Therapist'sCOUCH - Rocks in My Pocket

OK...I've received several messages from readers who are working in their own original ways with some of the "imaginology tools" I've shared with you. My goodness...what beautiful creativity. And, I just love receiving these messages BECAUSE they make my own work so much better.

I thought I'd take you along with me this morning....if you want to come. It's always enjoyable to take a side-trip on someone's journey.

I'm sitting here getting ready. Sometimes it takes me longer to get ready than other days. I did an early meditation that was continually interrupted with thoughts regarding my fiction book that I wrote following my son's death. It was like the characters wanted to take over my meditation time. This is not an odd thing to happen when meditating, so for those of you who believe the mind is supposed to be still, do know that it is never still, BUT it is possible to over-ride some of the chitter-chatter. I meditate on a "holy word" but there are many different ways to do this. I ended up moving myself "up" into an area of my creative mind where I was sitting in the middle of a big library filled with so many books written by the great authors of our time. I sat in a chair there ( in my creative mind) & continued my focus on my holy word. That "shift" was very successful.

My "white bus" picked me up. My Higher Self was driving today. When my going gets rough, my Higher Power will drive & I'll sit in the next seat. Today I felt assured about my day & so I enjoyed driving & picking the stop-off spots.

I have some rocks in my pocket from yesterday. Rocks are images for issues that presented themselves that need some "rock tumbling." Difficult issues...perhaps emotions that were out of balance...smidgens of old mind programs that somehow reinvented themselves & came back. Anyway, I had a bunch & so we are off to the rock tumbler.

This is a powerful image because it indicates "kindness & love" to ourSelf. We are compassionate. We don't entertain negative mind speak or anything else that is harmful. When we notice any of this, then we can rectify it by taking care of it in a loving, kind way. The rock tumblers house is very beautiful. It's actually made of glistening rocks & of course, has several rock gardens. I have a rock garden here. It's really quite amazing. I stop by & visit it often BECAUSE it holds my "resilience"....things I have worked through, over-come or changed. There are many forgiveness rocks. They do have labels so I can read them if I want to. I rarely do that....I have no need to go back & review once the rock has been tumbled.

The actual tumbler is in the back of the rock tumbler's house. You can see it over there. If you can't see it, just think it like you would in any story. There is a woven reed basket where I place the rocks I take out of my pocket. I notice they are quick mucky....goodness, especially that old one that is a piece of something from my way back past. Amazing how some of these things pop up. I'm grateful that I have a place to bring them.

What are these rocks? They are representatives of some emotions that popped up & colored my experiences of yesterday. I found myself having a few arguments & then there was some down feelings regarding my son, next fatigue in the evening & negative thinking regarding my work & the mess on my desk. All of these "rocks" decreased my energy....causing me to live "lower down." Not where I choose to be. Also, when this happens I'm often pulled to my disorderly eating behaviors....usually in secret. I didn't catch myself until I was quite down & because I'm skilled I was able to pop myself up, but this is not the way to take care of myself.

So....

I'm invited to go to the tea garden to relax & renew myself as my rocks are tumbled. The tea garden overlooks the tumbler, so I can observe what's going on as I sip on my tea. My eyes are brought up & outwards to where the Great Light of my Source or God appears to originate. Of course, I can't see where it begins, but I always enjoy looking anyway. A part of me smiles. I enjoy that part. It demonstrates the friendly & loving relationship I have with my Spiritual Core. This is quite a difference from how I grew up, always afraid of being punished or sent to !@#$%.

The Great Light sends beautifully formed rays down into the reed basket that holds my rocks. I see/sense twinkles. Sipping my tea....relaxing....loving being here. Noticing the comings & goings of other spiritual helpers on my path.

Soon, the rocks appear before me. I didn't notice anyone bringing them, but here they are. Sparkling...golden in color. These are the nuggets that were underneath the debris or muck that I noticed earlier.

Lesson...Inside each pebble, stone, rock or even boulder you will find a golden nugget. The bigger the rock, the bigger the reward. Facing up to things & taking FULL RESPONSIBILITY is KEY to healing & high level functioning. The nuggets are engraved & ready to be placed in my rock garden. I walk over & place them lovingly. As I extend my arms over my garden, I sense my power or resilience entering me. It feels like little electric currents....tingles. I bring in images of creativity, love, kindness, abundance & an extension to all parts of mySelf & others. Everything radiates...

The White Bus is ready to take me back on my daily path. My backpack is filled with glistening tumbled rock fragments to spread throughout my day....I'm heading off to do some organization in certain gardens, so I'll sign off for now.

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Therapist'sCOUCH - Mind Folders

Several of you asked for more information about the folders. This is quite easy, so let's not make it difficult. The purpose of the folders is not only to make life easier, but to accomplish more in a shorter amount of time & to re-engage your Source of Higher Power/Self to be by your side as your "mentor or coach." I used the term "re-engage" purposely because that part of you HAS ALWAYS BEEN PRESENT, but unless you are actively looking to engage it/him/her in very specific ways, you may have disconnected yourSelf in this particular department of Life.

OK... as I sit here at my desk I'm looking at my folders. They live on my desk because I work with them every day. For me, it is something I do in the evening because I like to wake up in the morning completely organized & ready to go with my day. This is not right or wrong. There is nothing right or wrong. You choose what works for you OR ask your Source to guide you. Remember, you are now re-connected & your Source is your mentor/coach.

MY FOLDERS

I use colored folders because I love to play with color. Remember, your creative mind is "child-like" so go to please it whenever you can. I use primary colors... ;-) Much of my inner work is dedicated to my inner child. This makes for a much happier & playful life.

MY FOLDERS ARE LABELED ON THE TABS

This is my choice. You can label them however you like.

