I know I am guilty of putting off things until tomorrow. The problem is…it’s never tomorrow.
Let me explain. Yesterday, today was tomorrow, except NOW it’s today. It won’t be tomorrow until tomorrow, and then today will be yesterday…and tomorrow will be today.
Never put off to do tomorrow what you can do today, especially telling those you care about that you love them.
This was my posting for May…as you can see, I waited until tomorrow…
I lost my father to lung cancer in 1999, he had been a life long smoker. I am also a former smoker (several decades ago). I know how it feels, understanding the health risks and wanting to quit…wanting to quit and worrying it will be difficult.
I am very passionate about working with clients interested in becoming non-smokers. In addition to the hypnotherapy protocol, as a Certified Professional Coach, I also offer coaching sessions for clients who are interested in personal strategies to remain non-smokers for life. Coaching sessions are also available to anyone who has already stopped smoking but would like to develop strategies to help them handle trigger situations, or make other positive lifestyle changes.
There is an additional support resource: Quitza, a member supported support group on-line for non-smokers who have successfully completed a hypnotherapy smoking cessation program (or would like to). The site contains links to valuable information and studies, and also some great tracking and positive reinforcement apps.
“People are 30% more likely to successfully quit with social support” (Quitza web site, 2016); “This community support structure alone is a powerful tool. Quitza combines this support with social awards, milestones, and real time personalised data about our users physiological changes as they quit.” (Quitza web site, 2016)
Some Surgeons are reluctant to perform major surgery of any kind on smokers, especially heavy smokers. This is because the side effects of tobacco use (such as constricting blood vessels, elevated blood carbon dioxide (CO2) and other) can cause complications resulting in unsuccessful wound healing and poor recovery in general.
The one constant in life is continual change. Some we can plan for, some we can not. Some anticipated transitions are exciting such as a new promotion or upcoming nuptials; some are as a result of a dark period in our life, or unpleasant events.
During these periods it can be difficult to sort our thoughts into useful workable ideas. Even fabulous transitions are stressful to us. We get stuck in a less than useful thought pattern. It can often be helpful to have someone to talk to during these periods. Not necessarily to receive advice (although seeking outside advice can be a good idea at times), but to help you find your own solutions. Solutions that work for you where you are today. An executable plan.
Consider a Professional Coach. We are trained in assisting self-discovery, and are solution and goal oriented. There is nothing like a game plan and a flashlight to find your way out of the dark weeds into a hopeful tomorrow!
Kim Croft, The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach, MS, MBA, CPC, CCHt
Transitional Coaching
One day in reflection I realized I had fallen into a habitual thought pattern, believing I wanted a particular thing in a very particular way – and had dearly desired it for years to the point of distracting myself to misery whenever I saw it elsewhere, but not for me. Upon further examination I found that not only had the time for that particular thing in that particular way passed years prior…I no longer even truly wanted it. Something that had been on my top 10 list, an idea of intense focus and emotion… What happened?
I had fallen in love with the idea of a feeling and what would produce that feeling without realizing over several decades my values, life plan, personal beliefs; and what I really wanted at this time of my life had so markedly changed that the object of my focus not only would not have resulted in realizing that feeling, I would likely be unhappy with it.
Habitual thought patterns can be a driving force in one’s life. I’m glad I took the time to reflect. It caused me to reassess that which is really important, and discover my true motivators in my life now. What gets me excited to get up in the morning? I discovered it is now something entirely different.
Perspective: Forever and unlimited are much more ambiguous terms than we realize. To some they may be a light shining in the dark, providing hope to those who are used to Never.
But don’t become too comfortable with the thought that Forever means until the end of time, or even until the end of your time. Because they are just concepts, meant to be comparative; an idea in that moment of time. Ideas change with time as do circumstances.
Forever and Unlimited often, no- usually mean things will be this way until they are not; quite often a fleeting moment. Enjoy that moment while you have it, and treasure the lessons and gifts that moment provides.
