Contemplating Atlanta

I have thrown my hands up to providence and am in hopeful resignation. Cats, practice, marketing, I am taking a mental break and reconsidering the idea of going to Hypnoticon 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. It is looking as peaceful as my most quietly fulfilling days at the office.

My Mum for some odd reason has an Atlanta phobia (though I am not sure she has ever been there), so the first time I visited that city (two years ago), how surprised I was by its total civility. Maybe there is traffic congestion, which is made up for by the hospitality one may receive when one opts to avoid the traffic and patronage some fine establishment for refreshment. Now granted my experience is based on an afternoon on Peachtree Street and the High Museum of Art. And it is always at such places that I find an inner peace in the quietness of contemplation. I still believe museums, especially ones with well-done sculpture halls are the greatest places to meditate. So, I have put aside my mum's fears and look most forward to the potential of a great hypnosis conference in Atlanta. There could be enlightenment there.

There is also a great tour package that includes the High Museum of Art and other notable places in Atlanta by Trusted Tours & Attractions. This same company also offers several other sightseeing tours that may be of interest as well. They are currently running a contest for a free GPS called "Win Handheld GPS - Newsletter." To enter, all you need to do is sign up for their free newsletter by clicking here.

If you are thinking about going the conference (February 1 -3) or read this blog and live in Atlanta, please let me know.

A Holiday Plea from Ellie

This is a bit off topic again, but I thought I might use the blog to make a quick appeal to my family and friends. Frankly, I am tired, very tired. Do I close the office down and travel to you (I thought we had this covered this past summer - that you would come here) now? Do I make you feel guilty and coerce you travel here to see me (truly, I would like to say I am above that, but here it is out in open, already said and typed)? Do we stay in our separate locals and have a merry phone chat? Perhaps we could just talk for the duration of the day (I have a wireless headset, so it is not out of the question)?

Think about this PLEASE!!!! This is not impossible with some of the better international calling rates. Will you not please consider this? Really! It is that simple. Follow the link and see for yourself. I bet my nephew could take care of the download and all.

I have put together this little video for you, in hopes you will consider this option for the holidays. And just so you know, you can call at other times as well. I will pick up the phone when I can.

And yes, Mum, I miss you, but would it not be better to hear my cheerful voice than to see my tired, harassed face during the holidays?

By the way, Mum, Dad, and anyone else nosey enough to watch this...please vote for
for this at http://bix.yahoo.com/contest/33995. It is in a little competition and I might even share the rewards (maybe).

Changing Things Up

Suddenly the holidays have kicked into my mind, as if you cannot tell from the Sunday Question or the Monday Poll. Yes, they are on mind. I am doing a weight loss session with the group for stress reduction, will meet once in December and reconvene in 2008. When I originally set up the group, I thought I would take them straight through the holidays; it seems like a good idea with all the stress, pressure and temptation the season brings with it. What transpired was a half hour group meeting that turned into a vent for holiday stress and no time to spend with the group. Everyone seems to have this obligation, that family gathering, and on and on goes the list. And perhaps this is the crux of some of their issues: not making enough time for themselves, not considering their own needs. I could preach a sermon on this, but I suspect you all have some empathy towards this.

But I will share with you the most common peace antagonist that plaques the group. Family obligations and logistics. This really saddens me, but I am just as guilty as they are. It seems a time when compromise is the buzz word, leaving half-hearted results in the needs of pleasing others. Now I am not advocating being totally self-centered, but there seems like there would be another way.

I sometimes think picking a local that everyone could travel to (a neutral zone) might be a solution. For my family it would be somewhere like Oregon. I have no relative there, no memories, nor do any of my family members. No one has said, "Oh, I love Oregon. Let's go there." And why not? Sure it will probably be cold, but there might be snow (something that seems to appeal to several of my family members) and there are still brisk walks on the beach and the sound of crashing waves. Very hypnotic. One could rent a house or a condo for that "homey" feeling, have packages sent in advance, and heck, even have the groceries pre-delivered and waiting. No sterility of a hotel. Lincoln City holiday rentals offers all of this. One phone call and it is done. A change of environment might just be the thing.

