Apositiva

Posts Tagged ‘Portland hypnosis’

It’s a Perfect Time to Make Plans … to be Happy

Looking through the medicine cabinet, we have bandages, salve, alcohol, calamine lotion, and some natural remedies. Sounds like I’m planning for hurt or discomfort. Do you have lots of canned goods, dry milk, dried fruits, tea, and even bottles of liquids a big bag of food for your pets? Does that make you feel secure? Alright. Good work! Let’s see … what did we forget to plan for?

How’s your happy plan? 

Do you have a “Emergency Happy Plan” for the day when you are out of it and need a plan ready to set in motion? Well then, let’s get going!  Some of the simple actions you can take now in planning for your happiness can give you a boost when you most need them. It’s a perfect time to make plans to be happy!

In a box, small or large, gather some “Emergency Happy Care Box” items. These can be items that are pleasing to the touch, sound joyful, visually appear interesting and some that smell nice (but not living flowers).  Include a poem that inspires you on some level that it makes you take a breath and sigh (i.e. Desiderata), which is lovely for your mind. If you have a puppet you can talk to (or it can talk to you from your hand/food), and maybe some bubbles. Now, as you can tell, I’m making up a list of sensory items that may be pleasing to you… personally.

My third grade teacher gave me a card that said, “put a poem in your pocket and a song in your head and you’ll never be lonely at night when you’re in bed.”  As you can tell, it hung around… probably because it made me happy. I used to actually have a bunch of items in my cedar chest (also referred to as a Hope Chest) that when I pulled them out, I could imagine myself all grown up and happy. It was my escape to happy when I was a teenager.

Grumble, Grumble, Grumble

Recently, when I was in the middle of a “mood” I tried one of Rich’s “inner emergency happy tricks.” He grumbles. No, not his stomach, he says it literally over and over.  Makes me feel good and I suggest you put this idea in your head for emergencies when you can’t get to your “Happy Box” in time. The first time I saw it in action:

Rich walked out of the kitchen, making fists and squeezing his eyes mumbling. “Grumble, grumble, grumble, grumble, grumble.”  (Try saying that over and over.)

I laughed and said, “Oh, yeah?”

He laughed and explained, “When you run dry on happy you may as well “grumble n a funny, silly happy way.  Shakes it loose.  Let me know how it goes when you have a chance.”

Right now, it is a perfect time to make plans to be happy, and if you don’t have an emergency box, get going. You can also make plans with another person to get together for a cup of hot tea. How about planning a walk on Sunday? Pick up special items that will make someone else happy, wrap it, hide it in their drawer, or mail it if they are at a distance. Just knowing that you sent something to someone will give you happy anticipation.

Grab anything that is querky, fun, a child’s story book, a funny photo, a sea shell, a $10 bill! Put it with your sealed bag of dried cherries in a box and put a sign on it that labels it “Happy Emergency Kit” or something along that line. Sort of like we suggested a while back with a Dream Jar. (Talk to me if you missed that one.)

Happy Bottom Line

The bottom line is, don’t just prepare for bandages, plan happy time for puppets and bubbles, too! If you need more suggestions, call me or join our Pediatric Workshop this week-end on Saturday/Sunday, February 9-10th. We will be giving lots more ideas and demonstrations for happiness there! One of our instructors will be demonstrating a fun process with a little girl there.  How fun! Gotta go! Call me at 503-525-0595.

Remember, it’s always a perfect time to make plans to be happy!

How I Became (a Hypnotherapist)

My brother asked me to write a book about How I Became a Hypnotherapist.  He wanted to know what motivated me to do “it.”  May I tell you that it’s interesting to hear this from people. So, I wanted to take this time to talk about it (you can buy the book later).

If you were to go to the Oregon Hypnotherapy Association, you would probably find at least 100 people with stories of what led them to do this healing work. Contact someone from the National Guild of Hypnotists and you would find nurses, lawyers, engineers, massage therapists, graphic designers, business managers, contractors, cab drivers, dentists, and writers who practice hypnosis and have a great story on how they chose to do this work.

