gordon-the-guru

[gordon-the-guru]

Don’t Worry I Won’t ‘Help’ You

20 years ago, I attended a very powerful, experiential and memorable training course. The trainers never referred to any notes and attendees were not allowed to take any either. No photos or use of recording devices of any kind was allowed. Yet, many of the lessons I learned are still very much with me today and an integral part of my life, both personally and professionally.

Here is one of those lessons and I hope you find it useful especially when working with children. I often say to my clients, “I won’t help you.” As you might imagine this is often received with some surprise. As a holistic health and life coach, they have come to me to improve some aspect of their health, wellness and well-being ...

Offering help implies helplessness. Stepping in uninvited and saying, “let me help you with that” can be, and often is received as a violation of space and may be interpreted as control and superiority. The trainer on the course I attended told a personal story about his young son. He stepped in uninvited with something his son was seemingly struggling with, and took over the task at hand for him. The result? ... anger and tears from his son. The Fatherly good intentions and intervention was in that moment, unwelcome and unwanted. His son did not ask for any ‘help’ and would have preferred to figure it out and persevere with the prevailing issue himself. Sound familiar?

The key message and important simple lesson here ... 

  ASK ... the person if they want any assistance, support, help, or a hand or however you choose to phrase it. You allow them to decide and invite you in. They feel empowered, respected, and get to choose. You are honouring their choice even if you know you have the answer or solution to what they may be struggling with. They are learning the process of doing it for themselves and can ask for information, advice, coaching and access your knowledge and benefit from your wisdom if they want it.

When I establish what the issues / problems / challenges, or however someone describes their priorities for improvement and change, I ask, “would you like some assistance with that?” and, “is it okay to change this?”  We get very clear on what the desired outcome is and focus on what is wanted. Then the co-creative and cooperative process of change is set in motion and the outcome easier to achieve and maintain.

[gordon-the-guru]

Incurable or “In-Cure-Able”? Using  the Power of Belief as Nature Intended ...

Whatever you believe either serves your wellness and well-being  in an empowering positive way or not. A belief is a feeling of certainty about something. It has also been described as a thought you keep thinking. You do not have to be able to see and hold something or have tangible physical evidence to believe in it. How about gravity, electricity, energy, spirit, angels, God, or the belief everything will be okay? How about a cut on your finger healing all by itself, or no matter what you do you will never amount to anything, and will never lose weight? You see the importance of belief and how yours can affect your life experience... positively or negatively.

                               THE MIND AND THE BODY ARE ONE  

I always teach and encourage to choose beliefs that support and serve you and release and let go the rest that do not. We often accept and inherit beliefs from parents, school, religion, media and our own life experiences. Many would agree that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, even though this is not true! It just appears to be true relative to standing and observing the sun from planet earth at dawn and dusk. How about the world being round or spherical? You will not convince members of The Flat Earth Society even with pictures from outer space! (You read that right ... there is such a group even today). So you see, you can verify some and choose the rest. I repeat, you CHOOSE beliefs that support and serve you, or not. You can elevate your wellness and well-being, and I believe extend your life by consistently choosing empowering ones.      

The placebo effect is the belief in relief,  recovery, and healing either through a sugar pill believed to be medicine, or a physical procedure like a knee surgery which is not actually performed. That is the power of the mind and belief to heal the body. It is well known. The fact it has been effective even once let alone many times, should encourage and divert interest in accessing this inner power. To some the placebo effect is considered miraculous, others an anomaly, and to the pharmaceutical industry inconvenient and unprofitable. Recent reports I’ve read show the placebo in trials accounts for as much as 30-50% improvement and in some cases disease symptoms completely subside.

How about spontaneous remission? Here’s a dictionary definition: ”Spontaneous remission, also called spontaneous healing or spontaneous regression, is an unexpected improvement or cure from a disease that appears to be progressing in its severity.” 

The best example of this I am aware of is Lester Levinson, creator of The Sedona Method. He was assessed as terminally ill at age 42 and advised by his medical doctors to go home and spend his remaining time with his family because in their view nothing more could be done from their approach. What he had was considered “INCURABLE”.  Lester did go home and believed there must be something he could do. He was right and it gave him another 42 years of life. He, like many others before and since believed in the inner power of the body to heal. “IN-CURE-ABLE”. Not much difference in spelling but a major difference in wellness, well-being and in his case longevity. 

In 1954 Roger Bannister did something considered humanly impossible for hundreds of years. He ran a mile in less than 4 minutes. He not only trained and prepared physically but also mentally. He believed he would do it, and he did with less than a second to spare. He did something else which I believe was much more significant. He gave everyone the belief it was possible and since then many have done it year on year. As of this writing the current mile fastest time is almost 17 seconds less at 3 minutes 43.13 seconds.

