a number that begins to represent muscle mass, not just fat. So, since the scale keeps telling me that I weigh more now, I'm banishing it.

If I skip a day because of my schedule, then I miss it. I never would have imagined this would happen! I actually get uncomfortable when I can't get back at it for a few days.

And the cardio - oh, the cardio! That's the part I most avoid, and although I'm pretty faithful at doing the routines, the strenthening and endurance, I'm not so good at following through on cardio because I have a special dislike for it. But this week, I actually dug out a cardio DVD that I've had for a while that I don't mind doing.

It took a while for me to really get it that without the cardio, I probably will not let go of much weight. I may get stronger and more toned, but weight reduction depends on enough movement to get the heart going for a few minutes. That encourages me to get moving, since I really want to let go of about seven or so pounds, and lose some of the inches around my middle.

Another thing that exercising has done is to change my perspective. I no longer believe that I can't do it, or that it's just not me. I do believe that I can mold my body to the shape I want, and it will match my image to the extent that I'm willing to stick with it and keep on.

Maybe the best thing about it is how good it makes me feel about myself. Not just because I'm exercising regularly, but that this time, I have actually embraced the commitment to do so. I've conquered one of the biggest struggles of my life, and I feel pretty good about that!

Calming Water, Lovely Views

2010-02-17T18:29:00.000-08:00

I have spent the last three days at Pacific Beach, just north of Ocean Shores. The winters here are usually cold, drizzly, and foggy, but after the initial rainstorm the first night, we have enjoyed absolutely beautiful, sunny, warm weather! Here is the view
right outside our trailer door.

I love being near or on water. It has a tremendously calming effect on me. I love listening to the sound of the waves as they pound the surf. I love the way the water glistens, no matter what the weather. I love to watch the water's movement.

Tomorrow we are going home, back to the 'real world' - but I tend to think that this experience is far more real. So tomorrow night before I go to sleep in my own bed back home, I will remember the sunset from this place, and here it is, so that you can enjoy it, too.

What Are Your Dreams Telling You?

2010-02-07T10:46:00.000-08:00

In the past week I've had two dreams about being arrested.

Dreams have always fascinated me. I believe that they are one way the subconscious has of communicating with us, of letting us know what's going on with us behind the scenes. If we don't pay attention to issues in the conscious state, they will eventually show up in our dreams.

A long time ago I took a class in dream interpretation and it was very interesting. I learned that in order to decipher the meaning of your dreams, you need to pay attention to the 'feel' of it - how the dream feels to you, or what the atmosphere of the dream is.

Also pay attention to the colors, the activities, and the other people who are there. These are all symbols that are very personal to you, and can give you clues about the dream's meaning by what those symbols mean to you.

And of course there is the main theme of the dream, if there is one. Is it possible to break it down into a phrase or sentence, like I did at the beginning of this post? The main theme of those two dreams was being arrested.

I knew that "arrested" means to stop, to check the course of, or to slow down. So the next thing to do was to see if that fit anywhere in my life. Was I feeling stymied or slowed down in some way? The answer was a definite 'YES'; I was able to immediately understand what these dreams were trying to tell me.

Now that I'm clear about the meaning of these dreams, it is up to me to take care of the issue that was being represented. If I don't, then I will undoubtedly have more dreams of this nature, and it's possible that they will become even more powerfully symbolic the longer the issue goes unresolved.

Look Into My Eyes!

2010-02-03T07:01:00.000-08:00

A woman called me the other day inquiring about hypnosis for weight release. We talked for a few minutes about her needs and desires regarding hypnosis.

Then she told me that when she did schedule an appointment, her husband wanted to come and watch "because, you know, I'll be out." I was stunned that anyone still believed that about hypnosis! I said, "You'll be out?" And she said, "Yes, you know, you could put things in my mind."

I could see that this would be an educational phone call! I began explaining to her that what her husband was talking about was 'T.V. hypnosis' - the way hypnosis has been portrayed on television and in movies, which is vastly different from REAL hypnosis.

I told her how hypnosis really worked - that my clients don't "go out"; people can experience varying degrees of relaxation and focused concentration, but hypnosis for regular life issues is rarely done at the catatonic level. It's just not usually necessary. And even at that level of hypnosis, people can hear everything, and respond when necessary.

I told her how everyone has control over their own mind, and no one can put things in there that would not seem reasonable to the client. The mind rejects anything it hears that would violate that person's own values. As a matter of fact, I don't 'put things in there' at all.

The first phase of the client's session is what would appear to be chit-chat. During that time I gather as much information as I can about how the client feels about the issue, what the goal is, and what they feel has been getting in the way of achieving that goal. I take lots of notes.

Then, during the hypnosis part of the session, I work with the subconscious mind to recall memories of past successes and achievements and have the client re-experience those feelings. I also talk about different ways the client may be able to use those internal resources in the future to reach their goal. I use the client's own words and phrasing so that the subconscious can easily recognize them as having come from the client.

And, I talk a lot about relaxation, decreasing stress, and using the body and mind's own abilities to increase success.

I explained to the caller that there would be no benefit or purpose to my trying to put things in her mind. My sole purpose is to help her succeed at getting what she wants; I have no personal investment in trying to make her think this or that.

It is really too bad that in this modern age, people still believe that hypnosis is hocus-pocus and can be used as a brainwashing tool. Why, in the first place, would a hypnotist even want to do that, even if it were possible?

My suggestion - for anyone who is unclear about what hypnosis is - is to do the research. Read as many articles and news stories as you can about the value and benefits of hypnosis, and about what a person might experience during hypnosis. Talk to people who have benefited from hypnosis. It is nothing like what the public has been led to believe.

My Invitation to Speak to a Psychology Class

2010-01-27T10:47:00.000-08:00

Last night I spoke to a college psychology class about hypnosis. What fun that was!

