Barbara Ford-Hammond
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Is it your Time to Pivot?

23/4/2021

 
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*Pivot ~ To modify (a policy, opinion, product, etc.) while retaining some continuity with its previous version: Dictionary.com  

In recent times many people have had to make changes in their lives; both home and business/career. It has been scary for some and exhilarating for others. 

​Pivot seems to be the word of the ‘now’ as people are discovering new ways to be. 

I am an expert on pivoting and changing my path as I have done so many times because of health issues. My career has gone from seeing several clients a day in my private clinic to occasional by Skype and from travelling anywhere on a whim to having to plan to the nth and then still changing/rearranging or cancelling. 

Here are a few thoughts for if you are making changes or maybe going it alone:
Running a business can be fun but it can also be horrible, stressful, scary, expensive and … (insert your own). However, when you get it right it is exciting, rewarding and satisfyingly fulfilling.

Getting it right though, that’s the thing.

When I started my hypnotherapy business I thought everyone who had given me advice was wrong. I knew better. So much so that I put my brilliant advert in the paper and waited for the deluge of calls that I knew would follow. After one week I had received four calls. Three were from other papers offering me further advertising and one from a chap who wanted to know if I gave extras with the massage. Ok, so perhaps I wasn’t the expert I thought I was. 

Various snippets of help and suggestions came my way. One was from a wonderful osteopath who said it had taken her seven years to become an overnight success.

Seven years? I didn’t want to wait that long. The important thing that I had to get my head round was that if no one knew about me they wouldn’t know about me. Seems simple enough but it actually irritated me hugely. People should just know. They should flock to me while all I need to do is wait. If I had stuck with that I would still be waiting.

You have to get out there and let people know of your existence and how you can give them more than they want. This is the same whether you sell services or products. 

None of us want to be one of those dull boring people who insist on telling you all about themselves: what, when and how they do whatever it is that they do. You know someone like that don’t you? That annoying person that you want to poke with a stick.

Getting your message across is a skill but there are ways to learn how to do it painlessly and with fantastic results. You need to change your mindset; if you care you share.

Here are a few ideas to get going:

  • Be clear who you are – if you don’t know how can anyone else hope to have any idea?
  • Know your customer or client - who wants what you have?
  • What is unique about you – why should someone want to come to you?
  • What’s in it for them? Customers and clients really aren’t interested in you only in themselves.
  • Get good at networking – I tend to regard networking groups and meetings as a bit of a jolly. This would probably be criticised by some but I go with the intention of meeting new people so we can share information while having a laugh. And if I’m not having fun I leave.
  • Learn to deliver your message quickly but succinctly when someone asks
  • Listen to others particularly those who are successful. For them it all seems natural and effortless – you can be like that
  • Don’t bore the pants off people with dull me me me chat
  • Be featured and or interviewed in publications relevant to you and your clients/customers
  • Write articles and features
  • Have an informative website
  • If you can, gives talks or demonstrations
  • Love competition – think shoe shops and banks
  • Maintain a sense of humour
  • Manage stress
  • Find people to help you​


​Mick says I do not pivot, I twirl 🌀

Mind Whispering ~ What do yours say?

2/3/2021

 
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​You are probably aware of horse and dog whispering

Over the years as therapist it has become clear that the happiest and most successful people are those who have positive whispers in their mind.
 
Before we move on, I would like to talk about the power of your mind and how you, yourself, can create success in everything you do. When you are awakening your intuition or you are beginning a new venture, or life in general, it is important to have positive thoughts and surround yourself with positive energies.

This should be from your surroundings and the people you spend time with. Psychic (psyche) vampires drain and tire us. If you spend time with miseries you will become one if you’re not careful and aware of yourself. By slightly shifting your thought processes, you can make amazing changes in yourself with just the whispers in your mind.

We mostly have a dialogue going in our mind telling us what we should or shouldn’t be doing, how we can or can’t manage or even why we must or mustn’t be doing something. Negativity in any form feeds on itself and grows more and more powerful as it does so. Positivity also grows with little encouragement, but sometimes it can be elusive if doubts or fears are present.
 
Think of a time when you felt and knew that you looked good: one of those days when all was well and you were fortuitous. Perhaps you were smiled at or someone gave you a compliment that immediately made you feel even better and more confident.

Now remember a time when you felt a bit daggy: bad hair day, squidgy bits day, not getting enough done from the ‘to do’ list or similar. On that day, it is likely someone may have told you that you looked tired or asked you if you were feeling poorly. They might have been that incredibly witty person that said, ‘Cheer up, it might never happen’. Well done if you didn’t growl at them, but even that comment was someone’s attempt to help you or cheer you up.

