Книга - A Mind of Your Own

A Mind of Your Own
Betty Shine


A Book for Life.‘Book for Life’, is a book which can be read once and then repeatedly dipped in to, a book wholly appropriate for the age of the soundbite and the ‘quick fix’.Arranged alphabetically, over 200 carefully selected keywords covering every eventuality lead the reader to a little of Betty’s unique philosophy of life, gathered over 40 years as a professional vitamin and mineral therapist and healer. This is followed by a short visualization – as you read it, it acts as a trigger for the imagination and for the self-healing process. Each keyword is also accompanied by a classic quotation to inspire the reader with age-old wisdom and demonstrate a certain stability in the human spirit, plus an affirmation to take with you when the book is closed.A Mind of Your Own is a book which will be welcomed by Betty Shine’s previous readers as well as an inspiration for those unfamiliar with her work. It will unlock the doors to your mind and the whole range of its emotions, and is probably the most significant work of Betty Shine’s long and distinguished career.













COPYRIGHT (#ulink_7a30f689-a675-558b-a1d3-fa84fd123104)

HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd.

1 London Bridge Street

London SE1 9GF

www.harpercollins.co.uk (http://www.harpercollins.co.uk)

Published by HarperCollinsPublishers 1998

Copyright © Betty Shine 1998

Betty Shine asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this ebook on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins ebooks

HarperCollinsPublishers has made every reasonable effort to ensure that any picture content and written content in this ebook has been included or removed in accordance with the contractual and technological constraints in operation at the time of publication

Source ISBN: 9780006530190

Ebook Edition © SEPTEMBER 2016 ISBN: 9780008219468

Version: 2016-09-21


A good book is the precious life-blood

of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up

on purpose to a life beyond.

JOHN MILTON

1608–1674


DEDICATION (#ulink_697bfdcd-6193-59a7-ab63-962597edcddf)

This book is dedicated to the memory

of my dear friend

MICHAEL BENTINE

From quiet homes and first beginning,

Out to the undiscovered ends,

There’s nothing worth the wear of winning,

But laughter and the love of friends.

HILAIRE BELLOC

1870–1953


CONTENTS

Cover (#ue9bb687a-f4dc-502a-bebf-2d6b1c6c4dc7)

Title Page (#u3f492d7e-3612-5afd-a2d3-11f365d3180e)

Copyright (#ulink_09ca8c49-cc56-56f5-8b42-6cd2ff78734b)

Dedication (#ulink_5879a93f-7fa4-5020-97c7-aeb1a4287b5c)

Introduction (#ulink_b1c38c6b-6248-59ab-97a9-8bf96243f943)

