Is Hypnosis Safe & Will it Help Me?

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are often thought of as this ambiguous idea of "mind control" that creates fear and concern in many people.  The media has done a fine job of creating a mammoth misunderstanding about what hypnosis is, and what it isn't.  I would like to provide a little education to my readers, in hopes to squelch the fear patterns.  And, let's face it, we could all use a little less fear in our lives!   (One of the many things that hypnosis can help with, by the way!)

Hypnotic trance is a natural state that we are in and out of periodically throughout our day.  Any time that we are accessing our imagination... watching a compelling movie or television show... driving down the highway lost in thought... planning our lives in our heads with details and pictures, just like we are actually doing the activities... we are in a state of hypnosis.  Therefore, ALL hypnosis is SELF hypnosis.  A natural, safe, wonderful way to allow your conscious mind to rest and your subconscious mind to create!

Locked into our subconscious minds is everything that we have ever heard, seen, imagined, or interpreted.  Our perspectives, at different times in our lives, can be very different.  Remember when you were a little child and your uncle seemed so very big?  And now, as an adult, you can recognize that he's actually a very small man.  He didn't change, but your perspective of how you interpreted him, did change.  We do this with all sorts of stuff.  Something as innocent as overhearing your mother on the phone with someone when you are three years old, saying something to the effect of, "Oh yes, my girl is SUCH a fast learner!"  This seems really innocent, doesn't it?  A nice, positive thing to hear!  Well... maybe.  If this statement becomes locked into your subconscious mind as a truth about who you are and how you identify yourself in this world, what happens when you try to learn something new and you don't learn "fast"?  Maybe the result is that you think you are a failure.  You quit.  You work even harder to prove that you are a fast learner.  You feel like you've let down everyone.  You get depressed and frustrated.  You react full of blame and resentment.  These are all potential fallout of a pleasant, innocuous comment made when you were three years old that you identified with.

As crazy as that scenario may sound, I see it happening in my practice time and again, in one form or the other. Sometimes, it's a negative comment that locks in.  All of what we've heard, seen and learned is taken in through our personal perspective, and somewhere along the way, in our subconscious minds, we decide if it is true or false and then it dictates our behaviors, successes and failures, for the rest of our lives.

Unless we do something about it....

Hypnosis is a tool to do something about it.  A qualified certified hypnotherapist should have the tools to help assess where your stumbling blocks are, and how to navigate the relaxation process to delve into your subconscious mind and help YOU to discover the different things that have come into your awareness throughout your life (and maybe before), and for YOU to create resolution and peace with.

So much healing can occur when you actually understand all of the internal motivating factors that have to do with who you choose to be in this world, and how to change the parts that aren't working for you.

Hypnosis is not a medium to let the devil in.  It doesn't open you up to the "dark side" anymore than sleep does, or watching television, or meditation.  Like I stated above, it is a natural state.  When you work with a qualified, certified hypnotist or hypnotherapist, you will NEVER do anything or say anything that you do not (on some level) want to do or say.  I like to explain it like this--you and your therapist are taking a trip.  You are the driver and they are the navigator.  You have handed them the map of where you would like to be directed, but at any given time, if you choose to turn left instead of right, YOU are in control and can do just that.  A qualified therapist will help keep you on track based on the previously agreed upon plan, but ultimately, you are the boss and you get to exactly where you need to be, and what you are ready for, that day.

Sometimes, multiple sessions are needed to really get the work done.  Baby steps to help you reach your goal.  The old expression, "The teacher will appear when the student is ready" goes even one step further with hypnotherapy, "The subconscious mind will allow what the client is ready for".  Choose your hypnotist that you feel safe and comfortable with, who listens to you (both spoken and unspoken communication), and that you intuit will be supportive and knowledgeable about how to maximize your time together for the best possible results!

Now, allow yourself to relax into a transformative experience that is specially designed just for you and put your worries away!  You'll love it!

Don't Should on Yourself

Have you ever wondered about your beliefs?  Where they come from?  Why you choose what you choose?  Act the way you act?  Hate or love the people you hate or love?  How you learned to hate at all...?


Much of this comes from social constructs.  It's a topic that has been coming up a lot in my life lately, and in my clients' lives.  From the time we are born, we are being taught what our society, family, and religious beliefs believe to be right and wrong, good and bad, acceptable and unacceptable.


That could mean that we dislike certain people or races because of the way that they look, even having never met a person of that race.  It could mean that we decide that we are fat and ugly because we don't look like the covergirls on the magazines.  Or, it could mean that we choose to not be in uniquely defined relationships because they aren't the same as everyone else's.