What then makes one day so good and another so rubbish? Why and how can you feel so different from one to the next? Why isn’t every day perfect and brilliant?
It is because of what happens in your mind. On the good days, your self-esteem is high; your confidence is untouchable and your self-belief is on top form.

On a bad day, your mind whispered to you and it wasn’t good. This can happen even when someone comments on your appearance in a positive complimentary way. We can receive praise repeatedly, but still dismiss it disbelievingly because we know differently or better. The positive person gets it from themselves. You can’t buy it or take a pill for it. It might take a bit of practice but, like any habit, it is attainable by everyone.

Have you ever tried to change something? Like giving up smoking or getting over a phobia, for example? And what happens? Probably not a lot because, again your mind whispers, ‘You can’t!’ So, you don’t.

Those who are successful whisper to themselves that they can do things or change something if it isn’t right. You, no doubt, know people who exude confidence and happiness. And, equally, you probably know those who don’t. They always seem to fail or spend time saying, ‘can’t’ or ‘shouldn’t’.

What are Mind Whispers? They can be that little voice or perhaps that not-so-little voice when it really gets carried away with itself. They may be thoughts, images or feelings. But, however they manifest to you, the first thing to realise is that you have created them based on your knowledge and experience of life. And, therefore, only you can change them. If you are attempting to meditate, see auras or meet a spirit guide, if you whisper that you can’t you will get your wish.

But, please don’t think that just because you haven’t managed something in the past it means that you can’t now, as with a little work and a tweak of your thoughts you can! The easiest way to either make change and/or become positive and successful is to be aware of your own mind whispering. When you have done this, you will find that everything becomes more fluid. You will become more aware of your intuition and inner abilities. Also, your senses will be enhanced.

Imagine now stepping aside from yourself and becoming a casual observer or listener to your thoughts. What are you saying to yourself? Try and drop in on yourself a few times each day and notice the pattern that you follow. Do you like what you hear? Are your whispers those of success?

If they are, that is fantastic: cheers to your achievements. If they aren’t quite what you were hoping for, you can change them.

Every time a bit of negativity or doubt creeps in, spend a moment acknowledging it and then rephrase in the positive. Hear your mind say, ‘I can. I am. I will’. Say to yourself, daily, the moment you wake up, ‘I am successful*, healthy and happy in mind, body and spirit’. Keep saying this until it gets in a loop that plays constantly in your mind.

At the turn of the twentieth century  the pharmacist and psychologist Émile Coué, taught people how to use affirmations and to repeat, ‘Every day, in every way, I’m getting better and better’, morning and night. Try this ‘Couéism’ and notice what happens after just a few days.

When you practice being positive and encourage yourself to live a life of abundance, your subconscious mind will ensure that it happens. And if life knocks you back: get up, dust yourself down and start again.

It can also be revelatory to notice the whispers of others. You can tell by their behaviour and from the things they say. Tiny little comments can have such a profound effect to the good or bad. 

I am not suggesting that you launch an attack or weep a river onto anyone who is negative. My desire is that you only let the positive flow your way and bounce negativity straight back. While you are demonstrating success in your life, which you will as you develop psychically, others might be jealous or try to lower your self-confidence. If you notice that happening, just smile inside and be full of positive light. This light will spread and may even begin to help those miseries.

* Successful is a personal word that means different things to different people . Only you know what it means for you and this is perfect.


What are we Going to Do Now

4/11/2020

 
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I am re-sharing this because just when we thought it was safe to go into the woods turns out it isn't.
​
Even though the situation can bring on or aggravate anxieties here are a few ideas that might improve things. Being homebound can bring fabulous opportunities for you to have a go at things you, “do not have time for”.

Top tip - try and be in a routine of getting up, eating, resting, doing, playing and sleeping.

