Dorothea was closely involved in the founding of Healing Touch  more than twenty years ago and helped to nurture its basic, standardized  curriculum, establish its certification program, and support its ongoing development throughout the years. She is the author of all three of the HT textbooks. The first two were published by Delmar /Cengage in 1996 and 2002, and the most recent, called Healing Touch Guidebook, was published by Healing Touch Program Press  at the end of  2009.

There will be a book signing at the conference with many hundreds of  attendees expected, and Dorothea will be on hand to sign both the HT and Second Chance Dream books. It will be a time to celebrate one of the largest networks in energy medicine, a branch of the many, diverse complementary and alternative  medicine (CAM) modalities. For more information about the conference, please go to www.healingtouchprogram.com/conference

The fourth of July holiday is bittersweet this year as the nation deals with the huge psychological impact of history’s worst oil disaster. Independence from addiction to oil and its many products is intensely relevant now as we acknowledge appreciation for the independences won in the Revolutionary War that helped to shape the nation’s history. Independence from emotional burdens is required to help us move forward as a nation.

Runaway, uncontrolled crude is not just impacting our beaches, waters, and wildlife –it is placing its mark on our souls. Many may be unaware of how deeply this injury affects them since life seems to go on as usual in most places. Those who are more aware of the distress may wonder what do to with their emotions since the disaster is ongoing and its effects become greater every day.

Facing rather than denying the reality before us poses a tremendous challenge. It is quite likely that lifestyle changes will be required of all of us. In facing our dilemma, we also gain opportunities to extend our thinking beyond perceived beliefs and to find new solutions.

Energy psychology gives us practical resources to release painful emotions and to think more clearly about choices. When caught up in strong emotions, it is difficult to shift to new perceptions. Here are some examples of steps to help along the way:

• Identify the emotion you feel most strongly about the Gulf disaster or focus on an image that brings it to your awareness.
• Address the emotion directly while gently massaging the heart area with a phrase such as, “Even though I feel___ (state the feeling), or Even though I cannot comprehend the destruction of this event, I deeply and profoundly honor my being, I love and accept myself.”
• Treat yourself by repeating the pattern as often as needed especially when viewing news clips or material related to this painful event.
• Brush away the heaviness from any place where you notice tension in your body. If possible use movement, exercise, or dance to further release what is held within. Allow the painful emotion to decrease enough to make room for positive options.
• Decide to activate a helpful intention such as sharing ideas with friends, reaching out to your elected officials, being  gentle with those around you, focusing on increasing your awareness, and recognizing your internal choices.
• Maximize this intention and your ability to choose by again massaging the heart area and bring in a phrase for healing. Examples, “Even though this is a serious dilemma, I deeply and profoundly accept myself and choose to align with the forces of goodwill for resolving this problem/ I choose to send my caring wishes to those most impacted/ I choose to encourage the technology that can bring relief, etc.”

Notice how the shift to new possibilities can only come when your emotions are known and addressed. Untreated emotions can fester and lead us to unwise choices. Feelings of helplessness are close cousins to hopelessness and both can become seeds for despair. It is essential that we move out of the mental morass of blaming and divisiveness so prevalent in the media. We need to help each other and support the opportunities for the changes that stand before us.

At a recent meeting with the Olympic  energy psychology study group, we released intense emotions about the Gulf disaster so we could come up with a large assortment of new personal choices. Let the words of these choices resonate within you so that you can choose which you most wish to activate in the days and weeks to come:

• Awakening myself and others
• Uniting for a shared purpose
• Increasing compassion for those in need
• Connecting with kindred spirits
• Empowering loved ones
• Envisioning an end to the destruction
• Protecting fragile environments
• Increasing knowledge and wisdom
• Transforming losses to new insight and action

May your inner light shine brightly in these challenging times!

Dr. Dorothea Hover-Kramer is a leading “re-firement’ elder and author of Second Chance at Your Dream.

As we roll into summer, our minds can become creative with projects, trips, adventures, or leisure activities. Gone are the childhood days when knowing “Summer’s here!” meant lazy weeks of doing almost nothing. Instead, mindful use of the opportunities in the second half of life means engaging oneself fully and taking time for self-discovery.