The students had a few paragraphs about hypnosis in their textbook and asked the teacher for more information. She told them she knew almost nothing about it. One of the students happens to be my neighbor, and she spoke up and said that she knew a hypnotist. The teacher asked her to invite me to speak to them. I was thrilled at the invitation.

Those people came up with some excellent questions for me, including:

-- Can a person who doesn't relax well learn how to relax better?

-- Do I go into hypnosis easily?

-- Can mental health conditions, such as alcoholism, drug addiction, and PTSD be treated with hypnosis?

-- Would hypnosis work for people with special needs?

-- What is the difference between stage hypnosis and hypnotherapy?

I was able to answer most of their questions in ways that satisfied them, and they were very attentive and interested. I would love to do more of this. It's such a great way to give people a broader understanding about hypnosis and its many uses.

Correction to Previous Post

2010-01-23T09:18:00.000-08:00

My apology to Barbara DeAngelis, whom I mistakenly posted as "DeAngelo". Barbara's correct last name is "DeAngelis".

2010-01-19T20:02:00.000-08:00

Today was a great day for learning. I started out by listening to Barbara De Angelo talk about Abundance From the Inside Out, and ended with Jack Elias and Paul McGuckin teaching their Seven Master Techniques for Success.

For only $1 I subscribed to the online Vibrational Abundance Expo. It is a week-long series of webcasts featuring 20+ prominent people talk about abundance. For my dollar, I can listen to as many telecasts as I care to; I need to listen to them in real time, though, as they are happening. If I wanted to listen anytime via replays I would need to pay $97. Still not a bad deal.

I've seen Barbara De Angelo's name around in connection with holistic conferences and the lecture circuit, but I've never actually heard her speak. I took notes during her talk this morning, and I really learned a lot about how to refine my "allowing" and the law of attraction principles. And guess what? It's not about just intending something and waiting for it to happen. Intention is necessary, yes, but you need to be pure in that intention; you need to be willing to give as well as take, in order to attract abundance in any form.

This evening Jack Elias - whose book, Finding True Magic, has been on my bookshelf for years - and Paul McGuckin presented a webinar about Supercharging Your Change. Together they discussed their Seven Master Techniques that will help anyone get the change they're looking for. I was interested because it gave me some great information about how to be a better hypnotherapist, although this webinar was for anyone who wanted to attend, and did not target any professional group. The techniques outlined were useful for anyone who wants to use hypnosis or self-hypnosis, or learn more about how the subconscious mind works. This presentation, by the way, was free.

There are so many free or inexpensive Internet opportunities for learning, it's amazing to me that more people aren't taking advantage of what's out there. I spent a total of two hours and one dollar on these two very valuable presentations!

If you work, it can be a little challenging to find the time to sit in front of your computer and just watch or listen. But for all of you out there who are at home during the day, this is such a great way to expand your knowledge, or even to reinforce what you already know.

Listen With Your Heart, Not Your Mind

2010-01-15T08:40:00.000-08:00

Communication is a funny thing. We think we're communicating when we're having a conversation with someone else, but really, are we communicating? Better yet, WHAT are we communicating? As they speak is your mind wandering? Are you watching their facial expressions and body language? Are you hearing what they are saying? Is your mind creating vivid images as they describe what they're talking about?

True communication is the ability to not only hear, but to actually listen. Listen for repetitive phrases that characterize their speaking style, such as, " ... and so ...", " ... like ...", " ... you know ...".

Can you get a sense for how they're feeling by the words they're using, or the expression on their face or in their body, or the emphasis they put on certain words or phrases?

When you truly listen, you can almost feel the energy exchange between you. When you are fully communicating, there is a sense of being connected, a rapport built between you that tells each one of you that "this person really hears and understands me." When you are fully engaged in communication with another, you are putting everything else aside. You are not thinking about other things. You aren't planning your day or even what you will say next. You are simply present and listening.

As you listen, you create a bond between you. True communication is an exchange of not only ideas, but feelings, and a deeper sense of who you are behind the words.

True communication comes from the heart, not the mind. Listen with your heart. Engage your feeling capacity. Let your mind be still and alert.

What's Your Story?

2010-01-08T08:42:00.000-08:00

A client came in the other day, and as I listened to his story I was amazed at how many times he repeated the same phrases: "I guess I'm just crazy." "I've always been anxious." "I can be a real ass." "I'm usually on the outside of the crowd, looking in." I continued to listen for a few minutes as he described what had been going on with him lately and how he was handling different issues.

It was time to interrupt his old tapes and thought patterns, so I said, "You are really aware of who you are. It's really cool the way you are so willing to look at yourself." Then I told him that he was perfectly 'normal' - whatever 'normal' is, and that he showed some real strengths in recognizing and using the resources he had within. I applauded him, saying that not everyone is willing to be honest with themselves in order to get better results. Some people are perfectly happy to maintain their dysfunctional-yet-comfortable status quo.

That stopped him for a minute. For a few moments he was quiet, and then he said, "Really? It's good to know that I'm normal. Wow."

The point was to get him thinking in an entirely different direction, to open up space for hope and re-learning. Once a person can tell themselves that they have the potential to achieve what they want, then they can move in that direction more often.

Everyone has a story that they tell repeatedly to themselves and the world. It is so important to remember that the story you tell is the story you will get.

What story are you telling? Are you satisfied with that? You can change your story anytime it no longer works for you.

