Working inside our first StoryBook, we are designing images with our CreativeSelf utilizing our artistic tools. In the practice of self-hypnosis, we are able to work with a wide variety of metaphorical paints. Here we'll dip our brush into the very important "paint jar of time." We'll be using this particular jar throughout our work in this book, because our perception of "time" can either make or break our level of success, even our health. We can all relate to time-stress, knowing how sick we can become from this type of pressure. Often, even without thinking, we name & blame "time" as the reason for our failures, not only to finish or complete something, but also for our inability to get started. We call this procrastination. Time heads just about every list of excuse-making.
On the other hand, time can be a very valuable friend, not only because it is Key in helping us to achieve our goals, but it can also be a catalyst for change in many areas of our lives. In order to reach this level of mind-work, it's necessary to become aware of old, automatic programs that keep "time" in the enemy column & then dip the artistic brush in the "paint jar of time", applying a new, healthy perception in our new StoryBook Images. All paint, whether real or imaginary, has elements or components. Here are some reflective in the "paint jar of time."
Relaxing
Slowing
Hastening
Knowing
Trusting
Accepting
Enjoying
In my mind, the most important element is that of relaxation. As I review my past experiences, time never seemed to be on my side. My words & thoughts were filled with tension-filled stories, all blaming time for just about anything & everything. I don't think I ever went through an hour without one of my time-complaints. It seemed like I was never happy. If time were a real person, it would never have chosen to be my friend. Not only was I super-critical of it, I simply couldn't stand it's presence, despite the fact that I needed it.
In my work with "disorderly eating", the discussion of "time" comes up right from the get-go. Everyone is in a hurry to move out of the problems & who can blame them. Most people with negative eating issues have carried them around for years & simply want them "gone"....better still...."gone now." The most common question I get from patients or readers of my work is "How long will all of this take?" Because I'm a Clinical Hypnotherapist, I tend to see lots of living images & one that always appears for me is an image of "time" sitting next to the individual, usually wearing a little smile, already knowing that this individual is like a sleeping child who is about to be awakened, perhaps rudely. Then, it will be my job to move them from reality into a state of relaxation, as time gets to do some very important life lessons.
We'll work more with Time, but before we get further into the paint, I'd like to welcome new readers..
A NOTE TO NEW READERS:
This experiential blog/workshop is based on my new book, "How Many Cookies Will It Take to Make Me Happy?" This book is not published as yet, but you have the opportunity to read it in it's unpublished state. If you are new to my writing, you might want to read the earlier mini-chapters. They are available on FaceBook, The PublishersMarketPlace & at the following link. Remember to scan down to find the earliest chapters & work your way up. http://beyonddisorderlyeating.blogspot.com/
A bit of background.... we are working with creative Interactive Self-Hypnosis imagery, planting suggestions directly into the creative subconscious mind as you read along. What appears like a story is a series of self-hypnotic sessions, designed to bring about desired lifestyle changes. The inner mind is creative & rather child-like, loving to play with images, especially when they are emotionalized. Just like the saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words", well-planted mind images, can be worth hours of therapy. We can actually change or motivate in 1/200th of a second. So come along & look forward to some lifestyle-changing events.
"TIME" IN A PAINT JAR
As we awaken to our mental & emotional battering of "time", we have the opportunity to recognize the mindBody state of deep relax & begin painting in a new way. We have all the time in the world to get our disorderly eating corrected & can choose to do it as fast or as slow as we prefer. Knowing that we have a choice in how we utilize time is very freeing. It's not up to anyone else but yourSelf. I remember stopping some of my negative eating behaviors immediately, while others went slowly. I determined all of this. I therefore owned all of this. Bad-mouthing time will only deliver more stress to the mindBody, actually making it more difficult to move through resistance. So, practice catching your thoughts, as well as your spoken words, then transmuting or changing them with a deep relaxing breath. Here's a helpful affirmation...simple..."I'm in charge of how I utilize my time. I can go fast or slow, as I choose."
Slowing down is so important. If you tend towards compulsive behavior, you will be able to easily identify your relationship with time speeding along, even pushing you. People with disorderly or addictive eating tend to live in a compulsive world of their own making. I know this world well, because it is my world & while it is still my world, I'm now in charge of it, not the other way around. This makes a big difference. If I'm pressured or anxious about getting something accomplished, or solving my personal multitude of problems, I'm very kind to "time" & purposely slow it down. I like to utilize an image of a clock that allows me to turn a dial, making time go at a slower pace. Try that... it's a simple image that works very well. You can add an affirmation if you like. "I have all the time I need. Time goes slower for me & I like it this way." When we are recovering from addictive or disorderly eating, we agree or pretend that we have all the time in the world. The recovery path is a learning path & if we try to go too fast, we tend to miss the learning along the way. "Be still my friend & walk the path, noticing what appears to you along the route. These are your gifts for traveling this way."
We'll continue dabbling in this paint jar in the next blog entry.
Copyright 2009 Elizabeth Bohorquez, RN, C.Ht
May not be copied or reproduced without permission of the author.
Elizabeth Bohorquez, RN, C.Ht is author of Sugar...the Hidden Eating Disorder & How to Lick It. She is also the writer/producer of over 350 mp3/CD programs in the areas of medicine, health, prevention, addictions, self-development & sports for adults & children.
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