Many of them would tell you how they experienced a session in quitting smoking, loosing weight, overcoming a phobia, or some major feat that was really important to them.  Many different stories! When you ask me, I might say, “I was in the right time at the right place when the OPPORTUNITY came along.”

You see, I didn’t come out of Kindergarten and say, “Mommy, when I grow up I want to be a Hypnotherapist.”   My dear, loving Catholic mother would have probably reminded me that I could be a secretary (as was popular at the time) or a nurse, a teacher, or a mother (most popular). What I wanted was to be an Artist (and something else, but you’ll have to ask me personally what that is).

Been There, Done That

Originally, I learned hypnosis from my father and aunt who studied with a Psychiatrist in the 1970′s.  I worked many years doing lots of other things after I first learned of hypnosis, doing other things. “What is that?” you ask.

My career involved working in a hospital with dietary needs for patients, performing paralegal work for a law firm including a Congressman. Oversees I helped people overcome “culture shock” as military families came to a country very different than their own.  Years of working for a telecommunication company followed where I supported telecommunication engineers, developing standards of quality control, managing facilitation for workers (and office needs).  I started a design firm, where I worked with a team to design logos, newsletters, product displays, and corporate identities.  I was an Account Manager in computer training, sold advertising for a New York firm, and communicated with Pacific Rim countries who needed to repair lasers.  As a customer support engineer, I installed telephone systems and later developed training programs for large electronics firms.  All this while raising children as a single parent, and pursuing education at university full time.  “Wow!” (Mom upside down.)

Why Did I Do “It?

There must have been one specific reason to explain how I became a Hypnotherapist.  Let’s see …  I loved helping people:

• quit smoking (which I did personally)
• losing weight easily (ditto)
• studying and remembering better
• learning how to communicate
• transitioning women to go beyond shame
• bringing men back to normal after dealing with pain
• giving children more focus and confidence in school.

Then again, I LOVE art!  Writing is a major pleasure. Training flows through my blood.  My highest value is family and people, and I deeply care about making a difference in the lives of people and helping my community.

Hmmm… I can’t tell you at this time. Well, I guess you can always call Rich and me at 503-525-0595 or e-mail me at cat@apositiva.com and we can talk.  Come and have tea with Rich and me at Apositiva’s center and you can ask, “How do I become a Hypnotherapist?”

Everybody Hurts Sometimes – Bell’s Palsy

Stuff happens. Friends tell you, “Life is an adventure.” Yet when you hurt you don’t want to hear that from well-meaning friends. I know a person who recently experienced a difficult physical event.  What a shock!  This is really happening?  Maybe I could change it by not acknowledging it. Nope. Doesn’t work. Why me? Argghhhh.  What was it? Bell’s Palsy.

Do you know what Bell’s Palsy is?  Bell’s Palsy is a syndrome that affects the facial nerve, and causes the facial muscles to become weak or paralyzed. One side of the face is paralyzed from the eye, to the nose, mouth and cheek. Yes, it heals… it just takes several weeks and depending on the person and severity 3-6 months of healing, and even up to over a year. Here is an excellent site for more information on Bell’s Palsy.  The Mayo Clinic also offers a good explanation, and you can click here for the medical information. If your child has it, you may appreciate the site for Kid’s Health here.

Who gets it?  Female or male persons who are older or younger, pregnant or diabetic, or experiencing a viral attack. It’s debilitating and embarrassing to face physical situations. Bell’s Palsy can strike slowly or immediately. It is hard to explain that you can’t taste your food or smile, it is hard to blink your eye, and you may feel a little confused or depressed. No matter what the reason it’s not pleasant. Little things can make a difference, however, and one in particular is to think positively. Acknowledge how you feel and put it into words in a different form, like music.

Sing. That’s right! Even though you’re in pain, you feel a little sad, take a moment and make up a poem, a song, and sing it. The emotion can ride the waves of the pain and you can rise above it like riding the surf. On a You Tube video, you’ll find the song “Everybody Hurts” sung by R.E.M. Click here and sing along.

Find Words to Support You

It would help if you had the words – right? Okay. Below you will find the words to the song. By the way, finding your words and talking over how this syndrome or any difficulty affects you gets it out. Releases the burden of holding it all inside and gives you release. There is a magic about sharing it with someone who cares and listens.

