Katie Romano Griffin

Fort Myers Hypnotist and Life Coach Katie Romano with Significant Other Sean

What’s Love Got to do with it?

By Fort Myers Hypnotist and Holistic Life Coach Katie Romano and Fort Myers Acupuncturist David Martin

Freud theorized that anxiety is at the root of all disorders. We would like to add a proactive caveat:  Love heals.  We call this healing action, “The Love Factor.”  Just to be clear, love is far more than that super-charged serotonin rush often associated with animal attraction.  It’s more than the pull in your heart that drives many towards greater acts of planetary stewardship when viewing emotion-evoking commercials.  We dedicate today’s issue to: reconnecting, revealing and rediscovering the love in our lives to reclaim optimum life.

So, take a deep breath…

Settle comfortably into your favorite chair…

…and prepare to active that part of yourself that calls to embrace the special something within you that is free and light, peaceful, content and connected to all beings everywhere.

Spiritual teachers, avatars, and poets  have espoused the importance of unconditional love since the dawn of language.  Their teachings and writings are allegorical, metaphorical-moving. Yet, sometimes these great words are lost in translation or seemingly improbable and impractical in today’s day and age.   Furthermore,  quick communications and computer-generated cards, auto-responders on emails  have increased a sense of emotional isolation in many modern men and women.  That said, we invite you to put down your PDA, open your mind and your heart and take in the following strategies, after all-your wellness depends on it!

Rufus to the Rescue.

Studies all over the world have been conducted which prove that pet owners (or stewards if you prefer) are healthier physically and experience emotional benefits including reduced stress.  Remember Freud’s theory?  Reduced stress is a good thing!  An extra benefit to pet stewardship is an educational perk: our furry, feathery friends teach us about unconditional love. Instinctively they know that regardless of circumstance or temporary feeling, you are worthy of love and joy.   Whether you are feeling joyful or grumpy, they not only forgive and forget they celebrate your very existence!

Rufus has a few other tricks up his sleeve when it comes to loving you:  Doctor Andrew Weil, a forerunner of Integrative Medicine, often recommends getting out in nature for a just a few minutes a couple of times a day .  Rufus provides the perfect impetus to take a break in the fresh air, visit a local park, or even sit in your backyard and unwind after a long day’s work.

Re-Connect Four.

Remember that game back when you were a kid where you had to get four checkers in a row in order to “win”?  Chances are your best buddy or surly sibling did their best to block you with their own checker pieces, but you persevered and managed to win from time to time anyway.  Well, reclaiming love is a lot like Connect Four.   Making it past email, facebook, and voicemail in order to reach someone and share your feelings in a more personal manner can be a bit tricky (like your big brother). It might even involve a couple of rounds, but the thrill of the win is always worth it.  Your challenge for the next week is to connect or reconnect with four people each day for the next week and document in your journal any changes you notice in your thoughts, your spirit, your health.

Reclaim love.

The media pitches the notion that real love is wild and reminiscent of emotional swings, passionate embraces, arguments and make-up moments.  Calling on the wisdom of the ancients, we propose another paradigm:  Love begins with an inner sense of peace borne of introspection, meditation, and self-awareness that grows when one complete soul recognizes the beauty and unfolding perfection of another. It is a patient love, that when watered and nurtured grows like a mighty Redwood, thriving over time.  This type of love can be experienced with a life partner, family member, friend or pet.

Here are some tips to reclaim love:

• Start by taking time for yourself.  3, 1-3 minute daily meditations is a start.  Then try to add some time each week to do an activity you like.
• Schedule at least one meal a day with the entire family that does not include gameboys, smart phones, or other distractions.
• Shut off the television and play a board game, or sip a nice herbal tea before bed with your spouse.
• Block off time to participate in activity alone with your spouse, your friend (s) or family that they enjoy or that you enjoy doing together.
• Take a clue from Rufus and celebrate the people in your life by re-connecting!  Give them a hug, send them a note, call them!  Let them into your world and your heart.

Really? An Experiment?

I do hereby toss down the gauntlet and challenge ye to commit to making these small lifestyle changes for 30-days. That’s right, 30-days. Studies support that it’s a feasible amount of time to enact lasting changes. Be sure to document  in your journal (just a few sentences) describing your day each night and then give us a call at: 239-277-1399 or email us at:  info@lotusblossomclinic.com to share your successes! We are pledging to give one free treatment or service to all those who tell us how the “Share the Love” experiment has changed their life.  You have everything to gain and nothing to lose. So, in the immortal words of spiritual teacher Mary Morrisey, “It’s your life. Make it a good one!”