1. Abuse (#ulink_c2912101-991a-550d-99be-d883588749ba)

2. Accidents (#ulink_1fb9a6b1-dd29-5dcb-ba40-c0e61110ed0b)

3. Addiction (#ulink_9b301bba-34b5-5f33-b428-b6efed889254)

4. Ageing (#ulink_51dda737-2737-5860-95dc-f965677acf38)

5. Aggression (#ulink_639325f1-28c3-50f4-9294-cf5f0b28ae49)

6. Anger (#ulink_f6bf8377-b532-553a-8008-bdd016af08f9)

7. Anxiety (#ulink_639b1c2d-a58c-5f00-a829-5c9d8c503dd8)

8. Bitterness (#ulink_c4ed31f9-4daa-50be-a4b7-61399181d1df)

9. Blessings (#ulink_6e6a40af-d196-5409-af66-6664ac554a0c)

10. Books (#ulink_1a3321bc-4d9b-5fe3-b61a-d1b6312ad69f)

11. Burdens (#ulink_b58a089e-b36c-5b64-ab2f-7517cc91606e)

12. Career (#ulink_10497f54-b58e-59bd-a2ee-ffec4996633a)

13. Carefree (#ulink_8a021c61-8efa-5a5c-a83b-9ba20865ca38)

14. Carers (#ulink_a9211936-7b91-5783-85e0-dbdab40a5690)

15. Caressing (#ulink_e422a6d8-08d5-59f3-899a-0be7d175d4c4)

16. Chain letter (#ulink_7c6ab57b-ec81-559d-8e0b-235d1491d50e)

17. Character

18. Charisma

19. Charity

20. Chatting

21. Cheating

22. Cheerfulness

23. Christmas

24. Clairaudience

25. Clairsentience

26. Clairvoyance

27. Class

28. Colour

29. Comedy

30. Communication

31. Complaining

32. Conceit

33. Concentration

34. Confession

35. Conscience

36. Conversation

37. Criticism

38. Crying

39. Cults

40. Danger

41. Death

42. Destiny

43. Destructiveness

44. Detachment

45. Determination

46. Devil

47. Discipline

48. Discontent

49. Discretion

50. Dishonesty

51. Divorce

52. Ego

53. Embarrassment

54. Emotion

55. Encouragement

56. Energy

57. Entertaining

58. Envy

59. Excess

60. Expectations

61. Extra-sensory perception

62. Faith

63. Fame

64. Familiarity

65. Fatigue

66. Favouritism

67. Fear

68. Forgiveness

69. Fun

70. Gifts

71. Giving

72. Gratitude

73. Greed

74. Grief

75. Grievance

76. Guidance

77. Guilt

78. Halo

79. Harmony

80. Hate

81. Heartbreak

82. Heaven & Hell

83. Humour

84. Hygiene

85. Ignorance

86. Impulsiveness

87. Inactivity

88. Incompatibility

89. Irritability

90. Inspiration

91. Judgement

92. Kindness

93. Knowledge

94. Laughter

95. Laziness

96. Leisure

97. Lethargy

98. Love

99. Magic

100. Malice

101. Materialism

102. Meditation

103. Mediums

104. Memories

105. Mind

106. Miracles

107. Mysticism

108. Nightmares

109. Noise

110. Opportunism

111. Opportunities

112. Peace

113. Pessimism

114. Pettiness

115. Phenomena

116. Phobias

117. Positivity

118. Possession

119. Possessiveness

120. Potential

121. Public speaking

122. Predictions

123. Pride

124. Principles

125. Priorities

126. Privacy

127. Quarrels

128. Reincarnation

129. Rejection

130. Reputation

131. Retirement

132. Runes

133. Sacrifices

134. Sarcasm

135. Screaming

136. Self

137. Self-esteem

138. Self-importance

139. Self-indulgence

140. Self-pity

141. Sensationalism

142. Sensitivity

143. Sexual harassment

144. Shouting

145. Showers

146. Shrine

147. Sign of the Cross

148. Silence

149. Simplification

150. Sincerity

151. Singing

152. Sittings

153. Sobbing

154. Solitude

155. Soul

156. Spirits

157. Spirituality

158. Spite

159. Stability

160. Stealing

161. Supernatural

162. Superstition

163. Survival

164. Symbolism

165. Sympathy

166. Tears

167. Teasing

168. Temper

169. Temperament

170. Thought

171. Threats

172. Tolerance

173. Touch

174. Tradition

175. Tragedy

176. Trance

177. Transfiguration

178. Trouble

179. Truth

180. Universe

181. Unlucky

182. Unreasonable

183. Vibrations

184. Vocabulary

185. Voice

186. Vulgarity

187. Walking

188. Warfare

189. Water divining

190. Weak-willed

191. Wealth

192. Witches

193. Work

194. World

195. Writing

196. Xenoglossia

197. Yarns

198. Yearning

199. Yoga

200. Youth

201. Zest

Keep Reading (#u6a1e6dc5-b10a-5f1b-bb7e-0b08f66edd4a)

Index

Postscript

Other Books By

About the Publisher


Introduction (#ulink_c5d74066-3ba8-5f2c-8da1-896851db39f0)

Every quotation contributes something to the stability or enlargement of the language.

SAMUEL JOHNSON

1709–1784



THIS BOOK is an A–Z of experiences. Its aim is to help people with various aspects of their lives, to strengthen character and balance temperament. It can be dipped into again and again, whenever the appropriate help is needed. But the magic of this book will only be revealed when you have read every word.

Each word opens with a classic quotation to demonstrate that, although the world changes around us, human beings never change. We experience thoughts and emotions the same as people did centuries ago, and we still have the same problems. You may find that the quotation alone carries the age-old wisdom you seek.