HERE THEY ARE

1. MindBody Health Garden
2. Relationship with my Higher Power/Higher Self/Spiritual Self
3. Relationship with my Significant Other ( could be Others )
4. Relationship with my Family
5. Relationship with my Home & Garden/Car
6. Relationship with my Work
7. Relationship with my Prosperity
8. Relationship with my Future

Those are my major folders. There are times in my life where I will have an additional folder or two. I try not to have too many for obvious reasons.

9. Relationship with my Grieving & with my son Michael

If I have a special work project, then it may have a separate folder as well. Right now, I've integrated those projects into my major folders.

FOLDER ROUTINE

1. Each folder has two pieces of paper inside. One is taped to the right & the other to the left. The paper on my left ( just as if I were opening a book ) is my grasscatcher list. Each folder has it's own grasscatcher list. This is the place where I list things that need to be done or that I want to do. It is just a storage place for them. This doesn't mean that I'm going to do them today or tomorrow or next week, but I do want to remember them. This is a great tool BECAUSE it helps you to remember things without having to store them in your mind. So, if you go through your day & remember something to place here, just make a note for yourself & write it down in your next folder routine.

2. Paper on the right...There is a paragraph describing what I want "as if" I already have it. I'll give you some of my descriptions a bit later. This can change as time goes along. You may add to it or change something. Again, there are no rules....EVER. Also on this page...for me it's near to the bottom...I have a two list of emotional states. One list is of my positive emotions that hang out in this particular area. There are my STRENGTHS & I want to stay aware of them. The second list are my WEAKNESSES & I want to stay aware of those as well. I'll give you my examples in a bit.

3. Also on the right hand page I have a list of "Self Gifts". These are things I give myself routinely. I'll give you some of mine.

EACH NIGHT...

I open each folder....one by one. I read my description on the RIGHT PAGE. I review my emotional states. If the folder is difficult for me, I read it out loud. Then, I give myself a "Gift." Next, I look over to the LEFT at my grasscatcher page & choose something to put on my to-do list for the next day. I always choose at least one thing. I limit it to two things at the most UNLESS there is some sort of deadline, but there is ALWAYS one thing that is chosen.

Then, off to the next folder. Same routine....folder after folder. Once your folders are set up it doesn't take all that long. Actually, it's quite short especially because of the grasscatcher list.
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I am sitting with my folders in front of me. I begin with my top folder which is my top priority....

MindBody Health Folder

I usually meditate for a few moments before beginning & sense my Higher Power/Self sitting with me.

RIGHT SIDE

Definition: I respect my body & ask forgiveness for anything & everything I did in the past that is/was not in keeping with my Highest Level of Health. I admit to my past mistakes & commit to a routine of taking care of all parts of me. Each day I find more ways to climb to a higher rung on this garden ladder. I relax my body deeply throughout the day using the body scanner. If I find myself tense or in some negative emotional state, I release it & scan my body. I eat healthy foods in the portions needed to match my body needs. I easily say no to foods that bother my body & level of health. I always have healthy foods available...ALWAYS. I meditate daily & weave meditation throughout my day. I exercise six days a week & do so with joy. I practice gratefulness. I keep my emotions in balance. If I fall off my balance beam, I return with forgiveness & grace. I ask my body & my Higher Power to awaken me to any areas that would benefit from improvement.

POSITIVE EMOTIONS

Balanced
Capable
Grateful
Energetic
Aware
Confident
Loving

NEGATIVE EMOTIONS

Procrastination - Tired - Lazy
Fatigue - depression
Anxiety
Negative Thinking
Anger - Impatience - Intolerance
Tense - Overwhelmed

GIFTS

Spending time with my Law of Attraction Cards, etc. ( I have many...)
Long Bath - Facial - Manicure
Music in the Background
Walking Outside
Garden Planning
Reading
Knitting or Needlepoint
Planning a Hike

LEFT PAGE - GRASSCATCHER LIST

This is changing continually. Today I have some of the following:

Rearrange kitchen cupboards - more room for legumes.
Plan shopping to include more lean protein for freezing - snow season
Improve teeth flossing
Increase walking time to reach 10,000 steps per day
Increase intensity of walk
Get some new weights
Think about yoga
Outline abdominal exercises
Soak fingers in oil each night - massage cuticles
Bring one positive emotion forward each day & entertain it
Review & choose one new recipe this week
Keep affirmations on desk
New placemats - Target
Italian Bakery - buy bread & freeze it

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JOURNALING

I do journal each day, usually in the morning. This is when I discuss my life with my Higher Power & Higher Self. If I'm having difficulty in any particular folder/life area, I'll bring it to the Journal. Here I also meet with my Board of Directors. One day I'll explain that to you. As I see it, the purpose of my life is to stretch & grow. I do this WITH my Higher Power/Self. We are a team...& I have a host of Spiritual Advisors who help me live a life deserving of my BIRTH.

OH....Just added another FOLDER. Not sure if it's going to be temporary or NOT. This came through in my last Journaling. This is a "Time Management" Folder. I had one a long time ago, but that was very well in place before we planned our move. Now it seems that I need a new one!! Of course, I'm not surprised that appeared on my journal page. I have many things to do this year because of what happened last year, so my time needs to be handled in a better way. Yes, I get it. I will do this & actually feel very excited about it. Managing Time is like cleaning & clearing. Getting out from under the mess & procrastination & getting real clarity is such a wonderful feeling. Thank you Higher Power & Spiritual Guides!

