Life Changes: Who Moved My Cheese

Recently I learned that I would be losing about 90% of my income due to changes in the management of the insurance company that provides that income.  This has been distressing, to say the least.  Once I stopped hyperventilating, which took about 2 days; I got strangely calm.  I remembered the book "Who Moved My Cheese" and realized that I just needed to find new cheese.  In my work as a Massage Therapist things have changed radically since I started my practice in 1999.  Back then Chiropractors did not have massage therapists in their offices. I would get lots of referrals of clients. Now most of them do. I rarely get a referral from a chiropractor. Working for a chiropractor is not a bad thing, it is just that you make 50% or less money than you do if you have your own practice.  Knowing myself as I do, it would not make me happy to have to work FOR someone else when I have been independent for 16 years.  Anyway, back to finding new cheese.

(Image by amazon.com)

It occurred to me that my situation is just the same as it was when I got divorced. The worst part of it or any situation where things have been drastically changed is the unknowing.  I have gotten used to knowing how much money to expect each month.  I have my regular insurance clients and my regular cash clients and the money for the most part arrived on the same day and I could count on it.  I got too comfortable and lazy.  Also bored.  The Universe in its infinite wisdom decided it would help me in my quest to make my work more interesting. 

I now am having to think about how I will pull in new business for massage as well as hypnotherapy and Tarot Reading.  It has become apparent that when looking for cheese you must get up and go search for it, you cannot just sit idly in your same spot and expect cheese to be delivered to you.  So I will be "hitting the bricks" as they say and marketing myself and "tooting my own horn".  Just so you know my comfort zone does not include these things.  If we are Facebook friends or you have "liked" one of my business pages, prepare to see much more activity.  

If you will excuse me now,  I am off in search of new and interesting cheese.

Blessings,

Sydney

You may contact me directly through email or one of my Facebook pages:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Sense-of-Peace-Inc/131165690233450 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Bridges-Certified-Grief-Counselor/1441897136078091?ref=bookmark

https://www.facebook.com/TarotreadingsbySydney?ref=bookmarks 

sydneybridges1@gmail.com

Or one of my Websites:

http://www.asenseofpeaceinc.com/

http://sydneysministry.com/

Goal Setting: Using Hypnosis to help you Achieve Success

Awhile back I posted about being clear on your goals, after all you cannot achieve something if you are unclear as to what it is that you want.  This week I would like to comment about using Hypnosis to achieve these now clearly defined goals.

Within Hypnotherapy and other modalities there is a technique called Neuro-Linguistic Programming.  This is a technique in which language (speech and body) are used to specifically communicate what is desired.  For example, you state what is wanted instead of what is NOT wanted.  "I don't want to be fat"  becomes "I am at MY most perfect and healthy weight".  Our minds do not process negative statements the way you would expect.  By using words like "don't, can't, try and but" (which you should eliminate from your vocabulary) your mind gets confused and instead hears the sentence without the negative attached to it; "I don't want to be fat" is heard as "I want to be fat".
(Image byhowtohypnotizesomeonesafely.com) 

When you are speaking about your goals concentrate on the sensory experience that you will have upon achieving the goal.  This is like the dreamy look and feeling you get when describing the perfect partner, or how excited you become when talking about what you will do when you win the lottery.  If you have difficulty in finding a sensory experience when talking about your goal, perhaps it needs to be refined so that you can become excited about it.  Daydreaming helps to make what you want a reality, assuming that the goal is reasonably attainable.  Goals need to be the right size - challenging and doable.
(Image bychipsifraternity.wordpress.com)

Hypnosis is a remarkable way to assist you in your goal achievement.  Through the use of techniques such as Anchoring the practitioner can give you physical cues that will reinforce the positive changes that you desire to create for yourself.  Your dreams can become a reality. (Except for winning the lottery, still attempting to perfect this ... ;-) )

If you would like to discuss how Hypnosis can help you attain success, you can contact me through one of the means below with questions.

