From the beginning of my hypnosis training, I’ve been a fan of Dr. Milton Erickson, often best known for his prolific use of metaphors and casual storytelling to seamlessly integrate hypnotic suggestions past a client’s more resistant conscious awareness. Those Ericksonian “Secret Ops” techniques were skillfully employed as needed at the time. In other situations...
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Shifting Sands and Shifting Energies
I’m sure many have noticed the unstable energies lately: both locally and around the world. Astrologers are heralding the Grand Cross of April 23rd, 2014, as the primary culprit. The four cardinal signs of Astrology come into 90-degree relationship to each other on that day and mark a time of tremendous upheaval and change. Or,...
“Baby the Rain Must Fall”
It’s a good 60’s song—slightly dated, but still lyrically solid with a catchy tune. Sung at the time by Glenn Yarborough, the repeating chorus is: “Baby, the rain must fall. Baby, the wind must blow. Wherever my heart leads me, ….baby, I must go, …baby, I must go.” That was an anthem of the sixties...
Belonging and Acceptance
The only thing I can figure is that I must do a lot of work in my sleep when I wake way too early with statements or slogans going through my mind, such as this title. Sometimes it is the endless looping of a song phrase sung in a vaguely recognizable voice that drives me...
On Wings of Transformation
During this Iowa spring-weather changeover, while driving to and from work lately, I’ve noticed that there are fewer eagles flying overhead and that the turkey buzzards have replaced them in their fly-zones. Not sure how that goes up in the skies—who decides to vacate when and who else instantly takes their place, but it seems...
Paying the Bills
Here we are, the first of the month (April 1st—no fooling) so with a handful of bills in one hand and my checkbook in the other, I give a long sigh saying, “Goodbye money—hope to see more of you again soon.” That’s the contract we make with those who provide us goods and services: we...
Healing vs. Curing
In the healthcare profession, if you are fond of playing in quicksand, take on the subject of Healing vs. Curing. How are they similar? What are the differences? And what does it even mean to heal someone or to cure someone? Many of us who work in complementary or alternative healthcare fields try very hard...
The ‘Spaghetti on the Wall’ Test
For some strange reason that title came to mind as I was perusing a “book content sample” on Amazon.com to decide if I should purchase the book. My subconscious mind gave me the 3rd-eye visual of Martha Stewart’s “spaghetti on the wall” test to help me make the decision. For those who are unaware such...
From Cygnet to Swan
Who doesn’t remember the Ugly Duckling story? As I recall, there was a little feathered guy, misplaced at birth by his true mother, but quickly adopted by a loving mother duck. He grew up looking different than the other ducks in his flock for most of his young life. He eventually reached the growth stage...
The Place of NO Fear
There is a lot of scary stuff in this world around us—both genuine and imaginary. The news media picks up a little genuine “scary stuff” and pumps it full of hot air until it’s hard to tell the difference between the two by the time it reaches the airwaves. Then there are the most atrocious...