Human kindness

Ok - full disclosure - I'm sentimental.

In particular, at this time of year, I find myself feeling quite emotional.  Tears seem to spill quite easily.  Recently I watched the movie "Love Actually", and even though I've seen the film many times, I still find myself weeping during the 1st few minutes of the film.  It's the scene at in the Arrivals area of Heathrow airport,  Seeing people reunite is so moving - in particular the faces of grandparents when they see and hug their grandchildren - and it has me reaching for a tissue.  (Yes, same thing happens when I am in an actual airport, too).

So, this morning, rather than read the newspaper, I chose to look at this link of a photo essay (sent to me by a dear friend).  I hope you check it out.  It reminds me that there is great kindness, compassion and love in the world; that miracles (big and small) happen all the time; that we are capable of great courage in the face of adversity. 
It gives me hope.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/moments-that-restored-our-faith-in-humanity-this-y

And, in the words from the theme song from that movie, "Love is all around us; I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes......"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meU4cxhdjJI

Let the spirit of Christmas fill your hearts.

Mindfulness

There is great power in being able to focus on one thing at a time.

When we quiet our mind and focus on the present moment, we engage more effectively with our environment and those around us.  Colors appear brighter, information is more easily retained, food tastes more flavorful, spoken words are more clearly heard, we are moved more easily by beauty and music.  We notice details, learn more efficiently, and connect more effectively to people and events.  We take in more information and are able to make better decisions.  

You could equate it to hearing the entire joke, not just the punchline.  Yes, it's much more enjoyable that way.

In our incredible desire to do, do, do - we often fall into the trap of trying to do, do, do everything at once.  We might believe we're getting more done, but ultimately multi-tasking often leaves us feeling unsatisfied and exhausted.  Herding cats is an image that comes to mind.

Here's a terrific article (December 16, 2012 NY Times) from an author of a book entitled "Mastermind:  How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes'.  Maria Konnikova writes about the power of focusing on one thing at a time, and the benefits (physical and mental) of mindfulness.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/opinion/sunday/the-power-of-concentration.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

I encourage you to take a look at the article - and give yourself the gift of mindfulness today. 

Start with a few moments during the day and see where that leads.  Yes, you may need to gently remind yourself - that's ok.  The more you practice it, the easier it gets and more natural it becomes. 

There are so many ways to achieve mindfulness - meditation, self-hypnosis, a walk in the snow (really listen to your boots on the white stuff), prayer, singing (pay special attention to the lyrics), doing something you love to do (and really do it), etc.   Next time you have a conversation with someone, really listen.  If your mind slips away and begins to do a shopping list, or leaps ahead with a witty retort, gently bring yourself back and listen to what the person is saying.  You may be surprised by what you hear and how they respond to being heard.

An Affirmation

With the many things we are consumed by this time of year, this beautiful affirmation offers a gentle place to rest and replenish yourself.

I encourage you to spend a moment (how about right now!), take time for 4 or 5 delicious 'belly-breaths' and let the feeling of relaxation settle into your body.   Take it a step further and focus on the words 'calm', 'open', or the phrase 'accept all miracles and abundance' - with each inhale.  Notice how good that feels.

Safety  |  by Kris Carr

“I am safe and secure. I exhale any anxiety and inhale calm. As my world expands so do my heart and mind. I am willing to stay open and accept all the miracles and abundance the universe has to offer me.”



If you're interested in knowing more about Kris Carr - here's a link:
http://kriscarr.com/

It Gets Better

This link is to a story I found on Huffington Post today.  Within that story is a remarkable, inspiring video produced by the RCMP.  It's about the courage to be true to oneself, and the enormous power of acceptance and love. Kudos to everyone involved in the making of this video.  Through their words and actions, they are creating positive change in the world.  Pass it on!

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/11/05/it-gets-better-rcmp-video_n_2079929.html?ref=topbar#slide=1722344

Find Some Joy Today

Funny where we find inspiration.  It's everywhere, I guess, and often shows up when we least expect it.

I saw this quote recently in a New York Times magazine.  It was a tiny article, but it packed a punch and stayed with me for days.  It inspired me to get over my, 'Oh, I'll get to it later' attitude about blogging. 