Blessings,
Sydney

You may contact me directly through email or one of my Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Sense-of-Peace-Inc/131165690233450 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Bridges-Certified-Grief-Counselor/1441897136078091?ref=bookmark
https://www.facebook.com/TarotreadingsbySydney?ref=bookmarks
sydneybridges1@gmail.com

Or one of my Websites:
http://www.asenseofpeaceinc.com/
http://sydneysministry.com/

Hypnosis: Using our Sub-Conscious to deal with Grief and Loss

We are born and we die.  So it goes for all living beings; plant, animal, human.  We all know this and at least on some level are able to accept it.  Experiencing grief when loss occurs is also a natural and normal and healthy response.  The healing response that comes from experiencing grief allows us to move forward in our lives, it brings us compassion and it also makes us all aware of our own mortality.

Sometimes though, people get stuck in the bitter aspect of grief.  They see their loss as a punishment perhaps and it causes them to become hardened towards others or themselves.  In this case, many times people replay the events of the loss over and over and create a cycle of unhappiness for themselves that can be difficult to interrupt.   This effect can be similar to the triggers that those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder deal with in that the least little thing, such as a smell, can cause the person to be right back where they were when the loss occurred.  This can cause a pattern of destructive thinking which affects all parts of a grieving persons life, from work to sleep and interactions with their family.  If these patterns are showing up for you or someone you care about, then hypnosis may give some relief in processing the grief so that it is less intrusive and more healing.
(image at www.youtube.com)

Utilizing the sub-conscious can help to minimize the traumatic parts of the loss while retaining all the loving memories that you want to hold onto. There are several ways in which you may do this, one way is to, through trance, have a conversation with the deceased to heal old wounds or find closure by saying those things that you may not have had an opportunity to say.  Our sub-conscious mind does not differentiate between real and imagined and this process can bring about profound peace.  Another approach is known as Therapist Driven Therapy which allows me to help you with some of the symptoms of profound / complicated grief such as insomnia and anxiety; at the same time this type of therapy helps you to lessen the feelings of guilt or anger that are preventing you from moving forward in your life.

Many times people feel that if they are happy or having fun or loving someone else it is as if they are disrespecting the deceased.  In my own experience I could not listen to or sing along with music for 5 years after the loss of my son, I simply felt that it was not right for me to be that happy without him.  I learned that it is okay to enjoy my own life while still remembering and loving my son.

If you or someone you know is suffering with loss, I would be happy to help them through it.  You can contact me through one of the means below with questions or concerns.

Blessings,
Sydney

You may contact me directly through email or one of my Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Sense-of-Peace-Inc/131165690233450 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Bridges-Certified-Grief-Counselor/1441897136078091?ref=bookmark
https://www.facebook.com/TarotreadingsbySydney?ref=bookmarks
sydneybridges1@gmail.com

Or one of my Websites:
http://www.asenseofpeaceinc.com/
http://sydneysministry.com/

Dream Analysis: Can Hypnosis Help?

We have all had dreams that seem significant, the imagery is so elusive though that we have difficulty in making sense of it.  I will be the first to admit that sometimes our dreams are the result of our brains just playing with us or perhaps eating bad clams.

When a dream seems significant and you are just not able to decipher its meaning, hypnosis may be a way to gain understanding into what it is trying to help you process. Sigmund Freud viewed dreams as “the royal road” to the unconscious and developed dream analysis, or dream interpretation, as a way of tapping into this unconscious material.  While I do not agree with many of his interpretations (sometimes a cigar is just a cigar), I do agree that using analysis through hypnosis is very useful because it allows a kind of experiential or Gestalt approach to figuring out what the dream is trying to tell you.

In my practice as a hypnotherapist I have helped with smoking cessation, weight loss, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem,  trichotillomania (pulling out of eyelashes), test anxiety, stuttering and Dream Interpretation.  Dream-work in Gestalt therapy is implemented somewhat differently than in psychoanalysis and Jungian analysis. Gestalt therapists believe that dreams are existential messages we send to ourselves. Through hypnosis these messages are actively explored to bring dream content into a person's actual life.  While in trance the client is taken into the dream to look at it from a third person point of view.  This sometimes illuminates significant symbology that then helps them to unlock the meaning.
(Image by  allisoncramer.com)

Hypnosis gives you the added benefit of greater self-awareness. You know yourself whether something is relevant, you can feel it and then process whatever it is relating to with better clarity.  It is important to note that dream symbology books are working from a very general place.  Your dream symbols are unique to you and your life.  If you would like help discovering the meanings of any dreams, particularly those that are recurring, I am happy to help and you may contact me at one of the means listed below.

