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ENCHANTMENT IN AN E-MAIL - JUNE 2002  

"Achieving Positive States of Mind and Body Again and Again"  

Produced by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein , Psychologist, Life Coach, and Originator of THE ENCHANTED SELF(R)  

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Welcome to the monthly publication of The Enchanted Self's e-newsletter!  The following is what you will find in this month's issue.

Recipe for Enchantment #24  

Take the advice of an 83 year old lady and follow it:

Use this recipe again and again.  Do not store--keep in out on the counter for easy access.  Enjoy!

-- This recipe is loosely based on a letter written by an 83 year old that made its way   around the web.

Article: Memorial Day ... Ah, Memories are Made of THIS!

by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein

A wave of nostalgia--so quiet and light footed I might have missed it--passed through me tonight.  It was the end of another Memorial Day Weekend.  We had returned home after a picnic with friends.  As soon as I walked in the front door the hustle and bustle of chores overtook me.  I decided to push them aside for another few minutes and instead walked around the block.  I am so glad that I did, as that is when I let myself indulge in feelings and thoughts that helped me fully weave another Memorial Day into the tapestry of my life.

Yes, we were invited to a picnic.  That, to me, has always been part of Memorial Day.  When I was growing up my mother made great picnics.  Her fried chicken and home made potato salad were mouthwatering.  Now, she goes to a picnic at her retirement village--too far away to join us.  For me it was great to be with my husband and friends; to laugh and listen.  One friend had been away for a year and it was great to catch up with her.  She was living in Israel and gave a first hand account of many of the daily pressures and anxieties that people there face everyday.  Life is hard at times.  Few tourists and the loss of tourist related jobs.  Ironically, many people unemployed from the tourist industry are now working as security guards!

Conversation turned to lighter topics.  For example, one guest's love story: she married for the first time eight years ago, well into mid-life, after assuming she would never marry.  She has been so happy.  We all felt her upbeat energy as she shared the details.

And of course, the customary foods were eaten.  We indulged in hotdogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, salads, fresh watermelon, and various cakes, including a delicious coffee cake that had gobs of chocolate running through it.  Ah, the pure joy of foods filled with calories and fat.

What made this day a day worth memorizing?  What made it rich enough to go into my personal, positive memory bank?  For one thing, it was built on past American holidays, so each moment had an intensity augmented by internal echoes of previous similar occasions.  Memorial Day, Flag Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day all echo within me.  The result is an accumulation of memories, impressions and feelings.  Some connect me to people long gone, some to specific events, some to atmospheric memories, such as the smells or weather that goes with a time of year.  Some of these memories are unique to being an American and reinforce my patriotic sense of pride.

A memory floated into my mind as I walked around the block.  When I was in kindergarten, we all stood outside on Flag Day.  I don't remember the details, but I do remember how blue the sky was, with fluffy clouds and a light fragrant wind.  I remember a feeling of pride developing inside of me as we looked at the American Flag and listened to the principal talk.  That day we learned all about Betsy Ross and how hard she worked sewing the first flag.  I liked the way I felt in my dress and little sweater and I liked being so special that we were taken outside to look at the flag way up on the flagpole.  And I liked being an American.

As I walked around the block, I realized that our fourth and most recent cat, Blackie, was once again walking with me.  He was just slightly behind me and occasionally hid in a bush, but indeed he accompanied me!  When I stopped to talk to neighbors, including the lovely lady who fed all four cats while we were away, he waited patiently for me.  What a great way to ease back home!

Yes, this Memorial Day did turn into a 'Memorable Day'!  I had the pleasure of a picnic with friends, time to reconnect with my personal positive memory bank, and a chance to come home once again, to myself, my neighborhood and a faithful cat!  What more could I ask for?

Exercise: A Play Date with Enjoying the Enjoyable

I hope you enjoyed my personal account of my Memorial Day this year.  Before time passes and memories begin to fade, take a few minutes to add the best of your holiday weekend or a recent good time to your personal memory file so you can retrieve and enjoy the memories again.  Can you savor positive sensations from the recent past once again before they fade?  Perhaps the smell of fresh grass or the taste of delicious foods? 

Have you been with people you have enjoyed? 

Also, take time now to practice bringing to your conscious mind some luscious moments from the past.  Perhaps a wonderful display of fireworks years ago on the Fourth of July?  Or that time the children all took glass containers and raced around collecting lighting bugs at dusk?  Maybe it was the way you felt on that hot summer's day when you walked home with a special boy or girlfriend? 

Remember, we can augment our positive moments, both now and in the past.  It just takes giving yourself permission to enjoy the enjoyable!  I hope you will give yourself that permission.

How to Order Books, Audio Tapes and more

How about some autographed copies of 'Recipes for Enchantment' with a free copy of The Enchanted Self's paper newsletter and a bookmark?  Perhaps you would be interested my first book, 'The Enchanted Self', which is also available on audio tape?  Here are some ways to order:

Tip: When shopping online use keywords "recipes for enchantment" and "enchanted self" to locate the books.

E-group: Connect with others like you!

Find out "what's right with you--not what's wrong!"  Come chat with other "Enchanted Self-ers" at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/encself.  Membership is free and you will have access to our on-line calendar, message board, chat room, and more.  It's a great way to connect with others who are exploring, creating and sharing their own positive and satisfying lives.  See you there!

Share Your Enchantment!

Share your positive stories and questions about enchantment with us and other Enchanted Self readers around the globe!  Our mid-month e-zine focuses on YOU and reaches a subscriber list of almost 700 people from the US , Canada , Australia , the United Kingdom , and many other countries!  Please send stories, comments, and questions to encself@aol.com.

Quote of the Month

"There is a mysterious something about the grasses --a power, a spirit, a mystique--that both stirs the soul and quiets it."

  -- Found in a health food store in Allenhurst , New Jersey

Blessing of the Month

May you always have the power and the energy to find ways to stir and quiet your soul in perfect harmony with your nature.  May the result be one you will always being able to enjoy!

Announcement: Upcoming Chats!

The Enchanted Self has some exciting news!  Soon we will be arranging chats at www.womensnet.net.  This is a great (free) opportunity for you to join in and share your own enchanted stories, as well as learn more about the Enchanted Self concepts.  More information will be announced as it becomes available.

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Have an "enchanting" month.  I wish you all many enchanted moments!

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Forwarding & Reprinting

(C) 2000-2002 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 Holstein

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.

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To learn more about THE ENCHANTED SELF(R) - A State of Well Being, Joy, and Happiness, please contact me or visit my web site.

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