Who wants to be hypnotized when they could be hypnotouched*?
(It's ALL) About Me (yeah, right!) I am about many things...to box me into ONE would be a very big mistake. People experience me as intelligent and offbeat, with a perspective that is NOT down the worn path. Those who enjoy speaking with me quite frequently find things they didn't even know they were looking for. If what I have to say seems interesting or might be helpful to you, let's talk!
There is a chat box in the right column, feel free to chat with others when I am not there, or with me, when I am. (If you're hearing *blips* while visiting, there is likely to be conversation going on at the time).
I saw this Mythbuster Episode a while ago, and
have wanted to address it. It is an episode
about how hypnosis can't have you do anything
against your will. According to what they show,
they believe it proves that the statement is
"true."
Things like this trouble me because the validity
they give to the claim I believe gives people a
false sense of security. First of all, the
examples they give are one-offs. One attempt is
made, and it doesn't work. Second of all, those
that they do the hypnosis with are not necessarily
the "best" of all possible subjects. Third of
all, the suggestions are almost silly, and worded
in a no-nonsense, direct kind of way.
If someone was "likely" to do something against
his will, given a hypnotic suggestion, there are
variables that might give a different outcome.
First it would likely be more than one session,
maybe even many. Secondly, as all subjects are
not created equal, if a hypnotist had a deeply
suggestible subject, the odds of accepting a
suggestion plainly, or otherwise suggested, is
greater than one who is not. Third, give a
suggestion in a way that allows the mind to
accept it by it appearing to be something other
than it is will likely allow for greater acceptance.
In addition, there will be ways to make it difficult
not to have the person follow through. An ethical
hypnotist is not likely to do something like that,
(there are exceptions - for instance, when you ask
for/desire it by your own accord) therefore it
is not a true sampling of what would or would
not seem to be possible. Plus, if you were to
make it rewarding in some way for the person to
follow through it would also tend to skew the
possible end result.
Believe me when I tell you there are ways to
skew things when you are in trance. While it
may be "technically" true that you won't do
anything against your will, there are many ways
that things can be contorted and distorted...
and the only benefit there will be will be for
the other person.
If interested, view the episode for yourself,
and let me know what you think.
There was a time in my life that a relative of mine had lost
weight, and she had used hypnosis to do it. As a result,
long before I was ever a hypnotist, I got to experience
weight loss as a result of hypnotic suggestion.
The problem was, though, once I stopped the hypnosis, the
weight came back. What I now know as a hypnotist is that
when our unconscious has a plan, it seeks to fulfill it,
even if the actions are to our detriment. It is not that
we are seeking to hurt ourselves, it is quite the opposite.
We are seeking to give ourselves the familiarity that we
"need."
For instance, if food provides some sort of comfort, we
will seek it out when we need to be comforted. We can
change our habits - with or without hypnosis - but if we
do not change the piece of us that has a need that it
sees our old habit fulfilling, odds are we may at some
point find ourselves in the same predicament in the same,
or similar way.
I am reminded of this today because of a couple of news
items. You may remember Carnie Wilson had had gastric
bypass surgery several years ago. She lost so much weight,
she even posed for Playboy. After having two children she
gained much of her weight back, and is now wearing a band
and losing weight.
The other news item is about gastric bypass, hypnotic
style. People under hypnosis are given suggestions that
they are having the surgery. The news story shows two
women for whom this approach appears to be working. The
doctor in the story is skeptical about what hypnosis can
do.
Interestingly, I would say that if someone is suggestible
enough to lose weight via this method, s/he may have a
better chance of keeping it off, given that hypnosis is
working with changing what the mind believes unconsciously,
which the surgery (obviously) does not. Stories like
Carney's are "proof" that while it can work, there are
ways that it can also fail. Might it be due to the
unconscious mind?
Of course I wouldn't say that it is. However, it is an
important component, given that there are estimates that
90% of what we do is driven by our unconscious. So while
it may not be able to be determined to be everything, it
certainly is unlikely to be nothing.
At the same time, in the last several weeks as I have
changed the way I eat, I have lost 10 pounds myself, and
I am more convinced than ever that what is in our food
is certainly an issue. Certain foods, regardless of
calories, seem to affect my weight more than others.
So it would certainly seem reasonable to me that if one
was able to alter a person's diet and preferences alone
with hypnosis, it is quite possible their weight could
be affected.
In the end, gastric bypass whether hypnotic or real
ultimately affects a symptom, and unless the cause is
addressed, it seems to me possible that there will
continue to be an issue. Interestingly, the surgery
is many more times expensive than the hypnosis and
likely, by its nature, to be many more times dangerous
as well.