"To sleep, perchance to dream"  Shakespeare


Blessings,
Sydney

You may contact me directly through email or one of my Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Sense-of-Peace-Inc/131165690233450 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Bridges-Certified-Grief-Counselor/1441897136078091?ref=bookmark
https://www.facebook.com/TarotreadingsbySydney?ref=bookmarks
sydneybridges1@gmail.com

Or one of my Websites:
http://www.asenseofpeaceinc.com/
http://sydneysministry.com/

Death and Dying: Let's talk about it ...

In the years since the passing of my son, it has become more and more clear to me what the meaning of it might have been.  In the searching to find some peace, what I have discovered is a need in our society to accept death as a natural occurrence and part of life.

We are bombarded, day in and day out, with images of youth.  Even those who appear in ads about cancer facilities appear young and vibrant.  It is great to think that we are going to live to very advanced ages, the reality though is dependent on our lifestyles and genetics.  Our society does not prepare us to accept death.  Doctor's are reluctant to sign death certificates because it is accepting failure for them.  We have an entire industry that is focused on removing us from death.  When a person dies in a hospital, a call is made to the mortuary and the deceased is picked up and taken to a place where strangers prepare the body for burial or cremation.  Families may get a moment to say goodbye at the hospital or hospice and then they never see their loved one again.  Certainly in some cases this is necessary when there has been a devastating accident or contagious illness.  The point of this is that we have become conditioned to fear death and dying, and we should not.

Image by sites.psu.edu

I have become involved in a movement to bring death and dying back into our lives.  I am trained as a Death Midwife, this is someone who actually stays with a dying person to help make their transition easier and less fearful.  Just as a Birth Midwife helps people to make their entrance into the world, I help them to make their exit.  I belong to the National Home Funeral Association and help people who want to make the process of "returning to the earth" more natural by keeping their loved ones home until they are buried and cremated.  The family prepares the body and gets to say goodbye and the process is personal, kind and natural.

Another passion of mine is the facilitation of "Death Cafe's", this is a kind of salon where people get together to discuss the issues of death and dying that frighten them so that they can be addressed without fear.  It is also a chance to discuss the practical issues of dying such as directives, wills and other plans that should not be left until the last minute to be decided by those who are in immense emotional pain.  I have included a link to an article that discusses this kind of gathering,  if you would like to have me facilitate something like this for you I am happy to do so.  At the bottom of this post are several ways you may contact me.  http://www.phillyvoice.com/death-cafe-philadelphia-out-of-the-closet/ .

Blessings,
Sydney

You may contact me directly through one of my Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Sense-of-Peace-Inc/131165690233450 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Bridges-Certified-Grief-Counselor/1441897136078091?ref=bookmark
https://www.facebook.com/TarotreadingsbySydney?ref=bookmarks

Or one of my Websites:
http://www.asenseofpeaceinc.com/
http://sydneysministry.com/

Goals: Becoming specific about what we want to do with our lives

I have been thinking lately that it must seem to others that I do not have specific goals or a plan for my life because my interests and skills are so varied.  This is not true of course, it got me thinking though that perhaps somewhere I should put in writing, not for the benefit of anyone but myself,  what those goals are.  If for no other reason than to put them into the law.  To say to the Universe "this is what I want to achieve".  So here it is.

I am trained as a massage practitioner, a hypnotherapist, a Reiki master, grief counselor and a death midwife / end of life facilitator.  At first glance, it may seem as if I could not make up my mind.  Not so.  I have always known that I wanted to be a healer.  All of the areas of expertise named above are methods that allow me to help facilitate healing;  from cradle to grave.

(image by www.butlerpartyof3.com)

My goal in life is to work with people, no matter what age, to help them master their experiences.  To assist their healing from injuries to their bodies, minds and spirits.  To help them start living again after something devastates their life.  Simple, a healer, that is my goal.  It is my desire that the Universe send me anyone who can benefit from my abilities.