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Therapist'sCOUCH - Organizing the Mind for Change

"It's much easier to study & pick apart someone else, than oneSelf."....Elizabeth Bohorquez, RN, C.Ht

We're all here looking to change something....RIGHT? What's interesting is that the things you end of changing might just change you in ways that you didn't expect. I know this from personal experience. When I decided ( or more accurately, it was decided for me ) to get my food in order, I had no idea that I would be changing just about everything thing that was familiar about the way I lived. So, we get on our "change path" & observe what happens.

Being a clinical hypnotherapist, I was very aware of working within images. I had set up one of the first mindBody programs for patients with cancer when I worked in Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. I was a new graduate nurse, having finished my degree in a very large psychiatric hospital in New York.

Now, I needed my own help. To be honest, I was very frightened & I knew as a clinical specialist that this fear could lead to my demise. I saw this first hand in my patients & I knew that I was no different. For me, just like for them, it was "change or else."

After making a list or what I needed to change immediately, I designed some images to help my mind to organize. My first thought was to just jump in, but I knew from past experience that this wouldn't work. Organization was going to be KEY & a few days more wouldn't really matter. I also decided to work with a journal in addition to my special images. I also designed some folders....one for each area of my life. As time went on I would grow these folders. Some would become permanent, others would be temporary as areas of my life changed or goals were completed. Inside each of these folders were two pieces of paper, one piece taped to each side of the folder. The paper on the LEFT was called the "grasscatcher list." The paper on the RIGHT was where the goal was defined. Of course, this also changed with time as my experience opened additional facets. A grasscatcher list is a place where you write down things you need to do in reference to the particular folder. For example, if I was in the mindBody Health area, I might have clean the fridge, kitchen cupboards, throw out the soda in the basement, etc.

On the RIGHT hand piece of paper I also made two separate lists that contained the names of my most "popular" emotional states. One list were those that worked well for me & the other was the names of those that interfered with my progress.

IDENTIFICATION IS KEY TO HIGH LEVEL ACHIEVEMENT

The more you can identify & name, the faster you will change & the less effort it will take IF you utilize the power of your creative or subconscious mind. This is why GOAL DEFINING is so vital. Now, what is this? In simple words, it is a paragraph that tells the story of what you want AS IF you already have it. It's like you are writing a letter to a very good friend & telling them the most marvelous outcome that you are already EXPERIENCING. In most cases it is completely fabricated. But here's the thing. Your subconscious mind does not know the difference, so this becomes your new reality.

I wrote a book almost two decades ago that was my blueprint for my recovery plan. It's called, Sugar...the Hidden Eating Disorder & How to Lick It. In a way, it became my dissertation for saving my life. I wrote it "as if" I was the patient & an experienced nurse was writing a nursing care plan for me. I became two people....the patient & the nurse specialist. Many of the things I'm sharing with you here come from inside that book. I wrote it in such a way as to bring my mind to a completely new level of awareness, so I could actively change many things at the same time.

A KEY to the plan was a combination of what I called "Knowledge Hooks"....things I needed to understand on a cognitive level & then exercises in "imaginology" or what I came to call Interactive Self-Hypnosis. Many of the images I've given you throughout my blogs are Interactive Images. We take them with us when we go out into the world. We sit inside our "golden egg shape" & observe the circus of the world. We observe it, but we are not a part of it. We are what is called "disassociated".....but in a good way.

For mind organization I built my own world. It's called "the Goal-den Path"...that is not a misspelling. It is what is known as a metaphor. It has two very important meanings to me....goal-den & golden. Both valuable. Both leading somewhere. In this case, down the goal-den path & into my life gardens. Each of the folders I wrote about earlier represent one of the gardens. The biggest & most important garden is called the MindBody Health Garden. This is where all the body parts live. I knew I had to communicate with my body because I was so out of touch with it. Here we learn something called "body scanning" or mental biofeedback. It puts us back in touch.

Other gardens include our relationship with our Source, ourSelves, our significant others, our prosperity, work, home, spiritual & future. There are sub-gardens for special projects. I had to place a garden on my path for mourning the loss of my son. You can see that I didn't just place a "black cloud" over my whole "Goal-den" Path, but I honored him, as well as my grief by placing this lovely garden right there. This is where I grieve & grow. This is where I build a very special resilience. And yes, there is a corresponding folder.

Inside each garden there are self-hypnotic tools for taking care of the areas. Remember that the folders contain the goal definitions...so when we enter we can see or "think" about each area "as if" it were already accomplished.

Emotions are seen or thought of as children wearing teeshirts with their names on the front. We learn to take care of them....to honor & educate them. No one gets thrown to the wolves or beaten up. That is not the way. We were born pure & we work to return to that state of love & respect for ourselves. We are helped by our Source or our Inner Coach or Therapeutic Self or Mother-Self. Some of you are working with programs of mine, so you are familiar with many of the images. This is powerful inner work & remember when I told you that you would change in many ways that you haven't even considered? Well, this happens through the utilization of the active images.

Now, you may be thinking, "All I want to do is to lose weight." OK...so did I, but it was very obvious to me that I had been doing that over & over again for decades. The idea of losing weight consumed by thoughts & my days. I was now at the point in my life where my attempts had made me sick both physically & emotionally & there had to be more to life than this. I remember asking myself, "What would I do with my life IF I never had to think about losing weight again?" I fell in love with that question & decided to take all of this apart, find the answers & get to it. I wanted more. I wanted a new life & I wanted to be happy & at peace. As for the food....quite honestly....that part was the easiest. I researched & learned about insulin resistance, why the body yo-yo's, why quick weight loss is the worst of all & how to reach a healthy balanced body that would afford me a high level of energy & health. There is no mystery....it's just a bunch of Knowledge Hooks & doing the same over & over.

I think this blog is long enough....I know I've been sitting here long enough....so next time I'll join in the journaling with the imagery & the folders. Please, if you have questions, let them flow.