Intentions for the New Year

2010-01-06T01:00:00.000-08:00

I don't make resolutions; just the sound of it puts me off, like forcing myself to do things. Instead, I will make some intentions. In 2010, I intend to:

** Speak less, so that I can hear and listen more
** Judge or criticize myself every time I begin to judge or criticize others
** Understand that getting my body in shape will help it to support me longer and better
** Watch my breath more often, to return me to the moment
** Think less, and feel more
** Sharpen my skill of observation
** Be more discerning
** Realize that having money is not about effort, but about true allowing
** Be more truthful to myself
** Believe that I already am everything I need to be
** Plan for the holidays ahead of time - like, months ahead of time
** Increase my profits
** Remember that it is not always about me; as a matter of fact, it's not usually about me

Peace on Earth

2010-01-03T09:28:00.000-08:00

Let this be a year when wars might end and peace may begin

Let this be a new year where acceptance and tolerance becomes abundant

Where passion finds an anchor and laughter lifts up volumes of love.

Let this be a new year where we find hope, and dreams are fulfilled

Where blame disappears and responsibility becomes our code of honor

Let this be a new year where our collective hearts

reach out on a global level to those in need.

Where what we give we receive

Let this be the year where music dances with and in our spirits.

Let this be a year that heals and empowers the soul of the earth.

Let this year be the year that begins all years

To follow in the footsteps

of peace on earth

and good will

to every being

everywhere

Author Unknown

Create Your 2010 Goals

2009-12-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

Here's an easy way to tell how far you will go in 2010.

On a piece of paper, write down everything you'd like to accomplish by December 31, 2010. Write it as if it has already happened, though. Instead of saying, "I want to lose 25 pounds," write, "I have lost 25 pounds", or "I'm 25 pounds lighter."

As you write, get a real strong feeling about the subject. Imagine that the things you're writing about have already taken place; feel how good it feels to already have what you're writing about.

When you're finished, fold the paper and hold it between your palms. Send your energy into the words. Then, put the paper away someplace that you'll remember.

Six months later, take the paper out and read it again, checking to see which items have already been accomplished. Then put it away again.

Sometime during December of 2010, look at your paper a last time to see how much of what you've written has happened during the year.

Happy Holiday!

2009-12-24T08:47:00.000-08:00

May all your dreams come true. May your days be filled with joy and your nights filled with peace.

Believe in yourself. Within you lies the power to move mountains. Explore, discover, and bask in the endless possibilities coming to you in every moment.

Happy Holiday to you.

My Next Adventure - Exercise!

2009-12-19T09:44:00.000-08:00

I've decided to do something about my body. No, plastic surgery is not my thing - my fear with that is that it would eventually catch up with me and make me look plastic, not to mention the expense.

One of my sisters is a personal trainer, and she has gifted me a training program for my birthday. I've decided to take her up on it. What have I got to lose, other than flab, excess weight, and lack of energy?

Day One showed me how out of shape I am. It's funny how you can go along, day in and day out, never even questioning your own strength or stamina. Working through the series of exercises showed me clearly how much work I have to do! The first thing I thought was, "I can't do this!" And the thought that immediately followed was, "I can't NOT do this! If I don't follow through on this, I will just get dumpier, flabbier, more overweight and out of shape, less strong, less agile, and less energy!"

So, dear readers, I'm off on an adventure that I have avoided my entire life. I've always hated formal exercise -hated it with a passion, to the point that I have refused allowing it into my life in any form. I have started may times, only to quit within a week or two.

Now, I'm determined to see how far I will allow myself to go; I'm thinking that this time, I will reframe all of those negative thoughts running through my head about formal exercise, and turn them into positive thoughts instead. After all, I can stand to lose a little to gain a lot.

2009-12-10T17:12:00.000-08:00

I love it when clients discover things about themselves that they didn't know - consciously - before. We tend to think of ourselves as one-dimensional, but there are so many different layers. The part of you that gets up in the morning, helps you maneuver through traffic, and multi-tasks at work is very different from the part of you who dreams, imagines, and stores all of those many events, situations, feelings, and beliefs.

It is those stored things that we use in hypnosis. When a client discovers that they have the resources and tools it takes to succeed already stored inside, and then they learn that they can draw on those same resources anytime they need to in order to create current and future success, well, that is a beautiful thing to see!

You would be amazed at how much you have access to, and at how easy it is to access it.

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-26T08:13:00.000-08:00

Today is Thanksgiving. I'm cooking the turkey this year (with fingers crossed) and hosting the meal. It won't be a big crowd, but I'll be happy that everyone who is here, is here.

I am so grateful for:

My awareness
My willingness to grow
My family, friends, and community
My business
My clients
My health
My abundance
My darling cat
My posessions
Living in this world

What are you grateful for?

I hope you all have a perfect day!

How J.L. Let Go of 25 Pounds in Less Than Four Months

2009-11-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

J.L. first came to see me in late July, 2009. She had a list of issues she wanted to work on, including weight and getting more organized. She was feeling overwhelmed with the things she wanted to accomplish and couldn't imagine that she could succeed in any one area, much less all of them.

By the middle of November J.L. had let go of 25 pounds, de-cluttered four rooms, and painted four more. For the entire case study, go here: Awareness Hypnosis

Carrots, Eggs, or Coffee?

2009-11-17T09:37:00.001-08:00

When life gets you down, how do you respond?

This little story was sent to me via email this morning. I don't know who the author is, but I thought I'd share it with you:

CARROTS, EGGS, COFFEE......

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity - boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. "Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"

* * *

Which are you? Are you the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do you wilt and become soft and you’re your strength? Are you the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat?

Did you have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have you become hardened and stiff? Does your shell look the same, but on the inside are you bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart? Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

Health and Astrology

2009-11-05T07:12:00.000-08:00

Years and years ago most doctors were also astrologers. The stars were heavily relied upon for information and guidelines for health. Here is a fascinating article that describes those doctor/astrologers' roles in health and medicine, as well as which parts of the body are ruled by each astrological sign : The Body-Sign Connection

Star Path Hypnosis

2009-10-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to announce an exciting new program that combines astrology and hypnosis: Star Path Hypnosis.