I wondered how someone who is in front of the camera deals with Bells Palsy. Apparently, there is quite a list of stars from George Clooney, Pierce Brosman, Allen Ginsberg, and Maggie Davis. John Sudworth talking about Bell’s Palsy from the BBC News described it as “one half of my face has decided to go on strike.”  Maggie Davis includes many stories from easy to tough on the BP trek. Words can be inspirational, and hearing another’s story can give you hope.

What Else Helps when “part of you is paralyzed”?

It’s a great resource to have a Practitioner of EFT help, as tapping is a good resource with a guide. Guided Visualization for ‘progressive relaxation’ can ease the face and body, and aid in healing the mind and body. At Apositiva we have people willing to work with you, and we teach both EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique and Guided Visualization or Self-Hypnosis.

Practitioners in Yoga, Chiropractic, Massage, and Acupuncture can make a difference in speeding the healing. Anita Tadavarthy of the Metis Acupuncture Clinic offers gentle and nurturing treatments.  Remember to enjoy good sound healthy eating of a nutritious diet rich in Vitamin B12 and Folate makes a difference.  Prayer, meditation, Reiki, and Guided Visualization support your energy and mind. It’s most important to take care of yourself, rest and heal.

Can I Do a Session on the Phone?

Yes! Guided Visualization and Emotional Freedom Technique can be easy and comfortable in your own home when you can’t get outside. You can call us for an appointment over the phone and have a session in the comfort of your own home. When you have the time to talk, call us at 503-525-0595 or e-mail Cat Wilson (she’s a good listener) and set up an appointment. In the meantime, check out the You Tube video mentioned by R.E.M. and sing along. I suggest waving your arms above your head (which will make you feel more active and make you smile).

 

Everybody Hurts

by R.E.M.

When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,

when you’re sure you’ve had enough of this life, well hang on.

Don’t let yourself go, everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes.
Sometimes everything is wrong. Now it’s time to sing along.

When your day is night alone, (hold on, hold on)

if you feel like letting go, (hold on)

when you think you’ve had too much of this life, well hang on.
Everybody hurts. Take comfort in your friends.

Everybody hurts. Don’t throw your hand.

Oh, no. Don’t throw your hand.

Don’t throw your hand

If you feel like you’re alone, no, no, no, you are not alone

If you’re on your own in this life, the days and nights are long,

when you think you’ve had too much of this life to hang on.

Well, everybody hurts sometimes,

everybody cries. And everybody hurts sometimes.

And everybody hurts sometimes. So, hold on, hold on.

Hold on, hold on. Hold on, hold on. Hold on, hold on. (repeat & fade)

(Everybody hurts. You are not alone.)

Breaking News!

When you hear this statement do you get riled up? Do you wonder what awful thing is happening now? Or… do you get excited about a new cure for pain, a solution to a world problem, an agreement between sides in a conflict? Well, it’s up to you what you want to do with your mind, but could I offer something useful? A new report says that Hypnotherapy provides a long-lasting effect for pain.

Hypnotherapy has been found as a long-term resolution for pain control. Yes! Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) sufferers have found it can even save health care costs. Doctors and health care providers want you to feel better and there are many ways to get you there. If you have tried everything else, you might want to consider Hypnotherapy.

A study was recently published by the US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health focusing on IBS. The report stated:

“A total of 87% of all patients reported that they considered gut-directed hypnotherapy to be worth while.” Conclusion. This long-term follow-up study indicates that gut-directed hypnotherapy in refractory IBS is an effective treatment option with long-lasting effects.”  (Long-term effects of hypnotherapy in patients with refractory irritable bowel syndrome, published Feb. 20, 2012)

How long does it take? Approximately six to nine appointments.

Want more information? Give us a call and we’ll be happy to answer your questions. The important thing is to stop hurting now and start living more comfortably!

Call for an appointment to discuss how we can help you release the pain of IBS. You can reach Cat at 503-525-0594 and Rich at 503-525-0595.

 

Congrations to Apositiva Institute’s Graduating Class of Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists!