PBS, CBT and LOA

I was looking for PBS on TV so that I could record the show, "Poldark" when I found Daniel Tiger. Daniel Tiger is a children's animated learning show.  As soon as I listened to the first song that came up and the dialog Daniel the Tiger spoke, I knew that the writers were doing exactly what I've been hoping educators/parents would do.

The message was, "when you feel sad or fearful, think about what makes you happy."  This is brilliant!  From a cognitive-behavioral standpoint, this is changing the way a child thinks and teaching them an invaluable coping method.  If a child uses this type of technique, they will be more motivated to do the things they like to do without unrealistic fear which will change their behavior which will make them feel better and want to do more things that will elevate their mood which will make them want to do more things which will.....well you get the picture.  Brain chemistry will improve in a pattern I describe as  "a viscious cycle of success."

But let's look more closely at this brain chemistry thing.  Not only will Serotonin/Dopamine levels increase, but the child's synapses are being trained.  What I have learned from various authors like
Dr. Joe Dispenza ("You Are the Placebo"), the reason we have such a hard time changing a pattern/habit is because of these pesky synapses.  They get into a groove from repetitive thought to the point where they get "addicted" to it; if we continually think or do something enough, those synapses become like magnets for each other and you automatically go back to familiar ways of thinking/acting.  When you try to break out of these patterns/habits, it feels so "off" and uncomfortable, that we start to rationalize reasons why we should change this habit tomorrow instead of today.  Hence the reason diet companies are raking in the dough while we are eating to much (pizza) dough.  lol  Persevering through the initial days of change can train your synapses to get addicted to positive ways of thinking/acting and you're off on your VCS! (Viscious Cycle of Success)

But let's take this brilliant idea a step further!  As if better mood isn't reward enough, what if the Law of Attraction really works?  What if this children's writer is not only teaching coping skills for mood elevation and a happier life but also teaching LOA?  If what you think creates your life and thinking about what you want/like/hope for attracts just that, could these children be a new generation of the paradigm shift that I wrote about in my first blog entry?  If kids are taught to dwell on positives and learn how to self soothe, there will be less fighting and discord which can translate eventually to a more peaceful adulthood and world.

This brings me to the next blog topic that I've been reading about.  People who follow their "inner voice" and do the things that they love and feel passionate about, and that "feel right," are happier than those that don't.  By ignoring our "inner guidance systems" and doing what others tell us we should do, we may be setting ourselves up for disappointment and dysphoria.  These children are learning to think/listen to their intuition re what they like/want/hope for; a very good start.

Lisa

Self Fulfilling Prophecies and Limiting Beliefs

Some of you may have heard the phrase, "If you think you can't, you can't."  What does that mean? Well, if you think you can't, you certainly won't try, which makes it impossible to prove that you can! But what about the law of attraction theorists?  They would recommend that to attract success, you envision yourself being successful instead of trying to picture yourself failing   Even if the law of attraction doesn't exist, you will be happier thinking about what you want, like and hope for.  Some people are afraid to "get their hopes up too high" which makes me sad; that means you will never allow yourself to hope, dream and get excited about something you want and like.  I say go for the joy and follow your bliss and ride the wave!

I know I'm getting a little too happy but is there such a thing as too happy?  I was listening to an Abraham Hicks recording recently and something stood out; they discourage us from thinking and feeling how it would be if negative things do not change, why not think about how it will be when these negative situations turn themselves around to more positive ones.  In other words, why do I want change and why will it be awesome?  Then the limiting beliefs set in ie "That will never happen for me."  "I can't have that kind of happiness."  "I am stuck."

I suggest that you take 2 of your most prevalent limiting beliefs and turn them into positives.  For example, change  "I'll never get a good job"  to "It's possible that I could get a good job."  Another one could be "I can never be happy again after what has happened in my life"  and change it to "Maybe it is possible that I will be happy again someday."  Once you crack open those negative believes and let in a little ray of sunshine or hope, you can start envisioning how it could be if your dreams came true.  Then take the 2 new transformed statements of hope and say them everyday for a week and let me know if you feel better or not. (and especially let me know if you manifest your dreams!)

I hope your self fulfilling prophecies are of joy, love and happiness.

Lisa

What is Emotional Freedom Therapy? EFT

Emotional Freedom Therapy or EFT is what most people know as "Tapping."  I have to admit that the first time that I heard of a therapist using this, I was quite skeptical.  Now I understand that there is actually a physiological reason that it works.

EFT is like Acupuncture without the needles.  It is tapping on the meridians in your body where an acupuncturist would put the needles.  The great thing about EFT is that anyone can do it anytime and any place.  (although you may get some strange looks if done in public.  lol)  You don't need to be a therapist or medical clinician to do it and you don't need to be in the presence of a clinician while doing it.  And the best news, besides its efficacy, is that it is free.  Doesn't cost a cent.  Once you learn it, there is no way to mess it up or endanger yourself.  Anyone can do it; even children!

