Thoughts of the Day

Photo by Sara Fogan

     Every now and then I like (and need) to take a few moments and remind myself about what is really important to me, in my life. If you follow me on my Calminsense Hypnotherapy Facebook page you may have seen some of these quotes before on this page, or will in the future. Many of these Quotes of the Day are beautiful examples and illustrations of the work I do as a hypnotherapist, so I will probably draw on them in future essays.

• “Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.” – Margaret Cousins

• “All things are difficult before they are easy.” – Thomas Fuller

• “Failure doesn’t mean you are a failure, it just means you haven’t succeeded yet.” – Robert H. Schuller

• “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” – Maya Angelou

• “Waiting for things to change will not make change happen.” – Lolly Daskal

• “Stay away from negative people. They have a problem for every solution.” – Unknown

• “Happiness is an inside job. Don’t assign anyone else that much power over your life.” – Mandy Hale

• “You can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into.” – Author Unknown

• “If you carry unresolved hurts from your past they will poison your relationships wherever you go.” – Bruce Van Horn

• “Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” – Lewis Carroll

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/.

© 2018

The Most Powerful Words in the Universe

(This blog was originally posted on February 15, 2018)

What are the most powerful words in the universe? The ones you 

talk to yourself." -- Karen Salmonsohn

Photo by Rick Hustead

I previously explained the potential destructive or negative power of our own words in my blog titled Don’t Believe Everything You Tell Yourself. As I complete a course about hypnosis and the Law of Attraction, it seemed worthwhile to address this topic again. This time, I will take a more positive approach.

If you write affirmations each night or morning, you are already familiar with the power that a sentence or two can have to influence (and manifest) a positive change in your life. Of course, it isn’t just the words that do this. You must also believe in the power of those sentiments and your ability to quiet that annoying voice of self-doubt and skepticism that lives in the subconscious mind. If you have ever had to do battle with (turn off) that kind of chatter, you know how hard it can be to remain confident, optimistic and believe in your ability to achieve your goal.

To get into the right head space and attitude to accomplish your goals, it is important to focus on the positive thoughts/beliefs and encouraging feedback. If you notice any negativity creeping into your mental script, acknowledge the presence of the thought and return to positive imagery about the successful outcome you are working toward. For example: “Thank you for bringing this to my attention, but I don’t need you anymore.” Directly acknowledging a negative thought this way actually negates its power and influence over you, because you are no longer distracted by it. Thinking or verbalizing this sentiment draws a metaphoric line or boundary around the focus of your energy (intention), which negativity may not cross. Even more important, the act of thinking or saying “no” to and shutting down unwanted thoughts or belief systems strengthens self-confidence and your belief that you can accomplish your goals.

How is that for power?

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/.

© 2018

The Royal "We"

(This blog was originally posted on February 13, 2017)

Photo by Rick Hustead

“We are not impressed.”

Have you ever wondered where that expression came from? I can’t remember the first time I heard it, but it seems like a long-running joke that members of the British Royal family are said to use a plural pronoun to express displeasure. I don’t know if that is true and they really speak that way, but I highly doubt it. However, since watching the television series Victoria on PBS, I have a suspicion how that tradition may have started and been misunderstood/misinterpreted, as well as why it has lasted so long.

Early in Queen Victoria’s reign as queen of England, her dog, Dash, was a constant companion and apparent confidant of the young monarch. At least in this series, the queen is occasionally shown depicted addressing her dog and even including his unspoken opinion about an issue during a discussion with an advisor. I have no way of knowing if this scenario actually happened, but it made me wonder if these kinds of incidents inspired the royal “we.” Except in this case, rather than simply being a vernacular affectation, the queen genuinely and legitimately meant we. Nonetheless, as generations passed and the little dog likely long forgotten, the expression has lived on—at least in the public’s imagination. It is familiar and comfortable because it has been around so long. It is known.

Consider a tradition you or your family follows. Do you know why the holiday meal must always be prepared in a certain way, using specific ingredients that are not actually included in the original recipe? Upon further investigation, it turned out that some of the original ingredients were unavailable during World War II, so the family improvised the original recipe. The dish turned out well and the substituted ingredients continued to be included in future preparations. Some people call their grandmother as “Nan” or “Gram,” and their grandfather “Paw-Paw” because that is how they were instructed to address their grandparents. Why? My guess is that way back in the family tree a youngster couldn’t pronounce Grandma or Grandpa and the new monikers stuck and eventually became a new subconscious known.

How interesting…

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/.

© 2018