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by Valerie Grimes, CHt Clinical Hypnotist

originally posted 8/25/2019
updated 1/25/2021

How can someone truly enjoy their 50s and look forward to their 60+ years?

Some say the wisdom and experience gained over the years helps one find peace and enjoyment in the later years. Others say some people are just lucky to have a more positive attitude than others. Some of us worry constantly about our health, finances, personal safety, and retirement, and wonder if we will find true love.

Did you know worry is a negative form of hypnosis?  It persists and manifests without your conscious awareness.  So, what is the opposite of worry? Perhaps it’s the excited anticipation of goodness, fun, and joy.  A winning attitude others may call it.  This attitude is what I experienced for the past decade because of hypnosis.  What was life like before that?  Here’s a hint: Before I made the transformation, the rug was pulled out from under me.

But first, what is hypnosis?

HOW HYPNOSIS WORKS: Hypnosis is very similar to the state we are in when deeply engaged in an activity, like when we watch a movie, read or cook. We are conscious of our whereabouts, but not constantly thinking about deep issues. In this state, we relax physically and mentally, allowing our creative subconscious mind to create or enhance the experience. Did you know the brain does not know the difference between something real and something imagined like a movie or a book?  Think back to worry and how our thoughts often feel so real.

It is a state of mind, also called a trance, where the subconscious is open to new ideas, concepts, images, and sensations that allow us to build new positive productive behaviors and beliefs. These new behaviors and beliefs move us forward easily with our goals, as opposed to when we consciously try to do so, which can be difficult.

Unfortunately, hypnosis is one of the most misunderstood and controversial methods of behavioral treatment. Most myths and misconceptions surrounding hypnotherapy stem from ideas people have about stage hypnotism. When you watch shows featuring hypnosis, live or on TV,  you see a theatrical performance with little in common with bona fide clinical hypnosis.

More about hypnosis: https://theflowcenter.com/how-hypnosis-works/

Now why did the rug get pulled out?

I used to drink. A lot. In 1996 I drank everyday.  I didn’t know why I drank or even realize it was a problem.  As a child, I watched my father, the life of any party, drink scotch. High school lake parties were all about booze. Now, I owned the ad agency my dad started and it was customary to take clients out for dinner and drinks. I worked 12 hour days, often skipping lunch and fueling myself with coffee. In the ad world, our philosophy was client first and family/self second.

When I found myself without a business in 2000, divorced and addicted to booze, a hypnotist found me. She needed a brochure and called my advertising agency to discuss it.  After our project ended, she encouraged me to come for several sessions.  I agreed.  First, she worked on my recent stress and losses, and sessions that followed addressed my addictive cycles and my relationship with my father. Throughout the years I returned to hypnosis for business success and to mend some heartaches.

The biggest benefit of hypnosis for me was to connect me to my best self. It helped me realize my full potential that was pushed away at five years old.  From that ‘new best self’ perspective, life is just more colorful, harmonious, happy and full of excited anticipation for goodness, health and prosperity.  It became my new normal.

It was not a quick fix. I have 18 years now as a professional in the field of hypnosis and return to my own hypnotist at least once a year to help me stay on my beautiful golden life path.  Do I sometimes worry, get angry, or become sad?  Of course, I’m human, but those emotions are fleeting. Feelings are normal, however, those that are chronic create hardships in our lives.  Hypnosis helps transform those unrelenting emotions to make space for something new.

Valerie Grimes, CHt Clinical Hypnotist

Valerie is a master at helping people overcome their negative belief systems, false opinions, and self-defeating habits that reside in their subconscious mind.  Those blocks consistently sabotage people’s relationships, health, and opportunities for success in business and other important realms of their lives. She is a 2002 graduate of the Dallas Hypnosis Training Institute, and certified by the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners, and founder of The Flow Center in Dallas.

Previously she was the president of Alexander/Scot, Inc., a business-to-business advertising agency based in Dallas. She is also the author of Licking Honey Off A Razorblade, a book about alcohol dependency and how to overcome it with hypnosis. She is a Dallas native, mother of two, grandmother of four boys. You can reach Valerie at 972-974-2094 or valerie@theflowcenter.com.