Let us make Solutions

To start off this new year...
let us look at how we treat a (re)solution.
This year, let us change the wording. If you consider the fact that we have spent years sticking (and unsticking) to new year's resolutions... you will notice a trend. It is practically inferred that resolutions do not work...because people make them year after year - the same resolutions, with a history of failure. Is it any wonder that we have fallen off the resolution wagon by February (or maybe even earlier...dare I say January 6th)? After failure time and time again, year after year - how can we convince ourselves that this year will be different? I have to think that "to stick" implies that it can be unstuck. Maybe, we should super glue it?
Better yet, let us solve it (whatever "it" is).
Let us take a moment to reflect... and ask ourselves; What is the reason we have the issue that we have?
Our thoughts can change our reality. Pay particular attention to the thoughts that surround 'the issue' that we have. If we have a habit of saying, to ourselves or others, "I always smoke after I eat." change that to "I never smoke after I eat." or maybe it is, "I have a weakness for chocolate." we can change that to, "I only like chocolate occasionally."
I realize it is easier through hypnosis to change these behaviors, however...we can make serious progress by becoming self aware. By telling ourselves how we wish we behaved, acting as if our desired behavior is already so, can help us change our behavior. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Happy New Year!

I'm here...moving forward.

Whoaaaaa!
It's been a while. For those who know me - know, I have had MULTIPLE computer problems. Honestly - between those technical problems, my procrastination, and the holidays - I was unable to resolve the problems in a timely fashion! I can totally beat myself up about my part, in the procrastination, but...really - who does that hurt? I'm not looking back. New day. Join me in moving forward.

Be good to your body - make a goal.

Making a goal is a great way to boost motivation and start moving forward. If you are in a rut, ask yourself if you have made any goals lately(?).

Wait... don't read further - have you asked yourself about your goals??

>tapping foot, waiting for your answer<

uh huh... you have no goals, do you? I thought not!

It is easy to get sucked into the pitty party of your life but don't stop there. Be self-aware enough to realize what has put you into your personal situation.

So, dust off your old vision board or hang a new one up. Make a list of goals... ones for right now and ones you would like to reach in the future.

My current goal is Half Dome. A few of my friends accomplished it and I have been kicking myself for not joining in the fun. Better late than never though... so I will be going to the TOP in September.

UPDATE: It was brutal. haha

We ended up hiking right up to the base of half-dome. The clouds swirled in (it was originally a 75 degree day) and out of the blue came bolts of lightning and rain. I was tired and it didn't take much for me to look at that 'as a sign' to turn back.

I hope to try it again sometime.

The key to lasting change

Areas where hypnotherapy has helped someone - this month...
Self-Confidence, Motivation, Self-Image, Stress, Anger, Frustration, Worry, Guilt, Forgiveness, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Change Habits, Exam Anxiety, Relationship enhancement, Performance Anxiety, Perfectionism, Lack of Initiative, Self-Expression, Fears, Phobias, Insomnia, Pain Management, Assist Healing, Sexual Problems, Relaxation, Bed Wetting, Inhibition, Fear of Flying, Self-Defeating behaviors, Self-Criticism, Self-Awareness, Aggression, Self-Esteem, Lack of Direction, Exercise, Fear of Failure, Self-Hypnosis, Relaxation, Breathing, and my favorite... the finding of misplaced keys.
We all have something we would like to work on. What would you like to change in your life?

Interesting, even if hard to grasp!

I was watching a seminar today and came across a bit of interesting information. Needed information - for I was frustrated with the behavior of someone that I know. What this lady said in this seminar was this: ALL behavior comes from good intentions. What? I was like... that is rediculous, how can that be? But, the more I roll it around and think about it - it does make sense. People do things that solve something for themselves. From the nicest kind gesture to that of a terrorist. So, when I look back on the behavior of this person who is behaving badly - it is good to remember that what they are doing is solving something for themselves. My question now is: What? What are they solving? When I say solving... it may be a bit more in depth like 'it releaves a need in them'. From their own paradigm - a need to escape, a need to be noticed, wanted, loved, or a belief they have. It is all very interesting and it makes me understand other people better (even if I do not agree with them).