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Therapist'sCOUCH - Self-Tweaking

Today when writing in my journal I started having a conversation with my Higher Self about doing better in some areas that are fairly well aligned for me. It's been several decades since I got my food & exercise in order. Yes, it's true that there was some faltering during the time of our move north, getting settled in the new house & then losing our son. But, I'm fairly well back on track now.

My Higher Self's Comment - Well Elizabeth, what makes you think that those things can't be better? Are you going to just stay satisfied with where they landed? What if I told you that "inside" some of these supposedly already achieved parts of your life there were powerful gifts waiting for you?

Now this is what I love about journaling with my Higher Self. I truly never know what is going to come off the end of my pen. Just the idea that I left something thinking it was "done" & perhaps I missed some mark was fascinating to me. I didn't know exactly what those things could be, but I was certainly up for the inside adventure.

In case you were wondering....what is a "tweak"?

Tweak Related Words - adjust pull off, pluck, pick off, fine-tune, pinch, nip, squeeze, tweet, twinge.

Everyone wants to progress.... that's a given, but because we have so many different areas to manage.....all containing a multitude of goals, both big & small, it's a wonder that we do as much as we do. For most areas of life & for most goals, we have a tendency to be lost in very powerful automatic pilot programs. What my Higher Self was telling me was that I had settled for an automatic pilot program that could be improved EVEN THOUGH I thought it was just fine.

So, I was invited to install a subconscious mind tweaking program that would benefit the many areas my Higher Self & I are working on together. The first thing that happened was that I was reminded that since I moved & had these other life changes, I actually had developed MUCH MORE RESILIENCE & SELF GROWTH that were now available to me.

My comment in my journal: How nice to know that the horror show from last year left RESILIENCE GIFTS behind. As I got past my pointed tongue comments, I had to agree that I've grown enormously & that I am far from the person I was before "in good ways."

When looking to "tweak", one begins with even something as mundane as brushing the teeth. When the subconscious mind notices that you want to make things better, you will be given all sorts of positive suggestions. Take a moment to think about how many areas you could actually change....even a little bit. You might be surprised. Those of us who work in the field of focus, flow, concentration & clarity know the value of changing.........even little things. These are gifts waiting to happen & now, my Higher Self is telling me that I am going to be rewarded for getting through the "horror show." Wow!

When old patterns are broken, even if just temporarily, creative-opportunity spaces appear. These spaces are very valuable assets & afford a perfect opportunity to revamp different areas of life that might benefit from some re-thinking or re-direction. This is tweaking. The re-direction or re-editing can be accomplished in large or small areas.

Tweaking can be a conscious or subconscious mind activity. I personally like to explore both avenues. In the past, some of my best break-through ideas came through subconscious mind tweaking, although conscious planning also has tremendous benefits. While this is a big subject for this blog, I can certainly touch on some areas that may actually tweak your desire to learn more.

My Higher Self comments: Elizabeth, when is the last time you purposely entered some serious tweaking? Let me help you with remembering....it was several years ago.

OK...my response. Let me share some of this with my Blog Mates.

What areas are best to tweak?

I actually like to program my own subconscious mind to tweak in all major areas of my life, because I never know where the most powerful gifts are coming to come from. Break-through idea may appear small on the surface, but can have big ramifications. This happened to me when I was tweaking my food & beverage intake. I got the idea that I truly could stop drinking caffeinated coffee. While this may not sound like a big thing, trust me it was. I had been addicted to caffeine for over 30 years & so, there wasn't an area of my life that was not affected by the absence of this substance.

It is often difficult to tweak without slowing the brain waves due to mind-turbulence. I also call this run-away brain syndrome. Take a moment to tune into your own thought processes & take notice of their speed. Think of them as traffic & you might be shocked at how fast it is going. Think about catching one of those thoughts & you'll get the idea of how necessary it is to slow the brain waves.

Once the brain waves are slowed, not only can you catch the thought, but there are other benefits as well. Stress chemical production is diminished. It is then possible to access the door to the subconscious mind. This only takes about 1/200th of a second. Now you are ready to program the subconscious mind for a good tweaking session.

Here are some areas I tweaked for me...I utilized my journal while my intuition dictated some areas.

1. Weight Management - As I entered this area of my subconscious mind programs, I was brought to the noticing of many different aspects of my self-discipline. Some appeared to be working quite well, others not so well. However, I asked the mind to tweak all areas, the reason being that everything can be made better. We just may not know this consciously. For imagery I utilized a laser light & focused it on food shopping, refrigerator, cupboards, exercise circuit training, walking & weight programs & my emotional component. The process is as simple as "notice or call attention to, laser light, tweak." The subconscious mind will respond to this by sending suggestions or new action programs.

2. General Health- I was told to separate my general health from my weight management program because I wanted my subconscious mind to highlight that important area. As I walked through my body departments, I simply "noticed, laser light & tweaked." My mind simply produced improved self-care programs in the different areas. Perhaps some areas won't have any, but most will.

3. Relationship with Self & my Source or Higher Self- This is the most important relationship area & often the most ignored. I was surprised to notice that I needed quite a bit of work in this area including building my self-image & self-esteem. I think this was because of my move & then the horror show. Even though I am feeling much, much better, I had sustained some damage. As I located my different object-goals in this area, I simply "noticed, laser light & tweaked." These included caring for my personal needs, having fun, building interesting work, hobbies, self-thoughts, choosing more emotions that build, etc. Because this was done hypnotically, my subconscious mind will bring forth new ideas, along with the organized plans. Journaling provides this automatically. Just imagine sitting across the table from your Higher Self & being guided.

