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We often describe a habit as behavior formed by repeating the same act. No matter what the act-good or bad-it takes three days to start a habit and the same amount of time to break it. Certainly, some habits are more destructive. Smoking, drinking, and drugs can all lead to serious physical distress.

What about habits we think are innocuous? Habits like procrastinating or watching television. How destructive are those?

I watched quite a bit of television in my life. I didn’t break the habit-television did that. When everything I watched became either inane or sickening, my brain cells packed their bags and left a note with a brief explanation on the table next to the remote. Where they knew I would find it. I caught some of them before they took off and promised the only reality show I would view would be reality. For me, it was a good decision. I don’t miss it and my brains cells have returned to milling about in search of knowledge.

Experts recommend learning to play a musical instrument instead of watching television. That news delighted me since I’ve played the guitar for forty years. It also made me understand why I felt better after I’ve played for a half hour or so. It increases blood flow to the brain and increased blood flow keeps the old logbook healthier.

Some suggest that your brain becomes numb by watching television shows, which programmers intentionally design, not to entertain, but to hold your attention. The short little segments they fire at you, keeps your brain trying to sort through the information. You actually become inactive and unresponsive. Of course, if that happens, you can run for a political office.

I’m not saying that television has no redeeming features, but I can’t find them. I am, however, not without my own habits.?I read after I finish working. I become downright cranky if I don’t have my reading time. Some believe that any habit can be dangerous and that may be true. Personally, I could see myself standing on an expressway entrance ramp with a sign that said ‘will work for books’ before I’d quit that particular vice.

It’s difficult to be completely objective about our own habits. We can rationalize that the benefits outweigh the problems. I can do that with a candy bar if I work at it. One thing I’ve discovered that helps me check the value or danger of a habit is this. If I spend a large amount of time rationalizing in order to feel comfortable doing it, or if I worry incessantly about continuing, it might be time to stop that particular habit for a while. That’s why I blew up my TV.?

By: Jean Sheldon

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy shows on TV, should we love them or loathe them? The hypnosis practitioner community voices vastly differing views. Many professional hypnotherapists express disdain and disgust at TV hypnotists and their shows. Such is the strength of feeling, it is a wonder that some hypnotherapists actually praise and enjoy the shows. So what is going on, you may ask; after all, this is entertainment. It is only TV. Or is it?

It really depends on the truth and how important it is to you. Some of us like to live a life of fantasy. We like to kid ourselves that we can instantly be transformed out of an undesirable state of being. And then some of us like to be realists. We like to know that we will live a good life and be happy, and that the right effort will get us there.

And please do not be surprised that some of us prefer fantasy. This preference for fantasy is there for a good reason. Sometime in the life of the fantasist, there was a very grim reality from which there was no real escape. And now, this may be a long time ago. However, stored somewhere in the mind of the fantasist is this grim reality. And one would do anything to escape this ugliness, this sadness, this fear. In other words, the fantasist dreams of an escape to fantasy land, because if we did not have dreams, life can be too much.

Really, the fantasist dreams of an impossible instant cure as a coping strategy. The fantasist may have been through years of painful counselling with no escape from their demons. They may have been through various forms of psychotherapy or psycho-analysis, with little, if any, resolution. As a matter of fact, this counselling or psychotherapy may have caused additional trauma to the trauma already experienced for which they saught help. They may have been given all sorts of medication by a doctor or psychiatrist. And unless a solution has been found, when the pills stop, the demons slowly return. Maybe this is someone you know. And sadly, too many of us have known the pain of traditional therapy.

You can then easily see why the fantasist would wish for an instant cure. On TV, the hypnotist may click their fingers, upon which the show volunteer would close their eyes and appear unconscious. Then the hypnotists commands the volunteer to carry out any number of tasks, and the volunteer happily obeys. There is no pain, no struggle; it is all very easy.

However, there is a huge difference between the hypnosis show volunteer and someone seeking help for their problem. Being a willing volunteer doing what you are told is totally different from making important personal changes. It is like the difference between going to the theatre for fun and going to the dentist for an extraction.