Following a short insight from me, each key word also has a visualisation and an affirmation. The visualisation is short so that you can ‘live’ it as you read it. It is a trigger for the imagination and the self-healing process. See it in your mind, picture it from beginning to end, and you will find where the main problem lies. Then you can make the right decisions and change your life. If a particular visualisation does not in any way apply to your circumstances, you can modify it or create your own – that is why I have called the book A Mind of Your Own.

Many people believe that they cannot visualise, but if you ask them to remember a person or place that has been special to them, the pictures and feelings flow. Remember, the blockage is within you. Take your key and unlock the doors of your mind – you will be amazed at what you find.

Finally, you will find an affirmation at the end of each word to take with you when you close the book. It is the key to the rest of your life.

This is a book of life. In it you will find every emotion. You will laugh, you will cry, but you will never be bored. Enjoy!

Betty Shine


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Abuse (#ulink_c9be085b-4147-5b6e-83c6-256f967af807)

Whatever you do, stamp out abuses, and love those who love you.

VOLTAIRE

1694–1778



NO ONE SHOULD have to tolerate abuse of any kind, and there can be no excuse for this abominable practice.

Mental or physical abuse to any living thing should never go unchallenged or unreported. Never condone this behaviour.

Visualisation: You become aware that your best friend is continually abusing his girlfriend. When you confront him with it he excuses himself by explaining that, although he loves her, she irritates him. You try to reason with him, but to no avail. Are you going to stand by or give him an ultimatum?

Either he treats his girlfriend with respect, or he loses your friendship. It’s a tough decision but you follow through, because you know that you do not want to have these bad feelings in your life. Even a bystander can take action.

Affirmation: There is no excuse for abuse.


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Accidents (#ulink_d7b39ce5-16d7-5e19-8175-9e09eefbed5b)

Now and then there is a person born who is so unlucky that he runs into accidents which started out to happen to somebody else.

DON MARQUIS

1878–1937



HAVING READ THE QUOTATION OPPOSITE you may find yourself thinking that you are that person. Think again. Through healing, I have found that the majority of accidents occur when people are under stress. If, as you read this, an accident has already taken place, then you are probably dealing with it at this moment. Your immediate reaction will also be that you do not want it to happen again, because the other problem you are having to deal with is shock.

My ability to see the energy system clairvoyantly has enabled me to study the tremors that occur within the body after an accident. You have probably experienced these tremors yourself, when you have dropped and smashed a piece of china and found that your hands are trembling as you pick up the pieces. What can you do about it?

Prevention is always better than cure. First of all, think before you act. A minute of your time could save a life. The pace of life is getting faster, and to counteract this you must steal a few moments before you act, so that you can have a little prime time for the rest of your life. Not only will you live longer, but the quality of your life will be greater.

Visualisation: You are running across a meadow of wild flowers – in SLOW MOTION. The slower you run, the more exhilarated you feel. Feel the fantastic lift as you put your life into perspective. Some things can wait.

When you avoid accidents, there is always another day.

Affirmation: A moment’s thought could save a life.


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Addiction (#ulink_cb095613-3155-5cb4-bdcb-a5a95463ec9a)

In a consumer society there are inevitably two kinds of slaves: prisoners of addiction and the prisoners of envy.

IVAN ILLICH

1926–



WHENEVER ADDICTION IS MENTIONED, it is immediately assumed that the problem is drugs. Most of the time it is not. Nearly everyone, at some time in their lives, becomes addicted to something. It can be alcohol, tobacco, television, sports – one only has to think about football to realise how the power of addiction can take over your life. Chocaholics too certainly know all about addiction! Sugar is addictive in all its forms, and parents – with the best of intentions – start their children off on this road by giving them sweets for good behaviour or simply to keep them quiet. I have known people who have become addicted to vinegar, to the inhalation of substances like furniture polish, shoe polish, air fresheners and petrol. In fact you can become addicted to just about anything. This is the real danger. Most of the time you will be unaware that it is happening to you.

Obviously, there are real dangers in any kind of addiction. To overcome the ordinary everyday addictions, try using the following exercise twice a day.

Visualisation: You walk into a small peaceful room, where you see a comfortable armchair; sitting in the chair, you become aware of a warm, comfortable glow as shafts of sunlight steal through the blinds.

You have an overwhelming longing for your addiction. No matter what you do, this longing will not go away. You must now say three words: ‘Please help me.’ You will immediately feel light and relaxed because you have, at last, realised that you have a problem. This is your first step to recovery.