Getting to know a new facet of ourselves comes readily when we try something new or pursue an old interest with renewed vigor. But nothing can happen without setting a goal and then moving toward it with intention. The self-help tools of energy psychology can assist your progress of learning about a new aspect of yourself in step-by step fashion to overcome possible procrastination.

As an example, let’s take a classic summertime activity –the goal of growing a vegetable garden—and turn it into an opportunity for self-discovery and fun. Get started by visualizing the outcome you want at the end of summer: you might see the colors of your bountiful harvest, smell the cooking veggies, taste the fresh greens, feel the satisfaction in your tummy, and hear the praise of family or friends.

Next, ask yourself how much time you want to invest each week in the project so the size of the garden matches your commitment. Be realistic that after planting, there is weeding and watering to be done regularly.

Then, assess what you know and don’t know about the project. Find out available resources in magazines, online, or at a nursery in your community.

In short, give the project your full, careful attention at the outset. Maintaining your progress is enhanced because you have already made a strong investment of yourself.

Most people start new projects with enthusiasm and become bogged down with the every-day challenge of holding continued interest and attention. Gardening is a great teacher because nature’s progress is slow and steady, cells building on cells to produce the unique end product—a colorful veggie. The plants that grow very rapidly are most likely the opportunistic weed.

Allow yourself to notice when you get bogged down with a project. Decide this is the ideal time for self-discovery. Notice what your inner voice is saying: is there criticism? indifference? something else more important?

Treat this issue directly by gently massaging the heart area and stating, “Even though… I did made mistakes/lost interest/got distracted, etc…. I deeply and profoundly accept myself.” Repeat several times. This allows you to face your fears, apathy or distractions directly while acknowledging the integrity of your being and your healthy connection with yourself.

Look carefully at your choices and visualize possible outcomes. They may be to abandon the project, or to reconnect with your goal in a new way, or to get encouragement from a friend or someone who has more knowledge. Thus, the affirmation now can include a statement of hope, “Even though I’ve gotten bogged down, I deeply and profoundly accept myself and choose to go further by getting help from ____.”

Be persistent in pursuing your goal through times of discouragement or self-doubt. Begin to feel the satisfaction of staying with a time-limited project that can bring tangible results such as gardening. Enjoy the practical pleasure watching food for your table grow before your eyes.

Enjoy the adventure of self-discovery. Let this summer be a time of growing something new within you so that you can re-fire your joy of being alive!

Dr. Dorothea Hover-Kramer is a leading “re-firement”  expert and author of Second Chance at Your Dream, the first book to apply the insights of energy psychology to healthy aging.

A review of Dorothea’s Second Chance at Your Dream is included among the other six excellent books summarized. Written by Jeff Anderson, MA, the review is as follows:

“Dr. Hover-Kramer’s book, Second Chance at Your Dream, offers both a clear explanation of the holistic paradigm as well as energy psychology techniques that professionals and and individuals can easily apply. As a nurse, psychologist,  and educator, as well as a … prominent figure in EP, Hover-Kramer is uniquely qualified to address second half of life issues, and does so with a blend of scientific data and homespun wisdom. She uses the metaphor of energy as a river, and emphasizes that its nature is to flow. The exercises she provides, drawn from a lifetime of experience in the field, show how to unblock the flow, and are illustrated by in-depth and often gritty case histories. She enthusiastically undercuts the paradigm of aging as a time of decline, and re-visions the second half of life as a time when, free of many of the obligations that attend the first half, people can find enormously renewed vision and creativity. Yet she is resolutely practical, covering the realities of pain and loss, mobility and flexibility, with a compassionate tone. For those seeking a new vision of their future, or the future of aging loved ones, Second Chance at Your Dream describes both the concepts and hands-on practices that can make the second half of our lives much healthier and happier than the first. References. Index.”

by Dorothea Hover-Kramer, Ed.D., RN, DCEP

www.secondchancedream.com

Expanding your use of intuitive hunches or premonitions is an essential pathway to harvest your own inner wisdom. When people don’t set clear intention for learning from within themselves, they stumble along, always looking for a magic solution to their inner yearnings from either the an time, a product or the approval of others.

