... the beauty that still remains.

I don't think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains.  

~Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl



In light of the tragedy of this day many years ago, these words are appropriate not only in their meaning but also from whom these words are attributed to.   With tragedy comes sorrow, anger and disbelief.  Yet in order to survive and prevail, the beauty  that still remains must be appreciated, protected, and championed. 

Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong. ~Peter T. Mcintyre

Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong. 
 ~Peter T. Mcintyre

Fears can be a pretty big part of life.   Fears can stop you from taking action on every level and aspect of your life.  There are clinically diagnosed fears, situational fears and there are the everyday fears and anxieties.   Things like judgement of others and self.   Not meeting your own expectations or what you perceive as the expectations of others.   

This quote really speaks to a concept that can make a marked change in one's outlook on life.   What if it was OK to make a mistake, or not be the absolute best (that's a value judgement), or accepted yourself for who you are?   

Confidence is a wonderful thing.  It gives you the permission to take action and know that if even if things don't go exactly as you intended, you have the ability to take action again.....learning along the way that you can make a change, you can gain new knowledge and skills, and that you can accept yourself.     

…... alter his life by altering his attitudes. ~William James

The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.  ~William James

1 The Psychosomatic Network

If you start to think about your physical or moral condition, you usually find that you are sick.  ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Proverbs in Prose

I used to think that the term psychosomatic meant that any disease, ache or pain you had, was really all in your head, not real, made up and false.   It wasn't a good thing.  You probably believe that to be true also...but the truth is that we do have a communication network, uniting all the systems of your body.  It is the psychosomatic network, a intercellular network and it's mode of communication is through those linking elements, informational substances known as peptides, hormones and neurotransmitters. (These are the substances that tell a cell what to do.) 

Access to this system is not just though the brain, but via all sensory organs, based on the person's focus of attention. 

So how is this helpful for you to know??   Just know that your thoughts and your state of relaxation have a effect on and are part of the psychosomatic network.  That your thoughts both conscious and subconscious affect the physical state of your body.   And in reality your body and mind are one.





Num. 1  p 34

Are you making yourself sick?

The mind has great influence over the body, and maladies often have their origin there.  ~Moliere


 Have you ever thought that  "it" is was all in your head?  Those aches and pains,  that constant stiffness or feeling in the pit of your stomach?   Well maybe it is.   So how do you get rid of it?  You are not consciously creating the discomfort, but your thoughts about the people, situations or events around you, now or from the past, may be at the root of this pain.    There are so many events in our lives, past and present, that produced pain, emotional or mental.  A thought, memory, aroma, or even a vague feeling of the event reoccurring will trigger a reaction.  That reaction may totally affect your well-being, demeanor, attitude and emotional state.  It can even cause physical pain.

Make a change in your thoughts.
For some "Changing the Channel" is more easily done.  For others mindful practices such as Yoga and Meditation are the key.  Another alternative is to practice Emotional Freedom Technique and/or Hypnosis.  Both these methods, help to make the disconnect,  clearing the clutter of the past and creating new ways of thinking.

There is not such thing as TRY

Try not.  Do or do not.  There is no try.  ~Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back




"I'll try to meet you later for dinner......"


"I'll try to finish that book I'm reading (or writing)........"


"I'll try to go with you........"


"I'll try to help you..........."


So what do you think?   Can you count on me?  Will I do those things?  Will I follow through?   Be honest --what do you expect from me now?   


How many times do you use the word "try"?    The word is meaningless. No let me take that back ...it pretty much means " I will not meet you.... finish the book.....go with you....help you."    Making an effort, attempting to accomplish something and setting a goal....doing the best you can... that's all we can do.. Whether you succeed or not, it's the action you take that counts...Do or do not..but don't include "try" in your vocabulary.

Lack of sleep

A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow.  ~Charlotte Brontë

Sleeplessness is a major problem for many people.  Based studies done at  the Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory at the Hospital at University of Pennsylvania, sleep deprivation affects our ability to perform daily tasks.  Many people are  functioning with as little as 4 hours of sleep a night.  According to the National Sleep Foundation, Americans average 6.9 hours on weeknights. 
Which means that, whether we like it or not, we are not thinking as clearly as we could be. Hypnosis is very effective in helping you sleep.  Read this New York Times article 

GASTRIC BAND Hypnosis

Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels.  ~Author Unknown

Sheila Granger's Virtual Gastric Band Hypnosis program is a safe, effective , highly successful alternative to bariatric surgery.  The VGB program makes eating enjoyable, satisfying and weight loss easy to accomplish.   Over eating becomes habit and hypnosis is effective in eliminating  harmful habits.  When is comes to weight control, the issues are vast, family eating patterns,  eating as a substitution for something missing in one's life, eating for comfort and in some situations a form of protection.  Sheila and Marc's recently published workbook outlines the 8 rules and gives the reader the tools to keep track of food choices.    Hypnosis gives the client the mind set to reach their goals.  An article in Elle magazine describes one type of hypnotic band program.

http://www.elle.com/Beauty/Health-Fitness/Weight-Loss-Surgery

What should I eat?

