Seems like we're all pretty much the same person...

In my hypnotherapy work, I've found over and over that clients come to me to eliminate a specific situation or behavior from their lives.  For some it is tobacco, for others, excess weight, really a very broad range of behavioral changes that are desired.  But almost every time, what they come for is a SYMPTOM of the underlying causative challenge.Across the board, regardless of why they believe they are there, regardless of age, gender, or any other factor, the underlying causation is so similar from one client to the next,  that it would be difficult to say where one starts and the other begins.In my conversations with these clients, they often seem surprised that 'their particular situation' is not horribly unique.  Many are visibly shocked when I explain that almost everyone who I've worked with, has a story that is 80-90% the same, in terms of life situations that installed a challenge they want to overcome.Because I do a lot of work with weight loss, utilizing a Virtual Gastric Band,  I want to focus on two parent installed programs that are so common as to be predictable.The Clean Plate Club-  Well meaning parents for decades have told their children, "Clean up your plate, be a big boy (or girl)!   and then are surprised when their boy or girl in fact grows up to BE a big boy or girl.To compound the damage of this one, the reward for cleaning up your plate is often desert.What this actually teaches a child, is that the clean plate is a more accurate measure of the amount of food they need in any one sitting than the messages from their body that  they are being encouraged to ignore, that are telling them that they are full.So many people go through life disregarding the intelligence of their bodies, overstuff themselves to get to clean plate status...then just like mom did, they reward themselves with desert.Food as a salve for any boo-boo-  I've not met anyone yet, who did not learn that there is no boo-boo (physical, mental, emotional or spiritual) that ice cream, a piece of pie or cake won't sooth.You fall off your bike, and the parent who rushes to comfort you says something like... "Oh honey, let's get you some ice cream!  That will make you feel better!"... so we learn that when we're hurt, upset, angry, or really at any time, a big 'treat' will make us feel better.I'd encourage you, if you are a parent, to look at yourself to see if you are teaching these things to your kids, and if you are, STOP IT! :)Additionally, my overall observation is that there are so many people who have been had their self concept diminished by being whittled away by loved ones, parents, teachers, clergy, spouses/former spouses... some to the point where they don't see any value when they look in the mirror, some who feel as if they don't have any (or very few) redeeming features, and are destined to be unloved and deserve to be unloved.For the most part though, these same people are absolute warriors.  Despite all that they carry, they are walking forward day-by-day, doing what needs to be done, caring for their children and/or family members, being productive and functioning.It really gives me great joy though, when I can help clients to see that the image that others have carved out of who they truly are is an illusion, and that it is not at all accurate.  The bonus is to be able to help them to get to full power, full brilliance.  They seem to shine a bit brighter and walk more proudly, when they get a glimpse of who they truly are.At the end of each session, I feel honored that they've trusted me with what are in some cases stories that they may not have told anyone else in their lives, I feel humbled that I get to help them facilitate some healing, some new direction, some return to full power, and consequently some better, more desirable and desired outcomes.I'm always happy to have those confidential conversations as people are considering making some changes in their lives.   The initial consultations are Free and without any pressure.