4. Financial - Like all of us, I certainly needed some tweaking in the area of money management. When we are over-loaded with daily tasks, we often miss out on making corrections or building new opportunities. The subconscious mind is never too busy to work things out for us. All we need to do is ask, so I tweaked my budget, bank account, spending habits & investments. I had a lot of extra expenses from the move & the horror show, so I'm glad I was lead to this area. Somehow I had completely forgotten. ;-)

5. Home - This is a very easy area to tweak. I was told to visit all the rooms in our new home, as well as the car & currently non-existing garden, pointing the laser at all sorts of things. My subconscious mind sent & is still sendng a multitude of suggestions for making my life better in these areas. It's so common to stay on automatic pilot in relation to our home environment, for this is where we come to rest & recover from our work & social life. Whenever I tweak my home area, I find myself removing clutter & organizing areas that have been ignored for quite some time.

6. Relationships - I have many relationships including my family & friends. Some of you are right here working along with me. It's not uncommon to take these for granted, so tweaking will usually improve their quality. I am now ready to think about some additional relationships & so I was told to ask my subconscious mind to make a note of this & bring forth some suggestions. I won't be surprised if I begin to be more open to meeting new people.

6. Future - Tweaking the future is great fun & filled with possibilities of all kinds. This is a great opportunity to let my subconscious mind know what sorts of experiences I would like to have. With the help of my Higher Self I simply brought forth images & gave them a super-charged laser tweak. And, we left the following affirmation in this area...

PLEASE BRING ME THIS OR BETTER ! I have resilience coins, as do you & we are free to spend these however we choose. This is being self-responsible....caring for ourselves at the Highest Levels.

If you would like to "tweak" right here, please feel free. If you have questions, you must know by now that I love your questions. They "tweak" me!

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Therapist'sCOUCH - The Incredible Power of SHIFT

OK...so how does my writing things down "work" & when you write things down, you do the opposite. That was a question that popped up on my blog & it's a very good question.

Here's the thing. It has to do with Belief and how you view commitment. Most of us do believe in some sort of Higher Power. Hopefully, you do know that you have a Higher Part of yourself as well. You know that you are not your body, nor your mind, nor your thoughts or emotions. You are a Spiritual Being with a Body & not a Body with a Spiritual Component. I'd like to suggest that you draw that image in your journal.

Not using a JOURNAL???? oh oh oh....well start. You need a focus tool...somewhere to communicate with yourSelf & your Higher Power/Self. If you are not involved in this communication, consider yourSelf a boat without a sail or rudder.

Draw an image representing you....make it a stick figure if you like & then draw another Self around you....one that encompasses you. That is your Higher Power/Self. Take a good long hard look at that. You are not your husband, mother, brother, child, friend or anyone else. This is who you are.

Now, when you commit something to paper....please put it in your journal....you don't just write to write. You are committing to something. Just like in prayer...! You don't pray for something & then say, "Oh...so you sent it. Well.....not so sure I want it now. Tell you what....I'll pray again some other time & yes, I know I said I would do this, that or the other...but I'll put that on hold as well."

NO...a commitment is a commitment. It is serious business. You are in a relationship with your Higher Power/Self. You don't go back on these things, so make very sure you are ready to commit BEFORE you put something in writing. This is NOT a cross-off list. It is a commitment with the most important Spiritual part of yourSelf.

When I committed to my exercise program it actually took me about six months to be fully ready. I actually worked it out in my journal....like trying on different shoes. Would this work? Yes...No...hmmmm. Then, another suggestion that I tried on for size. I saw the difficulties & the advantages...weighed them very carefully, then ironed out the details. I even went to the gym & tried a few things out BEFORE committing.

The more you practice committing to your Source or Higher Power/Self, the easier it becomes. I believe it is because your Source now believes You & wants to move your along your enlightened Path. It was this way for me & for many patients & readers I work with.

In the beginning I was freaked out about engaging my Source in conversations such as these. I was brought up Catholic & no one EVER talked to God or Jesus or the Blessed Virgin or whatever saint like this. I remember, as an adult, talking to my mother about these conversations & she became quite pale. Of course, I was no longer a practicing Catholic, so it was all blamed on that. I remember my family calling some sort of meeting to discuss my peculiar ways. Their concern was that I wasn't going to go to heaven. Oh well.... ;-)

Anyway, I continue to commit to the things that need to be put in order & when I do, the help I need is forthcoming. Now, there are times......like today....when I wanted to eat something I had sworn off. My body was very uneasy...my childSelf was screaming & stamping her feet. This is a call for help....this is a time for me to go to a quiet place & meet with my Source. Now, I'm sure some of you are thinking that you don't have a quiet place or you don't have time for this etc. That is nonsense. That is your childSelf taking control. Sometimes it just means changing "environment" like stepping outside or closing the door of the bathroom. I usually have meditative materials to grab & read in those moments or I just sit quietly with my Source. Years ago when in the supermarket, if I was having "difficulties" & you know what I mean, I would literally leave my shopping cart in the aisle & go out to my car & sit there for a few minutes. Sometimes just going out the door would do it....it's a SHIFT. It's breaking the pattern of the part that wants to control the situation.

So, the commitment gets things in line & then one stays in line with the Power of Source & by SHIFTING. It's a total practice.

Now, you don't have to commit to a million things. I happen to enjoy committing because I've been so sick with disorderly eating & other addictive behaviors that I'm super-keen on being free & being on an enlightened path. I don't want to spend any more time practicing things that don't serve me well. I have certain ideas about how I choose to life my life & spend my time on this earth. I have fought my issues LONG ENOUGH. I GET IT. I don't want to repeat the old lessons any longer. I just want to get on with what I want for me.