There are even TV shows of actual hypnotherapy for positive change. Most viewers do not hear the part where the volunteer reports feeling better rather than free from their problem. And most viewers do not realize that volunteers are carefully pre-selected, nor that the failures are usually not aired. On TV, change seems very easy.

Unlike our fantasist friend, the realist may approach hypnotherapy with a more down-to-earth expectation. The realist knows that hypnotherapy is a quick fix and does not expect it to work where a major overhaul is needed. The realist is very lucky. They get what they want, because they want what they can get.

A good hypnotherapist would refer on to a good Emotional Freedom Technician (EFT) or similar practitioner for a long-lasting solution. You may even find that your hypnotherapist carries out this excellent work themselves. If so, you may be initially surprised by the techniques used. These do not involve anything like a closed-eye passive state expected by seekers of hypnosis. And if a modern hypnotherapist uses these techniques and tells you it will be a number of sessions, maybe you have found a real gem of a practitioner. It may take longer than on TV, and it may not be as dramatic, but it is for real.

By: Suzanne Zacharia

It is easy to find yourself obsessed with the television. The programs can seem very captivating to you, draw you in and make you feel like you need to watch. How can you enjoy a nice relaxing time without allowing it to interfere with your life? It may seem minor, but when you become more interested in what is happening on a television show than in your own life, that is when you know you need to get away.

The first thing to do is turn off the TV. Sounds simple, yes, but it can be one of the hardest steps to take. By simply taking that step, you are making progress. If you think that it will be hard to leave it off, there are a few stops that you can take to make things more difficult for yourself. You can unplug the TV, hide the remote, or take the batteries out of the remote. This is just the first step towards getting away from the TV.

The next thing to do is to find other activities to keep you engaged, where you don’t need to watch TV. Reading a book – or writing one – can get you into a healthier pattern. You can also find that these activities are more productive than just watching a television. If you find that it is hard to do these without the noise that the TV provides, put on the radio or listen to music. You might find that you prefer talk radio, but either way, you can get the background noise that you are looking for. Finally, start making plans for the times when you have activities. That way, you will be out with other people instead of worrying about your television programs.

By: Justin Meyer

I just celebrated the best New Year’s of my life and to think that it almost didn’t happen! I was supposed to go to Hawaii right after Christmas, but about a week before the trip, something came up and I had to make alternate plans. I was not very happy about it but I had no choice in the matter. So I decided to go to South Beach instead. Boy, am I ever glad I did! Where do I begin?

I’ve been to South Beach before, but this time it was different. My whole trip was a dream. The city is one big, sensual experience. I was on a natural high the whole time I was there. No stress, no worries. It was all about having fun. I was poolside at Loews during the day, dressed up at all the hot spots in the evening – Mansion, Delano, Shore Club, Nikki Beach, Hosteria Romana and my absolute favorite – Mango’s Paradise Club.

New Year’s Eve was spent on a boat cruise. As the clock hit midnight, we arrived in Miami’s harbor. We were the biggest and loudest boat there, with music, drinking and dancing. The fireworks were over the water, not too far from us. The combination of the fireworks, music and dancing, high rises and other yachts was intoxicating. It was indescribable. It was a visual and aural overload – an orgy of the senses. I was doing most of my favorite things – taking pictures, dancing and singing. I will never forget that moment. I wished that life could always be like that.

Afterwards, it was off to Mango’s. Even though I got there at 2:30am, the party was still going strong. I’ve never been to a place like this before. The energy is off the charts – with the live Latin music and sexy male and female dancers. There is no way you cannot have a good time there.

Now I understand how people who have had near death experiences feel, when they say they didn’t want to come back. Even though my life in L.A. is quite good, nothing beats South Beach. I didn’t want to come back either.

I learned a very important lesson. I like to plan and absolutely hate it when plans get changed at the last minute. However, since my unexpected change of plans was for the better, I will now be able to accept changes more easily. Instead of being upset, I will trust that there is a good reason for the change that I may not be aware of at the time. When something falls through with work or things don’t seem to be working out with a guy, I won’t worry. I’ll simply smile and think of New Year’s 2008!