Behavior revisited

ANYTHING that is reinforced, is likely to occur again.
This is true for all sane behavior. Be it human or animal.
Lets us get better acquainted with reinforcement. What is reinforcement? A reinforcer is a stimulus that follows a behavior. Now there are two kinds of reinforcement - positive and negative. Positive reinforcement is when something (a stimulus) happens after a behavior - causing that behavior to strengthen.
Negative reinforcement is when something (a stimulus) is removed - causing the behavior to strengthen.
Yes... you read that right. BOTH cause the behavior to strengthen.
For example:
Positive reinforcement - if a person gives a dog a treat every time he lays down - he will start to throw that behavior to them. He will lay down more and more... if they continue to positively reinforce his behavior.
Negative reinforcement (escape) - if a mouse is being shocked and realizes that pushing a lever makes the shock go away... the mouse will push the lever.
Negative reinforcement (avoidance) - if a person knows that when the buzzer goes off, he has ten seconds to push a button before a loud annoying sound plays over loud speakers - the person will push the button to avoid the sound.
One more example of both positive and negative reinforcement is a parent and child at the store. On the child's side of things if they give out a negative reinforcer such as screaming; in order to avoid the child's 'fit' a parent will hand the child something from the store (candy, toy, games), increasing the chances that the next visit to the store...the child will apply the negative reinforcer. On the parents side of things if they positively reinforce negative behavior (a screaming fit) with something the child wants - it increases the chances that they get exactly what they are reinforcing... a screaming fit. This is what you call a double whammy!!

So now, go out and with an animal or a person you interact with daily - list a behavior that you find annoying. Then take a look at yourself and at the situation and try to figure out WHAT you could be doing to reinforce it.
You might see what is reinforcing the behavior - if you do... you can simply stop reinforcing it. You might have a hard time finding what is reinforcing the behavior - if this happens... list an opposite behavior. Ask yourself, "What behavior would I like to have in its place?" When you know what it is... start reinforcing it. For example: when taking a child to the store you can simply stop reinforcing the child and let them cry. At the same time you can have a bag of raisins or a deck of Old Maid cards in your purse and when she is quiet (even for a second) you can say..."oh thank you for being a good shopper" as you hand over ONE raisin or ONE card. Reinforcing her quiet behavior - reinforce as many times as you can as you walk through the store.
Just note: 'reinforcing good behavior' as many times as possible should happen a few times. After that...we switch to the 'variable reinforcement schedule' (yes...go ahead and look that up!)
The unwanted behavior would become extinct if they didn't get a reinforcement out of it and/or a more wanted behavior can be reinforced; time to become a detective!

Lemonade for a hot day!

I do not know what the temperature is in your neck of the woods - but over here in North Cali. it is 104 degrees on my deck! So.... I thought I would share with you a great drink for those hot days as well as a great way to get rid of nasty toxins in your body (so drink these on the not so hot days as well!).

Juice one lemon (in Juicer)

A squeeze of raw honey

Water to taste.

Other things I like to throw in the juicer with the lemon (pick one or use any combination - heck...use them all for added benefit!):

a slim slice of ginger

a carton of raspberries

an entire cantalope (peeled)

slices of watermelon (peeled)

a carton of blueberries

Ban Food Colorings

I was reading this article today and I hope all of you write to the FDA about it.

In one part of the article is reads "'Based on these findings, there is no need for consumers to alter their purchasing and eating habits,' Brackett said. 'They and their children can safely enjoy food products containing these food colors'."

I believe WE ALL know that chemical food colors are NOT good for our children or ourselves. Their blatant disregard and lying about the safety of these food colors SMACKS of the cigarette companies saying Nicotine is not addictive. You know and I know...and everyone else knows - it can't be good for you. The problem isn't in the knowledge of it - the problem is in human behavior. They should do society a favor. They should do the right thing. BAN artificial colors (and while their at it, BAN artificial flavors as well!).Big business doesn't really help a person sleep at night - However, I suppose they all justifying by having so many departments that they can blame the next guy. Who's in charge there? LOL

I encourage anyone who cares about what they are eating (yes, YOU) or what they are giving to their children (yes, YOU AGAIN >grin<) - write to the FDA and tell them that it should be banned for the safety of those who do not have the strength of mind to avoid it (ME, YOU, and EVERYONE in between, it is a hard thing to avoid!)!!

As a side note, there are all natural food colorings that they could use.

The Article:
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20080603/D912TJP80.html

The FDA comment link:
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qa-top.html

Almond Milk!!

Earlier I posted about Soy milk and my eminent switch to Almond milk. It has been a month now and I am pleased to say - I can feel the difference. It is great! Also, almond milk does not have that goop that is sometimes at the end of the soy milk carton. Which, is gross to say the least. Normally, I only use these liquids in my smoothies and on the occasional cereal in the morning (crumble and raw oatmeal) and although vanilla or plain almond milk are not to my liking yet, they will be. I decided to start with Chocolate Unsweetened almond milk. The beauty of this is that I can not taste the chocolate, it doesn't really taste like anything. I do not see a significant taste change from the vanilla or original soy milk to the choc. unsweetened almond milk and that is why I decided to use choc almond milk. I didn't really want to suffer the taste change; who does?