Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein is the originator of The Enchanted Self. She has been a positive psychologist in private practice and licensed in the states of New Jersey and Massachusetts since 1981.
Seven Gateways to Happiness for Us Women!
1. Discover and honor your talents, strengths, coping skills and potential
2. Love the story of your live and find ways to fall in love with who you are
3. Learn how to get your needs met
4. Take time to replenish, to enjoy life, and to find meaning and purpose everyday
5. Belong and don't isolate
6. Be a mentor and find mentors
7. Live generously. Do positive actions and good deeds
For those of you not that familiar with The Enchanted Self, and those of you that are, sit back and enjoy me sharing what The Enchanted Self is with Thor the Barbarian. This is a great show!
Dr. Barbara's Happiness for Women Only Radio Series
Listen to the Radio Show Archives
The Happiness for Women Only! series focuses on different age groups as seen below. We take a look at happiness as viewed through the lenses of The Seven Gateways to Happiness.
Dr. Barbara hosts this series, accompanied by her two outstanding guests: Dr. Sandra Prince-Embury, nationally know resiliency expert and author of The Resiliency Scales for Children and Adolescents and Martha Trowbridge, author of books on Inspiration For Women in Crisis.
"Getting to The Truth and More!" (20-35)
"Women and Wisdom Gathering" (Ages 36-49)
"Welcome the Enchanted AARP Woman!" (Ages 50 plus)
A wonderful discussion for all age groups!
My Books
THE TRUTH: I'm a Girl, I'm Smart and I Know Everything!
In the mothers' and daughters' version, this girl encapsulates the spark and energy that your daughter has inside of her, and that you had inside of yourself as a girl. It is this special capacity for fun and wisdom that we need to protect in our girls and get back to ourselves!
Let's rejoice in the girl inside of ourselves. Let's give courage and affirmation to our daughters and granddaughters so they know from the inside out, it is ok, in fact, essential to keep her alive, as they grow up.
The Truth, I'm 10, I'm Smart & I Know Everything.
The adult women's version is a delightful, humorous secret diary, written by a girl who is 10-11 years of age. She is wise and yet so innocent. She makes us cry and laugh and remember ourselves. Behind this very easy read is the psychological message to the women reading THE TRUTH that they can and must recapture the fire and passion of their girlhoods not only for themselves to flourish and be happy, but for the next generation to also have the gifts of good emotional and spiritual health.
This book is filled with emotional and delightful reminiscences that will charm you even as you are inspired to begin thinking of your own ways to bring delight into your hearts.
A collection of stories that is guaranteed to make you Feel Good. Click on the title to find out about the free gifts you will receive or here to learn more about the stories.
Recipes for Enchantment, The Secret Ingredient is YOU! is a culmination of over ten years of work and research in the field of personal enchantment by Dr. Barbara. She teaches us how to recall positive memories, regardless of our history, recognize our potential, and bring into our lives more of what gives us pleasure and joy. This is all combined with daily positive actions.
The Enchanted Self, A Positive Therapy
Through my work as a therapist, I have become concerned that we do not keep clearly enough how to reclaim what is positive about ourselves. This led me to write my book, The Enchanted Self, A Positive Therapy, published in 1997 by Harwood Academic Press. This book was probably the first and only book for mental health care providers and the interested public, to lay out the tools necessary to create a positive mind set and live an affirmative and affirming way of life!
Weekly Blessing
May you always be able to enjoy yourself.
May you be able to perceive yourself in a positive
light, combining your perception of yourself with a
world view that permits fun, replenishment and good
times. May you have the courage to play.
I'm Ready to Be a Hip Hop Grannie!
The Olympics are over but my mind is still full of the excitement and thrill of watching the games in China. I’m also still thinking about the Hip Hop Grannies that I saw in one of the portraits of everyday life in China. These gals get together every morning and do everything from oriental forms of exercise to Hip Hop and Breat Dancing! They are all over 50 and look fabulous. They move with the grace of a 20 year old. I was so impressed with them. I’m ready. Where can I join a group like that in New Jersey? Let’s get going. This is truly a way in to our Enchanted Selves!
Weekly Blessing
May all your story telling lead to vigor, wisdom, replenishment and a confirmation on the enchantment of daily living.
May your true song come through.
May all your days be full, as if with songbirds and your nights as if with nightingales.
The Enchanted Self, more on Wisdom Secrets and Nancy Drew
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein discusses The Enchanted Self, more on Wisdom Secrets and Nancy Drew. Here guest is Martha Trowbridge, Inspirational Writer for Women.
This week I’m eager to share with you a radio show on Wisdom Secrets For Women and Girls that we know as adult women that we really learned originally in girlhood. Martha Trowbridge, inspirational writer for women, is my co-host. We discuss how to use our wisdom as women and how to reinforce that wisdom in our girls. We use Nancy Drew as a powerful wisdom role model. This is a great show that is sure light a fire in you and your daughters and remind all of us that WE HAVE THE POWER AND THE WISDOM
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Memories of Filene's Basement as they relate to Happiness for Women and The Enchanted Self
Last week my husband, Russell and I atteneded the American Psychological Meetings in Boston, Massachusetts. I had gone to graduate school in Boston, so for me, it was my old haunting ground. Also, my mother’s family lived there and I was back and forth to Boston from earliest childhood.