I believe we all have the innate power and resources to optimize our wellness and well-being. Hippocrates born 460 BC was considered the “Father of Medicine”. He has many quotes to his credit including:  “natural forces within us are the true healers of disease” and  “healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.” The Hippocratic Oath which includes “do no harm” is named after him. 

In my work today, I strongly hold the belief that part of the natural design is to live well and be well. The mind is the body and the body is the mind and when you have resources methods and techniques to utilize the power of both you can experience optimum wellness and well-being. Of course medicine, science and technology have their place but they are not the be all and end all and except for life threatening emergency situations should be considered an option rather than first port of call.

For me, I believe the first port of call is to trust and believe in our internal resources to thrive, recover and heal. There are many powerful non-invasive choices available and I not only offer them but use them myself with remarkable and lasting effect. They include all elements of the holistic approach such as positive affirmations, breathing techniques and meditation, tapping on the acupressure meridian points, optimum nutrition and moderate exercise. 

Here is a short video by me just to finalize my own beliefs. Enjoy it and get in touch on any question regarding approaches and support for optimum wellness and well-being. Peace.

[gordon-the-guru]

I highly recommend listening to this interview. You will hear useful information, health tips and powerful testimonials. Enjoy. Peace

 (via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61lSgrlxOus)

[gordon-the-guru]

Radio Interview Described As “Mesmerizing!” ...

The link below will take you to a radio interview I did recently where I highlight the differences and benefits in the holistic approach to health, wellness and well-being. I highly recommend you listen to the whole interview.

It has been described as “mesmerizing” and as you will hear, in some cases the facts are hard for the interviewer to believe. Not just for him. Our beliefs are sometimes so conditioned and embedded we have trouble accepting another viewpoint even if it is right in front of us. (There is still a Flat Earth Society!) 

Below I have listed minutes and the points I talk about so you can fast forward to your area of interest if you prefer.

In particular, go to 10 minutes 38 seconds (10:38) where I give a personal example of a client I worked with who no longer has asthma after 25+ years using inhalers. As it turns out, the interviewer says he has too has asthma ... 

Listen carefully to what the interviewer says  at 12:45 ...  

Click here for Gordon's radio interview

00:30 - What does holistic mean anyway?                                                               

02:55 - The major differences with conventional approaches.                       

06:10 - The real reason we do what we do.                                                       

07:10 - Learn about one of the most powerful modalities for optimum health.                                                      

08:40 What ‘stress’ really is.                                                                              

10:38 Client testimonial - asthma and inhalers completely gone. Listen very carefully to the interviewer’s response at 12:45 (too hard to believe?)    

18:30 Medical treatment is just one (and the newest) of your alternatives.                                

20:20 The placebo and nocebo effect and the power of affirmations.         

22:15 Achieve and maintain your ideal weight by changing your mind.          

27:05 Powerful practical tip to relieve stress.                                                    

31:10  You and all human beings have this amazing gift.

   Some more 'hard to believe' testimonials

Stay up to date with Gordon ~ Click here and complete form

Get in touch through my website if you have any questions or I can support you optimize your life. Meantime, Live well and be well ...  Gordon

[gordon-the-guru]

How Is That Working for You?

This is a great question I regularly ask my clients and audiences. I heard Dr. Phil ask it of someone and the reaction he got was similar to the one I tend to observe when I ask it. It’s a kind of surprised, contemplative look and the verbal response is similar every time. It’s usually something like, “not very well” or “it isn’t” or “I never really thought about it.” 

Sometimes our thought processes, habits and activities are so unconscious and automatic we are not even aware of it. In fact it’s now well documented that we have about 60,000 thoughts each day, 90% are the same ones and 70% of those are negative and redundant! So it’s a bit like “Groundhog Day” 

Groundhog Day (noun) ~  “ a situation in which a series of unwelcome or tedious events appear to be recurring in exactly the same way.”

You may be familiar with Einstein’s definition of insanity ...  

I’m not suggesting anyone is insane! However, this quote makes simple, perfect sense. What’s my point here and how can it serve you?

If you’re not at peace and enjoying what you’re doing, do something else or at least do it differently. Some may ask, “how can I drive that journey I hate and enjoy that?” or “How can I be at peace in my stressful job? it’s is a nightmare and I can’t stand my boss!”   

This will change everything for the better. Change it! Of course I don’t mean the other drivers on the road or your boss at work. You can’t! You have no control over them, anymore than you do the weather, but you DO have control about how you want to experience people, environment, and circumstances outside of you. 

Here are 3 tips that can positively transform your life experience:  

1. Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.     ~ The glass is half empty or half full. YOU get to decide. You have choice, and what you choose will determine how you feel... positively or negatively. Consciously make a choice that serves you ... 

