New Year, New Change? ~ 2004

Hypnotes January 2004

Another year has passed, winter is still with us and the adverts for summer holidays to exotic places have already begun. Traditionally this is the time of year when we think about what we want to achieve in this New Year, our goals, aims, hopes and wishes. It is also a time when we look back on the previous year, our failures and mistakes, but also our achievements and gains and then we close the door on the past and look forward to the future, hopefully more prepared and experienced than we were this time last year. 

Our past and future are in our own minds and thoughts. We decide whether we are going to plan the route to our goals or whether we let events take us to wherever they might lead us.  One thing I do believe, and something I do see in my work as a clinical hypnotherapist almost every working day, is the drive and strength that is present in individuals. Whether it is someone wanting to lose weight, stop smoking, deal with deep and long standing issues of life, or whatever is in between, what is present in almost all of them is an internal drive, an instinct to achieve and for them to be better people, to walk away from the past habits or routines, threats or fears and to change for the better.  I admire and respect each and every one of them.

Initially it is not easy to identify that we are in need of a change, that change maybe our decision or it may be forced upon us through circumstances, but, when we finally take the courage to begin the journey of change, we often find at that exact moment a burden is lifted.  Most of us know the adage ‘the longest journey starts with a single step’ but fewer realise the fact that, before we begin that long journey, we have usually completed the journey in our mind. We ‘play’ the thoughts through in our mind, the secret is, whether we imagine making the journey successfully or making the journey in the most difficult, disastrous fashion.

The difference is - only a thought.  For those readers who may be thinking of making some changes but are unsure where to start, I would suggest my CD ‘Reflections on Life’. It is not a hypnotherapy CD, but a collection of thoughts and realisations which may help to change your perspectives.  The CD is available over the internet www.healthyaudio.com or by post from the Guardian Medical Centre. The same site covers CDs for Stress Awareness, Anxiety, PND, IBS, Chronic Pain and Emotional Recovery after Breast Cancer and other issues.

Whatever you hope to achieve this year, make a note of it .On the top of a piece of paper, write down your goal. Then fold your paper over, and write what you will have achieved 9, 6, 3, 2 and 1 month from now folding your paper each time. Then 4, 3, 2 and 1 week from now.
Then unfold your paper and see each step, follow it and adapt it, and this time next year, let me know how successful you have been. I wish you well on whatever journey you plan to make.