So, I pose a question to you.  What is your goal in life?  Have you met that goal yet?  Are you close?  Please comment below as to where you are in the realization of what you desire to do with your life.  Start the chain of events. 

Blessings,
Sydney

You may contact me directly through one of my Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Sense-of-Peace-Inc/131165690233450 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Bridges-Certified-Grief-Counselor/1441897136078091?ref=bookmark
https://www.facebook.com/TarotreadingsbySydney?ref=bookmarks

Or one of my Websites:
http://www.asenseofpeaceinc.com/
http://sydneysministry.com/

Cumulative Grief: How to deal with multiple losses and recover from them

Cumulative Grief comes about when a person experiences one loss after another.  In a perfect world we would have the time to grieve and start living again from one loss before having to experience the next one.  Sadly, this is not always the case.  

One of the protection mechanisms utilized by our brains is the state of avoidance.  When we experience something that is horrific in nature, such as the loss of someone dear, there is a tendency to avoid thinking about the loss in order to maintain a semblance of normalcy in our lives.  We have to continue to live, work and to a degree interact with society; so we simply avoid thinking about our pain.

However, you cannot be in a state of avoidance indefinitely.  When loss follows quickly one after another, this state of avoidance grows until we find ourselves not really living our lives.  It is important to face the reality of the losses in order to not be consumed by them.

 (image by imagefriend.com)

One of the first things to do is realize that you are stuck in avoidance.  Knowing that these experiences can put you at risk for developing complicated grief symptoms is very important.  If you feel you are not handling your grief as well as you would like, there is help available to determine if you are sliding into complicated grief.

Recognize that everyone grieves differently and be compassionate to those friends and family who are handling their grief differently than you are.

Be aware of an increase in the use of alcohol or other substances to help you get through the day.  Many times those in avoidance will fall prey to addictions.

There is no time limit involved in dealing with multiple losses.  Multiple losses do not have to come in quick succession to one another, they may be spread out over many years.  Each new loss however, can renew the grief from the previous one.

One thing which can compound the grief from multiple losses is the age of the person experiencing the loss.  As we get older it more likely we will experience multiple losses due to the aging and illness of our friends and family.  This can also lead people to a crisis of faith; wondering why God would punish them in this way.

If you have had multiple losses, please consider getting some professional help. You may be surprised by how much it helps. When you are already emotionally and physically exhausted from the pain of one loss, it can only help to seek support when more losses pile on. If that truly doesn’t feel right for you, consider other ways to attend to each of your losses. Learn about grief. Find a friend or family member to talk to. Write or journal. Find a creative outlet, like art or photography. Join a support group. Just make it something that works for you and that will allow you the opportunity to deal with each of these losses.

Blessings and Peace,

Sydney
 
You may contact me directly through one of my Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Sense-of-Peace-Inc/131165690233450 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Bridges-Certified-Grief-Counselor/1441897136078091?ref=bookmark
https://www.facebook.com/TarotreadingsbySydney?ref=bookmarks

Or one of my Websites:
http://www.asenseofpeaceinc.com/
http://sydneysministry.com/

PTSD: The Nightmare of Fireworks

Living in Bremerton very near a naval base means there are a lot of veterans around.  Many of them have been deployed into areas where there is much fighting.  As a result many of them have come home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  

While I love a good fireworks display as much as the next person, what I do not necessarily love is the neighborhood variety of celebration which consists of firecrackers, rockets, shells and wheels.  This variety of fireworks often emit pops, whistles and explosive sounds that send veterans (and dogs) into a state of panic.

(Image courtesy of @PTSDEducation)

Those who suffer from PTSD can have a variety of reactions to these sounds, the least of which are flashbacks and nightmares.  These articles contain great information for those who may not be familiar:  http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/problemsdisorders/posttraumaticstressdisorder.aspx. , and http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-07-02/news/ct-met-fireworks-ptsd-0702-20110702_1_war-vets-ptsd-fireworks-laws. 