I like the image of being the "drum majorette" leading the band. The band is metaphorical for my life moving forward. I used to be at the back of the band....just following along, perhaps picking up bits of this or that along the way. Never demanding much for myself. Now, I don't demand, for there is no need. Everything is available. I just have to choose what I want & make it clear through commitment. I lead my band & it feels really good.

About the SHIFTING....yes, before the SHIFT it can be uncomfortable. But, that is part of the process. Nothing is going to happen to you if you feel uncomfortable. It's just that moment or few moments in time. Tell yourself that. It's like getting out of your own way. You need to feel that in order to SHIFT. Look around & you will see others or yourSelf running away at this point in the project. Take for example, you have committed not to have dessert in restaurants because there is rarely a healthy choice, but here comes the waiter with the dessert tray. Everyone is rolling their eyes & talking about what they want. The waiter now looks at you. "Which would you like?" Here's the moment.....( sense your Higher Power, remembering commitment...feeling your personal power, uplifted by Spirit )SHIFT. "Thanks, but I'll pass." Then your friend or husband says, "Oh come on. Don't be a party-pooper. One dessert isn't going to change things.".....here's the moment again...( go through the process I spelled out a few lines back ).SHIFT. Now, what's interesting to me is that the dessert doesn't last all that long. People often don't remember eating it because they are lost in some sort of trance. Watch people eating dessert? They don't speak or look up....just shovel & then....watch the fork or spoon on the plate...scrape, scrape, scrape! Oh...it's over! That is a horrible moment for those who had the dessert. This is the moment of "All gone...no more....I miss it...I want more...& so forth." But for you....you are free from those terrible moments. What did you miss? Nothing much....just a sugar-trance & a lousy after-feeling.

Developing self-discipline & power over the childSelf & others can be monumental. It's not just about food, or exercise, or even any singular behavior. It's about who you are, what is possible for you, what you want & who you are becoming. In the future, there will be times when you will need these skills....trust me. There will be times. I just went through a series of these times in my personal life & I can tell you that if I didn't have these particular skills it would have been very, very difficult for me to come out "heads up", especially in such a short time & with little to no physical/emotional damage.

So...look at your eating issues or whatever else you would like to address in the commitment column as GIFTS, for indeed they are. These are your practice tools. These are the things that will make you into a very strong & powerful Spiritual Self for the rest of your life. That I know for sure...

No Journal....hmmmm.....get one.

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Therapist'sCOUCH - The Importance of Having Fun
originally posted: January 23, 2012

It's been several decades since I made my BIG lifestyle changes. OH...they were BIG. I remember the first night when I came home from visiting my husband in Oklahoma. We were living in the Albany, New York area & my job was to stay there until we sold our house. Then, I would join him in Oklahoma for a few years before we headed down to Florida for an early retirement. Both of our sons were away at college & our Yorkie, Sherlock had disappeared.

I was all alone with MYSELF.

I remember sitting in the family room after adjusting the heat. I kept my coat on because I was freezing. I couldn't remember the last time that I had lived alone & it frightened me. I wasn't a person who should/could be alone. I was a very dangerous woman who could actually kill herself with disorderly eating. I don't admit to this lightly. I could control it, but only when others were around. Left to my own devices, I could eat myself sick.

I remember the exact moment I realized this. It's not that I didn't know it, but since I hadn't been alone for so long, it hit me very hard. Then, I remember saying to myself, "How can I be so afraid of myself? I simply have to stop this. "

I don't know how long I sat there, but it was quite awhile. I realized that I was no longer cold & could take off my coat. I wandered into the kitchen ( of course, where else?) & opened the refrigerator, closed it, walked to the cupboards, opened them, closed them & then went & sat down again.

I picked up my journal.....there was always one with me....& began to write my plan. I made a list of what I was allowed to do & what I was not allowed to do. I knew that being alone meant that I would get into my sloppy self-care, just like I did when my husband would go to meetings. I literally lived for those moments & they were quite sick. I would shop to binge & could hardly wait to get home & begin. I would also pick up lots of movies ( before Netflix & cable streaming). Movies were what kept me numb along with the food. I was exactly like an alcoholic, but with food.

During those days I was walking about six miles a day, so I wasn't gaining weight. Before my husband went to Oklahoma I was bingeing at lunchtime. Looking back at all of this is truly difficult for me. It almost sounds unreal, but it was very real.

So....I'm rambling. Taking a bit of a vacation from my usual writing, so I do apologize.

In a way, I think it is helpful for others to know about my secret life. While you may not relate to all of it, most likely you can relate to part of it.

This business of being afraid of MYSELF truly blew my mind wide-open. In a way, this was a catalyst for me to change. This was most likely my rock bottom place.

The lists became my "safety." Once committed to paper, I would not allow myself to erase or change anything. In a way, being so compulsive was helpful in this arena. Some of the things I decided were somewhat unusual. I'll share a few with you here.

I wasn't allowed to purchase anything that was not on my list. If I found something in the supermarket that I wanted, if it was not on the list I couldn't have it, BUT I was allowed to consider it for the following week. Usually that item never made the new list because it was disallowed. I became my own General. I was only allowed to shop once per week.

I could only eat at the table. The table was to be set with proper china, silver, cloth napkin & a crystal glass for my water. I was not allowed to eat out of any boxes, containers, etc. If I had leftovers, they had to be placed on the china plate. I had different placemats for each day. ( told you I was compulsive )

I took my lunch to work & yes...I had a china plate, silverware, cloth napkin, crystal glass & any other thing I needed to eat my lunch. Yes...the place mats. Those as well. Of course, I became the oddity in the workplace. I was not allowed to eat anything out of any packages or plastic/cellophane bags. That worked because I wasn't allowed to buy them, but if someone at work had them, they were not for me.