In my last blog we talked a little about the amygdala and how it effects how we feel and behave. According to Nick Ortner, author of "The Tapping Solution,"  'The limbic system is the source of emotions and long-term memory, and it’s where negative experiences are encoded. The amygdala has been called the body’s smoke detector. “Uh-oh, here comes trouble,” says the amygdala. “Something is threatening our safety.” It signals the brain to mobilize the body in the fight-or-flight response. Tapping on the meridian endpoints helps to deactivate the amygdala’s alarm and sends a calming response to the body, and the amygdala recognizes that it’s safe.'  Whether your safety is truly being threatened or not, it would be good to know how to calm yourself in the face of danger or the unwarranted fear of it.

I recommend visiting www.thetappingsolution.com to watch an instructional video; this is how that website describes tapping:  'The basic technique requires you to focus on the negative emotion at hand: a fear or anxiety, a bad memory, or any other aspect around an unresolved problem, or anything that’s bothering you. While maintaining your mental focus on this issue, use your fingertips to tap 5-7 times each on 12 of the body’s meridian points. Tapping on these meridian points – while concentrating on accepting and resolving the negative emotion – will access your body’s energy, restoring it to a balanced state.' 

My clients that have been open to trying EFT have reported significant improvement, progress and relief from anxiety, pain and unease.  There are many books and videos to learn more about tapping and some therapists like myself who incorporate it into their mental health practice.

Happy Tapping!

Lisa

The Amygdala, The Parasympathetic Nervous System and Self Healing

This morning I was looking for some YouTube videos on Tapping/EFT (Emotional Freedom Therapy) for friends and clients.  The one I ended up listening to and forwarding is one where Nick Ortner ("The Tapping Solution") was interviewing Dr Lissa Rankin, OB/GYN ("Mind Over Medicine")  They were talking about the "placebo effect" and the body's ability to heal itself.  The scientific explanation they used was that when we catastrophize/worry/stress, we send a message to the Amygdala ie "attack is imminent" and the Parasympathetic Nervous System goes into the "fight or flight" mode; during this mode, the body is too busy to work on self regulating/healing itself.

I think that some people do not like to hear about the idea that our bodies can heal themselves because if their body isn't healing itself, what does that say about them as a person?  Are they less than for failing to heal themselves?  Why isn't it working for them?  Also, if we can make ourselves well, can we make ourselves sick and if I am sick did I do this to myself?  Lots of guilt and feelings of low self worth may arise.

I believe that the trick here is not to blame yourself but to dig deeper into your thoughts, ideas, worries, painful memories and dissatisfaction with certain areas of your life.  Having limiting beliefs and worries does not make you a bad person; it makes you a human being.  Addressing these things in various ways ie in therapy or by using EFT to get to the bottom of them just makes you a happier human being.

One statement often expressed is, "I'm stressed out because I hate my job/marriage/living situation and I am stuck there due to finances."  Believe me, that was my mantra for years and years!  Once you can find a modicum of hope that maybe this is a limiting belief, your thinking can begin to change and a shift can take place. Once you allow yourself to open your mind to an alternate paradigm, many wonderful changes can take place.  Remember, if you think you can't, you can't.

Meditation, exercise, and a healthy diet are great ways to reduce stress, but other modes like therapy and EFT can take this a step further by getting to the crux of the faulty, hopeless assumptions and begin to move your thinking into a more hopeful, authentic mindset that can effect your mental and medical health in a positive way.

I'll talk more on EFT in my next blog.

Best wishes,

Lisa

Jealousy

Before you read this entry I want to warn you that there are aspects of the Law of Attraction in it; if this is not your cup of tea, take what you like and leave the rest. :)


I think most of us have felt jealous from time to time when someone else has what we want. Although we may be happy for our friends that have "things" we've been wanting, feeling a twinge of jealousy may be more common than we would like to admit.  I was thinking about this and realized that there is more than one reason that this does not serve us.

First of all, it would not be kind to begrudge a friend their happiness because we haven't received what they have.  But the other side of the coin is that the reason we may be jealous is not only wanting what they have but also losing hope of getting it ourselves.  If we have hope and optimism while waiting for our turn, I don't think jealousy would factor in.

So the real issue here is losing faith/hope that better things are coming our way.  If you've been reading about the Law of Attraction in my past blogs, you know that we must feel the way we're going to feel when we get these "things" in order to attract them; we need to send out positive vibrations to get what we want.  Otherwise, we are not "allowing" them to come to us.  So jealousy is a negative, low vibration that can cancel out your "rockets of desire."

Whatever it is that you are dreaming of ie a new job, new home, new car, more money, a new business, a new romantic relationship, etc, keep dreaming.  Don't worry about the time frame or how it will materialize for it may come when you least expect it and look totally different from what you had in mind.

Keep sending out those positive vibes and have gratitude and faith; your turn is on its way!

Enjoy your weekend,

Lisa