"To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its undoing".  ~Eva Young


Hypnosis is all about changing your mind to enable you to make better decisions AND TAKE ACTION....With that said when it comes to making good food choices.. we are consantly getting conflicting information about what is good for us to eat...I just read two articles from the same source and while one suggestion was to eat more of a particular food the other article suggested you stop eating that food altogether.


So now-you still don't know what is best to eat and you are THINKING MORE about FOOD.    No wonder being over-weight is a problem for so many.  Diets don't work in the long run, but you can change your habits. 

Actions reflect your intent

"I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts."  ~John Locke

This is the beginning of another new year and many people are thinking about the way life could be better, more enjoyable, healthier, more fruitful financially and emotionally.  Perhaps the thoughts involve major life decisions or changes.   Thinking about something and doing something, are two very different conditions.   I totally believe that problems need to be solved through a conscious decision-making process.  

1. Identify the problem or situation
2. Consider your values (what is truly important to you) and what outcome is your goal
3. Brainstorm ideas that may solve the problem or help you to move forward. By the way consider everything..don't nay say or put any idea down..the one that may seems the most bizarre could be the best solution.
4. Look at the pros and cons of each solution
5. Choose what you think will be the best one.. the one that will lead you to your outcome (goal, final result etc) 

SO HERE IS THE CATCH...YOU MUST TAKE ACTION NOW!

Nothing will happen if you don't act  (MOVE.. JUST DO IT!!) 

IF YOU ARE STUCK ASK FOR HELP!!!

Forgivness is the key

Without forgiveness life is governed by... an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation.  ~Roberto Assagioli

New Year’s resolutions are all based on a desire to make a change.  A new year, a new life.   On January 1^st, the intention is powerful, the motivation is strong…but within a few weeks or even days…that goal may seem unreachable and old habits return. Why does this happen?  What stops you from following through? 

Limiting beliefs.. those messages in your mind.. some real,  some imagined, become the roadblocks to moving forward in life, derailing actions that lead to unfulfilled goals.   A limiting belief, you hear it when the voice in your head speaks and that message stops you from following through.  Sometimes that voice is your own; the negative self talk, doubt and lack of confidence, and sometimes the voice is from your past. 

 Perhaps a fear of success or fear of the unknown is your roadblock.   These are natural feelings, yet not the most beneficial to you when your habits and behaviors are life threatening or affect your quality of life.  Behaviors like smoking, overeating, poor sleep patterns, or fears and anxieties limit you in so many ways.   Although you  can rationalize and tell yourself  that those limiting beliefs are non truths, unless you  forgive others and most importantly yourself,  chances are,  that message will continue to play non- stop and stop you..in your tracks.   The mind is very powerful, your thoughts, intentional or not, not only influence your actions but affect you emotionally, physically and mentally.   You need to reduce stress, eliminate negative beliefs and change habits, which leads us back to your New Year’s resolution. 

Make a change, change your mind.   

Hypnosis and Emotional Freedom Technique are the strategies that will help "make that change" for a better life. 

Gettimg ready for NGH convention

Truly looking forward to the weekend and all the knowledge to be shared at the NGH convention in Mass..this will be the first time I have been there since my retirement from teaching. Very exciting. Will see westchester guild members.

Food GETTING TO THE ISSUE

If hunger is not the problem, then eating is not the solution.  ~Author Unknown

Why do people overeat?
If you tend to eat more then your body needs for good health and wellbeing, you may wonder why you can't just stop the mindless eating patterns.

There are many reasons someone has poor control when it comes to food.

Sometimes it's chemical:

We know that eating carbohydrates prompts the body into producing serotonin  in short bursts.  Serotonin is a feel good chemical (neurotransmitters) naturally produced in the body and  is the same chemical found in prescribed antidepressants.  You eat ..serotonin levels increase... you feel good.... the serotonin levels drop....you feel sluggish, let down....you eat some more...you feel good.... and so the cycle goes..

So food can make you feel better mentally and  act as an anti-depressant. 
Who doesn't want to feel happy, content and wonderful? 

Sometimes it is emotional:

Feeling sad, depressed, lonely may trigger you to eat more,

although this brings us back to carbs and serotonin. 

If food actually makes me happy physically and mentally why stop eating?  