Kim Croft, the Breast Cancer Recovery Coach, MS, MBA, CPC, CCHt
December brings to mind the connections we have with family and others. For instance, for me, it signifies my father’s birthday (lost to lung cancer), my mother’s death (breast cancer), and my own breast cancer diagnosis 8 days before Christmas. December also reminds me how grateful I am to have the people in my life both who reach out to include me in their festivities, and also to those who allow me to reach out to them in an effort to be a friend, or perhaps to help ease the way for a new acquaintance.
The month of December also brings with it the many holiday celebrations of cultures from around the world who now call the United States home. Instead of fighting over the proper way to express a greeting this time of year, maybe instead we could embrace the intent of the greeting…happy festivities, joy, peace, gratitude.
Now there’s an idea!
Last Tuesday the universe reminded me it’s a good idea to have a flexible plan, even better, a flexible plan B.
This week I was really looking forward to my first Cha Cha dance class. When I arrived I discovered class had been cancelled.
So, while I drove around Orlando locating the studio where the Salsa classes are on Friday (so I dont get lost LOL), I was able to listen to an IMDHA virtual meeting about generative change, which I would have missed in Cha Cha class.
In addition I was able to make some network connections, and get the information on the HEA meeting last weekend.
Even though the telecon ran a little over I was still able to get a little unrushed shopping done.
Not only was tonight NOT a loss, it ended up being an asset to me.
This is such a metaphor for life in general. Have a plan “B”. Don’t obsess over it, but make one so you know, in the future, if needed you’ll have one.
Kim Croft, the Breast Cancer Recovery Coach, CCHt.
Recently a statement was made to the media in Florida that there is no science backing up the validity of hypnotherapy (not quoted directly by any means). If this interests you I invite you to my website page: “How Does It Work?” Here I present a very brief elementary summary of how hypnosis works in my main area of concern; accompanied by links to real scientific data and articles (at which sites you can surf until your eyes fall out reviewing related studies).
Yes, there are actual scientific studies (with real control groups and data) showing hypnosis works in clinical therapeutic settings regarding stress, pain, and actual increased immune response. Especially when related to cancer patients.
May require a referral or supervision by a licensed health care practitioner. Must be practiced by a trained Clinical Hypnotherapist from a licensed school WITH the appropriate certifications. Also, not all certification organizations are the same (you can find the required qualifications from the organizations that certify me – see Kim’s Story page at the bottom for links)
For more information about hypnotherapy I invite you to explore this web-site: PivotalHypnotherapy.com
Have a fabulous day!!
Kim Croft, MS, MBA, CCHt
October is Breast Cancer awareness month in the United States. The push is on education and awareness…and breast cancer screening. The screenings (aka mammogram) are important. In fact, my radiologist said I was the “poster child for annual mammograms” because if he had not seen the previous year’s mammogram and just saw the most recent report he would not have really noticed anything. A biopsy brought the most conclusive results.
To go one step further, that mammogram, sonogram, and biopsy showed possible encroachment in a small area of the left breast (lower quarter). The post surgery pathology report showed it was actually more extensive and aggressive than originally thought.
I am so grateful – and more grateful that I am able to reach out to others on this journey.
My problem with Breast Cancer Awareness month is this – get screened, yes…but what do you do when you receive the unexpected report? How does that patient cope with all the new information, questions, options, and decisions while experiencing stress and emotional shock? In fact, everyone in their personal circle will be in emotional distress.
Is there anyone who has been there who can help? Not with the medical side, not even just the emotional side…what about the human side? the human ecology side?
There is now.
Kim Croft, the Breast Cancer Recovery Coach, CCHt
Orlando, FL 352-449-9485
I spoke to a client today who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and feeling a little overwhelmed by all of it. She didn’t know anyone who had breast cancer now or in the past, and she didn’t feel like her friends wanted to talk about it.
Friends and family often have no idea what to say, what not to say, or what a cancer patient is going through unless they have been there themselves. I found it helpful to bring up the elephant in the room first, speak only briefly about it, answer questions, and then moved on to another topic. If you need help with something – anything – ask them to help you. Be specific. Most people want to help but, again, have no idea what to say or where to begin.
She really appreciated being able to talk with someone who has been there…and survived. I was glad I was there to listen.
Kim Croft, the Breast Cancer Recovery Coach, CCHt