I have spent the last few years mostly at home unless someone takes me out and here is a list of things to do in an attempt to save your sanity if you are not used to 'staying safe’ at home.

https://www.canva.com/ here you can create many things; memes, books, cards. The picture is a Canva made vision board I created to demonstrate

Free pictures you can use for your project/play
https://unsplash.com/
​

Take an online course - maybe in a subject completely different to all you know. The following offer free ones:
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses
https://alison.com/courses
https://www.oxfordhomestudy.com/free-online-courses-with-certificates
https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/online-learning/free-short-courses/free-online-courses
https://www.edx.org/

Drawing and colouring in
https://www.johannabasford.com/happyplace/
https://publicdomainvectors.org/en/free-coloring-book-vector-images

Garden activities
https://gardentherapy.ca/crafty-garden-projects-kids

Free audible stories
https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

Kindle has many free books that will be revealed if you do an Amazon search

Get cooking
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/25-skills-every-cook-should-know

Think of something and watch a video about it
https://www.youtube.com/
https://vimeo.com/watch

Learn self-hypnosis/meditation/mindfulness 
Book with me - we love self-promo


Call someone
Listen to podcasts - best to just search yourself
Write the book that is in you
Share random things you have discovered or remembered like unusual recipes 
Recommend films, box-sets and books
Start a blog
Get journaling
Keep doodling
​Look for free puzzles online
Read or watch something in a different genre to your usual

Try an exercise you have never done before - health permitting

Develop a self-care routine/ritual - see previous post

Practice the art of Niksen which means to do nothing or, do something with no purpose

Try to have moments of silly and fun

Oh, Spike ♥️

Get a Grip

19/3/2020

 
Pictureunsplash-logoJohn Cameron

​It’s all in your head dear or maybe it’s your age
Have you tried a neti pot or settling your rage

Of course it isn’t real it’s made up by your brain
You cannot have your needed meds just suffer with your pain

Hang on a mo what’s this now something’s going down
All the able bodied souls are going into town

They’re buying up the tissues, the cucumbers and cheese
They're using up deliveries to give themselves some ease

And now those who need the help are getting even less
Stop your whining get a grip and think is the answer yes

As you take a moment do you need another tissue for your arse
​Rest assured whatever happens this too shall pass

Barbara Ford-Hammond

World Hypnotism Day 4th January

3/1/2020

 
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World Hypnotism Day; 4th January, seems to be the perfect time for me to re-enter the world from my healing sabbatical*.

The day was created as a dedication to the delightful Dr Jack Gibson who died in 2005. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Gibson and loved hearing the amazing stories of his career. He was a surgeon who used hypnosis as anaesthesia and he had many tales to share. 


Hypnosis for pain management is my number one tool for day to day and pre/post surgery. 

There are many myths surrounding the subject but all you really need to know is that it is a natural state that we all go into.
Self-hypnosis is the induction of a hypnotic trance during which you can decide to rest your conscious mind thereby bypassing to your subconscious mind.


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And So It Begins

2/11/2019

 
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1st September 2019.
Edited March 2022 - I did indeed go ahead with the stimulator but after a couple of years it became clear it was not the best option for me. The posts that followed this one have been deleted. 
If you are interested in knowing more get in touch.

Pinch punch and all that
​As the new school year begins so comes my new start. Not in a born again ding dong* kind of way but in an explanatory where the hell have I been and what am I doing kind of way. 

If you have read my blog or articles before you might remember I have had  on-going back problems that resulted in surgery to fuse my sacroiliac joints. Unfortunately the surgeon pushed one of the surgical screws into a lumbar nerve and it has caused a mishmash of issues that include continuous pain, nerve damage with its accompanying nonsense, foot drop, muscle wastage around my ankle and lower leg and sometimes my leg disappears itself. The dodgy grammar stays because it is such a perfect description. 

Life is challenging. After exhausting local pain management services my GP suggested I find a new consultant and start again. I did this and with some creative self-advocacy and charm (fluke) I ended up in the care of the amazing team at Southmead Hospital, Bristol.


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On Being Typecast Act One

5/10/2019

 
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​Who are you? What do you do?
Who am I? What do I do?
How do you describe yourself? By your name, role in life or your job? How do we define ourselves? Do we even need to?
There are books written (usually for women) about finding yourself. The strap is something like; daughter, sister, wife, mother… now it’s time to be you.

But, who are you? As the Caterpillar asked Alice.

When I became a hypnotherapist in the early nineties I happily called myself that even though I usually had to follow it with a description or listen to comments like, ‘oh best not look into your eyes,’ or ‘bet you can’t hypnotise me.’ Because that's what people say to hypnotists. Still.
​
As my practice grew I added in other things ranging from coaching and speaking to hosting workshops, teaching, to being involved in the more esoteric subjects. Later on I became an author and publisher. So many job titles to list on a business card I decided to bundle them.

Holistic therapist and muse seemed to cover it. Or, so I thought until Jane Alexander wrote, while reviewing my book, ‘she describes herself as ‘a holistic therapist and muse’ which would, under normal circumstances, make me narrow my eyes and pick up my foot.’ Oh! She does go on to say I’m alright but…


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On Being Typecast Act Two

5/10/2019

 
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Defining what we do can be challenging because what we do defines who we are.
Who we are defines what people think. Of course, it doesn’t matter what people think. Unless they are wrong.