For the first time you notice a table in front of you. On it is the cause of your addiction. Next to it is a small box, in the centre of which is a button. This is your life-line – when you feel desperate, you can press this button and it will switch off the addictive urge. You now have a choice. It doesn’t matter which choice you make the first time. But if you make the wrong choice every time, then you need professional help.

It is amazing how the power of the mind can, eventually, help you to make the right choice. It will show you clearly how strong or weak you are, and then the guilt factor will take over. NEVER GIVE UP. YOU CAN DO IT.

Affirmation: Addiction is an affliction.


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Ageing (#ulink_80bfa5f8-2ddf-501f-8fa8-82c2b8624403)

Youth, which is forgiven everything, forgives itself nothing: age, which forgives itself anything, is forgiven nothing.

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

1856–1950



PHYSICAL AGEING IS INEVITABLE and you cannot escape it, in spite of the beckoning fingers of advertising which promise everlasting youth. Beware!

There is a route that you can take to looking and feeling better, however, that costs nothing. By stimulating the energy counterpart of your physical body and strengthening your mind with visualisation, you can bring about a transformation. Your body will be the same, but it will glow with health. There will be a sparkle in your eyes as the power of your mind renews your enthusiasm for living. When this happens people do not see an ageing body, but are captured by the incredible essence that pervades everything around you. Friends will appear, as if by magic, because whatever it is that you have, they want it. I have seen very old, very beautiful people who know the secret. I am giving it to you.

Visualisation: Every night, before you retire, sit on the side of the bed and close your eyes. You will see a blue door. Turn the key and open it. Walk through the door and gently close it behind you.

You will immediately find yourself walking beside a shallow stream. Follow the stream until you see a fountain ahead of you. Standing beside the fountain, you watch as lacy cascades of water fill shallow bowls dotted around the outside ledge. Take one of the bowls and drink the contents. Gradually, you will feel the whole of your body and mind being rejuvenated. Aches and pains will disappear. Feeling light and lithe, you are able to move without restriction. You will feel weightless, as your mind – free of the burdens you have carried around for so long – revels in the freedom of movement, and you experience levitation of the spirit for the first time in your life. When you feel that it is time to return, open your eyes.

In time you will realise that you do not want to carry around the accumulated mental rubbish of a lifetime, and will discard it. Then you will know that it has been worth the effort.

Affirmation: I feel young. I am young.


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Aggression (#ulink_532615a8-3f53-5c6b-9f87-2799bb7e79b6)

As we jog on, either laugh with me, or at me, or in short do anything, – only keep your temper.

LAURENCE STERNE

1713–1768



WHEN YOU ARE FACED with aggressive behaviour, back down and try to remain calm. It can be a very frightening experience. I have seen calm personalities explode and become aggressive when they have been pushed by unwarranted behaviour in others. Everyone has the capacity for becoming aggressive – it is there within us all, because we need to defend ourselves when physically attacked.

Self-discipline is the only way to keep this emotion under control, and the best way to do this is to explode on paper. As the thoughts come into your head, write them down, and keep writing until you are sick of the subject or personality you are attacking. Get it out of your system, because if you keep it there it will rear its ugly head at the most inopportune time.

If you happen to receive a letter written in anger, don’t take it to heart. Allow the author a few weeks to calm down. Given time, they will probably regret having sent it.

Remember, we are only human, and we all have our failings. Forgive.

Visualisation: You are sitting with a friend enjoying a relaxed conversation and a stranger nearby joins in the conversation. Annoyed at this intrusion you begin to feel aggressive. At this point visualise a plastic balloon inside your stomach, filling with air. Take a needle and prick the balloon before the hot air causes an explosion, injuring all those around you.

Affirmation: Burst the bubble and stay out of trouble.


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Anger (#ulink_2e065958-7215-5582-9f18-0f443741d4a6)

Anger is a short madness.

HORACE

65–8 BC



LIKE A FIERY FLAME, anger begins in the pit of the stomach and within a few minutes pervades the whole of your body. It is only when you find yourself holding your head in pain that you realise what an impact it is making on your mind. It is at this point that you must make a decision. Are you going to let this unbelievable surge of adrenaline ruin your life and possibly that of everyone around you? Or are you going to allow discipline and logic to take over and channel your negative energies into something constructive?