The deal was that I would only eat foods that I enjoyed. This was a big challenge because I never did this before. I would eat "whatever" was left over even if I didn't really like it. Food that was just OK didn't qualify. I had to really, really like the food, but it had to be healthy. I scoured through magazines, cookbooks, etc. What was amazing was how many things I found that appealed to me. I'd make lobster salad, tacos with fresh avocado & fish, thin wheat tortillas with rubbed chicken & a spicy sauce. Every day had to be different. If the recipe made four servings, I either had another serving for dinner or put it in the freezer for next week. I brought fresh fruit & yes...had a special compote cup for that.

I was not allowed to eat out of any candy dishes on any desks. If someone offered something to me, I was to say "no thank you." It was amazing how many people "insisted". I started to become aware of how involved others were regarding my eating. One day a woman actually tried to push something into my mouth. She said, "I won't take no for an answer." OH REALLY....I remember shoving her ( gently ) into the wall.

I set up an exercise/walking program & walked in new areas at least three times a week. I would drive my car to areas that appealed to me & make notes of other places.

I journaled daily & made plans to do things I had enjoyed as a child. This was the most fun. I went to fabric stores that were far away, started knitting, got a pogo stick, did puzzles, bought some other games, played monopoly with mySelf & took two classes in things I never would have chosen before. I went away for a weekend to llama trek. I had never been near a llama before & thought it would be a good idea to let go of my fear of bigger animals. I had also not been away with a group of women since college. This was also lots of fun. I noticed how shy I was in this environment, so worked on this.

I also changed how I handled money. I did not allow myself to use any credit card. I even paid for gas with cash. I also stopped going to the mall. I didn't need anything, so why should I be going there? That was my rationale. I think I stayed out of the mall for the entire year. Once I decided not to go unless I really needed something, I no longer had any desire to go.

I cleaned & cleared my entire house. That took three months. I made myself touch everything I owned. ( compulsive? LOL ) But, there was a reason for this. I had been hoarding & purchasing things I didn't need or even truly like once I got them home. So...I made the rule that I could only keep something if 1) I needed it 2) I was willing to take care of it forever 3) It was very important to me. The third criteria was the most difficult because in the beginning everything was important to me. Once I caught this, I decided to put some of those things in the corner of the garage. If, in two weeks time, I still felt very connected to them, then I could have them back. If not, they went to the garage sale I was planning to prepare for our move OR to charity. It's amazing how much left the house. I had been hiding amongst all this stuff that I really didn't need or want. It literally had paralyzed me.

I actually quit my job & took a new one doing per diem nursing. I decided to work evenings as this was the time I felt the most alone. Each evening I went to a different hospital or nursing home. In the beginning I was very fearful of being in a new place, but then I started to enjoy building the skills this took.

My life had opened up.....& I didn't even realize how locked up I had been.

I remember my first trip back to Oklahoma. Although I spoke to my husband daily, he hadn't seen me in three months. When I got off the plane he couldn't believe his eyes. It wasn't just about my weight....it was me. I had found my Self again. Yes, I'd been lost for a very long time.

Quite honestly, I've not changed this way of being. Of course, I'm not alone now, but the changes that happened during that year ( yes, it was a whole year) were forever. I love looking back & knowing that there is nothing I cannot accomplish once I decide to & then put the discipline & fun in place. I ended up changing my entire career track to medical hypnotherapy, opened my own practice, wrote & recorded over 400 programs & now...I'm off writing digital books & playing with my blog friends from around the world.

And...Yes...I can still jump on the pogo stick. It's in the garage. ;-)

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Inside Secret Eating - When Will I Get It?
originally posted: January 21, 2012

Sometimes a little phrase just sticks. The above quote was inside a message I received today from a reader of my blogs. She is busy "trying to get it." The reason this phrase jumped off the page at me is because I repeated this to myself for decades. Sometimes it was framed in different ways, but it was the very same thing. " I don't get it. When will I get it? Why can't I get it? What is it? Why does this elude me? Will I ever find my way out of this? Will I be my ideal weight at death??" The last one was the worst. It became an inner joke for me, seeing my gravestone with the engraving "She finally reached her ideal weight." Not funny.

SO, LET'S GO & GET IT

Of course it's about food, but then again .... it's not about food. I've worked with thousands of people through the decades with disorderly eating issues & it's never been about the food. Of course, the food comes into play....sometimes first & sometimes second. What I mean by this is that if you are not eating correctly to manage your insulin levels, then you will always be more compulsively hungry. For me, this was a very big part of what I had screwed up.

I was always hungry, but then again I was never truly hungry, the reason being I always had something in my mouth OR I was in search for something to put in my mouth. The things I found OR was attracted to were never the foods that would balance my blood sugars. Anyway, once they are out of balance, the foods needed for balance don't work because the body needs a carb/sugar fix.

GETTING IT

There are four steps. The first step is knowing how to eat to meet the needs of your family & personal medical history. It's not just the food choices, but the amounts & the spacing between the meals & the exercise level. Even if you are not actively exercising, carrying around an obese body counts as exercise, so the amount of food needs to be ascertained. The protein requirements are very important, as is the fat & carbohydrates. Becoming Knowledgeable about these is Key or the first step.

The second step is all about meditating & disassociating....I wrote about those in the last two blogs. You must become independent & self-responsible. You must befriend your Inner Coach or Higher Spiritual Self & work from this perspective. Forget about help coming from somewhere else, unless that someone else is helping you to become independent & spiritually "free." This step is about becoming "highly aware & mindful." It's being able to see the whole picture from beyond your "form" for you are not your form.