As with anything, we have choices to make and the best
ones we make come with as many levels of understanding
as we can get. Learn what you can before you do what
you do and you will be more likely to succeed at what
you are trying to do.
If interested, below are the videos I have been
referring to. Have a great night!
Tonight I went out to dinner. It is the first time
I have eaten food in the last two months that I
don't really know the contents or origin of, even
though I can guess, given what I have learned in
the last 60 days, or so.
It is no surprise to me tonight that I am not feeling
so great. But I am surprised because my mouth feels
"funny." I don't know if there is any correlation
between how it feels and what I ate, but it would
seem to me that there might be some.
I will go into more details in a future entry,
and explain a bit of what I have been finding out.
In the meantime, here is a video I HIGHLY SUGGEST
you watch - especially if you live in the US.
It will be a bummer if you take it at face value,
which might be all to easy to do. At the same
time, perhaps with knowledge comes other possibilities,
and other choices.
Watch it, and see what you think. Feel free to share
you thoughts, knowledge, and experiences below. If
you are willing, it can often be helpful for others.
Mitt Romney says he "doesn't care" about poor
people. Have you heard?
If you listen to what he really says, he is
saying that he wants to focus on those who
seem to need the most help. There are plans
in place to help the poor, and the rich - well,
they're rich.
Regardless of one's political leanings, there
is room to see his point, despite picking on
the words he chose to express it.
How often does that type of hearing get us into
trouble and arguments? How many times do we
hear something different than it was intended?
While there are considerations here, I would
suggest it is only a distraction to focus on
the delivery rather than the ultimate message,
and to create a cherry picked statement that
ultimately is no good to the greater cause.
I wanted to say no good to anyone, but it
would seem it might just help the cause of
anyone who is "anti"- Romney (which might just
be the point here?)
What would the world be like it we could focus
on the positives and the things we would like,
rather than on fear mongering, and the things
we want to stay away from? Some will say that
when voters go to the polls, they don't vote
FOR someone, but rather against someone else.
If you think about it...it isn't exactly an
empowering place to stand. It is so much
more powerful to make a choice than feel
defaulted into one. Is it no wonder that
some may be feeling a bit disillusioned
these days?
What would it take for us to come together?
We so desperately need to be looking out for
our commonalities than for arguing about to
handle our distinctions, and listening with
our heart more, instead of our head and ego.
I suspect that would be a start.
What do you think?
If you enjoyed this entry,
(or found it helpful)
please click below:
Tonight I became aware of a speech that Jimmy Carter
gave in 1979. When I read it, it was clear to me
that there were many facets about it that would
still apply today - almost 33 years later.
In some ways, it makes me consider how much a nation
is much like an individual. Carter outlined certain
things - like the "crucial goal" of having the US at
20% solar powered by the year 2000. I can not find
what it currently is, but in researching, I saw a
headline that said we could be 10% by 2025!
How many times do we say we will do something, only to
do something else? How many times do we say something
is important, only to look back and see how we never
did anything to implement something new, or at least
cease to do the "old" things that weren't working?
Of course there will be people who will explain with
great logic why things are as they are, and will spout
great intentions for the best, but how often does the
logic of the "best" actually equate to "the" best?
I heard recently how we have enough of a resource for
100 years. Well. That's wonderful. But...what happens
in year 101, provided the prediction holds?
Why are we so short minded sometimes? Possibly out of
our need to stay in territory that is comfortable and
familiar. Remember that familiar is only comfortable
because it is familiar, not because it is necessarily
truly comfortable in how it affects us.
Another thing Carter spoke of was how he was spending
time with US citizens, and he quoted some of them who
said, "We've got to stop crying and start sweating,
stop talking and start walking, stop cursing and start
praying. The strength we need will not come from the
White House, but from every house in America."
How many times are you aware of those - including,
gasp! yourself - who will look outside of themselves
for answers and/or to assign blame. While some are not
religious, and may find "praying" a difficult piece of
the above quote, consider that the word could stand for
whatever it is that one has faith or belief in. We all
have something, even if it is just the faith that we
will somehow get through the day.
Carter's speech is called Crisis of Confidence, and it
is the thing we need most to light our way as individuals,
as a city, a state, a country, a world. Without confidence,
there is nothing to draw on internally to help guide the
way. It is what can make the vulnerable even more so.
Someone also suggested that Carter was managing the
government, instead of leading it. It is something
that I think could hold true for many people in their
lives. How often do you "manage" what occurs to you
instead of leading the way to an outcome that you
would prefer?
I know I am guilty of this more often than I would
like to admit. It takes extra effort to be able to
move forward in a way that is ACTIVE and PROACTIVE
versus REACTIVE. Oddly enough, I think as I write
that, it only seems to take extra effort and energy,
as how often do we find ourselves in an uncomfortable
place - expending more of ourselves - as a result
of a reaction to our circumstances?