By: Lucia Demasi

Jesus said, “No one can see the Kingdom of Heaven unless he is BORN AGAIN,” (Jn 3:3). A born again disciple is one who has, literally, been given a new lease on life. He or she gets to start over, sins forgiven. We become new creatures, the old is gone, the new has come, (2 Cor 5:17). The Holy Spirit, the promised parakletos (comforter, in Greek), now dwells within each of us who are disciples of Christ. We are His home. Yes, God… the One who made both Heaven and earth… chooses to live THROUGH those who claim Jesus as Lord so that He can advance His Kingdom THROUGH them. Yes, we become His home but for Kingdom purposes, not for our own benefit.

WARNING:

Many are under the false impression that, as a disciple, our relationship with God simply makes us “better” people. A sort of “we’re-in-the-club-and-you’re-not” syndrome often sets in. WRONG! We’re not BETTER people… we’re NEW people! (It’s been said that some folks are nicer by nature than Christians are by grace.) We’re called “Believers.” That means we are to BELIEVE what Scripture says. I believe Jesus told us to go make more disciples, Matthew 28:18-20. Yes, we’re now in God’s family, but for a definite purpose.

How can this be? Remember, we’re spirit-beings having an earthly experience. These bodies will die and our spirit will live forever… somewhere. Heaven or Hell, it’s our choice. God Himself wants to co-labor with us to bring others into His Kingdom way of living. So that they can attain REAL life. Often, when someone proudly claims to be a Christian, one cannot help but wonder if they have Life. REAL Life. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life…,” (Jn 14:6). The question then is, “Do they have Jesus?” Do we?

Sadly, many non-Christians are under the impression that we THINK we’re better than they are. This “holier than thou” perception has led them to describe God’s kids as judgmental, hypocritical and boring, among other things.

The words of Christ are what brings about the desired effects in our lives. Too many of us are all too aware that, frankly, since our supposed salvation experience, not only have we not changed one iota, but many of us have done worse things SINCE we were “saved” than we did before! How can this be? Who are we kidding? Many altar workers at large-scale evangelical crusades can attest to the many re-curring “salvation” cards received by those responding to the “altar call.” Those organizations that keep good records can verify the vast numbers of “recommitments” that come to the altar year after year, either to be “saved” (apparently hoping it really”sticks” this time) or because they know in their heart that nothing changed after experiencing what they thought was a life-changing moment last time.

The problem is at the root. Our typical idea of salvation is that of one’s sins being forgiven, complete with a guarantee of a mansion in heaven in the sweet by ‘n by. Unfortunately, this was not what Jesus taught at all.

Jesus focused on the here ‘n now, and the manner in which we were to conduct our lives in this new and living way to which He introduced. He even modeled it for us, setting the standard. He taught that we should 1) Repent and believe the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, 2) deny ourselves, 3) take up our cross daily, 4) give up everything, and 5) over 30 times mentioned some form of the phrase, ‘follow Me.’ It stands to reason that, as we make disciples, we should teach that being such is about following the example of Jesus Christ, doing His works and submitting to the Kingdom of God. Multitudes have a twisted sense of forgiveness without lifestyle change… and call it ‘grace’… when, in fact, discipleship is about denying self and glorifying God.
We cannot claim citizenship in God’s Kingdom and remain chummy with this world’s system. If we attempt to do so, yet claim to be saved, we’re deceived. Satan loves it when we feel secure about our salvation without also having to reject sin and carnality. He loves it even MORE when we perpetuate this lie from pulpits, in commentaries, Sunday Schools, seminaries, and the Christian media. Are we teaching Eternal Security or Infernal Certainty?

Over the years, I have personally prayed with hundreds of people to receive Christ… the Roman Road, Four Spiritual Laws, ABC’s of salvation, Professions of Faith. Then, one day, I stopped. Today, I’m more inclined to “take it away” from one who thinks they want to become a Christian, to have them go home and consult their pillow, count the cost, and call me when they’re ready. I’ve been asked, “What if they die on the way home? You should at least pray a sinner’s prayer! After all, Romans 10:9-10 says to ‘confess with your mouth’… .”

