“Are You Taking Responsibility For Your Life?”

Posted on 03. Jan, 2012 by in General News, Health Articles, hypnotherapy

I recently asked the question; “What do we consider is enough training – and who makes that decision?”  The answers I received were so diverse, sometimes from one end of the spectrum to the other.  But the question isn’t really as silly as it may first sound.  Who takes that responsibility to decide what that should be?

In therapy we like to assume, that ‘evidence based’ practice has a strong evidence base – but as one of my previous post questioned – does it, or is it merely that people get themselves into a position of authority and make those decisions for the majority?  Having done that, should we now follow their advice like sheep as they have given themselves the label of ‘expert’?

Am I an ‘expert’?  I believe so, but I am still learning – even after 22+ years of practice in hypnotherapy and related information.

Wikipedia’s definition of an ‘expert’ more generally, says; is a person with extensive knowledge or ability based on research, experience, or occupation and in a particular area of study.  An expert can be, by virtue of credential, training, education, profession, publication, or experience, believed to have special knowledge of a subject beyond that of the average person, sufficient that others may officially (and legally) rely upon the individual’s opinion.    Historically, an expert was referred to as a sage.   The individual was usually a profound thinker distinguished for wisdom and sound judgement.

Experts have a prolonged or intense experience through practice and education in a particular field. In specific fields, the definition of expert is well established by consensus, and therefore it is not necessary for an individual to have a professional or academic qualification for them to be accepted as an expert. In this respect, a shepherd with 50 years of experience tending flocks would be widely recognized as having complete expertise in the use and training of sheep dogs and the care of sheep.

Who knows more about you, then you?  And if it isn’t you, shouldn’t it be?

We have to have a starting point somewhere, hence credentialing and the like.  I remember a prospective member telling us that they didn’t need to learn counselling to become a member for they had been a hairdresser for 20 years and had counselled clients for that length of time.  Would you agree with that, or had he been giving his own opinion to his customers for over 20 years?  Let me not be too harsh here in general, but that man knew how to market himself, he was seen in a bright red car, which had been painted garishly for all to see that he was a hypnotherapist, even though he was never accepted into the association for lack of requirements to become a member.  Will he be seen by others as an ‘expert’?

There is no doubt that we do need to be careful that we don’t lose the plot, where it becomes more important to tick the boxes than to actually help our clients.   But clients have to play their part as well.

As a consumer, isn’t it your responsibility to become your own expert…  to weigh up what people say and whether you believe that to be correct?  If you leave that for someone else to do that for you, aren’t you giving away the responsibility that is yours?

Just after Christmas my computer monitor died on me.  I was lucky enough that I was able to use my husband’s laptop to look what was on offer.  I sourced different stores and came up with the least expensive model.  I wasn’t looking for a large screen.  My previous model was a mere 17” and had served me well. I don’t require a large screen for what I use the computer for.  I came up with a price of $145.00.  Not only that, but they had one in stock not too far away.  Feeling quite pleased with myself I told my husband about my find.

Mr. Logic… (husband), said; “Did you look on ebay or on a seconds shop to see if you can get it cheaper… do you really need a new one?”  Hey! Most shops would be closed between now and the New Year I responded.  I could not possibly wait that long.  Nonetheless, I could see the value of at least looking.  It made sense to me to do that.

And guess what?  I found a ‘seconds’ computer screen, never been used, exactly the same model as I had right now.  It had been sitting in some computer shop and was now an old model and needed to be got rid of.  In addition, I was able to be pick it up the next morning from the supplier at a cost of $30.00.  WOW! What a saving, and here I am looking at it right now while I am writing this post.  The supplier sold many other monitors, but this was a one-off and the others were of different models and about double the price, this was just perfect for me.  I was even able to hook it all up within minutes by myself when we got home.  If I had not taken the responsibility to check, I would have missed this bargain.

This vehicle (our body) that we travel in to experience the Universe, is our responsibility to do the best with that we can.  If we don’t look after ourselves, who else will?

I had a client that came to me to see in 1998 to see if I could assist him with a condition called Arrhythmia.  I was very impressed with him when he came to his first session carrying a sheath of papers to show me that he had researched his condition and wanted to share with me what he had downloaded from the internet about his condition, and what he understood the problem to be.

He had suffered a heart attack, which had triggered off this condition where his heartbeat could be going at 30 beats a minute and then change to be doing 200 beats a minute.  Now it would be scary enough just to have a heart attack in the first instance, but he was now a prime target for a stroke.  Each time his heart went as high as 200 beats, he would feel as though he was about to have another heart attack.  You can read about his story on my website here:  http://www.bbbenefits.com.au/therapy/heart-attack.htm.  Will (not his real name) has kept in touch with me over the past 14 years.  In medical terms, if someone survives for 7 years after medical intervention, it is a success.  So can I call Will a double successJ?

Will sent me an email over Christmas and I want to tell you that he is still fine, no arrhythmia since our sessions all those years ago.  He never underwent the operation suggested by his surgeon – he didn’t have to; instead, Will used his mind to achieve his results.  Nevertheless, he occasionally gets a slight numbness in his hand at which time he takes half an aspirin to eliminate this.  He is also on a low dose of warfarin as prescribed by his doctor.

In his last contact, Will told me that since he had developed gout, he had been spending time on working out what was causing it.  He had allowed himself to suffer with minor pain trying to prove a point one way or another.  He had worked out what gout was and why he felt he had gout and then researched the foods that were acidic and alkaline.  Through trial and error and some pain, he worked out what he needed to eliminate from his diet for the gout to go away. He knew the body needed acid, but felt the fact he had gout, confirmed that he had an excess of acid.  He felt that acid levels do not go down in hours or days and felt that it usually would take two weeks.  Through eliminating this or that from his diet, until the pain had gone away he discovered what foods to avoid.  In due course with the pain gone, he reintroduced himself back to certain acid foods “slowly” and all has been well to the present time.  Will is still taking responsibility for his health, as he has done on many occasions over the years since his heart attack.

Many people have their own stories to tell of how they overcame their own obstacles.  Some from the past that have written books to encourage others.  Others like Will, that succeed without fanfare quietly working out what needs to happen to put things right for them.

When we over the years start noticing that we are not breathing too easy… get tired too quickly… or are sad and depressed.  It is the Universe giving us a nudge saying; “Hey there! Are you listening?  You need to do something here.”  And if you ignore the smaller signs, then the nudge turns into a shove… and if you ignore the shove… well! don’t say you haven’t been warned.

We can’t always avoid suffering, but we can learn how to live with it to the best of our ability.  I am reminded how some years ago, every morning I (and my Rhodesian Ridgeback) used to religiously run 8 times around the perimeter of two side by side soccer pitches.  Then one day I had an accident that damaged the ligaments in both my knees.  Jogging is but a memory now – sigh!  However, I am fortunate that I am still able to walk – remember the story about the “Hare and the Tortoise”?  All it has done is slow me down a bit. ♥

As a therapist, I am here to help you to take control by assisting you in releasing fears and emotions, by making it easier to feel full up and encouraging you to have the ‘want’ to look after yourself to exercise moderately to lose weight, or release cravings to give up smoking, alcohol or gambling, and teaching you how to use your mind to boost your immune system, release panic attacks, fears and phobia.  I give you the kick-start to get your life back on track…

The question is; “Will you be taking responsibility for your life?”  That is the bottom line for all of us.  Let us make that our New Year’s resolution.  How can we help others if we do not help ourselves first – or as my Step Dad used to say; “Charity begins at home.”  Your mind and body is your home.

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