Star Path Hypnosis is a personal development program that uses the information in a person's birth chart to find where their strengths and potential issues lie. Then the person can decide what they would like to work on or enhance, and use the two hypnosis sessions for the accomplishment of that goal.

The first session is a consultation with the astrologer and myself (the hypnotherapist). In this session the program will be outlined and any concerns of the client will be discussed. This session also includes information gathering.

The second session will be with the astrologer. The client and the astrologer will decide which course of action would be best. If that includes the birth chart, then that will be drawn up and explained in detail. This session can take up to two hours. The client will have the opportunity to elect other modalities (Kinesiology, Tarot reading, bodywork) in addition to or instead of the birth chart.

The third session is with the hypnotherapist, and will involve gathering information that came out of the session with the astrologer, and deciding what part of that information to use with hypnosis. Then the client will be guided through a short hypnosis session.

The fourth and fifth sessions will be full-length hypnosis sessions, including discussions about the client's progress.

The client will be given a copy of the birth chart and recordings of the hypnosis sessions.

Cheryl Stambaugh, CH, LMP, NTS, is an astrologer, certified herbalist, massage therapist, and a therapeutic touch practitioner with many years of experience in these fields to her credit. She is very creative and intuitive. Cheryl works closely with her clients in designing programs that provide accurate information for them and their lifestyles.

Cheryl and I are pleased with this program and we believe that people will be very satisfied with their results.

The Star Path Hypnosis program will be available beginning December 1, 2009.

Half-Full, or Half-Empty?

2009-10-25T08:39:00.000-07:00

People become frustrated with their lives, or themselves, because - try as they might - they can't get what they want, or they can't feel good. After many years of this, they begin to believe that they will never have what they want, or they will never feel good for any extended period of time.

This cycle of negative thinking - that is, thinking thoughts that don't benefit you - eventually creates the belief that you just can't get what you want. You can't feel good. And that belief perpetuates throughout your life, bringing you exactly the kinds of experiences that you believe in.

Once you believe that only 'negative' things will happen for you, then you will selectively - although unconsciously - only recognize those negative experiences; even though you are bombarded with a huge range of potentials every second, you will only choose those experiences that fit into your belief system. This, in turn, reinforces for you that you are right, you never get what you want.

Since everyone has the ability and the opportunity to choose what to feel and what to think, why not choose to experience what you want? How do you do that, after creating that negative pattern for so long?

First, recognize your thinking patterns. Be honest with yourself. Clearly understand how you view your world, and the beliefs you've built around your perceptions.

Second, understand that they are only your perceptions. The rest of the world does not necessarily draw the same conclusions, even though they may be encountering the same experiences.

Third, once you notice that you are beginning to think or feel negative about an experience, stop that train of thought in its tracks by saying - either to yourself or out loud - STOP! This will interrupt the conditioned thought pattern.

Fourth, choose what you'd like to think or feel instead of that negative thought or feeling. Don't base your choice on whether or not it's "real" - once you think or feel it, it becomes "real" for you.

If you really want to experience more of your desires, be persistent and determined in thinking the thoughts that will help you to recognize those opportunities when they come to you. After a while, thinking helpful, beneficial thoughts will become second nature.

My Hero, Pippi Longstocking

2009-10-21T20:09:00.000-07:00

When I was young I was an avid Pippi Longstocking reader, and became a life-long fan. If you haven't ever read her stories, you're missing something.

Pippi Longstocking was a fictional Swedish girl who knew how to have fun! She had never-ending adventures with her horse, Little Old Man, her pet monkey, Mr. Nilsson, and her neighbor playmates, Annika and Tommy.

Pippi was extremely strong; as a matter of fact, she often carried her horse instead of riding him. The only person who could match her strength was her sea-faring father, Captain Ephraim Longstocking, who was always off on long voyages (or lost as sea) while Pippi remained at her beloved home, the Villa VilleKulla.

I loved Pippi because she was brave, daring, and assertive - and because she believed in herself. She could handle herself in any situation, she was a champion of the underdog, and she was fun. There were immeasurable ways in which she bested bossy or ill-tempered adults - usually without them even being aware of how she did that until much later.

I would like to think that I have some of her qualities. I have internal strength rather than super-human strength. I am generally a kind person, and I love to see people succeed.

Who is your childhood hero? Why them? Do you have any of the qualities that you admired in them?

Click on the Title of this entry for a Pippi Longstocking website

Are You SURE?

2009-09-10T18:15:00.001-07:00

Absolutely do not come in for hypnosis unless you are positive that the change is one you really, really want, because if you do engage in hypnosis without being very sure, you will be disappointed at the lack of change you'll see. What usually happens next is to tell the hypnotist, yourself, and everyone else that hypnosis did not work for you - or that it doesn't work at all.

Deep down, you know what you want. You know what changes you're willing to make. You may not know HOW you will make those changes, and that's okay. A person can want change without knowing how it will happen. That's where hypnosis comes in handy.

Everyone can change. People change all the time; every breath you take changes your physiology from what it was before that breath. One of the most important ways to guarantee your own desire to change is to be willing to face your own fears or resistance about the change, because, let's face it, with change comes certain responsibilities to yourself.

You need to be perfectly honest with yourself. Be willing to see what fears or resistance you have to the change. Are you desiring the change for yourself, or is there someone in your life who is pushing you toward it? I know a consulting hypnotist who tells his clients that it is easier to get a new doctor, spouse, or whatever, than it is to try to change yourself for someone else.

So, instead of wasting your money and the hypnotist's time, be clear with yourself about what it is you really desire.

New Office is Open

2009-08-28T20:17:00.000-07:00

We got everything moved into the new office, and now it's a matter of organizing everything. I'll take advantage of the move to eliminate all of the STUFF I've collected and don't need now. Off to storage they'll go!

The new space doesn't have an adjoining waiting area like before, and that's okay. Right outside the door is a little sitting area for one person, and down the hall by the entryway is a waiting room that can be used when necessary.

