Terry Lloyd's Blog, page 9

Self-Hypnosis.

Hypnosis has always held a certain fascination and alluring intrigue for me. I find the idea of hypnosis especially mystifying. My experience from watching hypnosis on stage entertainment shows and variations from TV has given me an impression of the scope that is possible. Often funny and frantic, the different ideas and responses, shown on stage and screen have only added to my thought process about the potential uses of hypnosis.

While many audiences might be aware of the humorous and comedic possibility of hypnosis, there is a more beneficial side that enables the participant to explore health and wellbeing improvements. If done correctly, self-hypnosis is claimed to be a gateway to empowering the individual to achieve so much more than perhaps imagined possible.

What is hypnosis you may well ask? It is an induced state of consciousness that passes the analytical mind and heightens the acceptance of suggestions or directions. In particular, hypnosis can differ from self-hypnosis, as one is usually overseen by a recommended practitioner or therapist and the other can be implemented yourself to achieve personal lifestyle enhancing objectives.

Self-hypnosis can be extremely useful in aiding relief for insomnia or anxiety. It works by deepening a sense of individual relaxation. This type of induced consciousness for me links to when as a little boy numerous times involved me losing the track of time. I was deeply engrossed in an action packed visualised scenario and to the extent that I was unaware of goings on around me, although not strictly speaking self-hypnosis, it is something that somewhat indicates the mechanism of this kind of hypnosis. Back then I would take an albeit temporary step into the world of my mind and enhance my personal conscious awareness.

I believe we all have the opportunity to use self-hypnosis by selecting the thoughts that improve our way of life and neutralising thoughts that undermine positive belief in ourselves. Self-hypnosis can be induced by relaxing mentally and physically. Subsequently useful can be following a deepening schedule, such as imagining descending steps or on each breath out feeling the sensation of gradual deeper relaxation, then using words that involve the present tense and suggest a positive outcome. Before ending the session, it can be helpful to confirm the feelings of being refreshed and feeling a positive sense of wellbeing. Finally, to close down the session of self-hypnosis, count back to a wide awake state. The main point of affirmation focused on through this form of self-hypnosis is not just the words but absolute belief in the idea being expressed.

The power of hypnosis is in visualising the suggested item, such as let's say the word lemon. There may be no effect until the suggestion is amplified by seeing the yellow colour, then visualising the lemon is cut in half and squeezed, and tasting the sharp tang of the juice drop on your tongue. Before you know it, involuntarily you taste a lemon.

Despite many people’s rejection of even the possibility of the notion, a vast number can be hypnotised, but how quickly and easily could depend on the willingness of the subject. In the case of self-hypnosis that hurdle should not be a problem. It can be a positive and personally accessible way of improving mental and physical wellbeing.

Dog Training.

When a dog exhibits unwanted habits it could develop into a highly stressful situation but help could be at hand. After watching Graeme Hall’s informative TV programme on dog training, it occurred to me it might be useful to note several recurring and enlightening themes.

I have had several dogs throughout my life and I have loved them very much but for very different reasons. None of my dogs were the same in temperaments or appearance and my experiences with each varied so much. I have had easy going and obedient, cross breed dogs and then the very furry, bear of the dog world who would not want to listen to a word my family and I told him, and loved to smile at our attempts to get him to behave. Watching dog trainers can be intriguing as so much of the task involves taking complex dilemmas and offering practical solutions. Graeme Hall in particular has had several difficult and complicated calls for help and has relatively quickly provided fascinating methods for improving, if not rectifying the problem.

It can be useful to highlight that often through no intentional fault of their own an owner could be perpetuating the bad behaviour by rewarding them at the wrong time or not giving clear signs of what is anticipated or required from the dog. Quite often, in order to remedy a situation small but significant steps need to be taken. It might sound too simple but in many cases the timing of a clear command and slow enunciation of the word no, can be extremely helpful. It is important to use a serious but not too loud tone. This is then followed if necessary, by a pause or moving of the dog out of the environment and into another room. This action is temporary but reinforces the apt consequence of a notable bad behaviour. When the dog is calm, the owner or handlers should be aware of this change and it is at that time the dog can be brought back into the desired setting. It is most important to remember there should be plenty of praise for good behaviour. This may sound basic but rewarding good actions are essential for the dog to understand how to separate what is accepted good and bad behaviour.

