~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Achieving Positive States of
Mind and Body Again and Again"
Produced by Dr. Barbara Becker
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Welcome to the monthly publication of The
Enchanted Self's e-newsletter! The
following is what you will find in this month's issue.
"As a cook I was always fascinated with
eggs. I saw them as a culinary magic
wand, turning thick batters into tall, puffed souffles and milky liquids into
firm custards. The whites were
thrilling, the way they jelled and turned opaque as they cooked, or whipped into
a stiff white foam."
-- Phyllis C. Richman, American Writer as
quoted in Kitchen Wisdom, A Collection of Savory Quotations, published by
Running Press.
May you always be able to focus on the small
delights of being alive and notice and enjoy the amazing combinations of
ingredients that assemble in our lives for our pleasure and nourishment!
Take anything simple, grown from the earth,
such as an ear of corn. Modify your
own recipe based on my example:
I am sure that as you smell the earthy
freshness you will feel refreshed--perhaps as if you just arrived on a farm for
a visit. Does the aroma bring back
any pleasant memories for you? Take
your time--when fully refreshed cook the corn and enjoy every mouthful.
You have done service to your spirit by
helping to enhance your vitality and many dimensions, and you have done service
to the ear of corn -- hopefully eating it with delight.
Article: Life Writing, One Facet of
Living an Enchanted Life
by Dr. Barbara Becker
I started life writing in the fifth grade.
My mother bought me my own Girl Shout diary! Are you wondering what a
Girl Shout diary is? It was a Girl
Scout diary kept by me. I had a minor learning disability, undiagnosed in those
days, resulting in funny spellings. Undaunted, I wrote to Dear Diary, sharing
the best of I Love Lucy, visits with grandparents, and weekly meeting with the
Girl Scouts. Then one day this dairy
was put away. Junior High School, High School and college were years when I took
pen to hand on loose leaf papers. I kept details of my love life, shed many a
secret tear and wrote some of my finest, darkest poetry.
Adult life found me writing on fragments of papers. These scraps housed
everything from cute expressions my children used to my less dark poetry.
When I decided as a psychologist to
interview women who were not in my practice, then incorporate my findings into a
book, I never dreamed how much my own life writings would play an essential
part. I had interviewed women ages 35 through early 80's, looking at how
messages they received growing up about themselves, influenced them as adults.
I asked them when they felt most whole, most joyful. In analyzing my
data, I had an "Aha" moment. I saw these women, no matter how
dysfunctional their childhoods, and no matter how many negative messages they
had received growing up, had managed to find pleasure and joy in their adult
lives. This insight convinced me that we have not utilized the history taking of
our lives to focus enough on what is giving us pleasure and joy. Also we haven't
learned to harvest out past so as to discover precious moments even in the most
dysfunctional of times. This
included me.
In writing THE ENCHANTED SELF, A Positive
Therapy, I began writing about my past and experiences again, but this time
looking for precious treasure: the positive parts of myself and my life. In
writing down my thoughts, feelings and memories, I discovered many wonderful
memories growing up. I found myself
remembering times where I felt delighted with life and full of energy. There
were moments of elation and successes when my true and sometimes lost potential
showed through. I discovered events
that even though they had felt unpleasant as I lived them, held within them so
many of special gifts. I began to hold and treasure these times as I wrote them
down, feeling deeply moved on occasion, to the point of tears ...
Ultimately what the women taught me and the
personal journey I then went on, has led to my writing to you.
I hope this e-mail newsletter stimulates you to recognize the best in
yourself, in your history, and in your potential.
For you too, have a treasury inside.
This exercise involves making positive
deposits in your memory banks. Over
the next few days, stay alert to when you are in a good mood.
Try to use all you senses to experience the present more fully,
especially when you become aware of a potential 'deposit'.
When the moment is right, ask yourself the following questions:
Take the time to describe them by writing
them down or dictating them into a tape recorder.
Now gradually refocus your mind on the present.
Announcement 1: New Book: RECIPES FOR
ENCHANTMENT, The Secret Ingredient is YOU!
My new book is now available through First
Books Library at http://www.1stbooks.com.
You can also order the book from me via my web site and receive an
autographed copy, complete with a free copy of my paper newsletter and bookmark.
I have also dropped the price to $9.95 plus $4.00 shipping and handling.
The book will be sent out within six to eight weeks.
Details are now posted on my web site at http://www.enchantedself.com/ordering1.htm.
For a sneak peak go to my web site at http://www.enchantedself.com/newbook.htm.
Join me for an April tele-class on 'The
Seven Gateways to Enchantment'. For
details on upcoming tele-class schedules and registration instructions head to http://www.enchantedself.com/teleclass.htm.
You are invited to become an active
participant in Enchanted Self activities through our e-group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/encself.
Once you sign up and become a member you will have access to The
Enchanted Self on-line calendar, message board, chat room, and much more.
I encourage you to take advantage of this free opportunity to connect
with myself and other Enchanted Self members, as we explore the joys of a
positive and satisfying way of life. Join
us to find out "what's right with you -- not what's wrong!"
Announcement 4: Enchanting
Questions...
Perhaps you read last month's new bi-weekly
publication of The Enchanted Self's e-newsletter!
Each month I will focus on (and respond to) a question about enchantment
and/or a reader's ideas on enchantment.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Have an "enchanting" month.
I wish you all many enchanted moments!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
(C) 2001 Copyright The Enchanted Self - All
rights reserved.
Please feel free to pass this issue on to
someone who might enjoy it. The
Enchanted Self Newsletter is copyrighted but may be quoted, reprinted, or
distributed in whole or part without prior permission, provided the content is
not changed and attribution is given including:
Dr. Barbara Becker
THE ENCHANTED SELF(R)
I
also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as
self-healing and professional psychology newsletters. However, I do ask that you
contact me beforehand for permission and send a sample issue.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To learn more about THE ENCHANTED SELF(R) -
A State of Well Being, Joy, and Happiness, please contact me or visit my web
site.
phone: 877-B-JOYFUL
fax:
732-531-1201
e-mail:
encself@aol.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~