Advertisers know very well how to whet the public’s appetite for a  device that will confer approval or status in front of others (“impress your friends this holiday season with this new car”); and they know how to speak to people’s innermost needs (“satisfy your cravings or desires with this food/drink/pill”). But, no amount of effort to meet emotional deficits can fill the need for  personal confidence and satisfaction adequately. The finest car is really just another thing—it does not enhance health or make anyone become better. Chemicals, medications, and certain foods leave people wanting ever more which can create the circular cycle of addictive behaviors.

The new field of energy psychology offers a rich alternative to seeking solutions outside oneself. A number of easily learned methods can help to move the focus of our quests from external solutions to  enhance inner knowing and gain personal strengths. Here are some of the activities you can engage to begin bringing your own wisdom to life:

• Take charge of your emotional responses to unpleasant surprises by paying attention to what happens inside you. For example, when you get a traffic ticket or have an unexpected change in plans, you may notice a number of responses–the urge to cry, yell, throw, hit, withdraw, etc.
• Treat this awareness directly by gently massaging or rubbing the mid-chest/heart area to bring comfort to the riled emotions.
• Add a statement that reflects your truth at that moment, “Even though I’m upset about this_______, I still deeply care for and accept myself.” Breathe deeply and repeat the affirmation several times. Recognize that it is not a ready excuse but rather an acknowledgement of yourself, your feelings, and  the possibility of learning from the experience.
• Access your intuition by thinking of ways successful people, perhaps someone you know and admire, would handle the situation. Think of ways you’ve handled similar situations in the past. Think of the many personal strengths that are available to support you.
• Be creative about thinking of something new you can do to prevent the hazard from recurring. For example, for traffic issues, set the cruise control on the speed limit. For an unexpected change in plans, take some deep breaths and begin to make a list of possible options.
• Follow your idea by implementing it and paying attention to the outcome. Did the inner landscape of frustration change? Do you feel differently?  Are you learning something about yourself?
• Celebrate the “ah-ha” moment with an energetic expression of deep caring for yourself. This could be a warm hug, an extra dose of sunshine, dancing, singing, doing an activity you love, reaching out to a friend, or gently massaging the body. The human body and mind are wired for pleasure, so take the time to enjoy your personal victory of moving  through the swamp of perplexing feelings.

Working to enhance our inner knowing is a gift we can easily bestow. All that is required is clear thought and willingness. As we advance in treating ourselves, we also will begin to notice more of the gifts surrounding us: an unusual coincidence, a meeting with a kindred spirit, a pleasant dream, the peace of a beautiful sunset, a quiet time for feeling appreciation.

In my many adventures I have been fortunate to meet the right people who could help me to speak, teach, and write for the public. One might say I was lucky, but please recall that luck is the intersection of opportunity with personal preparation. While opportunities may seem to come randomly, they can best be seen and responded to by those who are prepared, those who know themselves.

On your life’s journey, “re-fire” your dreams and opportunities by cultivating inner wisdom and intuitive sensing!

Dr. Dorothea Hover-Kramer is the well-known author of Second Chance at Your Dream, the first book to bring the insights of energy psychology to healthy aging, and a leading “re-firement” expert.

BOOK REVIEW from Apex Reviews

Second Chance At Your Dream

Dorothea Hover-Kramer, Ed.D

ISBN: 9781604150384

Energy Psychology Press

Reviewed By Kenya Dow

Official Apex Reviews Rating: 5 Stars*****

The old saying “Life begins at 40” is, for many people, more fantasy than

reality…

As we age, we typically undergo a plethora of different changes, including

everything from decreased memory to slowing reflexes to diminished physical

features. The reason? Quite naturally, our minds and bodies “tire” with age, and

with them the concomitant pep and drive that keep us going every day.