Retraining a dog can take time but some of the results of patience and persistence can be truly amazing. Nothing might be more embarrassing and upsetting than when a dog starts going frantic at the approach of another dog. Upon observing such behaviour, it might look as if the dog is taking an immediate dislike to other approaching dogs or animals and yet It could be the owner is anticipating trouble and the dog senses a need to protect the owner. In certain cases stress can mount and build for both owners and dogs. The worry can worsen the situation for both and while all the focus is put upon the dogs, the actual remedy might include altering the owner’s behaviour. The demeanour of keeping relaxed and reassuring the dog by voice can be imperative. Something I have seen tried and tested is the use of a friend with another dog who could assist in being a stationary goal and they simply stand still with their dog as you approach very slowly with the dog who has been displaying anxious behaviour. Keep the situation under control by repeatedly stopping if your dog starts to bark and wait for the opportunity to praise your dog for being quiet and then when the dog is calm it is appropriate to take another step forward. Keep up the process until more than likely you are close enough for the dogs to be social. Sometimes this same training technique is implemented with moving dogs or objects, each time slowly allowing the dog to walk adjacent to or close by with targets that might have previously stimulated anxiety or bad behaviour. Ensuring that the dog repeatedly comprehends that the owner is not stressed and what good behaviour is anticipated from them can bring about a transformation.

Dogs can be the best in providing companionship and become fulfilling partners for many human asks and tasks. It is not always easy though to find the right answer if behaviour problems start and that is why it can be useful to do the research and if you can find the time to invest in what could be some of the best transformative training tips.

The State of Being.

Recently an interesting thought has persisted in my mind and that is quite simply put, do things happen of their own accord or is there some intention for a specific result?

I have come to the conclusion that both can take place. However looking at the universe there is an incredible amount of natural creation taking place every second of the day. That then prompts the thought that natural selection might be the way that life can sustain itself. It could be argued there is no perfection, except the ability to survive in an ever changing environment unless circumstances are too drastic for survival.

The next point that I question is, did life not just change dramatically due to a change in the atmosphere? The very start of life itself could be suggested began without a specific intention for a particular form. That idea itself might be supported by the amount of time it takes for the variation of life forms to evolve.

If life has no intention of a specific form then it would only flourish in an environment and time that would be aptly suitable. Numerically I have pondered and grappled with the thought that life is a natural phenomena and it would only need a planet at the right time to be able to support life. The fact that we are not aware of any other life on a different planet is not surprising as life is a widely scoping category and the distance and time needed to make contact might be enormous.

Things that happen with a specific result and are not natural are often recognisable and need an intention. Scientifically speaking even if an agent is involved, it would not necessarily still be involved with the object or even still existing itself. Take an artist and a painting, it may well be a masterpiece that has been created but the artist may have passed away.

Creative Thinking.

There has been a stagnant feel to politics of late and a definite similarity between what should be opposing parties. Conflict has been a main part of politics as the same, dominant and for the most part unpopular statements and actions were carried out. Protests have subsequently arisen between large swathes of the population and ruling governments or administrations across the world. It was starting to get pretty dire, as many voters felt undermined, unacknowledged and as if they had no choice but to opt for the least of two undesirable political campaigns.

Once again the budget has been announced in the UK and a much vaulted 2p reduction in national insurance may well be good news for some of the population but in reality the stealth tax on council taxes across the country more than wipes out any financial gain. This announcement, if thought about more pragmatically, should not neglect the facts that there will be a significant cut in social services and severe lack of funding in maintaining council properties. It is a mode of thinking that has claimed to be creative and equalising on the part of those in government, but to my mind true thinking about the economy and voting population should include a little more substance.

This party trick also known as sleight of hand is rampant in all political parties, so the prospect of a different government in power has no real attraction for most of the public. Thinking of how to solve many of the serious current problems, I do think genuine priorities should be made. The voting public do understand where token gestures are simply used to win in place of sincere financial modes of enhanced budget strategy.

At a time of budget thinking and policy opportunity for the future, it would be great if conventional political point scoring did not set the agenda and taint debate. If humanity and heart could come together and negatively classed issues like immigration could be turned into a positive through a combination of innovative thinking and policy. Instead of collectively restraining capable and often skilful individuals, policies could transform the situation by training a potential work force and employing them in sectors of industry that could benefit both those individuals and a wider society.