It is like clearing the mind, opening the horizon of possibilities, and perhaps a chance to spend little quality time with loved ones with out the distractions of normal life.

At the moment, the voice in my head is trying to be pessimistic about what others would think of this idea and what excuses they would come up with, but I am heading it off with a meditative La, La, La, La, La, Fa, La.

10 Questions and a Follow-up

Drum roll please. Today you will find a new type of post that is about to be unveiled. For a little while I have been mulling the idea over, but was totally inspired by blogsweluv.com. As you all continually read about my antics in the field of hypnosis, I want to know yours. Hence, we are now going to have a new series called "10 Questions." These questions will be the same for everyone and hopefully it will provide a whole realm of insight into the hypnosis field.

Also, you will notice yesterday I tried out the new label "blogvertising." That wasn't so hard was it? But in the realm of this blog, I was quite serious about hearing what your dream hypnosis trip would be. Or perhaps you have already done a trip where you took your hypnosis artistry on the road?

My Dream Hypnosis Trip

Today I spilled coffee all over a suede jacket, not to mention my pants (and it hurt). I am working overtime to not let that be the sum of my day. You know how that goes. Sometimes it is easier than others. However, I am now cold. So indulge with me for a few glorious minutes while I try to move my attitude to a better place.

The topic is: what is your ultimate dream hypnosis job? Is it traveling around the world doing hypno shows? Working in a meditation lodge in the mountains? Street hypnosis in the largest cities in the world? Doing a workshop in Tibet? Seriously. What would it be?



Today, even though the coffee hurt, I would like a cup of Cafe Au Lait in Paris (I have never been). Yep, a hypno trip, staying in one of the nice Paris hotels. Then, since this is my fantasy, I would like to work with clients who have height phobias (that being one that I have personally conquered through hypnosis) at the top of the Eiffel Tower (consider this my being inspired by the mass hypnosis event in Scotland recently). That's 324 m up, you have to minus a few because that includes the height with the flagpole. Then I would soar down from this height and head to a museum, maybe the Louvre, and do a few sessions on guided imagery (got to pay for those nice hotels). After this, I would go well into the mountains, the Roane Alps, and find some where cozy to bed down and have my own mystical experience of some sort. I hear that France hotels are fairly nice if you find the right one.

Okay, so there. That is my fantasy. How about yours?

Travel Meditations

The people I traveled with recently are a creative lot. So, when it came to group guided meditations, my themes often involved unlocking creativity and such. But what I really noticed was the imagery that was enhanced by place or space. The stories, poetry and sketches that came forth from a simple guided meditation say at the Cadillac Ranch in Texas were astounding. While others were doing artistic endeavors afterwards, I continued meditating and seeing where the subject of the location would take me inwards. Still, I am processing all of it and what I learned about myself.

As I am contemplating a trip back to the UK, I noticed that the British Museum has an exhibit called The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army. These are literally an army of terracotta statues that were buried along side the First Emperor from Xi'an, China. Tickets are going like mad, so I have heard. But how fabulous they would be for a meditative exercise. I suspect, though, that it might prove difficult to do so at the museum with hundreds of people being shuffled through. And I have no pull there to get special dispensation. LOL.

In discussing this idea with my companions, another idea surfaced. Why not actually go to the actual site? Why not see the 8000 (plus) statues where they were discovered in Xian, China. There would definitely be something spiritual about this, probably interesting energy, and being surrounded by this archaeological find would resonate a deep cord in many of us.

Here's the fabulous thing, dialaflight.com is currently offering a few side trips from the UK to China for just this sort of thing (not sure about the meditation part, but just to see them in their natural environment). They have an affordable package that includes a three night stay in China (they have longer options available) that would be perfect. I have always wanted to visit China, but perhaps now I can satisfy my craving for England, and seeing the Terracotta Warriors in their natural glory in the Orient. Life is exciting.