Oh, I Love a Rainy Night!

 (This blog was originally posted on February 28, 2014)

 

Photo courtesy of Midnight

 

 

                This week, finally, it rained in Southern California. Not just a drizzle or the light showers that have been passing for rain for the past year or so. Oh, no. We got a heavy downpour on Sunday morning and then, today—all day—we got real, honest-to-goodness, I-mean-business rain. And I couldn’t be happier about it.

                Just like Eddie Rabbitt sings in his hit song, “I Love a Rainy Night,” rain quite simply makes me feel good. It washes the metaphoric cobwebs out of my mind the way it cleans the months-old accumulation of dirt and dust off of the leaves and plants outside. Best of all, rain gives me an opportunity—okay, an excuse—to really enjoy some down time and relax. I allowed myself to sleep in this morning. Then, I spent a good part of the afternoon snuggling up in front of the hearth with a mug of hot chocolate and read a novel I’ve been trying to finish.

I also love the way rain energizes me to choose to do things I have been putting off. Earlier this evening, I organized my hypnotherapy library—including books about health and nutrition, relaxation and general motivation. In fact, I got so motivated that I even tackled about 10 years’ worth of books and magazines about horses/animal husbandry, riding and horse-training, which I reference when I work with my equestrian clients.

                But, tonight, I will fall asleep listening to the music of rain on my windows and, fingers crossed, the sound of thunder rumbling and crackling overhead.

I love rain…

 

 

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

Chilling Out With My Boy

(This blog was originally posted on January 7, 2014)

Photo Courtesy of Sara Fogan

 

                Riding is great, but one of my absolute favorite things to do is to just hang out with Galahad. One of his favorite things to do is to get groomed and loved on. Win-win! Not only is this activity enjoyable for both of us, it is a great opportunity to spend quality time getting to know each other better. I tell my horse what I have been up to since I last saw him (yesterday) and what is on the agenda for our day. I alternate grooming with providing a gentle massage and/or do a light Reiki treatment to help him release any physical tension held over from the previous training session. I find the physical action of grooming—using the curry comb, dandy brush and soft brushes—very calming and, dare I say (write) it: hypnotizing? I completely get into a zone of peace and relaxation. I take this “zone” with me as I go about the rest of my day, and even something that might have annoyed or frustrated me earlier in the day is barely a blip on my radar.

                Whether you have a horse to chill out with or a dog, cat or some hobby or sport that you are passionate about, it is very important to devote some time during the day to it. Go out and get into your own zone of peace and relaxation. The expression, “All work and no play….” is an important reminder that we all need to have a balance in our lives. This balance helps us to stay happy and motivated to do what we need to do and to enjoy doing the activity that makes us happy.

 

 

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.