The third step is about managing your thoughts & emotions. Thoughts are things. They are like DVD's. They are placed inside your "DVD Slot" by your emotions. These are mind programs & they need to be edited. Some are old....very old. Others are new & given to you by other people. Some people you know & others you don't. Images are all around you & you will come to see how you attract those that match your beliefs. Fat attracts fat. Obese attracts obese. Unhappy attracts unhappy. Low desire attracts low desire. You get the idea. Thoughts & emotions can all be changed. It doesn't matter how old they are.

The fourth step is all about working inside imagery. Programming the mind for change. Feeding the Self with love, compassion, forgiveness, as well as enjoying the journey of health. It's independent work....self-growth. Happiness, joy, disassociation from the circus of the world & walking towards prosperity in all areas of life. Riding the bumps & pot holes...not sinking into them, but keeping a clear vision of where you are going, knowing that you have already arrived....may sound like mumbo-jumbo, but it is not.

SO, NOW YOU GET IT

Knowledge is Key. Self-ownership is Key. Deep relaxation is Key. Creative Imagery is Key. This is your Life & you are the Orchestra Leader.

Let's have a bit of fun now. Read through & then close your eyes & come inside with me. I'll wait for you. Go down as deeply as you would like to enjoy. Once you are there find your mind screen, or if you prefer just think the thoughts. Easy goes it....I'm going to pick you up in the white bus. There are only two buses...one is white, the other dirty black. It started out white, but through the years it became black from all the soot & debris. You don't have to ride that bus any longer. I'm giving you a ticket on the white bus. For now, I'll be the driver, but in the future, your Spiritual Self will be driving. In fact, you can find that part of you now. She is very happy to see you....finally. Hugs all around. Sense the joy of "getting it." No more "trying." The white bus knows the way.

As we ride along, notice the beautiful flowers along the route. The road is evenly balanced & a pleasure to ride. We'll pass some lakes, a view of the mountains, all sorts of gardens, some with sign posts, others without. In the future you will be able to stop the bus & explore your "inner environment." You already know how to "fly" so you might spend some time over these areas as well.

We will be stopping very shortly. OK now...let's get out & follow the path to your right. It will bend slightly & as we come around the corner you will see a replica of the four steps I told you about. You are being invited to climb up each one & as you do, the importance of each one will make an imprint on your feet. Notice how good it feels to "know the way." First step....high level nutrition....so enjoyable. Second step....mindfulness & freedom...yeah. Third step...understanding FINALLY your DVD player, thoughts & emotions. Some emotions are standing by the side of the step. They are simply children wearing teeshirts with their names on the front. Some are dirty & others are neat & clean. You have both & will care for all of them with love. Fourth Step...glorious, positive imagery....you are standing there, perfectly healthy & wise. You do get it. Notice how happy you feel. Touch this part of yourself & now notice....that part enters you....YOU GET IT.....IT GETS YOU!

When you have completed our journey today, simply open your eyes & smile inwardly.

As Dr. Seuss says, "Oh, the places we will go..." & I add, "On the white bus." As we move along we'll be stopping at many interesting places, some of which I'm sure you have never been before. BTW, the bus will pick you up when you awaken. You will climb up & in using the four steps. When you get in & sit down, look at the bottom of your shoes....the four step image will be imprinted there for you, so throughout the day you will be walking on them.

elizRN
Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist
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Re: Sugar...the Hidden Eating Disorder - Excerpts (December 4, 2011)

Wonderfully insightful and beautifully written post. I struggled for over 40 years with eating disorders and disordered eating and what you've written is so true, especially the part about being an information-gatherer.

Re: 'Tis the Season - The Biggest Gift Ever! (December 18, 2010)

I dont have a lot of words right now i just came across youre material. As i read this i am just sitting hear crying my eyes out something is defenetly going on. This material that you write about is obviously hitting a cord with me.

Re: The Art of Self-Tweaking (May 20, 2010)

I love your blog regarding the art of tweaking! I've enjoyed a number of your tapes (way back when) and now mp3 recordings. Your imagery is deep and rich; it resonates with me. I really enjoy reading your creative thoughts and ideas!

Re: The Art of Self-Tweaking (May 20, 2010)

Thank you Elizabeth for this article. I was reminded of a talk I used to give several years ago, particularly to business people, but it also (I believe) has a message for people in general, except that the image I used mightn't be meaningful for them.

The message is simple and is contained in its title "You are your own product manager." When you know the responsibilities and role of a product manager, the message is quite clear. But what I wanted my audiences to understand and believe, is that their future is their responsibility.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Re: Brick Throwing & Ducking (May 18, 2010)

Once again my comment arises from my business background. In sales your prospect (customer) will always offer some objections. It doesn't matter whether the objection is valid or not, or significant or trivial. What it is - is something to be dealt with. Each objection you treat seriously and overcome, becomes a new selling point for whatever your product or service is. The customer might be objecting simply to show that s/he is in command. Your treatment of it validates the customer's self-perception, and increases your acceptance value in his/her eyes. But whatever - an objection requires you to consider it, and if necessary to take some relevant action - requires you to react positively.

Elizabeth Bohorquez, RN, C.Ht has been working & writing in the field of mindbody health, self-hypnosis, addictions, creativity & optimum performance for over 30 years. She is a graduate of Rockland Psychiatric Center, SUNY; Graduate Nurse Intern, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Cornell University, N.Y. She is President & Program Designer, Sarasota Medical & Sports Hypnosis Institute, Sarasota, FL & online at http://www.hypnosis-audio.com & http://www.sugar-addiction.com

She has written & produced +350 audio CD programs for adults, children, students & athletes, as well as several books in original Interactive Self-Hypnosis. She specializes in the food connection to addiction, optimum health & performance. She is the author of Sugar...the Hidden Eating Disorder & How to Lick It, as well as Beyond Disorderly Eating...the Truth About Sugar & Binging & How to Stop