2. Awareness in and of itself is transformative.                                                   ~  Conscious awareness of yourself will change your life for the better. For example, as you read this just check in with yourself and notice if you are relaxed or tense? Take your attention to your neck and shoulders, your hands, the soles of your feet in turn. If you notice your breathing is shallow, take a few deep relaxed breaths in and out. Every time you wash your hands or have a shower take your attention to how the water feels on your skin and then the soft towel as you dry yourself. One of the easiest things to be aware of is your breath. A very healthy, powerful practice is to say silently to yourself with each in-breath, “accepting” and with each out-breath, “releasing”. Be aware of any tension or tightness in your body and focus your breathing into those tight spots and release it and relax. 

3. Deliberately create and co-create your own experience.                         ~ I love this one. The idea that you can create and co-create your day, and experience which is exciting and empowering. This implies, YOU have control. A positive life experience is really an inside job. We can unconditionally intend to create and co-create happiness, joy, peace , love, appreciation, gratitude ... All these feelings are really good for health and well-being. If these feelings are dependent and conditional on good looks, a certain body weight, bank balance, loving relationships, weather etc. having the best (optimum) life experience possible may elude you. When you bring your joy, love, acceptance and appreciation into a situation it becomes contagious. You will enrol people in your positive vibration. However, remember that not everyone knows all this stuff so they may resist participating in your love, light and delight! :-) ... So stay focused on your thoughts and emotions. If you catch yourself feeling anything other than good/peaceful/relaxed etc. just go inside and reach for a better feeling thought. A final note on this ... some people and situations test this and it may seem very challenging to feel good all the time. Just remember, sometimes it’s great to visit someone, or have a drink or lunch together, but unless you love them like crazy don’t book a holiday with them, especially out of obligation... unless you want to test your feel good skills!    

Stay focused daily on changing how you look at things. Develop your awareness of how you feel, and make it your dominant intent to create a great experience for yourself and those around you. It’s a practice and like so many others, takes some effort and commitment but the rewards are really worthwhile. 

Until next time, live well and be well. 

Peace, Gordon

[gordon-the-guru]

Healing Magic

That’s what Faster EFT has been called ...  “Healing Magic” but let me tell you from personal experience that there is no magic, trickery, illusion, or smoke and mirrors! Faster EFT (Emotionally Focused Transformation) is one of the most powerful modalities I’ve discovered, and used in 25 years for positive change in wellness, well-being and personal empowerment. That’s why I’m a practitioner and offer it to as many people as possible. Faster EFT is a powerful life skill anyone can learn to use including young children. In fact I recommend my clients do just that... teach those near and dear including their kids.

I am constantly astonished by the transformational results I observe working with people. The changes are real and measurable. Some ‘problems’ that have been around for years, even decades disappear completely, fade away or leave a ‘neutral’ peaceful result. Here are a few Testimonials from people I’ve worked with.    

The process involves letting go and releasing pain ... both physical and emotional. Amazingly I’ve found it can even be fun and entertaining for people. I’ve observed clients laughing at their so called ‘problems’ at the end of a session. Some have been with them many years and even decades! We use the same protocol that works every time. People don’t have to believe in it for it to work. It is logical, measurable and absolute genius by it’s creator, Robert G. Smith. 

It’s so effective, it works in person, in groups and I have worked with people remotely via Skype.  As of this writing there are only 60 practitioners available in Europe listed on the official website.

                                            Official listing  

So I know it’s new to most, but quite honestly who cares what it’s called?! ... or how it works, just be aware of it and know that it works. If you have any questions or feel you want to arrange a personal or group session, just get in touch and we’ll take it from there. Meantime, Live well and be well.

Peace, Gordon       

[gordon-the-guru]

Power Your Life Experience Daily Using Positive Affirmations

Everything we think and say is an affirmation. You may be familiar with positive affirmations and use them already. If you do, well done... keep it going! If you don’t know about them, or don’t consciously use them, know that you are using them. Here’s the most important thing to know ... Your body is responding to everything you think and say, either internally to yourself or audibly out loud. You have the power and get to choose positive or negative, and whatever you think and say can affect your health ... need I say, positively or negatively. 

So, the fact that we are constantly using affirmations that can positively or negatively affect us is very useful to know. Using positive affirmations consciously and deliberately with awareness boosts our health, wellness and well-being. Below are a few positive examples and you can find lots of them with an internet search or from books. Here’s a link to a book I highly recommend by Louise Hay:   "I Can Do It" ... and it comes with a great CD you can listen to in your car or audio device. It’s full of positive affirmations covering every area of life. 

     TOP TIP: Use in the present tense and with feeling and emotion 

Here are a few negative ones “I hate this job” ; “You make me sick” “Relationships always result in pain for me.” ; “It doesn’t matter what I do I can never lose weight”  ... You get the idea. When someone thinks or says examples like these, how do you think they feel inside? That’s right, lousy, dis-empowered, uninspired, hopeless, depressed, stressed ... etc.  It turns out we are all very capable at creating negative feelings and emotions for ourselves. 

