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ENCHANTMENT IN AN E-MAIL - DECEMBER 2001

"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 #18

I read on a Yogi Tea* box that for thousands of years, Ginger has been called 'Vishwabhesaj', which means "the universal medicine."  Ginger has been used to activate 'Agni', "the body's fire element."  When this happens 'Agni' is able to burn up 'Ama', all those "naturally occurring toxins ... in the body."  The result, of course, is "balance and harmony."

How do we equate the above into a RECIPE FOR ENCHANTMENT?  It is really very simple.  For thousands of years people have realized that laughter and humor can act as a universal medicine.  When laughter and humor are permitted to flourish we seem to flush negative mental and emotional 'toxins' that have collected right out of our systems.  What is our 'fire element?'  It is the intent and, of course, permission we give ourselves to let humor and laughter in! 

Here is a simple recipe to try this Holiday Season.  Into your holiday saucepan add at least one of the following:

Let simmer indefinitely, occasionally adding another positive ingredient that has the intent to provoke laughter.

And above all, stir your ingredients with a spoon that says 'permission' on it!  Remember you are entitled to feel good, to flush negative thoughts and feelings out of your system and to be in balance and harmony!

* Yogi Tea, 2545 Prairie Rd., Eugene, OR  97402

Article: Remembering a True 'ENCHANTED SELF'

By Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein

Over the past several weeks I have watched two different tributes to Lucille Ball.  Oh, what ecstasy to have some many of her funniest scenes displayed in just two sittings!  No one in the world could eat as many chocolates that fast, working on an assembly line, bake a loaf of bread so large it overtook the kitchen, or carry a smelly cheese onto an international flight, wrapped up as baby!  No one could make me laugh so hard! 

Only Lucy has held the key to my humor heart at anytime of day or night!  Ah, that I could find her anytime I need her--after a bad day, after bad news, after too big a dinner--after almost any occasion that could be buffered by a good laugh, and a comforting sense of the familiar.

What was her magic?  How has she managed to take me to my Enchanted Self since I was a 10- year old child, watching her in Fairfield, Connecticut on Monday nights?  How has she engendered positive states of being again and again?

First of all, for most of us over twenty-five Lucy has become part of our history.  She was always there, on a snow day, a day of illness, a late night when one couldn't sleep.  If you were lucky and flicked enough stations--there she was.   Her smile was infectious and her ineptness made us all feel comfortable.  It was as if she revealed our most embarrassing moments for us.  We never had to feel the shame or humiliation of tripping down the stairs with a giant showgirl hat on our heads or trying to catch up with the real superman on the ledge to our apartment!  Yet, inside of each of us was the youngster that would have given anything to be in a show or looking for superman!

Secondly, she gave us the 'real' family that had a lot of going for it, which not all of us had.  They really seemed to love each other, they had good friends, they always made up when they fought and nothing happened that was truly devastating.  Silly mistakes were just that and grudges were not held!  They got to travel and meet famous people and eat in fancy restaurants!  And, they had a baby and everyone was happy and loved the baby and no one was jealous.  Lastly, they got to move up in life when they finally moved to the suburbs into a big house with lots of land and funny happenings.  They even raised chickens! 

What a beautiful world Lucy and her gang recreated for us.  It was our country, our way of life, but on top of the familiar were humor, love, and always recovery from problems or embarrassments. 

In essence, she made the familiar the best it could be!  She helped us live in our imaginations for a while, yet kept us earthbound at the same time.  Yes, we were in states of well-being, again and again--which is what THE ENCHANTED SELF is all about.

I realize now that she was one of my most important mentors.  She actually assisted me through every gate of Enchantment.  This is how she did it:

FIRST GATEWAY, Self-esteem: If Lucy could be embarrassed and yet triumph, so could I!

SECOND GATEWAY, Learning to Meet My Needs: If Lucy could get on TV, travel, meet famous people, etc. so could I!

THIRD GATEWAY, Bringing in Pleasure to One's Life: Lucy gave me pleasure and showed me how to get more!  She had fun and good times even though she made mistakes and was even ridiculous at times.  Therefore so could I!

FOURTH GATEWAY, Becoming the Heroine of One's Life Story: If Lucy could be a heroine, receive recognition and save the day so many times, with all her mistakes and foibles, so could I!

FIFTH GATEWAY, Finding Tribes to Belong To: Lucy let me belong to her world without hesitation.  Not only did this gift give me an extra family but gave me confidence that I could find others.

SIXTH GATEWAY, Finding Mentors: Lucy was a great mentor for me.  She taught me humor and how to recover from shame and embarrassment and how to keep trying even with disappointments and delays.  Again, if she could keep on trying, so could I!

SEVENTH GATEWAY, Living a Life of Positive Action: Every week Lucy gave me hope that even with mistakes I could live a life of meaning, feel loved and have a good time!  What a great combination!

Lucy's amazing gift to me was that by allowing me to identify with her very failings and embarrassments, I was also able to uplift myself at the same time!  Like the ancient Moses, who had a severe speech impediment--which everyone was aware of, and trembled every time G-d asked him to lead his people--Lucy had modern day shortcomings.  She was foolish.  She wanted to show off.  She wanted to be in pictures!  Yet, like Moses she led a generation or two in positive paths anyway.

Thank you Lucy Ricardo and of course, Lucille Ball for giving me so much enchantment!  How delightful to hold your inspiration again in my mind's eye!

Exercise: Play Date with Lucy

What are your memories of Lucy Ricardo?  What were some of the funniest moments for you?  Enjoy the reverie.  Remember that using our memory banks to store positive humor is a great way to bring delight back when we need it!

Consider having an "I Love Lucy" memory reverie with your friends or family over the holidays. 

After dinner, you could go around the table recalling her funniest moments and/or your funniest moments that come to mind as you connect with her!  And you can always move on to other funny scenes from television comedy or the movies.  This type of reminiscing usually leads to a good laugh and warm feelings of connection, both with your own past and the others present around you!  Enjoy.

How to Order RECIPES FOR ENCHANTMENT, The Secret Ingredient is YOU! at a real savings for the holidays!

How about some autographed copies of Recipes for Enchantment for the holidays?  I will endorse each book to your personal specifications.  Just include the information when you go to my order page at www.enchantedself.com/ordering1.htm.  If you prefer to use a credit card, you can also call me at 1-877-B-JOYFUL and give me all the information on the phone.  I will enclose a free copy of my paper newsletter and a bookmark with each purchase.  I've designed a special price for the holidays: just $9.00 plus $4.00 shipping and handling.  Also, if you order three or more copies, the price drops to just $8.00 a copy.

You can also order from Amazon at www.amazon.com or Barnes & Noble at www.bn.com.  Use keywords "recipes for enchantment".

Another option is to get the e-book at www.1stbooks.com for just $4.95!  You can also get hard copies from the site and order with your credit card.

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 over 600 people from the US, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and many other countries!  Please send stories, comments, and questions to rebecca@enchantedself.com.

Quote of the Month

"How beautiful it is to do nothing and then to rest afterwards." 

-- Old Spanish Proverb

Blessing of the Month

May you have many opportunities this holiday season to do nothing, enjoy doing nothing and further enjoy resting afterwards!

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

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Forwarding & Reprinting

(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 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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