An Introduction of sorts...

From an early age I was drawn to anything Metaphysical, from believing in mermaids, to knowing that Atlantis did once exist.

I believed I had the ability to read minds and of course telekinesis was one of my gifts.  I was going to uncover the secrets of the Bermuda Triangle and at the age of 12 witnessed a UFO in broad daylight.  Yeti existed and I used to yearn for Count Dracula to seduce me and make me immortal.

Quite an imagination perhaps, or are some of us just programmed to follow certain paths?  Yes, admittedly these thoughts were the product of a young and eager imagination, but perhaps the intention was that I would develop a more mature approach towards the unexplainable, maintain an open mind and embrace the possibilities that there is more around us and in us than our five senses can detect...

As can be expected, I grew up.  My imagination was harnessed to be "acceptable" to the norm, and my life continued down the extremely ordinary path of provincial day to day living, with the high notes being getting married, falling pregnant, giving birth and raising a son.  As with the law of relativity, for every high there has been a low:  Failed marriage, death of a parent, death of ex spouse and father to my child, then the other perhaps lesser highs and lows:  Love affairs, both good and not so good, all ending perhaps on a sad note and leaving temporary and some more permanent scars on the ego and the heart.  Promotions, location changes, job changes.  Temporary people fulfilling their temporary roles in my life, my journey.  Staying for a long as required to teach or impart what they were intended to show or share along the way and exiting when their jobs were done.

Subtle hints or gentle nudgings in the direction I was intended to travel?  Parts of the jigsaw that make the picture complete?

Have I found I've travelled this road to come full circle?  Back to where I started with my fanciful beliefs and imagination reborn?  Possibly, to the degree where I am still able to maintain an open mind.  That I am prepared to do the research before passing judgement.
That the inner child in me, may in fact be my greatest teacher, and that the time had finally arrived for me to stop ignoring the signs and start investigating the possibility that there is more to existence than I can taste, smell, feel, see or hear.  That there are energies in us and around us that have patiently be waiting for us to realise them and utilize?   That there is more to seeing than to looking and more to listening than hearing.  That the dynamics of the elements that make up all that exists is more vast than we could ever imagine, let alone discover?

By no means am I implying that I have revealed the answers to the great mysteries of unexplained. Or that I  made any great breakthroughs in research or discovered the mortal remains of Yeti.

This is not about first discoveries or maiden voyages through life, creation or other realms.  This is about my own experiences and self realisation, my own awakening to the possiblities that surround us.  And the road of personal discovery is an ongoing and winding road that I intend to keep travelling for as long as possible.

Using Visualization to turn negatives in to positives.

I was re-introduced to metaphysics and particularly holistic healing for a number a personal reasons.

I found myself in the unpleasant situation where I was no longer in control of my core being.
Hormonal imbalances can cause the most awful emotional imbalances as well as unpleasant physical debilitation, and can make you feel as though you are being possessed by Satan himself!

I have seen various doctors and to this day the symptoms I experience have yet to be completely resolved or even  placed totally under control.  I still have episodes where I and those around me fall victim to my hormone imbalances and the fact that these people are still in my life is testament to how wonderful they really are. :-)

What I have found though, is the holistic health approach does work, but it requires discipline (Something I am still working on on many levels).  By this I mean that you have to make it a part of your daily regimen.  Not easy at first, because reality is that life is full of demands and women especially tend to put their own needs second to everyone else in their surroundings.  Therefore, in order for it to work, you need to develop a certain amount of "selfishness".

Make a specific segment of your day your own, tell your family that this particular time is your time and that under no circumstances should they invade your space during this "my time".  (Trust me, they will thank you when they see the difference it can make).  The best time is in the morning before you start your day, perhaps set the alarm for 30 minutes earlier that usual, a great time because the house is silent (except perhaps for snoring...)  If you are not keen on getting up a minute earlier that is absolutely necessary, then set a time in the evening aside.  Once everyone is fed and watered and happily planted in front of computers or TV programs is a great time to take advantage.

This is your time to catch up with yourself.  Have a chat, ask yourself how you are feeling.  What does or did  the day have in store for you?  How will you handle it? How did you handle it?  How can you improve the outcome?  If you can't change it, how will you cope with it? etc, etc, etc.

Start by assessing how you feel.
If you had what can only be described as a "crappy" day,  do not over analyse what made you feel the way you do, (this only leads to increased feelings of dissatisfaction or incrimination and judgement), only concentrate on the emotions you are experiencing as a result of it.

This is where you would use visualization to turn negatives in to positives...
You have identified how what you are feeling.  Now you need to think of situations that have the opposite effect.  Example:  I feel angry.  What do I enjoy that leaves me feeling calm and peaceful?  It could be a visit to a certain place, spending time in your garden, listening to music, an activity, or even a memory.  The list is endless and it is your own choice that will make this effective.

Not everyone is supple, so no need to worry about adopting a typical meditation stance in order to meditate. Just make yourself comfortable (preferably in a sitting position).  Close your eyes and breath deeply through your nose and slowly exhale through your mouth... repeat this a few times.  This has a soothing effect and opens the subconscious mind.

Now start to visualize the experience that you identified as having a calming effect on you personally.  Travel into it.  Is there a fragrance or aroma associated with it? Smell it.  Is there music or sounds associated with it? Hear them.  If the sun is shining, feel its warmth on your flesh, if it is raining, feel the freshness, the coolness etc.  Make it your own and let it absorb you.

You will know intuitively when to end the visualization, and I guarantee you will feel varying degrees of satisfaction and improvement to your emotional state... Providing that you want to.
If you subconsciously relish the negativity around you, (again using the anger emotion as an example:) if you are angry at someone, and feel vengeful towards them, then in all likelihood this will not work for you.  If it is getting even or "pay back" you are interested in then visualization will not work, because you have not reached the point where you want to feel better.

During the identification phase, before you start the visualization, be honest with yourself.  Know what it is you want to accomplish.  There are no miracle cures.  Everything must come from within yourself, what is it you really want?  To be happy and enjoy improved health and well being, or to be filled with negativity and want to contaminate others with it too?  Introspection and honesty are the keys to improving your own emotional and by extension physical well being.

Give it a try, and let me know your experience.
Namaste.