The walls are white now, which shows off the various burgundys, beiges, and greens very well. Since I'm at the end of a fairly long hallway, noise - think trains, sirens, motorcycles, etc. - will be minimal.

The building temperature is nice. Central air and heat keeps the air just right without the noise of a portable air conditioner. Bathrooms are very close. There is a water dispenser. And did I mention it's quiet?

In addition to all of these nice benefits and features, the office is on the ground floor. No more stairs to climb!

Although the office is a little narrower than my previous one, there is a tad bit more space. It will be nice, cozy, and comfortable. I'm sure you will like it every bit as much as the previous space.

Laughter IS Good Medicine!

2009-08-24T15:14:00.001-07:00

Not that I consider myself an expert on relationships, by any means, but I have learned a thing or two. One of those things is the value of humor in a relationship. Laughing is such a great way to communicate and create intimacy. For instance:

My husband likes to turn the bedcovers down in the evening, a few hours before bedtime. It's just something that makes him feel comfy and cozy. Occasionally he has added a piece of chocolate to my pillow, similar to the way they do it on cruises. The other night I decided to do him one better by putting an unwrapped peanut butter cup on his pillow. I came in later, at bedtime, and found an entire dark chocolate candy bar on my pillow. While he was in another room, I hurriedly took the candy bar and added it to the peanut butter cup. When he came back into the bedroom and saw two sweets on his pillow and none on mine, he cracked up laughing.

Then there was the time when I created a surprise for him on the couch, while he was away. After he got over being startled, he laughed and laughed - while secretly, I'm sure, scheming his next surprise on me.

There is rarely a dull moment in our house - which is a very good thing.

Stay With It!

2009-07-17T10:40:00.001-07:00

I've had some recent realizations about pain. It doesn't matter what kind of pain - whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. All pain is basically the same.

I've discovered that by bypassing my usual tendency to avoid pain, I was forcing myself to relive it over and over again. It was time for a different approach - an actual APPROACH; I would see it through by staying with it. In doing that, I came to some useful realizations:

* It hurts the worst at the beginning.
* Clarity comes with staying with it.
* Stop trying to rationalize and deny. Just be open.
* What is causing the pain just might be related to your ego.
* Letting go of whatever attachment is present in the pain will provide relief.
* Step outside of the drama of the pain and you will have pure presence.
* In that moment of pure presence, you will experience peace, calm, and understanding.

Phone Book Advertising

2009-07-16T17:57:00.000-07:00

I have heard so many marketing experts say how phone book advertising is a waste of time and money, and that the savvy business owner will choose other, more 'sure' methods to get the word out.

I've advertised in the phone book ever since I opened my practice here in Lewis County. I could safely guess that at least half of my calls and clients have come from the phone book. Just today I had two people tell me that's where they found me.

The best way that I've found to advertise is to try as many of other people's suggestions as possible or feasible and see what works for me. Maybe phone book advertising doesn't work for everyone, all the time, or in certain locales, but it certainly has paid off for me.

Dealing with Personal Tragedy

2009-07-09T10:56:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-06-14T20:31:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-12T07:21:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-09T13:01:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-06-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-31T11:16:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-20T04:30:00.000-07:00

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.

Sailing Through a Trip to the Dentist

2009-05-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

I had a dental appointment today to get a filling. It was a difficult tooth that broke off about a year ago, and had a serious crack in it. Not yet needing a root canal or crown, but still, needing repair.

I've never been fond of dentists or even medical procedures. When I was young I fainted every time a needle came near me. I figured that at this age, though, and being a hypnotist in this community, I need to buck up and represent myself as an adult who can cope.

What I dislike the most about dental appointments is the feeling of the needle going deeper and deeper into my gum; there's just something really icky about that,and I always dread it. So all day yesterday I told myself that the minute the dentist touches my mouth, that part of my gum would go numb. "Gum numb" I repeated, over and over to myself. I also told myself that the sound of the dental instruments would just relax me even more.

Today during my appointment, when the dentist touched my mouth, I began my little mantra. I was so calm that my hands were even dry. I felt a weird, cold sensation in my gum, and he pulled my cheek like they always do when they deepen the needle, and then he said he'd be back after that settled. I asked the assistant, "Did he use a needle?" I had felt absolutely nothing except that cold sensation on my gum. No 'pinch' from the needle, no needle going deeper into my gum, no needle at all!

During the procedure I took myself back ten years to some wonderful sailing adventures I'd had up in the San Juans of Washington, and then crossing into Canada and sailing around there. The drills and other instrument sounds reminded me of watching jet skis on the water, jumping over wakes. The sound of the air and water hoses brought to mind water rushing against the hull of the boat.

All in all, it was a very pleasant experience. I'm just sorry that the dentist and his assistant had to work so hard while I was having such fun!

The Mentalist

2009-05-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

Craig Karges' stage show was fantastic! I am one who tends to believe in the power of the mind - sometimes called ESP. Yet, even so, actually watching someone 'read' minds, move objects, and predict the future was really exciting. Your mind tells you it can't possibly be true, and yet you're seeing it with your own eyes, along with a theater full of other people.

Mr. Karges comes across as an average, regular guy who happens to be very adept at using his mind. At the end of the show he encouraged the audience to stretch beyond the ordinary and explore what their minds can do, too.

I went to his website and saw that he is booked out until March of 2010. If you get an opportunity to see him, I highly recommend it. The cost is so minimal - a couple of cans of food donated to the local food bank - anyone can afford to go see him.

Click on the title "The Mentalist" to go to his website.

Your Reality is What You Make It

2009-05-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

Every event, memory, emotion, desire, fear, dream, wish, fantasy, and failure is still stored within - in your subconscious mind. That is the part of you that is operating in the background of your life, 24/7/365.