You create a habitual pattern ingrained in your subconsciousness mind

Hypnosis can work on two levels to address this issue.  First by identifying the triggers (emotional and/or physical) and through forgiveness for self and others releasing the triggers that prompt the over eating and repatterning the neuro-pathways that make eating mindless and habitual.  On a second level the process of hypnosis has shown to have a positive effect on blood pressure, and serotonin and dopemine levels in the body.

fight or flight

Panic is a sudden desertion of us, and a going over to the enemy of our imagination.  ~Christian Nevell Bovee

Have you ever been to a Scary Movie, your heart beating faster, quick breathing, feeling chills and goosebumps, ready to jump out of your seat?  Why panic? You are perfectly safe sitting next to your friends, in a comfy warm environment yet your body is pumped full of adreneline and you are prepared to run at any moment.    Your Imagination has taken over your body..you are in fight or flight mode.    Pretty amazing when you think about it, the problem is this process happens over and over again in everyday life .. whether it's your reaction to the kids, your boss, your spouse, the other driver or even your own inner thoughts, you are are experiencing chronic stress  Long term adreneline levels are damaging your body by affecting your blood pressure regulation system,thus  creating scar like tissue within your blood vessels... a prime location for clots to develop. Your immune system is also affected, reversing the production of white blood cells.   Relxation methods, Emotional Freedom Technique and Hypnosis can help you shift prospectives and change habits that may contribute to your stress. 

Mind over (food) matter

"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it." 
 ~Mary Engelbreit

Once you think differently about something the changes will come.    If you are consistantly thinking about food, then you will eat more food.  We form habits over a lifetime...eating becomes a habit...sometimes, totally out of control.   Typical diet plans make you think about food, and the more you think about food the more you want to eat it!!! On a diet-You are forced to consider these questions.

• What can I eat for breakfast,..... lunch ...............and dinner?
• What can I eat as a snack?
• How much can I eat?
• How much does the food weigh?
• How many calories/points/portions are in that food?
• When can I eat ?
• What can I put on my grocery list?
• How Many...... are allowed? 

Just reading this list makes you hungery....
Change your mind and your behaviours will change... Hypnosis deals with the subconscious mind, the mind that controls your autonomic nervous system. Changing patterns of behavior on a subconscous level and taking action will enable you to improve your quality of life.

Mind Body Connection #3 Cortisol & Hypnosis

The stress hormone - Cortisol - produces and maintains high levels of glucose necessary for the response to stress. High glucose levels in the body have a direct relationship to many diseases.  According to Mr. Bruce Lipton, cellular biologist, “The brain can ultimately control the activity of tissues and organs. I believe that the most powerful information processing by the brain is the domain of the subconscious mind and that it can shape tissue responses. These signals can actually influence the membrane to engage selected genes that then actively respond.”

Your body will respond to your thoughts, beliefs and perceptions, real or imagined.   Hypnosis can help you address these thoughts and during the hypnotic state decrease stress levels that affect the heart and immune systems.

Mind Body Connection #2

When you have a thought, your mind sends out signals. This can be in hormones, growth factors, or other chemicals which stimulate oscillations of nerve cells which create a field that influence other nerve and neurons.

In the book, The Emotional Brain, neuroresearcher, Dr. Joseph LeDoux talks about how emotions are hardwired to stimulate our Central Nervous System, which in turn stimulates our Autonomic Nervous System. This is how a sight or even the thought of a sight, cause a bodily reaction.

Do it now--think of something that you dislike or that frightens you.   

How does it physically Feel?

This is how bodily symptoms are related to emotions. Emotions and feelings are not the same. You may not even know (be aware of) that an emotional response is happening. You may have the signs or symptoms of anxiety, such as high blood pressure or sweating for example, but not “feel” anxious. Our emotions are often not at a conscious level.

Mind Body Connection #1 Real or Not

As humans, there is an obvious need to protect ourselves.  Growth is also vitally important, even if you are a fully-grown adult, every day billions of cells in our bodies wear out and need to be replaced. For example, the entire cellular lining of the human gut is replaced every seventy-two hours.              Humans unavoidably restrict their growth behaviors when they shift into protective mode. If you're running from a mountain lion, it's not a good idea to expend valuable energy on growth. In order to survive - that is escape the lion - you summon all your energy for your fight or flight response.    Your levels of Adrenalin and Cortisol increase, which over time have a toxic effect on the system.  Adrenaline is a good response to short term stress, but long-term production of it exhausts us, affects our blood sugar and thyroid levels, suppresses our immune system and makes us prone to illness and tiredness. You may not be running from a mountain lion, but you do deal with everyday life and the stress it brings.  Here is where the mind body link is most important to understand.

                Your subconscious mind does not distiguish between what is real or imagined (perceived).  If you see or percieve something as a threat on a conscious or subconscious level your body will react to it

Welcome - Eliminating Limiting Beliefs

The way we react to life will affect us emotionally, physically and mentally.  Are you ready to eliminate your limiting beliefs?  Of course you can.... Even though it just may seen like a huge challenge to make a change, a change that will relieve the stress and discomfort you feel daily, it can be done.     Hypnosis and Emotional Freedom Technique are the strategies that will help "make that change" for you.  Both methods are quick and produce amazing results.  This blog addresses Hypnosis and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).

We explore the science, strategies for success, methods and resources for information.  ESC