How to Find Joy in Life
"When I was in the hospital - I spent 8 months in rehab, and I almost died - I decided that I was going to make sure I had some fun every single day.  It might be a play or a movie, or it might be going by a gallery and seeing a show.  Often, it's eating.
Chuck Close

Why do we feel we have to wait for something dramatic to happen before we get to experience joy?  Why do we put it off?  Why not experience it every day; before (as Joni Mitchell so accurately sang) the Big Yellow Taxi shows up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWwUJH70ubM

Find some joy today.  You deserve it.

Think and Feel

There's the story I like to tell my clients...... It starts with....  "What ever you do - don't think about a pink elephant."

So, what happens?  We think about a pink elephant.

It's totally natural - it's the way our mind works.  We begin to notice more of what we think about.  

Notice the difference between saying "I feel good." VS "I don't feel bad."

When I say to myself "I feel good." - I think about all the ways (subconsciously and consciously) that I feel good. 

Saying "I don't feel bad." brings up a lot of 'Meh, well, ok, I don't feel bad, but I don't feel good, either..... I feel so, so.'

What are the words you use when you talk to yourself?  Are they encouraging, positive, supportive and loving?  Are they words you would use when talking to your best friend?  Our body follows our thoughts; how we feel is directly related to what we're thinking - and choosing our thoughts is one of the things we can control.

Choose today to find 3 things you are grateful for, 3 things that you like about yourself or your life.  Then notice how much easier it is to find 3 more.

The Healing Power of Music

This inspiring video is a clip from a larger documentary "Alive Inside", that is soon to be released.  It shows the remarkable healing power of music in a way that still has me amazed.  Even though science is able to explain so much about life, there is still so much that is a beautiful mystery.
  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyZQf0p73QM

Happy Easter

This time of year is one of renewal, rebirth and the reminder that there are miracles of all shapes and sizes occurring every day, everywhere.  They're there, just waiting for us to us to notice.  I wish you a happy Easter.

To Your Health

Spring has sprung, the days are longer and I'm noticing people are smiling more.  It's like we're coming out of a hibernation of sorts.  It's this time of year that really feels like we're all part of something bigger.

This Ted Talk by Dr. Lissa Rankin was sent to me recently.  As I watched the video I found myself nodding and smiling a lot.  She's engaging and her message speaks directly to what I believe; that our body and mind are one; that our happiness and health are intertwined.  She mentions that our body whispers to us when it needs something.  If we don't listen to the whispers, it begins to yell.  Sometimes that yelling manifests itself physically.

Personally, I don't like to be yelled at.  I prefer soft and gentle tones.  So, when my body whispers, I do my best to listen.  Sometimes it's hard to listen (resistance or denial), but when I'm quiet and open and patient, I can hear the message (I use self-hypnosis).  Then I get to choose my next steps with awareness. 

Whether you are enjoying optimal health or not, please watch this video and pass it on to anyone you think might benefit from it.   Dr. Rankin shares some amazing insights and helpful suggestions as to how to enjoy better health and more happiness in our lives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tu9nJmr4Xs

In this time that we live, we are bombarded with external noise, to a point where we've drowned out our inner voice.  Then we wonder why we're unhappy and ill. 

I encourage you to listen to message your body is speaking.  There are so many avenues to give yourself the opportunity to hear what it's trying to tell you.  Meditation, quiet 'alone' time (phone/tv/radio OFF), gentle physical movement (ie walking), Yoga, prayer, spending time in nature, and self-hypnosis to name some.  With practice, this ability to listen gets easier and easier.  You'll notice the whispers sooner and will be able to take action to quiet them.  Give yourself 5 minutes today to be quiet.  Start with 5 minutes and see what you discover. 

Relax Into Success

Recently,  I was interviewed by journalist Sarah Evans about Hypnotherapy and how the tools and techniques of Hypnosis and NLP can be used to aid in people's relaxation and overall well being.

Below is the link to the article, published in a BC Business magazine.

http://www.bcbusinessbeat.com/column-hypnotherapy.html

A big thank you to Sarah for writing such a compelling article and for sharing her personal experience with Hypnotherapy.

Commit

What is it that compels us to say yes to a cause, a person or a relationship?

When we commit to something or someone - what or who are we really committing to?
 

Is it actually a commitment to ourselves?  To something within us?  Is there something inside of us that is activated when we commit to something that we believe in?