 While I do not want to dampen anyone's right to celebrate the 4th of July, I would ask that you be aware of who is around you.  If you know that you have a neighbor who is a veteran, be considerate and take your fireworks out to a more remote location to set them off.  

Also, remember veterans are not the only ones who suffer from PTSD; police officers and those who have suffered abuse are also negatively affected by the accompanying noises that come with the fireworks.  Try to put yourself in their shoes when you are planning your celebration.  Your excitement should not come at the expense of someone else's affliction.

I would love to read your comments on this subject and also invite you to share this blog wherever you feel it is useful.

Blessings and Peace,

Sydney
 
You may contact me directly through one of my Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Sense-of-Peace-Inc/131165690233450 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Bridges-Certified-Grief-Counselor/1441897136078091?ref=bookmark
https://www.facebook.com/TarotreadingsbySydney?ref=bookmarks

Or one of my Websites:
http://www.asenseofpeaceinc.com/
http://sydneysministry.com/

Communication: Can you hear me now?

I originally had another topic in mind for today, however it became very clear that it was not the right one.  Communication demanded to be heard, so I have given way to the Universe and am instead writing about how it seems that we are all so busy trying to get people to listen to us that we can't hear anything else.

My news feed today has been filled with comments and notices about Communication.  How dare people exercise their right to free speech, especially when it is not in agreement with my philosophy.  Silence is not golden, it makes me uncomfortable.  Let me tell you about yourself.  These are just a few of the insights that greeted me this morning.  Then I experienced unusual phone complications.  Evidently I was postponing doing what I was supposed to be doing, because I either kept losing connection or the person I needed to talk to was unavailable. 

The observations that have come to me from the comments posted above are really eye opening to our culture.  With regard to free speech; we are all ready to rally around someone who expresses the same value or belief that we have publicly.  You can see this simply by looking at popular memes on Facebook that express political / religious sentiments.  They get thousands of likes, from those who agree with them.  If someone expresses a not so popular opinion such as "guns don't kill people", the backlash is staggering.  It would seem that allowing those with different / unpopular opinions to speak them is hard for a lot of people.  Freedom of speech does not mean that we must all agree it only means that we all get to speak our minds, and we have to be willing to accept the consequences for doing so.  

Speaking of "speaking our minds", how often do you sit down next to someone and feel compelled to make small talk?  Just talking for the sake of not sitting in silence.  Why does silence make us uncomfortable?  Is it perhaps because we are uncomfortable with the self talk that is going on in our minds?  Are we worried about what the other person may think about us if we don't make polite conversation?  Why?  

It also seems to me that the number of psychic fairs has grown exponentially.  Perhaps it is just that I am noticing them more, so it seems as if there are more of them.  While I am grateful for those who come to psychic readers like myself for insight, it does make me wonder why we don't trust our own intuition to tell us what we need to know about ourselves. 

(image by www.bernert.info)

Each of these topics could be expanded on, it is my wish that you might add your thoughts in the comments area of the blog.  

Blessings and Peace,

Sydney
 
You may contact me directly through one of my Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Sense-of-Peace-Inc/131165690233450 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Bridges-Certified-Grief-Counselor/1441897136078091?ref=bookmark
https://www.facebook.com/TarotreadingsbySydney?ref=bookmarks

Or one of my Websites:
http://www.asenseofpeaceinc.com/
http://sydneysministry.com/

Self-Sabotage: But, What if ...

These three words can be some of the most detrimental we ever utter.  These three words "but, what if..." are an expression of fear.  But, what if ... something goes wrong, they don't like me, I suck, I forget my words, moves or ideas?  When you find yourself uttering these words, STOP.  Recognize that you are about to sabotage yourself.  Change them to something such as "When I succeed at" or "When I have accomplished ...".  Remember that not everything happens on the first try.

Why do we self-sabotage?  Primarily, it is because it is easier to believe that we will fail at something rather than succeed.  Our mind is trying to protect us from the dissonance that comes from not living up to the standards that we set ourselves, so in order to not fail and feel bad about who we are; we simply decide that the risk is too great, and we "what if ..." ourselves right out of trying.