Every time anyone in your life told you who they thought you were or should be ("Aren't you a clever little girl." "Don't be so stupid." "You'll never amount to anything." "Big boys don't cry."), you stored away your reaction to that. All of the things you've told yourself during your lifetime has also been stored away ("I can't --- '; "I'll never ---"; "I'm too ---"). All of those deep feelings about your self worth have been stored away all these years, but they're definitely not forgotten.

Every time you encounter a certain situation, person, or event that is similar to previous situations, events, or people, then those old tapes begin playing automatically. Your subconscious is like one of those old-fashioned tape recorders, playing over and over and over again. So you see, you rarely respond to a new situation in a new or original way; you respond the way that tape tells you you should respond - the way you've responded so many times before.

That is why you may be getting the same outcome instead of the new one that you're desiring; unless you reprogram the tape, it will keep feeding you the same old stories.

I tell my clients to ACT AS IF. Even if you have a cigarette in your mouth, tell yourself you're a nonsmoker. When you're talking with others, tell them you're a nonsmoker, too. Say it out loud to yourself in the mirror; say it in your head whenever you think about it. Repetition and consistency will change those old programs to new ones. Thus, you can create the life you want.

Your subconscious does not know the difference between fiction and nonfiction. What you tell it repeatedly is what it comes to believe as true for you, and since its function is to create your reality as you say it is, it only has one recourse, and that is to act on what you say is true.

So watch what you say to yourself. Watch how you represent yourself to others. And watch what others say about you. You need to be conscious of what you're choosing to believe about yourself, because if that belief is felt often enough and strongly enough, it will become your reality.

Listen For the In-Between Spaces

2009-05-12T20:00:00.001-07:00

How often do you just slow down to a crawl? When was the last time you actually just sat or stood for five minutes without doing one thing? Can you even do that for five straight minutes?

Did you know that when you take enough deep breaths, that several things will happen: your heart rate and blood pressure will slow down; your mind will stop racing; and, you will - for those moments that you're breathing deeply - feel calm.

You spend so much time racing around, doing, doing, doing, that - even though you are constantly on the go and always thinking - you're not really that productive. Those still, quiet moments that you could give yourself, even a few times a day, would recharge you like you wouldn't believe. Just a few minutes of doing nothing will give you enough mental space to allow the emergence of your deeper knowing. Random thoughts quit disturbing you. Solutions arise. Peace surrounds you.

Try it. What a joyous thing it is when you discover those still spaces in between each breath, in between each thought.

Learn From Your Miss-Takes

2009-05-06T09:19:00.001-07:00

Failure of the client to reach their goal provides a great opportunity for the hypnotherapist to examine what they're doing, or how they're doing it. I prefer to call this a mistake - a 'miss take' - this time, it just didn't take. Time to try another approach, or get more information, or find out more in depth what the client is thinking and feeling.

There are no failures. Every situation presents an opportunity to grow, and this situation is no different. Our clients have so much to teach us, if we are willing to become good students.

Every issue a client brings to your office is a gift. Accept it graciously and use it wisely.

What's a "Mentalist"?

2009-05-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

There's a mentalist coming to town. I felt compelled to Google "mentalist" to see what the offiicial definition might be, and here it is, according to Dictionary.com:

1. A person who believes in or advocates mentalism.
2. A person who believes that the mind and its functions are a legitimate area of psychological research.
3. A mind reader, psychic, or fortuneteller.

I think I'll go check him out. I have to admit that I've never seen a stage hypnotist or any kind of stage performer that involves the mind or magic. This sounds incredibly interesting to me. I'll let you know how it goes.

May Newsletter

2009-05-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

The May 2009 issue of my Awareness Hypnosis Hypnogram is now available! Send me an email if you would like to become a regular subscriber: Info@ritaballard.com

Iverson Ice Cream Social

2009-04-30T07:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday a member of our NGH chapter group hosted an open house and ice cream social at his office in Longview. We all had a great time, and Doug was very generous in sharing his trade secrets! Those who made it were Pat and her husband, Loretta, Cindy, Hazel, and myself.

Check it out!

Kiwanis Presentation

2009-04-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

I gave a presentation to one of the Grants Pass, Oregon Kiwanis Clubs on Tuesday, April 7th. I found out that other than knowing your material like the back of your hand, preparation is almost irrelevant.

For instance, I was prepared to be nervous and anxious. After I met some of the group I was a little nervous about presenting, and not at all anxious. I could see that they were not only a very accepting bunch of people, but that they also had no idea what I was going to say or do, so whatever I said or did would be interesting and new to most of them.

I prepared by appearing and acting very professional. I now understand what a relaxed bunch they were; I almost felt overdressed.

I had a really good time, and my presentation went very well. I only looked at my notes once, at the beginning, and after that I just started talking. I was pleased with the results, and the person who asked me to give the presentation told me afterward that it was the quietest he's ever seen them!

They seemed to have a good time, too; I sure hope so.

Click on the title to go to the audio presentation.

A Bad Economy is Relative

2009-03-24T04:30:00.000-07:00

I know what the media is saying about the economy, and I've seen the projections of deeper recession. And yet, my business is booming; I'm swamped with new clients.

Not one of the people I've seen since January has mentioned the economy. None of them are wealthy, either. I think it is just a matter of perspective. People are willing to pay for what they need, no matter what that is. I'm talking about emotional need; if a person perceives that they need hypnosis to help them through a rough spot or to change a behavior, then for them, it is money well spent and well worth it.

These are people who are committed to the path of change that they've set forth for themselves, and they don't let the outside world get in their way. These are the people who succeed in reaching their goals with hypnosis.

Teaching and Learning

2009-03-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

Life has been busy. Full of 'practice what you preach' kind of experiences. I can go to the office and teach peace and calmness and direction, while at home, I'm experiencing the opposite. Isn't it funny, my work has become a mirror for me, showing me what to look at in my own heart.