Maybe I asked for it by calling one of my books, The Psychic Way, but assumed (ha, never do that!) that having ‘way’ in the title suggests method/option and that the sub-title would clear up any possible misconceptions; as in Fine-tuning Your Intuition. I’d be wrong then. 

I have lost count of how many times, recently, I have said, “I do not work as a psychic” The reply is mostly, “Oh, but you are psychic aren’t you?”

I then feebly mutter under my breath and change the subject.

Here is the conversation that triggered this musing – I am B and the questioner is D:

D - Is he going to leave me?

B - I don’t know.

D - Of course you know, you’re a psychic. Just tell me. It’s your job.

B - No it isn’t.​


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Eat Your Veg or Cake

5/10/2019

 
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Soggy lumpy squidgy bits
Saggy flappy floppy tits
Constant nagging tighten your core
Sod right off while I eat some more
Carbs to numb and fatten the bum
Add some weight and then some
 
The perils of pain can be weight gain
Being over stuffed yet under nourished
Does not encourage the body to flourish
 
The other extreme is the scrawny look
When the thought of food turns one crook
And there’s nothing to them ‘cept skin and bone
While the constant pain makes the body groan

For many years I was a vegetarian who ate fish (I know…). Then I slipped off the veggie wagon and one day a bloodied steak on my plate triggered something deep inside – not in a good way and I became a veggie again but still ate fish (I know…). I also ate dairy and eggs, yes… still know…


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The Contradiction of Pain

4/10/2019

 
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You have probably had days when you can’t manage to do much and personal grooming is way down the priority list but you still have to go out so you spray dry shampoo on your hair and hope for the best.

You get the feeling that everyone you see, including your doctor,  thinks you look daggy and unkempt. Lazy even. 
​

“She’s let herself go. She’d feel better if she tried harder.”

Another day you can manage better and shower, bung on some slap and head out.
“You don’t look poorly. You look good therefore you must be better.” 
“You have pain all the time? All the time? I never knew. You never said you should have shared.” 
And then, “All she does is moan. No wonder she hurts” 

​
Saying, “I hurt” is not deemed bad enough because being uncomfortable or a bit sore does not warrant any kind of help.


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Your Mind Spa

3/10/2019

 
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Can you imagine all the benefits of a spa visit without the paper panties or having to be coated in a sticky brown substance that has none of the pleasures of chocolate?

In this spa you do not have to think about how to modestly cover up with a towel, or even have to shave your legs and worry about stragglers near your lady garden or man field. Where is this magical spa of freedom and pleasure? Does it really exist? Can I buy a voucher?

You don’t need to - this is Your Mind Spa and all you need to do is summon up your inner therapist so you can reap the benefits without a blush in sight. Most people visit spas in the quest for inner peace and relaxation but in reality bliss is already yours and I’m going to show you how.

Relaxing
If you like, you can make your inner spa experience more enjoyable by dimming the lights, lighting a candle and playing some restful music.
Make yourself comfortable and cosy ensuring you’ll be undisturbed for the duration of your 'spa visit'. I suggest a few minutes to begin with and build up the duration as you please.
Create in your mind a choice of rooms. Begin with a cool one that you can visit if your thermostat is running a little high.
Follow this up by adding peaceful, sensual and sensory rooms. The beauty of this spa is that it is exactly how you would choose it to be.

If you fancy deep red drapes with golden sashes in your sensual area so be it. Maybe you like the sound of trickling water while it caresses your skin in your cooling area. Or, how about a variety of colours and textures for your pleasure in the sensory room?

Words to Yourself
In your meditation you can use suggestions, affirmations and mantras in your mind or gently say them to yourself. They can always be the same or you can ring the changes to suit your mood and desires.
Here are a few:
Today is a good day
All is well
I am calm
I am soothed
I enjoy good health

The idea is not to trick yourself but to encourage your subconscious mind to take the ideas on as fact. When you create your own, always be in the present and use positive words or phrases. Using one word can encompass all such as, “peace”.

The Inner Massage
Here is a relaxation exercise for you to try.

Become aware of your breathing without altering it while thinking about the sensations and feelings that you associate with inner peace and calm. As you acknowledge the flow of your breath the rhythm will gently slow a little.