There are many reasons that we self-sabotage.  We feel unworthy, failing is familiar; we have bad habits and addictions, expecting failure and creating the means to that end allows us to feel in control.  So, how can you stop this behaviour?  The most important thing is to pay attention to your thoughts and words.  Stop the "but, what if ..." thinking and force yourself to only think and say positive things about yourself and what you want to accomplish.  Don't see setbacks as a precursor to failure.  If you are trying to lose weight and backslide a little, do not abandon things altogether.  Edison failed 200 times before creating the light bulb, imagine how different the world might be if he had not kept on trying.  Stop thinking just about yourself.  When you sabotage your efforts you are effecting others as well.  Had I decided that I might not be any good at being a Hypnotherapist and Grief Counselor there would be many people in the world who might not have received the help they needed. Finally, do not be afraid to step out into the world.  You may indeed fail at some stuff, that is okay.  Some things are just not a good fit.  The point is you will never know if you don't try. 

(image by youngandrevolting.wordpress.com)

  Whatever else in life you do, make sure that you, at the very least ... PARTICIPATE!

Blessings and Peace,

Sydney
 
You may contact me directly through one of my Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Sense-of-Peace-Inc/131165690233450 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Bridges-Certified-Grief-Counselor/1441897136078091?ref=bookmark
https://www.facebook.com/TarotreadingsbySydney?ref=bookmarks

Or one of my Websites:
http://www.asenseofpeaceinc.com/
http://sydneysministry.com/

Mourning: What is Good Grief

Grief can be such a debilitating experience.  When we are going through it there seems to be no way out, when we begin to live our lives again we can't believe we got through it.  In my life I have grieved the loss of both my parents, my brother and my son.  I have grieved moving from my home town and leaving friends of nearly 20 years, the loss of jobs and divorce.

There are many stages to grief and not all of us go through them all or in the same order.  Good grief means that you are moving, however slowly or disorganized, through whichever phases you are going to go through. When you get stuck or seem to be lost, this is an indication that your grief is getting the better of you and that you should consider getting some help either from family or professionally.

Don't let others define what your grief is going to look like.  We all grieve in different ways and you need to honor what feels right for you and your beliefs surrounding death.  It is perfectly fine to keep things and create a shrine if you feel it helps you to have reminders of the one you lost around.  It is also just fine to remove photos and mementos until you are strong enough to look at them again.  There is no rule that says that you must clear out all the clothes and belongings of your loved one right away.

(photo by www.extension.org)

Remember that often people make suggestions to you that are really for their own benefit.  For example,  people will tell you not to cry, that time will heal your heart.  They say this because it is uncomfortable for them to see you crying, and they know that they cannot do anything to ease your pain.

For those of you who may be in the throes of grief please know that it is not weakness to ask for help if you need it.  This is a time when you are allowed to be as selfish as you need to be.  Your friends and family cannot do anything to help you through your grief; they can cook for you, do laundry, take care of some errands, and just be there to listen if you need to talk.  Ask them, it will help both of you feel better. 

If you have a friend who is suffering in this way, know also, that they may not have the wherewithal to ask for what they need.  Just show up at their house and do what needs to be done.  Bring some food with you. Do not wait to be asked.

(photo by www.oasisanimalclinic.com)

For those of you who are supporting someone in grief please understand that you do not know how they feel.  Even if you have had a similar loss, their experience is different than yours, so just tell them that you love them, tell them that you care, give them a hug, bring them food, clean their house, offer to help in the mundane ways that they cannot manage right now.

We all experience loss, and we do it in unique ways.  Please don't compare your grief to someone else's experiences.

Blessings and Peace,

Sydney
 
You may contact me directly through one of my Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Sense-of-Peace-Inc/131165690233450 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Bridges-Certified-Grief-Counselor/1441897136078091?ref=bookmark
https://www.facebook.com/TarotreadingsbySydney?ref=bookmarks

Or one of my Websites:
http://www.asenseofpeaceinc.com/
http://sydneysministry.com/

Hypnotherapy: Are you to going to make me cluck like a chicken?

