Hypnotherapy with Orphans

Deeply relaxed in hypnotherapy session.














Comfortably asleep and relax for positive suggestions in their sun-conscious minds.








I have visited a number of orphanages - government institutions or NGOs but it was a visit or supervising students in their practical work. I didn't spend much time interacting or talking to them about their personal experiences and feelings. In fact, my students have more time interacting on personal level with the orphans as they saw them almost everyday throughout their one semester practical work. I have much respect for many of the orphans. In spite of their difficult situations many of them adjusted to life in group institutions and did well in their lives. Their caretakers play a big role in molding their lives. It's tough to deal with children with different needs, ages and background. It needs a lot of heart to take care of them.
Ama's interest is in orphans. Her PhD's research is based on them. I have a lot of respect and love for Ama as she is so involved and committed to what she is doing and orphans' welfare is always in her heart.
So with this in mind, I shared my desire to help a few orphanages in her study for self-reliance and hope she gets funding one day from Unimas or other sources to carry on her study about orphans. I don't have much knowledge or experience on experimental study but am willing to learn to enable her to carry on an in-depth study about a subject which she is passionate about. It would be interesting to see the result of an experimental research in group hypnotherapy in molding positive attitude towards life among unfortunate adolescents. But there will be a lot of research challenges that have to be overcome before the outcome is accepted as legitimate. I hope Ama will work on this and map a work system that is acceptable.
When I was doing my voluntary work on hypnotherapy with those orphans, they commented that this is the first time in a group work that they were asked to go to sleep and relax instead of listening attentively or participate in group discussion. Of course they like it but I hope whatever positive suggestions I put in their sub-conscious minds will help them to be more resilience and self-reliance. The effect is long term and I hope to see it when they sit for their exams.
I have plan to continue this work with other orphanages. The management has to be open-minded and does not demand the impossible. Cooperation and understanding are very crucial to meet the objectives.
Please pray for my success in helping adolescents who are less fortunate. They are our future.

Death

Is death such a monstrous event in one's life? Should death be feared? Is Hell or Heaven the only reward in the world hereafter? I have listened to so many religious talks that give emphasis on Hell if one does something that's not according to the teaching of that particular religion. It bothers me to listen to religious talks that God will reward those who do and follow religiously all the dos and don'ts of that particular religion without question. I wonder, if it is so why God creates brain and mind for humans to use? Do we have to follow blindly and not question the logic or reason behind it? Things become more confusing when people cannot differentiate between religious teachings and cultural practices based on own interpretation of the religion.
I got turned off when I read Bill Cosby's condemnation of Islam because the Afghans maimed the women who go against family wishes. Clearly he is so small-minded, ignorant and judging and refused to see that that's actually cultural beliefs and practices and that Islam doesn't teach its followers to be cruel. I find ignorance, prejudice and suspicion of Islam among my non- muslim friends and acquintances are most annoying and disgusting. The fault also lies on the muslims. Some Malay muslims here are so closed-minded, judging and so ready to run people down, who they think are not Islamic, which is actually contrary to the teaching of Islam. I steer clear of this kind of people. In one facebook message, one guy condemned females who don't cover their heads and decide to delete them from his list of friends. I hope he has deleted me. Good riddance!!!
Talking about death, I just had a phone conversation with an old friend whom I have not heard for quite a while. Being on the verge of 70s, she is so wrapped up in 'fear' in case something happens to her unexpectedly. So she is being careful and unwilling to venture out on her own, depending heavily on her children. So her activities are limited to housework and going to mosque and attending religious classes to prepare her for the hereafter. What I do is exactly the opposite.
I am not a religious person but I faithfully do all my duty as a Muslim. At my age, I believe it's not about me anymore, it's about what I can leave behind as my contribution to the next generation - in a small way. Death to me is not to be feared. If I am destined to die anywhere so be it. After all this is God's world. He knows where I am. He has created such a beautiful world with different types of people, places, scenery etc. for us to enjoy. So we should enjoy it and be humbled by it. I don't have much money to donate to worthy causes but I have time and energy. I donate my expertise and time to the unfortunates whenever I can, and feel fulfilled by it. So, if death decides to pay me a visit, it's welcome. I have no regrets.

Fear is not a good friend. Conquer it and make it your good friend.

Public holidays

Malaysia has the highest number of public holidays especially at the beginning of the year. I am retired, so public holidays are not meaningful to me anymore. As Sashi, my Japanese friend, says everyday is Sunday to her. She's right. You see, that's the pleasure of being free from work, responsibility, stress etc. So, when Ika called and asked whether I was coming back to PJ for the weekend, I said 'No', I'll be back next weekend.' In surprised tone she said, 'You're going to stay in PD for the long weekend? Mom, it's a long weekend - with Maulidur Rasul and Taipusam celebrations.' Whooops, I didn't know that. Forgot that Malaysia is a country of celebrations. Just before this, I sent SMS to Indra to say that she can come and stay with me during weekend because there won't be many people around. My mistake, I didn't know and never bothered to look at public holidays list.
Well, no way I am going to stay during long weekend in PD. It would be sheer madness. The resort would be so crowded, noisy and dirty. There would be car park tussle between security personnel and stubborn guests. The particular renting agent who behave like a thug, will be at his antics again. There would be mountain of rubbish as people litter everywhere. The cleaners have to work non-stop collecting rubbish. MPPD would not be able to collect the mountain of rubbish because the lorry cannot drive in to the dumpsters because cars are parked on the center lane. So flies and stinking smell linger there until MPPD lorry is able to drive through to collect the rubbish.
I didn't waste time and packed my things to bring back to PJ and left early on Saturday morning. By the time I reached the highway, there was a huge traffic jam towards south. Thank God, I was going towards north.
Arriving back in PJ house was a pleasure especially seeing Rania, running to me and called 'Nenek'. Oh, how I miss my gorgeous little grand daughter. Not yet two, she has an amazing amount of vocabulary. So, ' Hai Nenek, how are you? you OK?' and 'I love you Nenek. Please Nenek, nak Can-Can (referring to the song 'can ma li can'). She mixes English and Malay so naturally. Both her parents speak English with her, so I make a point of speaking in Malay with her and she understands me.
Nia is growing well and she looks cuter by the day.