You will not often have the amount of adrenaline that comes with anger at your disposal, so for starters, use it to get some of the lousy jobs that are part of your everyday life out of the way. If you have a car, wash and polish it instead of leaving it to someone else. If the house needs cleaning, get to it. Or walk the dogs that extra mile – they will love it and you will feel better. If you have no car, house or dogs, use your imagination and get rid of that first power surge somehow, for that is when really bad things can happen. Or you can try the following exercise.

Visualisation: Give yourself up to the moment. Picture a fiery red door. Open it. You find yourself in a large empty warehouse. Suddenly, the image changes and there is carnage all around you. You watch with horror as the debris silently slips into an abyss and you feel a force drawing you towards that abyss. This is decision time. Have you the strength and discipline to turn around and walk away? To return to sanity? If you have, you will find – perhaps for the first time – an inner peace which will support you throughout your life. If you cannot turn back, life will remain difficult until you find the strength to do so.

Affirmation: The anger will not consume me.


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Anxiety (#ulink_b2b35c3b-fdd0-5337-9f36-2121473a4071)

When you’re lying awake with a dismal headache, and repose is taboo’d by anxiety,

I conceive you may use any language you choose to indulge in, without impropriety.

W. S. GILBERT

1836–1911



FOR SOME PEOPLE, being in a state of permanent anxiety is the norm. Even when there is nothing specific to feel uneasy about, they imagine that something is missing from their lives. Having never experienced peace of mind, it becomes extremely difficult for them to dislodge such a long-standing habit.

Anxiety is a habit you cannot afford. It takes away the ability to see clearly and you make mistakes. However, minds that are fully occupied don’t have the time to indulge in anxiety and are usually healthier for it.

Through healing, I have been able to cure this all too common habit, many times, only to see it return as soon as the voice of reassurance becomes unavailable. If you are serving a life sentence because of this problem, make time every day to practise the following exercise.

Visualisation: You find yourself walking down a corridor of closed doors. As you reach the doors they swing open. Anxious and fearful, you try to turn back, and then you hear a voice saying, ‘Don’t be afraid. I will walk with you.’ You have a feeling of total peace and you walk on.

The first door swings open. You look inside – the room is empty. Leaving the door open, you move to the second door and open it, revealing a room full of sunlight. You open the third door and find a group of people meditating. The door to the fourth room reveals nothing more than three people in earnest conversation. But as the fifth door opens you come face to face with four miserable individuals. The negativity they radiate is so strong that you hurriedly close the door behind you. You know, without a shadow of doubt, that you do not want to join the unhappy people in the last room.

As you can see, most of the fears you had were unfounded. Those that weren’t can be shut out of your life whenever they unnerve you.

There will be many doors in your life that will need to be investigated. But in the end the choice of leaving those particular doors open or closed will be yours.

Affirmation: Anxiety is counterproductive – I don’t need it.


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Bitterness (#ulink_64014635-fc04-509c-8154-cc28a0d293a9)

Teach us delight in simple things, And mirth that has no bitter springs; Forgiveness free of evil done, And love to all men ’neath the sun!

RUDYARD KIPLING

1865–1936



AT SOME TIME OR ANOTHER, everyone will feel the acidity of bitterness burning into their soul. It is a difficult emotion to deal with. When this happens, memories invade the privacy of your thoughts at all hours of the day and night, and the pain never seems to go away. It does not really matter whether the memories are true or false. They are there, and you have to get rid of them.

Try this exercise. Take a pen and paper and write everything down as it comes into your head, and continue to write until you feel hollow inside and completely washed out. When you have finished, DO NOT READ IT THROUGH – otherwise you will simply be feeding it back into your mind.

Find an old tin – deep biscuit tins are the best – place your notes in the tin and then put it into the sink where it will be safe. Put a match to the paper and watch it burn, knowing that as it does so your bitter thoughts will be reduced to ashes.

Keep repeating this exercise until you feel cleansed. Because at some time you just have to face the world again. It is called SURVIVAL.

Visualisation: Sit down and close your eyes. You are in a garden and can hear the most beautiful music flowing through your mind, embracing your soul. You get up and start walking through the garden to find the source of the music, but it begins to fade. Then a voice says, ‘When you are cleansed of all the bitterness, only then will you hear the full glory of the music.’