When did we decide that other people's ideas were more valuable than our own?  Why do we as a human race, tend to put people on pedestals, and often take pleasure in seeing them fall off?  We are all perfectly imperfect.  I may have something wonderfully profound to say one moment and something completely ridiculous the next.  Am I insightful or an idiot?  Can I be both?  Can't we all?


So, I thought and I thought on this and I realized that for my truth, I can see that we are all connected and we are all doing our very best, as often as we can, to live in harmony with one another and we need some structure to help that along.  What we don't need, however, is judgments upon one another when we do things that are different.  Sure, lets go ahead and judge a little when someone harms another, or says mean, spiteful things.  But judging who one chooses to love and how they choose to express their love, is pointless and negative.  How we choose to decorate our home, keep stuff, toss stuff, exercise, be lazy, dance in public, or pretend to be a mime--this all should be moot.  A topic for an interesting conversation, and a reflection of ourselves and how we choose to live, perhaps even the "why" around it, but not the negative judgment that is so often made.


Next time you notice thoughts of "should" (should do this, or should've done that), explore where they come from.  Is the "should" really in alignment with YOUR core beliefs and values?  Or is it a social construct that you "should" do only because you've been programmed that if you don't do it that you're doing something wrong or bad?  Who decided that it's wrong or bad?  Check in with your gut.  Is it hurting yourself or others?  If the "should" isn't in alignment with your values and it isn't hurting anyone to not do it, or to do it differently, then perhaps it's time to let go of the "should".  


Someone once told me a long time ago, "Don't should on yourself".  And, I think he was on to something.  If you decide that you should have done the "should", then extrapolate the learning and apply it to your life immediately so you don't repeat the cycle.  And, perhaps apologize to someone too, if applicable.


The bottom line is this, when we check in with ourselves, and we move through life as often as possible from a place of love, the "should's" just disappear.  Explore the possibilities!  


Oh!  I almost forgot!  A wonderful side effect of dumping the social constructs and "should's", is FREEDOM!  And the anxiety melts away like snow in the spring!  Enjoy the peace!

The Abundance Experiment, Day 5

Money is not my supply. No person, place or condition is my supply. My awareness, understanding and knowledge of the all-providing activity of the Divine Mind within me is my supply. My consciousness of the Truth is unlimited, therefore, my supply is unlimited." ~exert from John Randolph Price, The Abundance Book

I had two charities call me today asking for help. I passed several homeless people on the streets holding signs that read, "Anything helps". I received several solicitations from research facilities, asking for donations.

Giving has always come easily to me, as long as I've had the opportunity to dictate the usage of the funds. I've been very judgmental about how people choose to use their money, and about how money is used when I give it. It makes me stingy often. I don't want to contribute to someones drug habit, so I won't give to him. She's obviously an alcoholic, so I won't give to her. This company pays its CEO way too well, so I won't give to them.

Money is energy and necessary to live life as we individually choose. I don't think I need to worry or judge how a person or charity uses the money anymore. If I feel a "YES" to give, then the giving is done and the gift doesn't need to come with any guarantees or attachments. Actually, I've felt that way for a long time about physical gifts... wonder why it took me so long to come to terms with this for money? It's the same thing, for goodness sake!

The Abundance Experiment, Day 4

Through my consciousness of my God-Self, the Christ within, as my source, I draw into my mind and feeling nature the very substance of Spirit. This substance is my supply, thus my consciousness of the Presence of God within me is my supply. ~ expert from The Abundance Book by John Randolph Price

I was thinking about earlier about how interconnected everything is. An example I sometimes use with my clients is this, we breathe oxygen that the plants and trees provide for us by their exhalation, our exhalation of carbon dioxide provides the gas that they breathe. We are dependent upon each other in a reciprocal way. We live in a reciprocal universe.

Everything comes from God and is God and that includes me. When I forget that that current of energy runs through me and is me, when I ignore that I am tapped into "the" conductor of the Universe, I miss out on the fireworks. I'm curious... if it is that simple, why do most of us "forget" so often who we really are and what we are connected to?

The Abundance Experiment, Day 3

"I'm conscious of the Inner Presence as my lavish Abundance. I am conscious of the constant activity of this Mind of infinite Prosperity. Therefore, my consciousness is filled with the Light of Truth." exert taken from The Abundance Book by John Randolph Price.