I'm learning that I have a lot of learning to do, and I'm understanding how much I can grow through showing someone else where their strengths lie.

I love this work. I couldn't have chosen a better way to discover myself. I owe my clients a huge "THANK YOU."

Has It Really Been That Long?

2009-03-04T12:44:00.000-08:00

Where has the time gone? I last posted in December, I see. It's now a new year and 2 months later!

I discovered last week that my lovely daughter has the writing bug. I never knew that she enjoyed writing, and from reading her blog, I can see that she has a knack. She not only is a very good writer, but she expresses the same sentiments that I have felt many times - well, with a difference. She is much more self-aware than I was at her age.

To give you an idea, read her latest: Gifts from the Muse

A Fresh Start

2009-01-01T01:00:00.000-08:00

We're turning the corner to a new year. Here's a way to start this new year out right:

Imagine that you have a very large, flexibly stretchy bag. This bag can be any color you want, and made out of either a real substance or one you just made up.

Now, put inside this bag everything that you felt held you back in 2009; this can be feelings, people, situations, events, circumstances, experiences, thoughts - anything at all that you believe kept you from being all that you desired to be.

Take all the time you need to stuff this bag full of 2009's limitations.

Now, when you're finished stuffing the bag and it is full of everything that held you back, take one last look at it. Notice how it bulges out in different places. Look at the closure - whatever you used to secure the bag shut. Is it closed tightly and securely? Really get a clear sense of this bag and its contents. Touch it and notice its contours. Feel the stuff that it's made of and notice the texture.

And now, lift the bag and notice how surprisingly weightless it is! This bag weighs less than a feather, even though it's stuffed chock-full of all of these old limitations! You can easily lift this bag up over your head!

Whenever you're ready, take this overstuffed bag of last year's limitations and throw it, toss it, hurl it, fling it as far as you can up into the air and watch it soar, farther and farther out into the atmosphere. The farther away it gets, the faster it moves. Watch it as it disappears from your sight, out into outer space where it will dissolve into nothingness.

You have now successfully gotten rid of everything that held you back in 2009. Breathe in a big, deep, refreshing breath, creating space for the new year's opportunities.

Look, there at your feet is another bag. It is brightly colored, and there on the side are the words, "2010 Opportunities". This bag is waiting for you to fill it up. Take it with you every day of 2010. Use it wisely. Fill it full of new potentials for success.

World Hypnotism Day is Coming Up!

2008-12-27T19:58:00.000-08:00

January 4 is the official annual date for celebrating World Hypnotism Day around the world. This is a day designated for hypnotists to explain, educate, and demonstrate the many benefits and uses of hypnosis. From Seattle to South Wales, hypnotists hold public events with the goal of "normalizing" hypnosis, letting the public know what it really is and how it works.

Awareness Hypnosis will be holding its World Hypnotism Day event on January 10, 2009. Together with Loretta Rippee, C.H., M.Ed., I will be having an open house on that day - a Saturday - for the public to drop in, meet us, and talk about hypnosis. Bring your questions and comments! We'd love to see you! Refreshments will be served.

What: World Hypnotism Day Open House
When: Saturday, January 9, 2009, 10:00 - 4:00
Where: 34 NE Boistfort, #106, in Marketplace Square, in downtown Chehalis, WA
Who: Awareness Hypnosis and Behavior by Design

Please call if you have any questions or would like more information:

Rita, at 360-736-2000
Loretta, at 360-508-9210

Transfer of Power

2008-11-07T08:38:00.000-08:00

There will soon be a transfer of power in the White House. Change is, indeed, coming.

Change is coming on a personal level, too. You cannot avoid change in your life; resistance only increases stress. Instead of resisting change, breathe in deeply and embrace it. You cannot grow without it.

It's time for a personal transfer of power. Take a moment to consider the things in your life that have influence - power - over you. Consider, if you will, how many of those things are unnecessary or unwanted. It's time for you to step up to the plate and take back your personal power. No one knows, really, what is good for you except you. And I'm talking about a deeper knowing.

You may say, "Sometimes I have no idea what is best for me!", but your inner advisor knows. There is a part of you that has the answers. All you have to do is to be open, and learn to listen deeply. "Be still, and know ... "

A Rose By Any Other Name Would Still Give You Pleasant Dreams!

2008-11-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

Dr. Boris Stuck, a German physician, led a team of researchers in a study that proved that the scent of roses will give you better dreams than the smell of rotten eggs.

Fifteen women who took part in the study were given either the scent of roses or the scent of rotten eggs as soon as they entered the REM stage of sleep.

After one minute, the researchers woke the women up to ask what they dreamed about. All of the women who received the scent of roses had positive emotional dreams, and none of the women who smelled rotten eggs had positive dreams.

The sense of smell is extremely powerful, although not many people use that sense, predominantly, when they relate to the world. Most people are either visual or kinesthetic.

The Power of Your Thoughts

2008-10-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

We are all part of a collective consciousness; imagine it as a substance like air, or energy, or maybe an etheric soup. However you think about it, every thought that you put out there goes into the collective consciousness and therefore, effects everyone else on some level.

On a smaller scale, it works like this:

You wake up in the morning feeling really good. You think about what a great day you'll have, and you plan the things you want to accomplish. You see each task getting done efficiently and easily. The day ahead looks bright and productive.

You smile at everyone you encounter during the day. You absorb yourself in every task, putting thought and energy only into the task at hand; extraneous thoughts are ignored - or not even noticed. You are focused!

Because you smiled at everyone you encountered, each one of them felt good, and special, during the moment that you smiled at them. For some, it could have been a life-changing moment - perhaps one of those people had recently lost their job and was very worried about the future. Maybe they were considering several options, including just running away from it all. And just maybe, your smile caused that person to consider more positive options.