The social services are in dire need of trained staff and a potential source of employment is being wasted by a slow bureaucracy and a lack of creative planning. When vulnerable people have to suffer, I think it is a requirement of any government to implement creative measures to reform and improve. The UK should be at the forefront of creative support for all of its inhabitants. I find it very disappointing that the Prime Minister can find time and funds to support, without consultation of the voting public, a lengthy military action that has displaced a major part of the population in another country and not invest in significant issues that influence how the UK is run.

Just when you might think politics in the UK are in a bad way, a glance across the sea to the self acclaimed figurehead of democracy, the USA did not look to be any better situated. Two opponents had caused concern, as one looked to have lost his power and the other far too focused on gaining power again. At last, things seem to be moving positively and instead of hearing the same announcements, the President’s latest State of the Union Address has regained a sense of motivation and positive leadership. Lincolnian and full of response to real issues, someone spoke to a country as if a father who wanted to heal and not hurt the nation.

Freedom of Speech.

Political life is full of twists and plots and one of the current strategies appears to be falsely smearing a target with a damning action. The danger in this method is the application and resulting effect, such as when peaceful protests are described or rather claimed as being violent and supporting a terrorist organisation. Provided that a demonstration is law abiding the police and council must allow the protest to take place. This is vital for democracy to flourish.

There always will be unfounded accusations in the public domain. That is not the problem but the more worrying point is when political colleagues agree the language used was not correct and then refuse after repeated questions to name specifically what the language used is justifiable. This to me indicates a political manoeuvre to avoid having to admit the reality of what has been said. The reluctance to speak honestly raises concerns for me over the integrity of that MP. I strongly believe in the right of free speech as long as it is not promoting violence and hatred. However there is a worrying bias that has increasingly developed and enforces the idea that personal views are only allowed if they conform to an accepted ideology. This has become significant in an example seen in differing viewpoints to the leader of the respective political party being penalised. That to my mind limits democracy and denies the public the opportunity to voice their views through their MP.

The recent action of the Speaker of Parliament to break tradition caused chaos as many parties were dissatisfied with the outcome. I am left with the feeling that the interests of the general public are not at the forefront of recent party political actions. In fact when some decisions are critical to potentially save human life it is hard to believe all MPs are not driven by some hidden agenda that they prize more than caring for their fellow human being. This is particularly worrying when the government is threatening to disregard human rights law and at the same time claiming to protect UK standards of freedom and democracy.

More than free speech I believe that it is clear thinking and actions that really count. However with both lacking in either of the main parties and if nothing improves, it can leave people asking on voting day, who can you vote for?

Empathy.

A true story involving a lion, a tiger and bear caused me to wonder at the scope of emotional ties that can develop between creatures of different origins. The story starts when the animals were found held in a basement and the three animals were young. They had been kept in tiny cages and were infested with fleas. After being treated by a vet, they were rehomed in an open animal park. What became very interesting was that the same three animals displayed a mutual friendship. Playing and grooming each other with what appeared to be affection, the animals behaved as a collective unit. Eventually, the lion developed an incurable medical condition and passed away. The park staff had a life sized statue made of the lion, as the three animals had become an example of a diverse and firm unit of friends. The animals had shown distress when separated from each other. Even now, the tiger is noted to regularly muzzle the statue of the lion, much as it had done in the past with the living lion.

There are many true instances whereupon a maternal instinct has confounded supposed or presumed outcomes. There are quite a few examples of when a mother animal will care and feed a different species, even human babies have been fostered in this way. One such case was when a very young lost boy was found and reared by some wolves. Although when he grew older, there was an attempt to separate him from the wolves, he found it very hard to lose that contact with his wolf upbringing and adapt to human behaviour.

Another astonishing tale involves a wildlife park keeper who had the opportunity to observe when his domestic cat had just given birth to some kittens and simultaneously made a fantastic foster mother to a pair of tiger cubs, who had lost their own birth mother.

Certain people have a natural way of bonding and communicating empathy, enabling a sense of trust. It is this kind of interaction that can improve relations, feelings of loneliness or relax a tense situation.

I think that the quality of empathy can bridge so many barriers. Empathy has in many categories and different subjects, astounded and enhanced concepts, in fact it has been indicated to have strengthened life in many ways. Empathy can be a profound example of what is possible and yet not known or assumed as so, it can be startling, anticipated or a means for broaching contrasting scenarios. It has provided a way to glean insight and attainment and perhaps the best part of empathy can be found in how widely the attributes can range.