                                    I invite you to start today!

Here’s a short video I hope inspires you to use them. You have the power. You are in charge. You have control. By using positive affirmations daily you will live a healthier, happier life. Take it from me. I used to be so negative ... and looking back was a real “stinking thinker” :-) When I committed to implementing positive affirmations, my life and health became so much better. Pass this on to those near and dear to you especially the children in your life. Like many other things in life that are worthwhile, it takes some effort and practice in the beginning, but when we make it a conscious habit and enjoy the benefits, we choose to do it as part of our healthy lifestyle. 

Until next time, Live Well and Be Well.  Peace, Gordon

[gordon-the-guru]

Radio Interview ~ WIIFM! (What’s In It For Me)  Benefits of the Holistic Approach to Optimum Health ...

You can listen again to Gordon’s recent radio interview about the benefits of the holistic approach to optimizing your health, wellness, and well-being . What is holistic and what’s in it for you?  Just click the link below to find out and learn about some of the easiest ways you can use to boost your immune system. 

 Click here to listen now

Live well and be well.  Peace

[gordon-the-guru]

De-Stress & Relax ~ It's Good For Your Health!

Stress ~ It costs! Including you, those you love and care about, business, the NHS ... multi-£Billions per year. It is sometimes referred to as "the silent killer" and according to some data, accounts for up to 90% of doctor visits. It's a well-used word these days and means different things to different people ... Physical, psychological, emotional stress. Every part of us is connected so wherever and however we feel it will be felt in our whole body. At the cellular level in fact.

It can mean: physical pain or tightness and tension in the body; Feelings of fear; resistance to change; overwhelm; worry; sadness; grief; frustration; anxiety; and being attached to just about any crisis in life. As far as crisis goes, it's been said, we're either coming out of one, in one, or headed for the next one! There's the identity crisis, mid-life crisis, and mortality crisis! Some people may choose to call this life! As the Buddhists say, the "isness of things".

~So, is stress useful?

~ What are the effects on the body? 

~ Do we have a choice to be stressed? 

~ Is going to the doctor the only way to deal with it? 

~ Empowering, healthy and sustainable ways to deal with stress.

~ Useful ~ Most people have heard of, and experienced the "fight or flight" response. Presented with danger, e.g. a sabre tooth tiger or more modern threat, it's a good thing that we have this reflex response. The key word being "reflex." In this case, it's a physiological change which happens automatically. Blood sugar rises, heart rate increases, blood is diverted to the arms and legs, as well as from the front to the back of the brain. Hormone levels like adrenalin rise. This is to support the body escape or deal with the threat. BUT, once the event has passed and we're safely out of danger, we should revert to a calm relaxed state ...

~ Negative effects on the body ~ Frequent and chronic stress can very negatively affect our health. Low energy, headaches, pains, lack of sleep, depression just to name a few. Blood is diverted away from the viscera (torso) which contains our vital organs. This depletes our immune system allowing the possibility of "opportunistic" diseases, viruses and potentially more serious conditions to manifest in the body. It diverts blood from the front to the back of the brain. This can result in poor memory, lack of concentration, recall and intelligence. Many people have experienced this when stressed at exam time or in an interview or other potentially stressful situation. Cortisol is released from the brain. This is an ageing hormone and can damage the brain ...

~ Choice ~ We actually DO have a choice to be stressed even in the face of real and present danger. We can calmly and assertively take action. Most people respond to stress automatically and unconsciously. There's a certain way of thinking and acting that will get us the desired result. In my experience, this can throw up a bit of resistance in people who believe they have no choice. There's a way to "do stress" and often it's habitual patterns of thinking and behaviour that achieve it. These can be changed. Some relatively quickly, and others take more time. Like anything worthwhile, there's always a price to be paid. Keeping our "stressometer" at safe levels is well worth it. It's good for our health, well-being, and longevity ...

Going to the doctor ~ This is often the first port of call, and will possibly result in prescription medication and specialist treatment being offered. There are other approaches, many of which I've discovered people either aren't aware of, or have never used ...

~ Empowering methods ~ I've found that the majority of people know how to improve their emotional state temporarily by using food, alcohol, "retail therapy", work, drugs, TV etc. These are coping methods and aren't the healthiest choices, or sustainable ... So what are some empowering choices? Breathing is good! Conscious breathing using the diaphragm is powerful as it boosts our lymphatic system. As the Chinese proverb says, "Partial breathing is partial living." Also, regular meditation; FasterEFT (tapping); Emotional Stress Release; moderate exercise; daily positive affirmations.

[gordon-the-guru]

www.GordonTheGuru.co.uk ... Live Well and Be Well