In the last few days I have been learning about
something called xenoestrogens. While I would like
to explain what it is to you - I am still learning.
At the same time, I can tell you that it is something
that it would seem we should all become aware of, in
the same way that we become aware of how other things
can potentially be detrimental to our well-being.
It seems to me that we need to be educating ourselves
in the things in life that we interact with, instead
of taking another's word for it. It seems to me that
the things we are educated in - including our belief
systems (religious, or otherwise) - aren't always
going to be "true" or "right" or "best." People were
once taught the limiting belief that the world was
flat, and it took those who were willing to interact
with that knowledge in a different way that allowed
us to see there was more to the world than what we
perceived, based on what was taught.
You may think you have learned many things, and maybe
some have been more than helpful. However, it seems
to me that sometimes progress comes from our ability
to un-learn, and to be willing to explore new horizons.
The only way that we can do that is to be willing to
make some noise, upset some people, and potentially
be willing to be uncomfortable. And in the process
we might just see the world in which we live make some
progress.
In the end, we were born and we will die. The only
part we seem to have any say in is the part that lies
in the middle, and if we want to spend those years
in some sort of repetitive place, then it would seem
almost too easy to do. At the same time, what might
the world - YOUR world - be like if we were willing
to be comfortable enough with the unfamiliar and be
willing to take the kind of chances that could actually
have the possibility of creating the kind of world
that more often than not lives only in the precipitation
of conversations about it.
I am not sure what I can personally do for the world-
at-large, except perhaps continue to work on myself and
ask questions and do what I can to shake up my own
environment in a way that works for me and reverberates
for others.
As I say that I think about the film, Fat, Sick, & Nearly
Dead. In it, a man who takes his own journey in regard to
his health and well-being helps to make a difference for
another. What is a personal journey has bigger ramifications
as the person he helps winds up helping others.
It would seem the best way we can help the world (should
we have the desire to do so) is to do all that we can to
help ourselves. As I write that, it occurs to me that
it could be the recipe also for the problems we have.
So where does the line get drawn?
I think that might be a discussion for another day. However,
I would suggest that it may, in part, be due to one's intent.
Ok. Enough reflection for now. LOL.
Have a great day!
PS If you'd rather hear/see the speech than read it,
I found it on Youtube:
If you enjoyed this entry,
(or found it helpful)
please click below:
Someone asked me what I thought of this video,
and what the couple is recommending. Some
in the erotic world would say that abstinence
does a relationship good.
Personally I think that anything that is used
to manipulate another is not always in the
best interest of a relationship. Understanding
dynamics are helpful, and so is the ability to
truly communicate within a relationship.
I don't think that everyone is the same - even
if they are of the same gender, and I am not a
big fan of broad generalizations. As odd as
some may feel it is, some men wouldn't care if
they couldn't have sex for a week and others
wouldn't be interested, even if it would happen.
In watching the video, it seems the emphasis is
more on the relationship than it is on the
aspect of sex, and that I would agree with.
As far as the part about sex goes, well, the
exercise they propose seems to do what exercises
are supposed to do: show those who do it a
thing or two about themselves.
In relationships with others, it is an understanding
of ourselves that is often the most helpful. In
looking at others it might be easy to point, at
the same time, if we look we may find our reflection
in what we see - if we take the time to notice.
If you are having difficulties in a relationship,
it might be a good idea to take a step back and
look at yourself, and see what is truly bothering
you. If you are feeling unloved the things that
people (or don't do) will likely be things you
will fight over when, in actuality, they may not
be the issue at all and if you address the things
without addressing the real issue you will find
yourself rarely making any progress.
But I am getting off track a bit. In the end,
I would say that the best solution for any
dynamic isn't likely to be the "one-size-fits-
all" option that someone else offers, but
the one that those involved work through and
create on their own.
Dems my couple of cents.
If you enjoyed this entry,
(or found it helpful)
please click below:
While I am not a fan of broad generalizations,
I think things like this can be good overall
if it gets conversations going.
Niecy also talks about how "true" it is that
words hurt. I strongly believe it is NOT
the words that hurt, but rather the meaning
behind them. And, because of that, I would
say the more we are of the things that affect
us, and why, the more ability we will have
to moderate our reactions to what another says.
What do you think of what she says? Would you
agree with me? As always curious to know what
you think.
For some reason this song is
going through my head a lot today.
I realize it is obvious in some
way because of Christmas being
around the corner.
But I can't help but wonder why
this particular one is in the
mental spotlight. Perhaps it
harkens back to the innocence
of my early Christmases. There
is something very special about
the untarnished magic of the
season which often comes with
childhood.