You never know who you will encounter, and you never know what their state of mind is. The energy behind your thoughts can have a major effect on others. Make sure that your thoughts are beneficial, or at the very least, not negative.

Finding Time

2008-10-27T04:00:00.000-07:00

Seek out and spend time with whatever makes you feel good, calm, and safe. Rather than wasting your time worrying about the future, trying to fix things and people, or lamenting about the past, take advantage of your free time by doing things that nourish you.

Don't feel like you have any free time? Do this: Take a deep breath, and hold it for a second. In that space between the breaths, you will find your time. That space represents pure awareness, and pure stillness. In the stillness, you will find your calm, your safe, your peace.

You are a Human, Being

2008-10-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

I love what Eckhart Tolle says about being a human being:

"You are a human being. What does that mean? Mastery of life is not a question of control, but of finding a balance between human and Being.

Mother, father, husband, wife, young, old, the roles you play, the functions you fulfill, whatever you do - all that belongs to the human dimension. It has its place and needs to be honored, but in itself it is not enough for a fulfilled, truly meaningful relationship or life.

Human alone is never enough, no matter how hard you try or what you achieve. Then there is a Being. It is found in the still, alert presence of Consciousness itself, the Consciousness that you are. Human is form. Being is formless. Human and Being are not separate but interwoven."

Yes; we are humans, being.

Hypnosis: Pathways for the Devil?

2008-10-25T10:33:00.000-07:00

Someone told me recently that a long time ago they had attended a church that denounced hypnosis as the Devil’s work, teaching that hypnosis opens up pathways in the mind through which the Devil can gain access to your mind.

That is an erroneous view of hypnosis.

There are three parts to the mind: The Conscious mind, which is the part that directs your activities. This is also the “Just the facts, ma’am” part . This part will do anything to be in control, including rationalizing why you should keep doing what you’re doing . This part tells you what you ‘should’ and ‘shouldn’t’ do. The Conscious mind also likes things to stay predictable; It likes facts and logic, and is not particularly fond of change.

Then there is the Critical mind. This s the part that filters what goes deeper into your subconscious mind. This is the gatekeeper to the subconscious. In order for hypnosis to work, the critical mind needs to approve of the suggestions being given, and then let them penetrate into the subconscious in order to take effect.

The Subconscious mind is the underlying part of your mind, where all of your experiences, memories, dreams, and beliefs are stored. This is the part of the mind that produces new changes or holds on to old ideas, depending on your belief system. The subconscious wants to protect you, and therefore, will do whatever you tell it to do.

During hypnosis, the Conscious mind is bypassed so that the appropriate suggestions can be given to produce the desired change.

The conscious and subconscious are the only parts of the mind that contain thoughts; there are no other pathways or different directions where thoughts or ideas could go. Thoughts are either in the conscious mind, where you are listening to and/or acting on them,
or they have been “approved” by the critical mind and are on their way into the subconscious mind.

Everyone has their own built-in moral code, or set of ‘rules’ that they live by. If a person were to be given a suggestion that violates their moral code, the suggestion would either be ignored outright, or the person would come out of hypnosis as soon as the suggestion was given. So you see, no one can put things in your mind without your knowledge and consent.

Here is a GREAT article about Christianity and hypnosis: Hypnosis for Christians: Good, or Bad?

Gearing up For Another World Hypnotism Day

2008-09-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

Our NGH South Sound Washington chapter is already planning for World Hypnotism Day 2009. We have decided to hold our event on Saturday, January 3rd rather than the traditional January 4th - since that is on a Sunday.

I will be posting additional information as we go, so please watch this site. I hope you will plan to attend!

2008-09-14T15:27:00.001-07:00

I have a new newsletter out starting this month (September 2008): Awareness Hypnosis Hypnogram.

I will fill it full of helpful tips, interesting information, and the latest hypnosis news. You can see the first issue here.

If you would like to subscribe, please send me your information and specify whether you want to receive it as an email attachment (pdf) or have it mailed to you (please include address). I will also post it every month on my website.

Past Life Regression

2008-09-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to guide a journalist through a past life regression. She'd always been curious about it, and was writing an article about it. Once she decided it was time to experience regression first-hand, she gave me a call.

You can read her personal account of past life regression by going here and clicking on the PDF.

How the Media Alters Your Thoughts

2008-08-29T20:52:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting video of a Foxs News interview, with a narration explaining the neurolinguistic programming (NLP) that is going on at a subconscious level:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOHK8qK-Ajw

NGH Annual Convention

2008-08-10T11:09:00.000-07:00

Here I am, at my first NGH convention. Today is Sunday, August 10th, the third and last day. There are no seminars that I wanted to sit in on this hour, so I'm up in my room, dashing off this note to you.

It's been a whirlwind of new faces and interesting ideas. I've sat in seminars that were absolutley riveting, and a couple that I could have done without, but all in all, it's really been a wonderful experience.

What a thrill it has been for me to meet some of the faces I've been seeing and reading for years. For the most part, these people are just ordinary people, like me. I've been greatly inspired.

NGH Convention

2008-07-06T20:01:00.000-07:00

It's just about a month from now when I will be leaving for my first trip to Boston - actually, my first REAL trip to the east coast. I'll be attending the National Guild of Hypnotists' annual convention.

A colleague and I, along with her husband and my daughter are all flying out together. A couple of days later my son-in-law will joining my daughter.

I'm really looking forward to meeting some of the internationally acclaimed hypnotists that I've been following for years. What a thrill it will be to be able to attend so many workshops and get some excellent information to expand my practice.

I don't have any sight-seeing objectives, really, except to see the Boston Harbor. According to Mapquest, it's very close to the hotel where the convention will be held (and where I'll be staying). Since I'll be in workshops most of the time, that is the only thing I really HAVE to do. Otherwise, we've left it wide open.

I'll let you in on some of the events when I get back.