Frankly, God knows their hearts. They shouldn’t have to utter a sound. Is the person with laryngitis, or a mute, forbidden to go to Heaven because they didn’t pray a repeated prayer? Manmade doctrines and traditions strike again. Another sacred cow bites the dust.

By way of example, I once asked a group to whom I’d been teaching the Scriptures in the workplace, if everyone there considered themselves to be a Christian. All but one, a young Hispanic woman, claimed to be Christian. The next day, as I was walking toward the elevator, that same woman, walking out of the elevator, grabbed my arm, wheeled me around and said, “Michael, I want to be saved!” Two years later, she’s still under my discipleship via eMail and phone. Folks, when the fruit is ready for harvest, it practically falls into our hands. No coaxing necessary.

Was the soil of her spirit prepared through the studies? Yes, but she was inspired to ATTEND the studies by the Christian presence she’d observed in the workplace. The following Sunday night, I met her at work and she followed me in her car to a home meeting where she was lovingly welcomedinto the fold by other Christians for discipleship. Particularly from godly women. Incidentally, within days of this experience, she was in a terrible auto accident which almost cost her her life. She nearly lost her arm which was terribly mangled. She’d been adequately prepared, however. Satan was not happy. The last thing she remembered before the accident? She was talking to her passenger about God.

Why not hold a crusade and tell the masses what Jesus told His potential disciples? Imagine hearing the following message over the PA system in a stadium:”Six times He warned that the world will hate you. Your family and friends will turn against you. He didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword that would divide families. You will suffer persecution. You may die. Now, go home and think about giving up your life and all that is dear to you to follow this person called Jesus Christ.” I wonder how many would return the next night of the crusade??

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for My name’s sake, will receive a hundred-fold, and inherit eternal life. But many will that are first will be last, and the last first,” (Matt 19:29-30).

Typically, we try to lure people into joining this institution we call “the Church” based upon promises of peace, joy, love, unity, and prosperity. Try to sell THAT rubbish to a Sudanese pastor whose had acid poured all over his hands, in front of his congregation, by Muslim soldiers.

Or the Pakistani village whose Christian members were physically mutilated by radical Muslims.

Or a Chinese evangelist who never sleeps more than a few nights in the same bed for fear of being turned in, even by family members and informers infiltrating his own congregation, while Americans “buy” the Chinese propaganda that there’s freedom of religion there.

The common method of Western discipleship is in training new converts to sit, carry a Bible, take a few notes, say ‘Amen,’ get indoctrinated with non-biblical manmade doctrines, learn new rituals, the chain-of-command, and become “good” at this routine… even “professional.” Man, are we ever missing the boat!

No, nothing will change a person like God’s Word. These are not “bolt-on” tips for living. Nor are they warm, fuzzy spiritual “thoughts for the day.” The Words of Christ are foundational… the only thing on which our new lives can built. And maintained. Use them. Filter every other teaching you’ve ever heard… or are currently hearing… THROUGH HIS WORDS, even those teachings that come from within the pages of Scripture themselves!

“Therefore everyone who hears these Words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon a rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock,” (Matthew 7:24-25)

Doesn’t it make logical sense that, in order to be a Christian (meaning, literally, an anointed one; a Junior Jesus), one must follow the teachings of THE Christ? To those desiring to live this new way, as new creations, Jesus asked (perhaps He STILL does),

“Why do you call Me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say?”

“If you continue in My Word, then you are truly My disciples…,” (Jn 8:31,32; 15:7)

“He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life,” (Jn 12:25).

Need pastoral counseling and prayer? Write or IM me at team1min@aol.com

Every blessing!

By: Michael Tummillo

Hypnosis shows on TV are one of the biggest reasons why people put their trust in hypnotherapy. The viewer can clearly see an effect of the hypnosis. And as the saying goes, a picture paints a thousand words.

There is something pretty dramatic about someone closing their eyes on stage. Closing your eyes is something that is done in sleep. It has many implications. It naturally implies that it is safe to do so, that you can trust the hypnotist, and that this is a normal thing to do. That somebody closes their eyes as soon as the TV hypnotist clicks their fingers is very impressive. After all, if a friend of yours or a business associate clicked their fingers, you would not close your eyes, let alone look asleep! So one gets the feeling that the TV hypnotist is very powerful or at least doing something very powerful indeed.

