Relationships

Taken from my Hypnotes Column in warrington-worldwide magazine

Who is the most important person in your life?  It is a simple straightforward question.  When I ask this question to some of my clients, they answer, my wife, husband, mum, dad, boyfriend, girlfriend, sister, brother, aunt or uncle and others besides. Often, far to often there is an omission from the list of important people, and that is usually ourselves!

The most important person in your life is and should be you! Only by being fair to yourself and loving yourself, and nurturing yourself, can you make the very most out of loving relationships with those people who are important to you.
This requirement for self-love is not arrogance, or selfish, it is more like self-preservation. Self-love is about caring for yourself as well as those around you. It is about knowing yourself, it is about taking responsibility for you, responsibility for the things you chose to do or chose not to do.

Psychologist and social philosopher Eric Fromm wrote in 1956 that to truly love someone else, you have to love yourself first. Of course this may sound flowery and 60’s type drivel to some readers, but is it?

Are you in a loving and happy relationship at this moment or are you going through the motions, are you realistic about your own strengths and weaknesses, or do you turn a blind eye to them. Are you stuck in old patterns of behaviour, beliefs and thought which could sabotage what could be a wonderful relationship, or at worst even destroy it.

Many people believe it’s easier to just put up with a situation, and keep quiet, rather than deal with their own issues. Many people would rather face a raging bull than admit they have issues to deal with! Old patterns can help us to avoid what needs to be addressed, it’s easier to shout and walk away, rather than listen and simply consider new options of choice and considerations.

We are the sum of our knowledge, life-skills, experiences and relationships. If we want to move on, if we want to break out of past behaviours and routines, we have to be brave enough to look inside ourselves and ask, if we do love ourselves and that means respecting ourselves and our skills and life history.

If we allow ourselves to remain in destructive thought patterns and behaviours, then those things in the past are still influencing us, still winning the internal battle.  But we owe it to ourselves, and those we love, to break out of that self-maintained prison and to begin to see the real opportunities which lay ahead of us.

And of course it’s okay to be unsure, scared, and vulnerable and all the other things we shy away from so readily when we know change is needed. So if you haven’t made a New Year’s resolution yet, consider making one that you will start to love yourself. And when you learn how to do that, you can really open up and enjoy the other important relationships in your life, enjoying the support, and love and caring which is given to you by the special people in your life, and learn how to return it too.  If you don’t know how, contact me, if you are unsure, contact me, and let me help you find the way.

Practice website:  www.michaelmahoneyhypnotherapist.com

Audio Recordings:  www.healthyaudio.com

Hypnotherapy Training in Cheshire

I am pleased to announce that Cate Todd and I became the new Principals of Cambridge College of Hypnotherapy (CCH) as from 1st April 2013.

Josephine Teague has agreed to remain Academic Advisor to the college.

Between us Cate and I have 47 years practice experience and over 20 years training experience.

To make our CCH Diploma courses, and CPD events easily available we have acquired additional premises in Warrington and CCH Hypnotherapy Diploma and CPD events ( including IBS, Cancer and NHS / Corporate stress) will be delivered through Cheshire College of Hypnotherapy.

Both Cate and I look forward to building upon the great reputation Josaphine has created in the CCH

Hypnotherapy Diploma starts 14 / 15 September 2013.

Go to www.hypnotherapytraining.org.uk for more information. We are currently refreshing the site, so if there are questions which are not answered please contact us.

Or click here to contact Cate and myself.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Michael Mahoney meets David Mowat MP

Since 1991 I have been working with Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers. This common gastroenterological condition affects up to 1 in 5 of the population at some time in their life.

During March 2013, I met David Mowat MP for Warrington South at a business meeting, and briefly explained the work I do as a clinical hypnotherapist, researcher and developer of innovative health solutions, including my work in developing the IBS Audio Program 100 

The meeting was understandably brief given the forum, however later that month I got another opportunity to explain my work in more detail and for a much longer time.  

Mr Mowat very quickly understood the issues faced by this patient population, and was very positive in his encouragement for my work.  I was delighted that I was unhurried, I was listened to, and the MP asked important questions and understood the answers.  Clearly Mr Mowat understood the gravity of IBS as I explained the physical and emotional aspects of the condition to him.

David Mowat MP & Michael Mahoney holding IBS Audio Program 100

I am delighted that my work and its benefits for IBS sufferers have taken a positive step forward today.”

When the editor of the local magazine warrington-worldwide asked David Mowat MP about the meeting he commented “Michael’s work is a fine example of what can be done with persistence and a dedication to those who suffer, while finding a possible innovative solution to NHS budget costs. It is encouraging to find dedication like this within my constituency.”

 

 

 

Clearly a postive step for IBS sufferers everywhere, I left the meeting impressed that this often forgotten patient population, had, finally been heard. while there is much still left to do, it is a good start!