Unpredictability.

The position of mankind for me, is quite amazing. When you consider all types of creatures there are so many examples of individual superiority in eyesight, speed of movement, physical strength and innovation. Even giving up their life for the good of the species can set apart those who are an example of legendary status. Undoubtedly there are reasons for the hierarchy and arguably what enables mankind to dominate the animal kingdom.

Scientifically it has been predicted that the Earth is struck by debris and asteroids of varying sizes. There are environmental issues that influence the state of fluctuation in terms of unpredictability and pollution that can cause harm to the survival of many species. People can be the reason for positive and negative results, instigating scientific improvements that can greatly help the land that is lived on or activating actions that can harm it.

There is a seemingly constant threat of extreme actions, reactions and possible repercussions. Countries on an international scale have been relying heavily on political agendas or war strategy trying to counteract or negate certain actions. Neighbouring countries rather than mutually attempting to obtain success appear to be less and less inclined to combat issues together.

I would think that there is a great possibility in harnessing common aims and requirements, ensuring that basic needs are met and that at times of crisis a level of unpredictability should be minimised. There are so many countries that possess for example nuclear weapons and it could be said that instead of fear and competitiveness, advancements in technology, science and international diplomacy for human future success should rule the reasoning.

While the presence of various pandemics that have the potential to greatly reduce the populations across the world should be understood, it should not be forgotten that medical science has the potential to explore new and ever transforming remedies. Treatments can be found and breakthroughs noted that in time can enhance and help preserve life.

We have the wisdom to become supreme but have we got the drive to live peacefully together and create a safe haven for all life in the future? That is an interesting point to think on and hopefully for actions to prove possible.

Communication Matters.

I came across an interesting article that reported how certain plants had the ability to communicate to other plants about an adverse event occurring to them. This information was released in the atmosphere and as a cloud of chemicals. When finding this out, immediately my mind jumped to the haunting blockbuster film The Day of the Triffids. In case you're not aware of this particular film by John Wyndham and released in 1962, it has quite a thoughtful scenario and I found the plot fascinating. After a meteor shower, a form of carnivorous plants became mobile by means of three roots that acted as legs, and started to join in an epic fight for survival. In the film, the name Triffid referred to the three roots. Possibly the idea could have been born from certain actions noted from real carnivorous plants, such as the Trumpet Pitcher Fly Catcher. The major difference that altered the balance of mankind against plants in the film’s case was looking at the meteor shower. This rendered all the observers blind thus giving the Triffids the ability to dominate mankind. I will leave the story there so as not to be a spoilsport for potential spoilers.

Bringing an aspect of reality into what was a very sci-fi plot can also suggest a sobering thought as communication is an important part of social development and survival. A form of this communication is sometimes indicated by actions rather than just sounds and can be noticeable apart from hand signals. Alternatively Sign Language is of course one of the ways to bring about accessible communication and can radically alter lives. Being Bi-Lingual or Trilingual can determine speech and thought patterns, even observing how people express themselves or shy away from communication can tell you a lot of information. Some people can gesticulate continuously while in communication while other examples have even evidenced expressions as useful modes of deducing thoughts, ideas and feelings.

Animals have a broad range of both sound and non-verbal signals. There is research to show that particular whale songs have been studied and found to have different dialects exclusive to particular pods. Specific species of birds can even mimic human speech, or alert other breeds of animal to potential predatory dangers. Communication forms can be vast amongst different birds both in the wild and in domestic or more larger scope captivity, although I tried to teach my pet blue budgerigar to speak and some might say that he particularly turned out to be a bit of a slow learner.

Some might claim that the written word has been taken over by the urge to Direct Message on a screen and even phones are now increasingly used to text and not talk. Technology has improved rapidly and is now reportedly in development stages of being able to transfer human thoughts and inclinations to devices through the implication of a microchip. Astounding and at times confounding, the new signs indicate that communication is fast becoming an area for technology to tackle.

Effective communication undoubtedly opened the door for human development and a thrive for survival. However it would seem something more is needed to further the benefits thus far gained. Maybe there is room to develop new types of communication in the future, ones that can include intentions, empathy and ease of use. I think that when focusing on communication, striving for the common good is a very positive objective to focus and improve upon.