Today was an interesting day, filled with lots of introspection and poignant conversation with a dear friend. I feel as if I am hyper-analyzing my thoughts, feelings, and reactions of the reality I am creating. Catching myself when I'm not remembering who I truly am, and calling myself out on it. And then, teaching myself to let it go. To not hold too tightly to what I think I may be doing "wrong", but rather acknowledging how I can have a better experience by making a different choice next time, and then being done with it. It feels very freeing. I'm beginning to understand on a deeper level that Prosperity and Abundance have everything to do with my inner representation. In fact, that may be the only factor that ultimately matters. The "Inner" therefore, creates the "Outer". This is my beacon. My Light of Truth that I must follow as I create my reality, as I create my "Lavish Abundance".

Your Life is YOUR Message!

“My Life is My Message” ― Mahatma Gandhi

This is true for all of us... What message are you sending? Is it an immediate message, like an e-mail or a text? Or, rather, like a message in a bottle, where the intended information may never land into the hands of the desired recipient. I encourage you in the New Year to be clear in your message. Through your words, your actions, your thoughts… Live with the intention of what your desired outcome is.

If you are loving someone, perhaps it’s time to share your love. And, if it isn’t appropriate to tell them, perhaps you may enjoy just sending them the clean vibration of love, without any strings attached or expectations. Real love isn’t binding in it’s expression. It’s not dependent upon being reciprocated. It just IS.

If you are wanting a new friendship to develop or deepen, perhaps it is time for you to take it to the next level by initiating a get-together… a coffee date, a movie, a walk.

If you are wanting new business connections, perhaps you can DO business with others’. Leave out the expectations of whether or not they reciprocate. Just spread the good news of the quality of their business and watch as others’ perceive YOUR business as being of the highest quality too!

Like attracts like. Be fully what you would like to receive. Allow for others’ to not be in your same space, we are all in our own place of growth, and we learn best from all the different people we come in contact with, the ‘young’ and the ‘old’.

Bring into this New Year a hope everlasting… Know deep inside that dreams really do come true. Love is Bliss. Time does heal all wounds. And, that your contribution to the world is just as valuable as mine, as your Uncle Tom’s, as the woman down the street, and even as valuable as Mahatma Gandhi himself! You are blessed and loved… Cheers!

Gratitude: The Key to Healthy Relationships

Let’s face it, relationship zeal can falter in even the strongest, most healthy relationships. Be it with your best girlfriend, colleague, or your beloved, there will be times that are more dynamic and intimate than others. So, how do you get a pulse back into your flat-lined relationship? Expression of gratitude. Even when you don’t feel any. Ever heard of the expression, “Fake it till you make it”? Well, it works. Now, I’m not typically in favor of inauthentic expressions, however, sometimes they can be the difference that makes the difference. Did you know that if you are feeling blue and you force yourself to smile that it will naturally start the process of releasing endorphins which will naturally take you out of the blues! Same concept with gratitude. Start feeling it, expressing it, living it, and it will start reflecting back onto you from every encounter. We can even make a difference in our relationships by expressing our gratitude for another in private. Science isn’t sure how it works, but here are the general, non-scientific, explanations: You yourself are putting out subconscious vibes of approval and love and the other person picks up on it. You put your message out into the “collective unconscious” and the other person receives your message through that channel. You literally, psychically, plant the thought and love into the other person, they have no choice but to receive the message. However you choose to believe it works, is the exact and perfect answer to how it works. Just know that it does work!!!

Exercises for Bringing Life into Strained Relationships

Exercise #1

1. Take a few moments to sit down and think about who is in your life that you would like to have a better relationship with. It doesn’t have to be a key person, it can be as simple as the mailman that seems annoyed all the time. But, it can be a key person, such as your husband/partner, that things seem “off” or lackluster with. Make a list if need be.

2. Systematically go down through the list and make mental notes (or physical ones!) describing all the qualities that you admire in the person.

3. Meditate on each of the people on the list with the positive attributes you’ve recognized, thanking them for the parts you’re grateful for.

4. Do this daily as a practice of meditation and gratitude. I like to do it as I go to sleep at night. I feel like it calms my spirit and helps me to remember who and what are important in my life, and why. I sleep like a contented baby….

Exercise #2

1. Think about one person that you have a strained or distant relationship with that you would like resolved. Preferably, this person lives in proximity or you will be seeing them shortly.

2. Think about what has gone wrong in the relationship from your perspective. Then, put yourself in their shoes for a few moments and look at your relationship, good and bad, from their perspective. Allow the feelings to marinade.

3. Write them a letter sharing with them all of the things that you admire about them. It may be that they are handy around the house. It may be that they are amazingly smart. It may be that they make a great supper, or give good hugs when you are sad, or that you think they are honorable. Whatever qualities you appreciate, write it down in a letter format. Do not include anything negative. Only the positive things…

4. Meet with them and read them your letter face to face. Do this from a perspective of love and building a bridge, starting from your side of the river. Keep your expectations at bay and just let the positive energy flow.