Until now, the phenomenon of diminished capacity/abilities with age has

been an accepted – and expected – practice; however, in Second Chance At Your

Dream, Dr. Dorothea Hover-Kramer writes a brand new chapter regarding the

scope and quality of later life. A helpful guide for those who want to be active

participants – and not mere observers – in the second halves of their lives, Second

Chance is an expertly crafted volume that teaches readers how to use their body’s

natural energy in order to manifest optimal creativity and health. Furthermore, Dr.

Hover-Kramer cites her vast array of personal and professional experiences as a

means of providing readers with first-hand examples of how to equip themselves

with the tools necessary to overcome unforeseen challenges, as well as thrive in

the face of continued adversity.

Bolstered by illustrative photos and practical, easy to follow tools and

exercises, Second Chance encourages readers to embrace – rather than flee from -

the omnipresent yearning for a meaningful life that lingers within us all.

Reminding us that dispelling negative energy is the key to achieving true self

acceptance – and ultimately realizing our dreams – Dr. Hover-Kramer reassures

readers that miracles are not distant, unattainable phenomena, but rather everpresent,

readily accessible gifts just waiting to be discovered every day.

A must read for anyone seeking to live an enriched, fulfilling life, Second Chance At Your Dream is a highly recommended literary treat.

A steady sense of inner self-confidence is needed to exceed the vagaries of self-doubt we may absorb from the weather, the world around us, or negativity in people we encounter. For many, it is difficult to hold a steady inner compass amidst all the distractions and pulls on our energies and time.

The new field of energy psychology supports and addresses taking personal responsibility for our health and moods. Better than that, it gives us specific tools for steering through the waters of uncertainty with healthy, life-enhancing affirmations. To celebrate and encourage self-esteem in all layers of the personality, these affirmations and techniques are carefully anchored to the body and its energy system while stimulating changes in feeling, thinking, and actions.

Here’s a sampling of specific things you can do to chase the clouds of self-doubt. To connect with the unlimited supply of energy that is available, you need two ready internal resources—your willingness and your intention.

• Listen to your inner dialogue that may hold twinges of self-doubt. For example, “ I can’t decide,” “I’m too old (or too young, or whatever) for this” “I’m helpless,” “There’s nothing I can do,” “ The world is a mess,” “I’m not smart/good/strong enough to cause change,” “It’s in the hands of others.”
• Select one of these very present self-doubting thoughts with the intention and willingness to update it and make it something refreshing and upbeat. Research demonstrates that our neurons refire and multiply when we stretch our minds to new ideas.
• Treat the phrase by incorporating it into a more positive, hopeful adage. Examples: “Even though I know the world is a mess, I still deeply and profoundly accept myself and choose to make at least one positive contribution every day.” “Even though I feel helpless in this situation, I deeply and profoundly honor who I am and am finding a healing path.”
• Embed the new statement into the body by gently massaging the heart area. Let it resonate with each cell by repeating it as often as needed.
• Assert your right to “refire” self-doubts or old beliefs by turning negative phrases into positive ones, and trusting your energy system to integrate the new information so it can be available when you need it.

Often, I’m asked questions on the spot. Recently, a number of journalists asked me how the new healthcare bill will affect personal health when goes into effect over the next several years. I answered, after releasing fear and self-doubt about making public statements, “No amount of insurance, even when it becomes available, will guarantee good health or adequate care–taking personal responsibility for one’s health is still the key. It begins with the mind: each person must ask themselves, ‘Am I willing to help prevent illness in my body? Am I willing to eat nutritious foods and drop junk foods? Am I willing to exercise regularly and get 8 hours of sleep? Am I willing to affirm that I am the key to my health and stop depending on someone to do it for me?’ Personal health is just that—personal, since each body is unique in its needs. When we learn to listen to the body and pay attention to what makes good sense, we can have better health.”

I was quite amazed at how easily I said all that. Speaking up is an essential skill we all must practice after abandoning the ill winds self-doubt. You can refire your old patterns at any stage of the human life cycle. Empower yourself, release self-doubt, and live more fully!

for further information or to attend please contact Wanda Buckner