So of course, every time I’m in Boston I wander and savour the delights of memory. Yes, I teach about the delights of positive memories in The Enchanted Self, and yes, I actually do it myself. Milk St. way downtown Boston is where my Uncle Cy had his insurance office. Quincy Market is where my boyfriend, who then dropped me, took me for a delicious meal when to my horror, my one and only cap fell out as I ate. A trip to an emergency ward to have the cap put back, finished that evening off. The North End brings back memories of taking a television course at Boston University and walking around with one of the other students as we figured out our television show that we would create. The list goes on and on.
But one of my most important memories is of Filene’s Basement. Filene’s Department Store was one of my favorite places. I couldn’t afford mostof the stuff upstairs, but the basement was another matter. All was possible down in the two sub-basements. Incredible sales were just waiting to be had. I would enter a wooden floor paradise of tables overflowing with $2.95 sweaters and raincoats. And if I had more money to spend I could find a coat for $12.95 and look great in it. Need a wallet? Here they are. Ties for my husband? Couldn’t beat the quality and the price.
And the wonderful atmosphere-it was a throwback to the 1800′s with the original wood floors and old plain wallls. A fire hazard? Maybe, but who cared. (I’ll tell you another adventure about the basement and a fire in another entry).
The basement meant so much to me. It was a kind of safe cave of personal adventuring. It was a way to feel excited and pleased at the same time. And when I was done shopping I could go to Bailey’s a few blocks away and have a coffee sundae with hot fudge sauce. Oh, life was sweet.
Last week my husband and I had wandered for hours. Suddenly we came upon the place where Filene’s should have been. Can you imagine my horror to see that it was no more? There was excavating going on all around it and the basement obviously was closed to the public and not functioning. I felt horrible. This was not possible. How could this place for me to dream and indulge myself just cease to exist? I needed it! It was part of my world!
My husband was indifferent. This was definately a female response going on.
A few days later I discovered that Filene’s Basement is now a shiny building on a very expensive street near Copley Square. And it is not a basement! I didn’t even bother to go in!….(more to come)
This Week's Blessing
“May you always be prepared for fun, for pleasure and for new solutions! May you always be able to see yourself as a wonderful reservoir of talents, ideas, and new ways of thinking “out of the box”
Author helps teens, moms connect
BY LAURIE LAWLESS
Hour Staff Writer
As a young girl, does your life seem complicated? As a parent, does your daughter and her adolescent issues seem confusing and incomprehencible?
Well wonder no more, because Norwalk native, Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein has written a new book to help struggling pre-teens and their non-understanding parents. “The Truth (I’m a girl, I’m smart, and I know everything),” is a fiction diary written by Holstein through the eyes of an 8- to 10-year-old girl.
“I became aware that children and moms need a way to build self esteem. I wanted something that could catch the heart and spirit of girls and maybe their moms too,” explained Holstein.
Holstein had done extensive research before writing this book, which was released in February, and believes people might actually be surprised by the amount of depth in the story. The book touches on self esteem, crushes, school bullies, inside struggles and the development and growth of young teens.
“We need to find ways that people are affected by what they read. A fictional diary can be very moving. In order to make change in our lives we have to be moved, not just convinced,” explained Holstein.
Holstein said she hopes that just as many parents read the book as do young girls. She said she believes it is important for parents to remember how crucial the pre-teen years can be. At the end of the book, a list of questions is given. Holstein hopes that parents and their children can tackle these questions together.
“I hope it will boost a girl or teen. For the mothers, I hope it will help her see how her daughter of child is feeling inside,” she said.
Holstein is a licensed positive phycologist in New Jersey and Massachusetts. She has held her private practices for more than 25 years. Holstein also worked as a school psychologist, a teacher and a case study researcher.
She has written five other books: “The Truth, I’m Ten, I’m Smart and I Know Everything,” “Delight!” “The Enchanted Self,” “Recipes For Enchantment, The Secret Ingredient is You!,” and “Feel Good Stories.”
She is the daughter of Dr. Harry A. Becker, a past superintendent of the schools in Norwalk. While he was in office, Becker made various positive changes to the Norwalk School System. According to Holstein, he also founded Norwalk Community College.
Those who have read and enjoyed Holsteins book, may not have to wait long for the next one to appear. This book is just the first in a series.
“I’m almost done with the next book. Now she’ll be 10-12. The next will be 12-14,” she said.
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein will have a book signing at 3 p.m. today at Borders in Stamford, at 3 p.m. today at Borders, 1041 High Ridge Road, Stamford. For more information, call 968-9700.
Read the article here.
This Week's Blessing
May you always find ways to give and take from life and others so that you continue to overflow with delight. Then you certainly will have the blessing of fatigue, and you will be most satisfied with whatever you are able to do in you lifetime.
Getting to The Truth and More!
I’m excited this week to share with you my podcast about The Truth, my new book. As some of you may know, The Truth has already appeared in two editions, one for women and one for girls and mom’s. While I was waiting for the edition for kids and moms to come out, I asked some guests to discuss the impact of The Truth. The guests included a 10 year old girl, Caitlin, as well as a psychologist, Dr. Lucinda Seares and a well-known expert in developing human potential, Thor the Barbarian. The show is fascinating as they all chime in to talk to each other and process THE TRUTH. Come on in and listen. You can download the show or if take it with you in your ipod. Let me know your thoughts after you hear it!
And don’t forget to get a copy of The Truth (I’m a girl, I’m smart and I know everything) on Amazon. Let me know what day you bought the book on Amazon and I’ll send you a free Truth necklace. Don’t forget to send me your mailing address!
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