To Deceive.

In my opinion there can not be a more true saying than that of Sir Walter scott’s line,
“Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” There are an amazing number of situations that this phrase could apply to and depict. What comes to mind is that in the area of nature and wildlife, a certain female bird will act as if injured and unable to fly, in order to lure away a predator from its nest.

Let me subsequently introduce the Antlion. It hides in a depression in the sand waiting for a hapless quarry. It can deceive its victims by concealment and is known to construct a funnel shaped trap that once a victim enters into the area of, they are then forced by gravity to tumble down to their potential detriment.

If you think about a certain event in history, Nero is said to have fiddled while Rome burned. It is also claimed that to divert attention away from himself, he accused others of starting the inferno. This scenario is repeated throughout history so many times, even arguably at this present moment involving a possible diversion and distraction culture, however intentional or not. At a time of war in several places and when so many countries’ actions are crucial to peace, their strategies could well be seen as being taken to do the opposite and actually increase tension. It does lead one to think about the potential motives or political intentions, and how objectives do accurately meet with aims or if fingers are being pointed, while the true tactics are being concealed?

The art of deceiving is portrayed often in many on screen films, from Henry the Eighth to series exposing the lengths certain people will go to for sales in armament, no matter the cost in human lives. The first casualty in war is truth, as it is the victor that writes history.

An old black and white film starring Peter Sellers tells a story of a devious factory owner who wished to close his factory and not pay his workers. It was to this end that a dispute was concocted and Peter Sellers’s character convinced the workers to go on strike, thus achieving the desired goal.

I think it would be wise to on occasion ask if the achievements in important situations do meet the intentions and outset claims? If the response is negative, are deviations down to deception, intentional or not. It can be advisable to consider who ultimately gains before accepting accusations or acting in haste. I believe this to be useful advice no matter who the accuser is or what the scenario involves. Deception is a part of many epic scenes, moments in history and injustices, but what should be kept in mind is that lessons can always be learnt and the future can be made all the better for it.

Self-Defence.

What does self-defence mean to you? Recent traumatic and absolutely shocking events have made lots of people question what those two words signify.

I have just seen a clip of a group of unarmed civilians carrying a white flag and displaying open hands up and subsequently one of their number, is without warning, shot dead. There has been much speculation about why and if it was a consequence of an interview having been a few minutes previously conducted with that same individual. Tactics of an execution or another in an unthinkable, widely scoping mass scale attack has yet again caused harm, grief and murder.

Politically self-defence has been used to explain or justify action taken in economically important areas in certain shipping waters. Self-defence has been the term to suggest the objective for military retaliation, further extensive destruction of formerly habitable locations and an exacerbation of brutal, harmful degradation of thousands and thousands of lives.

How can people treat each other in such an inhuman way? Is the answer to remove the fact that all humanity is human. It becomes easier to describe the object of aim as not being a human at all but just a moving target and something that deserves to be killed.

Crimes committed during any conflict are internationally known as war crimes. Indiscriminately and repeatedly legitimising atrocities as fallout from any specific mission is not deemed as acceptable according to multiple codes of conduct and the most basic of human rights standards.

A right to self-defence is logically measured and should be monitored, otherwise there could be a scenario in which one side determines an automatic autonomy type determination of the future for a population. A seemingly justifiable state if thought to have been attacked could then turn aggressor and vigilante in their desire to take revenge. If this is not curtailed, confusion and error could take hold, innocent civilians harmed and any sense of justice diminished.

Any conflict but particularly one fueled by charged emotions and historic upheaval, should be kept within guidelines otherwise people caught up in the conflict could be warned to leave that place, only to be killed in a supposed safe area.

People have to be careful, I feel, to apply self-defence in a proportionate and productive way. Any gross violation of human standards is a stain on justice. My criticism is not limited to the one incident that I have described but to all acts of inhumanity no matter who the perpetrators are.

Announcing to any population that they should be ready for fighting, specifically at this time of financial hardship for many, financing bombing raids and preparation for war does not seem the best course of action. I believe without talking or a willingness to find a just common solution to conflict, no decent progress to peace can be made. A start to a positive resolution would be not to enter into further aims and claims of self-defence but to promote negotiation, democracy in wise division and safely devised independence.