If you have chosen to play music allow it to wash over and through you. If you are revelling in quietness be aware of the silence in your mind. Should any thoughts float by just casually observe them and let them pass.

Choose your room - you can change it about if you like. It’s all yours free from rules.
Spend a few moments noticing where you might have any tension in your body. We can experience tightness for a variety of reasons ranging from anxieties and fears to anger and irritations. However, as with your thoughts, it is about casual observation and gentle awareness.

Imagine you are massaging and soothing every part of yourself from the inside out to the rhythm of your breathing and this process will relax away where most needed.
If you like you can imagine your perfect Adonis or Adonis-ess stroking your weary limbs and then lose yourself in a fantasy of bliss.

If you are using suggestions or affirmations now is the time. If you are not then relax and just be..

In your own time rest until you are sated. Each time you visit your spa the experience will be enhanced and, quite possibly there will be new rooms.
​
You may drift off to sleep or you can set an alarm before you begin so you only need to focus on you and not the time.

Enjoy.


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A Past Life

3/10/2019

 
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Here is one of my past lives that came to me after I self-regressed about 20 years ago. It didn't all come in one go, but during the regression and for a few dreams during the week that followed.

My sister Lizzy and I lived on the outskirts of a village. I knew the year was 1590.

Our mother had died some years ago, quickly followed by my father who died of a broken heart. His last words were, 'I'm sorry to leave but I need to be with your mother, you have each other. I leave you both our home and my love.' He then slipped into a peaceful sleep from which he did not wake.          
 
            

Lizzy and I lived a happy settled life for a few years, growing flowers, making and selling bread. We had been schooled by our parents in herb lore and tended to the sick. Many visitors would come for healing potions. We helped at births and used herbs and prayers to ensure those who passed went in peace.                
One day in October, the village men had a meeting. From that day our lives changed dramatically.
We never found out what the meeting was about and who exactly was present, but from that day the people in the village averted their eyes and whispered to each other whenever we passed by.  


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Gentle Pain Calming

3/10/2019

 
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A lot  of my work is with people who have injuries or suffer with chronic pain. As someone who lives with this I know the challenges and desperation this can cause. 
 
Some years ago I was working at a golf club with a group of nine and there were two people with shoulder and neck pain, three had low backache, one had a headache and one suffering with IBS.

The two people remaining who didn’t have any pain felt quite left out. If you ask around most people experience discomfort of one sort or another quite frequently, especially, backache, headaches and the ilk. It might be just general aches and pains, pain following injury or surgery or a stress related problem in the form of tensions in the body.


And of course, pain leads to stress which leads to pain and so on. It can be a seemingly never-ending downward spiral and when this happens it is called chronic.


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Predicting Health Care from Times of Yore

3/10/2019

 
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I am simply known as ‘healer’. People, in my and the surrounding villages, call on me for a variety of ailments. Daily I walk the hedgerows gathering flowers, barks and roots to make my lotions, potions and tinctures. I return to my kitchen to brew, grind and whisper the incantations to infuse the medicines with the intention of good health.

I help people with pain of the body, mind or soul sometimes all there if someone is deeply harmed. Often a broken heart from an unhealed injury or bad relationship can not be mended without compassion and regular infusions of healing. The grief of a life that was might drive some from taking to their beds and this can often lead to difficulties in them getting back up.

Together we stop excessive inflammation from spreading and turning in on itself with the bark of willow to cool the heat and the leaves of valerian to soothe demons in the mind. Finishing with milk of poppy to quieten the noise of pain.

We know of the way pain burrows deep, determined to stay put, and without correct measures can take hold as a permanent lodger. 


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Golf Confidence - Getting it Back

3/10/2019

 
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It’s one of those lovely days again and you’re off to play golf. You feel good and all is well with your world.
You tee off at the first and think to yourself, ’So what was that all about?’ ~ as you watch the ball disappear nowhere near the place you wanted it to go. You decide it’s first tee nerves and try again.

​But oh dear, another rubbish shot followed very quickly by another. With each successive shot you feel your stress levels rising and your confidence falling. 


As if that isn’t bad enough the harder you try the worse it gets. You find your jaw tightening, your neck and shoulders tensing and the first suggestion of a headache coming on. Your swing goes more off line and you begin to really dislike playing golf. Your brain goes into overdrive as you try to analyse yourself and you dread the remaining holes. 

What’s going on and why is it happening? Why is confidence so elusive? 


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  • home
  • all about:
    • esoterica
    • golf
    • hypnosis
    • pain
  • bespoke recording
  • fun
  • press room
  • shop
  • voice over
  • your session