Affirmation: Bitterness sears the soul.


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Blessings (#ulink_7a3dde30-9e8e-50f4-991d-ab70ff9febba)

Look to your health; and if you have it, praise God, and value it next to a good conscience; for health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of; a blessing that money cannot buy.

IZAAK WALTON

1593–1683



ALTHOUGH HEALTH IS OF PRIME IMPORTANCE in our lives, there are hundreds of small blessings that bring happiness into our everyday existence, and it is very comforting to remember these. Perhaps that is why you have turned to this page. But you may be reading this because you are having a bad day. If so, take a few minutes to run through the following visualisation.

Visualisation: You begin to think about the small things that have made your life bearable. They might be recent or from many years ago. As each memory comes to life you will feel rejuvenated as the original pleasure that it gave you pulses through your being. Memories are real – they can never die.

Affirmation: Life itself is a blessing.


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Books (#ulink_fe658f6f-3a84-5ac4-a8c9-6148434c95b4)

True ease in writing comes from art, not chance, As those move easiest who have learn’d to dance. ’Tis not enough no harshness gives offence, The sound must seem an echo to the sense.

ALEXANDER POPE

1688–1744



MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH BOOKS began when I visited a public library for the first time. I must have been about three years old because I could only reach the books on the lower shelves. I clearly remember the dilemma caused by the fact that I could only borrow two books at a time. I wanted to take them all.

To achieve anything in this life we have to read books, whether it is for business or pleasure. The difficulty when buying a book is to make the right choice, especially when money is short. Even when you know what kind of book you want, a mistake can be costly, especially when there is a choice of authors in a particular field. That is why the following exercise is so useful.

Visualisation: You are standing in a book store studying the titles and authors that are of interest to you. Running your hand over all the books, you suddenly remove one from the shelf and open it up. You may wonder why you have chosen that particular volume. It is because the soul of the author is in the energy of the book and will remain no matter how many times it is reprinted. Your hand, acting as a tool, has located a soul mate. Although you were unaware of it, you were practising psychometry, reaching out with your mind and connecting with psychic energy through touch.

Always hold a book for some time before buying. Your instincts will do the rest.

Affirmation: Feel the vibes before buying.


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Burdens (#ulink_196dbfb5-0fc5-5ebc-bb42-7d995255ae5d)

With aching hands and bleeding feet We dig and heap, lay stone on stone; We bear the burden and the heat Of the long day, and wish ’t were done. Not till the hours of light return, All we have built do we discern.

MATTHEW ARNOLD

1822–1888



BURDENS OF ANY KIND can cause havoc with your lifestyle, and particularly with your health. Although the mind and body can take an enormous amount of pressure, everyone has their breaking point. The art of dealing with any burden is to despatch it as quickly as possible.

Visualisation: You find yourself sitting on the top of a mountain. You are surrounded by many boxes. Looking up at the clear blue sky, you hear a voice calling your name. Then, a figure in white appears before you. ‘Give me your burdens and I will deal with them,’ he says. You gesture to the boxes, and the apparition smiles. ‘I can see clearly now why you are so unhappy.’ He claps his hands and the boxes disappear. ‘They have now been dealt with,’ he tells you. ‘Walk tall, do not let burdens break your spirit. Let me carry them for you.’ He touches your hand. ‘Go! Live your life to the full. Surround yourself with friends and fill your life with laughter, for I will be with you always.’

Affirmation: I do not have to walk this path alone.


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Career (#ulink_78b92c64-a56f-5378-ab99-f54621abe4a7)

Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed, The dear repose for limbs with travel tired; But then begins a journey in my head To work my mind, when body’s work’s expired.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

1564–1616



TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN A CHOSEN CAREER is invigorating and exciting. Every day is a challenge. But no matter how successful you may be, it is always wise to be aware of the pitfalls. Be mindful of your health at all times, for without it your success will disappear overnight. Remember too that, whatever you give out will come back tenfold. Hold on to your integrity, for without it you are nothing. Good luck!

Visualisation: You are in a room full of people. You see that those to the right face you with smiles and come forward to greet you. Look left, and the faces are bitter with hate and resentment. They cause you anguish. Make a promise to yourself that next time you enter the room there will be more people on the right than the left. Aim one day to be able to do this exercise one last time and find the left side of the room to be an empty space.