 I get this question from almost every hypnotherapy client that I see.  The answer is always no.  The fact is that I cannot MAKE you do anything.  That is not how hypnotherapy works.  I can only help to solidify those changes that you desire to make.  If you are coming to see me to stop smoking for instance, it must be something you are doing with your own free will.  If you are doing it to make a nagging partner happy, chances are that it will not be successful.  You must want to make the change.

Hypnosis works by giving the unconscious mind better information, like giving your computer an updated operating system. It can be used to change associations, so that cigarettes, for instance, are no longer seen as stress reducers, and are instead seen as "toxic killers". It can also be used to give you alternatives that allow you to be better able to deal with stressful situations without having to light up.

Physical change can also be achieved through hypnosis. Pain control is a very good example. The mind alters our awareness of pain all the time.   You'll have experienced this yourself if you've ever discovered a cut or a bruise and wondered how it got there. Physical sensations still happen, but the unconscious has relegated them to the nearly two million bits of sensory information you're not aware of every single second.

Hypnosis was originally used for pain control during surgery.  Back in the late 1800's the only anesthesia used was ether, and you had to use a lot of it.  Many people died from relatively simple operations because of the anesthesia.  It was discovered that the use of Hypnosis would necessitate little to no chemical anesthesia;  and people began to live through their tonsillectomies.

Hypnosis can be used for any behaviour that you wish to change, from Anxiety to Zoo phobia.  My website http://www.asenseofpeaceinc.com/FAQS.htm has a special section of FAQ's specific to hypnotherapy.

Create the life you desire and experience freedom from habits that do not serve who you are.


You may contact me directly through one of my Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Sense-of-Peace-Inc/131165690233450 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Bridges-Certified-Grief-Counselor/1441897136078091?ref=bookmark
https://www.facebook.com/TarotreadingsbySydney?ref=bookmarks

Or one of my Websites:
http://www.asenseofpeaceinc.com/
http://sydneysministry.com/

Blessings and Peace,
Sydney

Massage: Why are some people afraid?

Lets face it,  sometimes when your body is really relaxed it emits noises and such that can be embarrassing.  Most people are mortified when this happens, and that fear can keep them from taking advantage of the many health benefits of getting a massage.  

Here is my take on the matter;  it really does not happen all that often.  In my 17 years as a practitioner, a client has passed gas only 3 times.  As far as I am concerned if you are so relaxed that something like this happens, then I am doing my job.  Another issue that is the concern of men, is that the massage may feel so good that they may react by getting an erection.  Again, in 17 years this has only happened a handful of times and in all cases the men were sleeping, and I just ignored the situation. 

Of course, this is different than if the man happens to be awake and asks me for something other than what I am legally allowed to do.  In that case, the man is asked to leave and never come back. The point is that things like this happen.  To all of us.  A good therapist will just ignore these uncontrollable occurrences and do her best to continue on so that you are not made to feel uncomfortable. 

(Image by www.irenes.edu)

(image by PacificWellness.ca)

Many people also refrain from getting a massage because they think it is like what you see on TV, which is usually a naked person covered by a small towel, being attended to by a therapist of the opposite sex.  The truth is (at least in my practice) that you are lying on a table, between sheets and a blanket.  You may be naked under the sheets, you may be wearing your underpants (it is your choice) and at no time are you exposed except for the back, arm or leg that I may be working on.  There is relaxing music playing, and the lights are low.  I will be very professional with you and do my best to ensure that you are absolutely comfortable.  Generally, the massage begins with me working on your back, neck and shoulders, then the back of your legs, and feet.  You will be asked to roll over, while I hold the sheets so that you are not exposed.  Then I work on the front of your legs, your arms and finish with a bit more on the neck and shoulders.

I hope that this has helped to dispel some misconceptions for you and that if you have not had a massage before that you will give it a try.  You have everything to gain, and nothing to lose.  Give it a shot.

I wish for you all much love, happiness and A Sense of Peace.

You may contact me directly through one of my Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Sense-of-Peace-Inc/131165690233450 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Bridges-Certified-Grief-Counselor/1441897136078091?ref=bookmark
https://www.facebook.com/TarotreadingsbySydney?ref=bookmarks

One of my Websites:
http://www.asenseofpeaceinc.com/
http://sydneysministry.com/

Sydney