that we carry around like extra baggage. It is amazing how much our childhood can affect our adult life,” said Michael.
“With the difficult childhood that I experienced, I’m sure that I have a lot of extra baggage.” It was uncomfortable to think about, I did not want to face myself.
“Using affirmations might help you,” said Michael.
“What are they?”
Michael described affirmations as positive statements that were repeated many times until a goal was reached. “I am healthy or I am happy is an example. The power of the mind is very great; we become whatever we think,” said Michael.
“So what we are talking about is disciplining the mind.” I knew from experience that it was easy to allow one’s thoughts to wander into confusion and worry.
“A miracle happened during the seminar. Tom’s mother was in the hospital with cancer. We all did affirmations for her. Not only did the cancer disappear from her body, but from the x-ray too.”
“That sounds rather far-fetched to me.” My logical mind doubted the story, but perhaps anything was possible. I also wondered if the doctors had looked at the wrong x-ray when they had made their diagnosis.
“How have you been?” asked Michael with compassion.
“This health issue is frustrating. Many people have been healed of serious ailments and the medical profession can’t explain it. Why am I not getting results? What more do I need to do?” I told Michael about the fast I had done and the many therapies I had tried.
“Everything you are doing is extreme. Maybe all you need to do is a little of one thing. Perhaps it is a question of balance.”
“That makes sense. Extremes need to be balanced. My health has not changed and it is discouraging. The support of my friends is also slipping away. Many of my friends have left my life because they think my beliefs are strange. This makes me sad.”
“Your true friends will always be with you,” said Michael. The sun was low on the horizon and the evening light gave the park a warm glow. We sat on a bench under a large pine tree and Michael stretched his arm out along the back of the chair behind me. He was indeed a true friend.
“This may sound funny,” I said with a grin. “It came to me that one day I will help you as much as you have helped me. It’s like you need me for something too.”
“Possibly, but there is a part of me that resists that idea. I think I can do it all on my own.”
“Maybe you’re not meant to do it all on your own, Michael. Maybe your lesson is to let someone in to help you.”
“It’s getting a little cool. Perhaps we should get going,” said Michael, changing the subject. “I also need to return my friend’s car by ten.” Michael and I walked to the car, admiring the stars that filled the sky.
“These August nights are beginning to get a little cool,” I said while pulling my sweater around me.
“Yes,” nodded Michael. “I think I’ll slip on my jeans.” Michael took off his shorts and slipped on a pair of jeans while standing outside the open car door. No one was near and it was dark, but I still found it amusing.
“Michael, I wouldn’t be brave enough to do that,” I laughed.
“Why not? We all spend so much time worrying about what other people think. Does it really matter? Besides it’s pitch black out here.” After a quick change of clothes, we were on our way.
“I’ve been doing some more automatic handwriting.” I opened my purse and unfolded a small piece of paper. “This one discusses how the light of God is pure consciousness and it will dissolve all unlike itself.”
Michael read the page and smiled with approval. “There is much knowledge here. Maybe one day we will write a book together.” Although I had never considered writing a book, there was something in Michael’s words that brought forth excitement. There was a feeling of discovery inside me, as if I had found a secret that was destined to occur.
“My high school English teacher wanted to do her master’s thesis based upon my automatic handwriting. She thought I was connecting with the subconscious mind in a way that most people couldn’t do.”
“Everyone has the potential to connect with their subconscious,” said Michael.
“I’ve also been working with subliminal tapes. I believe that it’s possible to program the mind to heal the body. My thoughts are very powerful and I see how they affect my body.”
“In some ways, we all get subliminally programmed,” said Michael as he turned up the volume of the radio. “Just listen to the lyrics of this song. They too are a form of subliminal persuasion. How often do we sing along with the words and not think about what we are saying?”
“It’s not the lyrics that are the real problem. We don’t think for ourselves anymore. We have become like lost sheep following the ideas of the crowd. We need to think for ourselves.”
“Anybody home?” asked Michael as we pulled up in front of my house.
“I think we have the house to ourselves.” Michael lay on my bed and I curled up beside him.
Michael picked up a book that was by the bed. “What is this book about?” he asked as he examined the cover.
“I’ve been reading books about visualization and healing. It is interesting how everyone’s perceptions are different. I’m learning mental exercises to develop my skills,” I said.
“Visualization has been around for centuries. Even the ancient shamans and village doctors used it,” said Michael.
“Our minds are incredibly powerful, but we use such a small amount of our potential,” I commented.
“Some research suggests that we use less than five percent of our brain power. Imagine what we could do if we were working at our full capacity,” said Michael.
As Michael and I talked, I began to feel the same explosions of energy moving up my spine. It was more than sexual energy and I did not understand it. There was a spiritual connection between Michael and me that embraced my soul with electricity. It was a curiosity, but it was also a little frightening.
“I realized something important, I said as I leaned toward Michael. “If any one of the alternative therapies that I used had healed me, I would have thought it was the only way. I now recognize that all systems have the potential to heal. It’s just a matter of which one I can believe,”
“That is an important lesson, Wendy. Belief makes everything happen.” Michael stroked my hand and grinned at me. “Would you like to join me for dinner tomorrow night?”
“I would love that,” I said with a sense of relief. We had not talked about how long Michael would be visiting Calgary. At least he would be here for a couple of days.
The trees were swaying in the breeze the next afternoon as I walked up the steps of Daniel’s white two-story house. Daniel was a friend that Michael had met while taking an advanced massage course. “What’s for dinner?” I asked Michael with a mischievous smile. The kitchen was filled with enticing aromas.
“Chicken, rice, and some stir-fried veggies. I have also cooked some seafood for you since you’re not eating meat. Have you ever had mussels?”
“Can’t say I have. I’d love to try ’em.” I was no longer eating only raw vegetarian food.
“You look nice,” said Michael. I shied away from the compliment and looked down at the floor. I did not feel attractive. Michael hugged me and commented that he liked the perfume that I was wearing. The sound of his voice stirred something inside me.
A knock came from the back door. Daniel came into the kitchen to answer it and Michael released me