As well as closing their eyes, volunteers for TV hypnosis usually do things that they would not normally do. They eat an onion, asserting that it is an apple. They count the 5 fingers on one hand and get to six, as if by magic. They may behave like a little girl or an old man. They may even act like a chicken, complete with clucking sounds. And they seem to really believe it. Now that is really impressive.

Maybe the first time you see TV shows about hypnosis, you are half-believing and half-doubting it. After witnessing a few shows though, one can only believe that something is indeed going on.

Then at the end of the show, the hypnotist clicks their fingers and the volunteers kind of wake up, startled. They really look as if they have just been woken from sleep and wonder how they got there. One by one, they look around and seem to understand that they are back in the show. As if they had been somewhere far away in a dream. The volunteers then laugh at their own silly antics and look happy to be there.

Stage hypnosis is pretty much the same. Many people go to see a hypnosis show out of curiosity. Or perhaps they go because they are convinced no-one can influence them and want to put it to the test. And mostly, they go for fun. After all it is entertainment.

Increasingly of late, TV and stage hypnotists have been also doing hypnosis for therapeutic reasons. In other words, they move on to hypnotherapy. Even some TV shows now have hypnotherapy with a goal in mind, such as control over food cravings or a phobia.

As well as actual shows on TV, you get some very motivational infomercials. Some hypnotherapists become household names and sell many hypnotherapy CDs and DVDs. And with many satisfied customers. Maybe you know someone who has benefited from such a self-help tool.

I have always been fascinated how clients come to me for hypnotherapy convinced that it will cure their ills, simply because they saw it on TV. Whether it will have lasting results or not is another matter. However, chances are that it will offer much-needed help. It may even lead to further help and a great new beginning. In the grand scheme of things, it is good that people put their trust in hypnotherapy. They move on and discover a better life.

And all because of something they saw on TV.

By: Suzanne Zacharia

Television addicts are a relatively new breed, especially since television itself has only been around for about 50 years, nowhere near as long as alcohol, tobacco and drugs. But make no mistake about it, television addiction is quite real and most people don’t even know that they are addicted to it.

Television is different from most other addictions in that it mostly stems from something lacking in the person’s life rather than from an addictive personality.

The sad truth is, many people have what most of us consider empty lives. They get up, go to work, come home and go to sleep. Maybe the weekends are a little different in that they might go for a drive, do some shopping or maybe even take in a movie. But the truth is, many people’s lives are quite routine and quite boring. When they walk through the door at 6 pm, or whenever it is they arrive from the office, the first thing they do is turn on the television. This is especially true if the person lives alone. But the reasons why may surprise you.

It’s not that they can’t wait to watch their favorite program, as television addicts don’t have a favorite program, it’s that they can’t stand the deafening silence. Walking into that empty house or apartment and hearing absolutely nothing can just about drive the television addict mad. So the first thing that goes on is the TV, if for no other reason than to kill the silence. That’s how television addiction usually starts. But it’s not how it ends.

The TV addict begins to look forward to each hour as there is certain to be a show on that he or she enjoys. Two shows on at the same time? No problem with digital cable and TIVO where you can record a number of things at one time and watch them later on. With all the different forms or entertainment on the tube, a TV addict can spend hours on end watching without even working up a sweat.

The real problems begin when the television addict tries to turn off the tube to go to bed. They can’t. There’s always one more show to watch. There’s always one more stupid commercial to laugh at. And nowadays, with cable, TV goes on all night as opposed to the old days when stations actually went off the air after a certain hour with their now long forgotten “This now ends the broadcast day of the National Broadcasting Company” that you’d have to be at least in your 40s to remember. Today, TV is a 24/7 business.

Sadly, television addicts spend almost all their time in front of the tube other than when they have to go to work, do the shopping or whatever else needs to be done that will take them away from their addiction. And if you think these people aren’t really addicted, just try taking their television away from them for a day. It is not a pretty sight.

Television addiction is serious. Unfortunately there is very little help for the addict as it is not really considered a serious problem by professionals in general.

At least not yet.

By: Michael Russell