Affirmation: Success is nothing without friends.


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Carefree (#ulink_6011f2df-d49a-56b4-a1c6-440063501674)

The learn’d is happy nature to explore, The fool is happy that he knows no more.

ALEXANDER POPE

1688–1744



IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO BE CAREFREE all the time. But you must and the time, on a regular basis, to indulge in this most exhilarating pastime. It is essential for your health. Once you have experienced the freedom and the sense of belonging to nature, I guarantee you will become hooked. Years of being worn down with pressure and responsibility will vanish. Your body will feel feather-light as you move around and your mind will become clear, enabling you to see – perhaps for the first time in your life – the real beauty of colour. If you find it difficult to become carefree, read on.

Visualisation: Finding yourself in the middle of a forest, you become increasingly uneasy as you find one path after another blocked by masses of tangled brambles. You are lost and cannot retrace your steps. Cold and weary, you sit down on the damp peat ground, first hugging your knees, then curling into the foetal position.

Then you hear a voice saying, ‘Your body may be imprisoned by gravity, but your mind is not.’ A white cloud dances around your head. ‘You see,’ the voice says, ‘that is your mind, which can be released from the body with a single thought. Follow it.’ Springing to your feet you follow the cloud, and as you do so the brambles disappear. It is only then that you realise that the brambles were an obstacle you had manifested yourself.

Affirmation: Everything is possible.


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Carers (#ulink_d17ba2bb-b6d4-5c28-ac16-1e9a39ed50b2)

Life may change, but it may fly not; Hope may vanish, but can die not; Truth be veiled, but still it burneth; Love repulsed, – but it returneth!

PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY

1792–1822



CARERS SEEM TO BE the least thought about section of society. Yet the job of caring is usually thrust upon individuals when they themselves are at their lowest ebb. Old age is one factor – if the patient is a partner or a member of the family, the carer is usually pressurised into believing that it is their duty to take on the burden of becoming nurse/housekeeper. When a fairly healthv person is put under this pressure, their own health will also suffer, no matter how much they may love the patient.

If you are a carer, please seek help from local societies and authorities. There may be someone who would be prepared to sit in for you occasionally. You might even be able to share the load a little more with other members of your family – don’t be afraid to ask for support. You must have some space to yourself on a regular basis. Practising the visualisation exercise every day will help you.

If you are reading this and you are not a carer, but can find some time to spare – even if only a couple of hours a week – ask around your particular area and see if you can help.

Visualisation: Feel the sand between your toes as you walk along a deserted beach. Peace flows through your mind and body as the waves break along the shore, lulling you into a trance-like state. You feel light as the weight of responsibility is lifted with your spirits. This is your space – no one else can enter. Make good use of it.

Affirmation: I shall use my space every day.


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Caressing (#ulink_3e7a740b-97d5-54be-a443-3ae42cb6a383)

Affection shown by a gentle touch, Can still a troubled mind.

BETTY SHINE



THERE IS NOTHING quite like a gentle caress to soothe a troubled mind, especially when it is done with love. Babies thrive on touch, and throughout our lives we long for it.

The effect caressing has on the psyche can be clearly seen when one strokes an animal like a cat or a dog. The ecstasy they are experiencing is immediately apparent, and when it stops they beg for more. The majority of humans are not as demonstrative – if we were, life would be more pleasurable. The best way to overcome reticence and to enhance our lives is to practise the following exercise every day.

Visualisation: You are in a hospital. Walking around the wards, you are aware of the patients in their beds. They are sick but they are also sad, and in your heart you know the sadness is due to their loneliness. You walk towards a bed and stretch out your hand to the person in it. A look of gratitude, a sudden light in the eyes, is all the thanks you need. You feel good. Passing along the row of beds you give everyone a little of yourself, and when you leave there are smiling faces saying, ‘Thank you.’

Now you remember how many times you had taken for granted a loving touch or caress given to you by parents, partner and friends when they wanted you to know how much they cared. You are overwhelmed by a feeling of guilt, and you long to touch these same people, to give back a little of what you had received. You make a promise to yourself that you will never take a caress for granted again.

Affirmation: It is more satisfying to give than receive.





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