5. Leave them the letter if they would like it.

6. Know that you are love in action.

Fear: What Are You Running From?

I've been thinking about fear lately. In fact, it's really crept into many aspects of my life, in very passive, and not so passive, ways.

The other night I was dreaming that I kept coming into contact with this really creepy man in my house. When I would find myself alone with him, I would run away desperately, with the slow, weighted moves of someone running through waste-high water. He would always nearly catch me, just in the instant that I would open the door to the outside. A friend was just on the other side of the door. My fear of the man would vanish, leaving only a subtle anxiety. The three of us would walk outside and I would relate with this man conversationally as if he were a friend or mentor, not some crazed psycho intent on hurting me.

I awoke that morning in a state of wonder, and possibly some mild arrhythmia...

The wonder has pulled at me, exploring the depths of my being, seeking the symbolism of the dreams message. What am I afraid of, that I run away from, when I am alone, but I can tackle relatively peacefully when I am with others? Is it as simple as... paperwork??? Or, perhaps it is more complex and I'm just not quite connecting the dots.

Whether its the paperwork or something else, it has really gotten me thinking about fear, and how it manifests in my life. And, how it may be manifesting in yours.

Are there areas of your life that you just avoid because the fear of failure, or the fear of embarrassment, or the fear of rejection is just too great? Or, perhaps it's just something that you don't like to do (paperwork anyone??)

With obvious precaution, perhaps it's time to step outside of your comfort zone and try something that makes you just a little uncomfortable. I'm starting with my notorious piles of paperwork that I look at and virtually RUN from every day... but for you, maybe it's something more like this:

Go ahead... ask that pretty girl out.

Sign up for the advanced class and give it a try.

Dance. Laugh fully. Say hello to a stranger. Take on a new business venture. Travel to Istanbul.

And, if you happen to be a master paperwork procrastinator... Get your paperwork done...

Recharge Your Battery

Have you ever noticed how incredibly delicious and refreshing a good nights' sleep can be? Of course you have! And, do you know why a good rest makes you feel so good? Below you will find just a sampling of what happens to you and your body when you become sleep deprived.

1. Stress:

Our bodies naturally go into a "high alert" zone when we don't get enough sleep. Imagine your cells working triple overtime to accomplish even the smallest of tasks. A decent runner can for a few miles without being overtaxed, but if you were to ask the same runner to sprint those same few miles, the result would be very different. When you don't get enough consistent (optimal word!) sleep, it's like sprinting on your body and brain. Eventually, we just hit a wall and can't go anymore.

2. Inflammation:

Our body self-repairs while we sleep. When we don't get enough uninterrupted sleep, it prohibits the organs from doing an efficient job of cellular repair. Inflammation is one result. Inflammation is linked to cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. It also increases aging... and we all can admit (can't we???) that we want to look as young and beautiful for as long as we can!

3. Memory Enhancement:

Sleeping and dreaming are key aspects of memory. When we sleep and dream we process information we accrue throughout our days and create links and memories that stabilize our perception of reality. Lack of sleep is directly connected to Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia.

4. Weight Management:

Sleep helps to balance hormones in the body. When our hormones are not balanced, or we aren't producing enough of one kind or the other, our appetite will be affected. Hormones play a huge role in our overall function and management of our bodies and minds. Next time you want to lose weight, try increasing your sleep to 7-9 hours per night in conjunction with a healthy diet and some form of exercise and see where that takes you.

There are so many reasons to get a good night sleep. In fact, if you are interested in learning more, be sure to visit http://www.supermemo.com/articles/sleep.htm. It's a highly informative article that details valuable information about sleep and wellness.

And, I want to include a few tips to enhance your ability to have a good night's sleep...

1. Take care of your body. Stretch out, exercise, get a massage. Your body's little aches and pains, tight muscles and pinched nerves all contribute to discomfort, creating wakefulness periodically throughout the night.

2. Stop having caffeine after noon. Caffeine, even in small doses, can stimulate the brain making it harder to fall asleep.

3. Take supplements such as Melatonin, Valerian Root, or Kava Kava. Let the herbs naturally relax you into an impressive slumber.

4. Drink herbal tea. Not only are there wonderful antioxidants in many herbal tea formulas, but they can also relax and encourage a good nights rest. Try Traditional Medicinals, it's easily found in grocery stores and natural food markets and boasts premium quality herbs. To find out more or to order try this link http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/calming_teas.

5. Have sex. Yes, I said it. Sex. It's wonderful for releasing hormones, endorphins, and natural relaxants. Not to mention, you can burn a few calories too!

Sleep well my friends!