By Kathy “Katica” Rivera Wallace
“A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile person lives in a hostile world.”—Ken Keyes, Jr., Handbook to Higher Consciosness
One word says it all: Perception. By changing your mind, you can change everything in your world.
There’s a great movie about the power of perception and the role it plays in our reality. It’s a comedy called Shallow Hal, and I love it on many different levels. The eponymous lead character, Hal Larson (played by Jack Black) is a very superficial man. He meets the famous American motivational speaker Tony Robbins in an elevator and, after sharing his frustrations about dating, Tony hypnotizes him. From that point forward, Hal can only see people’s inner beauty. He then meets and is smitten by Rosemary Shanahan (Gwyneth Paltrow), who is morbidly obese; Hal sees her as a slender and beautiful woman because of her kind and generous personality and caring nature.
At first, Hal’s friend Maurice can’t understand why Hal’s taste in women has changed so dramatically. But once Maurice does figure it out, he seeks out Tony Robbins to reverse Hal’s hypnosis thinking he is helping his friend. Hal’s reality changes back, and his perception is shifted to his old, shallow ways. He is immediately put off by Rosemary’s weight, a crushing blow to their relationship. Drama ensues but, in the end, Hal realizes on his own that Rosemary’s character is true beauty and his feelings for her return.
So what happened to Hal? Is it possible to change a behavior, habit, or feeling quickly just because we make an agreement with ourselves?
“There is no reality—only perception.”—Dr. Phil
I feel like a kid in a candy store when I am asked to share my thoughts as they relate to perception and reality. It’s “Sweet!”
At times like this I am reminded of the reasons why hypnotherapy became so attractive to me: I am awed by the power of perception and our mind’s ability to shift our reality. People I work with continue to inspire me as I witness their transformations simply because they changed their minds. It is profound.
“Your perspective is always limited by how much you know. Expand your knowledge and you will transform your mind.”— Dr. Bruce Lipton
Each of us has at least one book thathas impacted our lives. At the top of my list is The Biology of Belief by Dr. Bruce Lipton, which explores the science of perception and reality. For many years it was believed that humans were genetically programmed and, therefore, unable to change that programming. Dr. Lipton was among a group of researchers who believed this was not true. Through his research, he understood that genes did not control your life, as originally thought. He concluded that the environment along with our thoughts and beliefs, essentially an individual’s state of mind, were the most influential factors in our physical manifestation. We were no longer a victim of what we inherited from our mother and father.
It was a huge breakthrough that was supported by interesting developments in 2001. After 14 years of research into the human genome, a global effort dedicated to deciphering the human genetic code, it was revealed that a human being has 25,000 epigenomes, not 150,000 as once believed. The research also showed that we are more in more control of our bodies than originally thought. These studies convinced Dr. Lipton that in order to maximize our potential, our state of mind must be changed! We can reformat our lives by reprogramming the consciousness through modalities such as hypnotherapy, meditation, etc. In a June 2012 article titled “The Human Genome Project,” Dr. Lipton wrote, “The idea is that once you understand how your beliefs change your life, you know that if you want to change your life, you have to change your perceptions.” In other words, our conscious ownership and responsibility over our thoughts and beliefs results in empowerment over our life.
As we shift our perception, we welcome opportunities to live a life full of vibrancy and joy! Life is not out of our control. We are very much in control, and it is essential to honor and exercise responsibility with that power.
Through my practice, I witness people change habits they have struggled with for 20 and sometimes 30 years. As we work together, their perceptions and realities often shift immediately and the outcome is amazing! It’s also interesting to note that the change starts to happen the minute someone picks up the phone to make the appointment. There’s an internal agreement that takes place at a powerful and deep level. At this point a belief and an expectation unite, enabling the process of hypnosis to be effective. Belief systems are very powerful; they are the guiding principle that gives us direction and meaning in every decision we take in every area of our life. When we believe in something, we are signaling to the brain what is about to take place, and the brain orders the body to respond. With that understood, hypnosis only works when the client believes it can work. As with most things in life, the first step is the most difficult; however—the individual—not well meaning spouses and/or family members, must take that first step of reaching out to a hypnotherapist.
Once the hypnotherapist screens the client, then the metamorphosis begins. Goals and some writing are involved as the practitioner then guides the client to the final outcome. Each action continues to reaffirm to the brain that there is a change about take place, with various parts of the psyche being prepared to take notice. Through relaxation, various hypnotherapy techniques and the power of suggestion, the client receives the tools needed to make that positive shift in his or her life.
“Your thoughts become words, Your words become your behavior, Your behavior becomes your habits, Your habits become your character and Your character determines your destiny.”—Author unknown
So what can you do right now to start shifting your reality and perception to live a more vibrant life?
Breathe: We forget that to breathe is to live. Take in three breaths, then three deep breaths, and finally three more deep breaths while pausing for three seconds in between each breath. Ahhhh….
What is your agreement?: What do you want to shift in your reality/perception? Is it letting go of negativity or worry?
Visualize the outcome: Allow all positive images to flood your mind now. Feel it and accept the shift.
Give gratitude: Give gratitude that you are now aware that you do have a choice and that your body hears your decision crystal clear.
Celebrate empowerment: We can control our lives by controlling our realities and perceptions through our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings.
These simple steps will allow you to experience the power of the mind, and I hope you will use them daily. Reality is an interactive process, one that we all have the opportunity to participate in and enjoy! Cheers to you and you imbibe in your joyous new perceptions…
For more information on hypnotherapy, email kathy.r.wallace@gmail.com or visit www.katicatv.com. Connect through Facebook (Kathy Rivera Wallace or Katica) or twitter (Katicatv). Cheers to you Living Vibrantly today and everyday!
Kathy “Katica” Rivera Wallace lives her own brand, Living Vibrantly. Katica earned her degree in business and marketing. After years of the corporate grind, Katica worked with her husband to grow their family business, as she continued volunteering in her community. Her naturally giving spirit was reinvigorated through these experiences, leading her on a path of self-improvement with an emphasis on gaining knowledge and certifications that would allow her to help others Live Vibrantly. She achieved certifications in Hypnotherapy, Qi Gong and Food Healing. Through her award-winning webcast, Katica: Living Vibrantly, that seeks to help her audience live a vibrant life by aligning body, mind and spirit. Visit www.katicatv.com.