Have you ever noticed that when we finally do fully commit to something magic seems to happen; challenges are more easily overcome, things fall into place and roads open up to us as opportunities and love?

Does the act of committing connect us to something deeper?  Is this a connection to our deeper nature, our true self and ultimately to Nature, to Source, to God, to Life, to Love?  Is that why it feels so good when we do truly commit?   Is it that we're acknowledging a part of ourselves when we do?   Wow.  So, if it leads back to Love, why does commitment scare us so?

Why do we make excuses not to commit?  Maybe it doesn't feel right - and yes, it's important to respect that decision.  But, if it does feel right, and we still won't commit, we've got to ask ourselves why.  What are we afraid of?

 

Would we rather live life watching from the sidelines than participating fully?  Are we still waiting for the perfect moment, person or event to give us an external sign that it's safe to commit?  Is it that we don't want to get our hopes up, we don't want to be disappointed?  We already know that we can really only change ourselves - not anyone else.  So really, it makes sense then, that the 1st commitment we must make is to ourselves. 

 

So, during this month of love, celebrate Valentine's by committing to something you believe in.  Commit to one thing. Something that feels right.  Commit to yourself today and see what happens.

Lessons for Living

The father of a dear friend is dying.
And, as the reality of that sets in, I find myself with all sorts of emotions.
Denial, helplessness, numbness.
Sadness and grief, mostly.
And memories of my own father's death come up.  He passed away many years ago, and yet it is so fresh in my mind.

So what do I do with all of these feelings now?  We don't normally like to talk about death, as it feels like an ending.  We're reminded of our own mortality and that can be very scary.  But, it can also be transformative.

As things happen, I saw and read a story (attached below) this morning.  The  timing of finding this article is not a surprise and I recognized it as a way to learn something.  It's beautifully written by a woman who spent years working in hospices; offering thoughts from those who are dying about how to live life.

The advice, from people who courageously looked back back at their lives with honesty and shared their insight, is enlightening and inspiring.  Reading this article, I found myself looking at how I am experiencing life; how I could be living more fully and at the choices I am making.  It's a reminder that I have a responsibility to life.  Where and how can I change my thoughts so that I experience my life and express myself authentically?  I want to be able to look back on my life and feel that I really lived life fully.  We have opportunities every day to make choices about how we really want to live and be.  I owe it to myself to accept each day as a gift, and to make choices that honor that.  We each do.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bronnie-ware/top-5-regrets-of-the-dyin_b_1220965.html

Surprise Gift

I absolutely love surprise gifts - and when I get them, I get this warm, happy feeling inside. 

Because they are surprise gifts, they come out of the blue, and often from places we least expect.  I got one today and feel so excited about it, I had to share it.  It came in the form of an email.

Recently, I signed up for daily email quotes from the author and life coach Martha Beck.  I adore her, btw.  The first time I read one of her books (years ago), it literally jumped off of the bookstore shelf and into my hands.  It was called "Expecting Adam".  It is an incredible, moving, personal story and ready it inspired me to find more of her work.  If you read 'O' magazine, you've probably heard of her, as she's a regular contributor.  If you haven't, here's her website so you can check her out.
http://marthabeck.com/

Anyway, I got so busy with building my new business in the past few years, that I'd stopped reading her (or much else that wasn't Hypnotherapy oriented).  Not sure why, but I searched her out again last month.  Now I receive her daily quotes.  This is the one I received today - and it really hit home; made me sit up and say 'AHA'!

 The process of weakening a false thought is a little like losing
a baby tooth; at first, you may only feel a tiny bit
of “give,” a slight wiggle away from rigid belief and constant
emotional pain. But as the mind turns its energy to dis-proving a
painful thought, rather than proving it over and over again,
the wiggling becomes more pronounced. You feel freer and freer,
until one day you forget you ever believed something
that is now obviously untrue.
--Martha Beck, Steering by Starlight

For quite some time, I've been trying to find a simple way to explain how Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy is such a fantastic tool........ and there it is.  It's a technique that an be used to weaken a false or limiting thought, and just as importantly, replace it with a new, positive and more empowering thought.  It comes down to choice - and when we realize we can choose what we think; that we can choose to change what we think - well that changes everything.
Thank you Martha Beck!