Perhaps it is something about
that innocent time that has me
singing this song today. Here's
to those moments that stand on
their own without the weight of
worry or concern and are timeless,
welcome memories.
just for the heck of it...
another fun one of the season.
I hope you are finding some
juicy morsels of your own
to enjoy. Would love to
know what yours are. Care
to share? Comment below,
or feel free to contact me
directly.
This is about a beautiful song called God Gave
Me You. It is the preview video. If you want
to see the beautiful, completed video, click here.
It speaks to those special people of all types we
can turn to when we feel we need someone. Believe
in God, or not, it doesn't matter...we can still
have a special appreciation for those who make our
lives better.
Enjoy, and sweet dreams.
If you enjoyed this entry,
(or found it helpful)
please click below:
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it
living someone else's life. Don't be
trapped by dogma which is living with
the results of other people's thinking.
Don't let the noise of others' opinions
drown out your own inner voice. And
most important, have the courage to
follow your heart and intuition. They
somehow already know what you truly want
to become. Everything else is secondary."
- Steve Jobs
Tenker was kind enough to post a commencement
address from Steve Jobs. I had never seen it
before, but it turns out the quote that I
shared in the last entry comes from that talk,
along with some other juicy bits.
He shares about his college experience, and
how things that didn't make sense or fit at
the time came to mean something down the road.
How often do things happen in the moment that
make no sense or are painful, only to be the
foundation for some other moment in the future
that THEN makes perfect sense?
If you have the time, check out the video.
If you don't have the time, might I suggest
you make the time? It will likely be worth it.
If you enjoyed this entry,
(or found it helpful)
please click below:
"Have the courage to follow your heart & intuition.
They somehow already know what you truly want to
become. Everything else is secondary."
- Steve Jobs
So much is being said about this man today. I
never paid much attention to him or his story,
until now, and what an amazing one it is - on
so many levels.
Would he have been the same man with the same
opportunities and met the same people if he
hadn't been adopted?
If he had given up the many times things seemed
to tank, would he have been someone who "could
have been somebody"?
Would he have become all that he was, and
accomplish all that he did if he hadn't been
fired from Apple?
There are things about his life that some will
judge negatively and harshly, and some will even
take away the fact that "he" created what he did,
by saying that GOD did. (Sadly I have heard people
are going to protest his funeral.)
When we will realize the fact that while we are
in many ways seemingly different, we are, at the
core, remarkably similar? When will we realize
that the things we are meant to recognize aren't
the things that we often do?
Inspiration comes from somewhere. Maybe it is
God. At the same time, many are inspired, and
do nothing. Steve Jobs was a man, who it is
said (and I think he may have said), lived
every day like it was his last.*
Many of us live like we will have forever. We
go through life mindlessly floating along, and
even if inspiration hits, it sits idly by.
Steve Jobs made the most of his human experience,
seeming faults and all, and the actions he took
have changed the landscape of much of our
technological world. He did that by allowing
himself to question things and how they looked
and felt and how they were approached, molded,
and handled - and then - acted on it.
I would say the celebration of any person is
more about what they contribute to the process
of life than the things they bring to life
itself. The greatest tribute we can make for
anyone is to honor the lessons that they brought
to our attention through who they were, what
they said, and what they did.
Like the man, or not, he impressed many enough
to affect them in the ways that mattered -
to themselves. I can think of no greater gift.
"For all of his single-minded dedication to the company he built from the ground up, Jobs actually skipped a meeting to take Laurene on their first date: "I was in the parking lot with the key in the car, and I thought to myself, 'If this is my last night on earth, would I rather spend it at a business meeting or with this woman?' I ran across the parking lot, asked her if she'd have dinner with me. She said yes, we walked into town and we've been together ever since.'"
If you enjoyed this entry,
(or found it helpful)
please click below:
I came across this video today as I had this
strong feeling of missing someone. It is
interesting to me how we do a dance with the
feelings we have in life. The singer is
definitely missing someone, but definitely
doesn't want to be.
It is like any conflicting hypnotic suggestion -
feeling one way, but being another. Life is
very hypnotic, and so is the way we deal with it,
and some things are harder to "break."
There is an expression that what you resists,
persists. So trying not to miss someone will
only make you miss them more. It's also
interesting how the song is written..."missing
you" echoing amidst "ain't missing you." The
thing we don't have resides in a way in its
perceived lack. The best you can do is to
find something else to focus on, and go about
your day - provided that there isn't anything
else you can do. It isn't easy, but at least
it is a start.
And for me part of acknowledging what I am
feeling is to share this with you.
Have a great week...only 5 days til October 1st,
and IsisFest...I have almost
20 *NEW* pics that are awaiting next month.
Are you ready, yet?
If you enjoyed this entry,
(or found it helpful)
please click below:
