May 2008

Handwriting Schmandwriting

My first course of study with Dr. Vimala Rodgers of the Institute of Integral Handwriting Studies (www.iihs.com) was in 1994. I had heard Vimala speak on the radio about how changing one’s handwriting could result in changes to behavior, attitudes and beliefs. I was instantly hooked. What a great adjunct to hypnotherapy, I thought.

The first change Vimala suggested was to triple the size of my writing. Yes, triple. The resulting emotional upheavals astounded me. Writing bigger in my daily practice sessions brought up feelings of vulnerability and anxiety. When I complained to Vimala about how uncomfortable the new size made me, she encouraged me to keep at it. She also recommended that I get in touch with my subconscious, by putting the pen in my non-dominant hand to determine the source of this discomfort. I found myself writing, "People will see me."

People will see me? Who was this insecure, whiney person? I had been speaking with calm ease in front of groups since high school; what was this "People will see me" business? So, I kept practicing the larger writing. By the end of a 40-day practice period, writing bigger was no longer a struggle and the sense of vulnerability had subsided, replaced by a new level of confidence and ease. Life-long tendencies toward rigid perfectionism softened. "Out of the blue" I received the opportunity to speak at a self-esteem symposium in San Jose in front of a crowd of 350, larger than I had ever addressed before -- an experience that generated excitement, not fear.

Over the years, I've made numerous changes to my handwriting, each resulting in marked positive changes to various aspects of my self. Of all the tools available to me, observing my own handwriting in my daily handwriting practice offers me the most clear and indisputable information on how I'm doing in relationships, in goal-setting, in dealing with life's challenges and so much more. Interestingly enough, when I'm stressed or facing growth experiences, my writing will begin to shrink. What a valuable, undeniable wake-up call for me.

If it's hard for you to accept that your handwriting is a diagram of your sub-conscious, as unique and individual as you are, try copying the writing of someone you know who is quite different from you in personality or character or even intelligence. Pay attention! When Aunt Agatha sends her annual birthday card, it is likely that you recognize the sender simply from the distinctive handwriting on the envelope. It may help to know that the link between handwriting and personality was first made in the 11th Century by Jo Hau, a Chinese philosopher and painter, and supported by such luminaries as Cicero, Aristotle, Aesop and Leonardo da Vinci along the way. This isn’t some New Age psycho-babble.  

We know that repetitive thought or action creates grooves in the brain; the more frequent the thought or action, the deeper the groove. Apply this principle to handwriting and the traits represented by each letter formation, and you realize that how your write is supremely important. Making systematic changes to the way you write activates the brain's ability to change itself. Google “neuro-plasticity” and you’ll see what I'm talking about.

Consider how a child's ability to crawl exercises his brain and facilitates reading skills further down the line. A child who doesn't crawl almost always has difficulty with reading. Putting a pen in hand exercises the brain in much the same way, stimulating left-brain / right-brain balance and freshness of thought and creativity. What does typing on a keyboard all day stimulate? The reptilian brain at the very back of the brain, the most primitive part of us that really does not think but reacts.

Yes, I am implying that the guy who cut you off on the freeway and punctuated his rudeness with a well-known hand-signal needs to move away from his keyboard and write a few personal notes throughout the day. And if he were to write those notes using The Vimala Alphabet and the Vimala System of handwriting, he would experience the mind-body-spirit connection at its best.

I’ll be sharing the wonderful technology Vimala Rodgers has spent decades researching and perfecting on May 14th at Align Healing Center. Also worth noting is the very special workshop I’ll be doing in Open Path, San Francisco on healthy pregnancy on May 22. See the Announcements and Calendar sections for details.

This month I mark my 16th year in practice. I’m celebrating with new brochures, new business cards, and renewed passion for this wonderful work I am blessed to do. To the hundreds and hundreds of you who have entrusted your deepest selves to me over the years, I extend my deepest thanks and countless blessings.

Let me know if you’d like a new brochure or card. Do call or email me if I can be of service to you on your journey. Until next month, remember: All is moving toward the good.

Lucy Grace Yaldezian, CHT, CHC 
A Higher Perspective
2551 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Suite 254
San Ramon, CA  94583
925-277-0900
www.ahigherperspective.com
lucy@ahigherperspective.com

May Inspiration

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.

-Carl Bard
(1907-1978)
Scottish Theologian, Religious Writer, Broadcaster


In The News

In clinical studies conducted at New York's Rockefeller University’s neuroendocrinology laboratory, repeated stress in rats caused the number of neurons in their brain to diminish. When they were stressed, rats lost mental flexibility. This suggests that the part of the brain associated with attention and decision-making (prefrontal cortex) was adversely affected.
 
In humans this is evidenced by our diminished ability to remember or pay attention when stress hormones have been active at high levels over time.

-Based on “How Stress Shrinks Your Brain”
by Louise Danielle Palmer in Spirituality & Health

Note from Lucy Grace:
Often you will see "cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) cited as a solution for various emotional and even physical issues. Hypnotherapy, EFT and The Vimala System of handwriting all offer avenues for purposefully changing behavior and shifting ingrained negative responses to stressful situations.

How many brain cells can you afford to lose?

Announcements
 

Spring into Success - At Your Fingertips

Join me on Wednesday, May 14 to explore the fascinating world of your very own handwriting. I promise a lively two-hours filled with “Aha!” moments. Here’s what you can expect:

•Learn some basics of handwriting analysis
•Understand how your own handwriting can be your best self-help tool
•Discover the link between handwriting and the Law of Attraction
•Find out how a 15-minute daily handwriting practice can change your life!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008
6:45-9:00 pm / $45 per person
Align Healing Center
125-G Railroad Avenue, Danville
Seating is limited
so please call to reserve your place
925-362-8283 or 925-820-1949

SUCCESSFUL PREGNANCY WORKSHOP
You're Finally Pregnant -- Now What?
I will be offering a unique workshop at Open Path in San Francisco on Thursday, May 22. Open Path is the premier Northern California resource center for fertility, pregnancy and adoption. "You're Finally Pregnant – Now What?” address the fears and concerns of newly-pregnant mothers and their husbands, partners and families. Especially women who’ve had difficult getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy to full term in the past will receive specific instructions on using the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and the mind-body-spirit connection in general to ensure the healthiest, happiest pregnancy possible.
Open Path
312 Sutter St., 5th Floor Conference Room, San Francisco
$45 for members / $60 for non-members
7 to 9 p.m.
Call 415.788.6772 before May 15th to register
Click here to download an informational flyer (PDF)

101 Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 3 
I want to tell you about a new book in which my article, "Sign Here, Please" is featured.

The book is titled "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life: Volume 3," and it is a compilation of 101 articles with practical, solid advice on how you can finally take action and improve your life.

I am extremely excited to be a part of this, and am equally excited to be a contributing author along with Ken Blanchard, Les Brown, Mark Victor Hansen, Byron Katie and many other leading Self Improvement experts.

To get more information, click here.

This book was created by David Riklan, the president and founder of the #1 Self Improvement website in the world, www.SelfGrowth.com. He tapped into the minds of the greatest experts of our time and pulled together something that will blow you away.

It's a complete collection of 101 insider secrets that can show you how to instantly and positively improve your life!

This book is the third volume in the "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life" Series.

For those of you that have not seen Volumes 1 & 2, David is also offering a special discount if you purchase the three-volume set together.

Volumes 1 & 2 include more great secrets from Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Jim Rohn, Jack Canfield, Dr. Richard Carlson and many other leading experts.

David has also bundled the book with life-enhancing tools! He calls them "bonus gifts," and he has created a package of $1,500 worth of absolutely free gifts that you get by purchasing just one copy of our book.

These bonus gifts aren't the typical items you may have seen in other campaigns. That I can guarantee!

Every single one of these gifts has enormous value and has been cleverly created to give you value beyond anything comprehensible.

David is so confident you will love it that he is backing it up with a completely solid guarantee.

Go there and take a look for yourself - and make sure you check out the bonuses. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw what he put together. You may want to be sitting down yourself, because it could knock you over - with joy!

Click here for more information.

Blessings,
Lucy Grace