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ENCHANTMENT IN AN E-MAIL - JANUARY 2002

"Achieving Positive States of Mind and Body Again and Again"

Produced by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein , Psychologist, Life Coach, and Originator of THE ENCHANTED SELF(R)

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Welcome to the monthly publication of The Enchanted Self's e-newsletter!  The following is what you will find in this month's issue.

Recipe for Enchantment #19

In to your favorite mental saucepan you are going to add:

The Seven Great Wonders of the World--your choice!  (However, I would suggest that you not add any of the standard ones such as the Great Pyramids or the Eiffel Tower , as we all know too painfully this year that they are perishable!)  Rather, I suggest that you add to your saucepan your favorite personal Seven Great Wonders of the World.  They could include such things as: your senses: seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling.

Also feel free to add small miracles in and of themselves, such as our ability to feel deeply. 

You may wish to include other Great Wonders of the World, such as laughter, caring, sharing, being loving, forgiving, dreaming, remembering and planning.

I leave the choices to you--just remember that none are perishable.  All can be used again and again.  They never get stale and they taste wonderful!

Happy stirring!  With these ingredients the New Year is bound to be a good one!

Article: The Rabbi Who Lived in the Woods

By Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein

I hope you enjoy the following little story from my book, Recipes for Enchantment.  As we end 2001 and begin 2002, let us never forget that there is wonder in the world and we may be at any moment learning what we will need to know!

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There once was a Rabbi in training.  His teacher usually held his lessons outdoors where he would intersperse his scholarly talks with lessons about nature.  His long white beard flowing and hands clasped behind his back, he would interrupt their walks, saying, "You see that mushroom?  It's poisonous; don't ever eat it."

"Why is he telling me this," his student would wonder.  "I never eat food that is lying around, my mother is a great cook and I am never hungry in her home."

On another walk the older man would point to the nearby fields.  "Come and see, there are some herbs growing here.  If you cut yourself, take the herbs and rub them into the wound, it will help them to heal."  Again the student said to himself, "Why does he tell me this?  We have a doctor in the village; I go to him when I need medical assistance."

This went on for months and then years.  The younger man's head bowed as he respectfully listened to his learned teacher, who always interrupted his Talmudic teachings with talks about how plants in the wild can be used to a person's benefit.

One day a cloud came over the village: the Holocaust had reached the young Rabbi's village. 

Facing capture and the dreaded concentration camps that were rumored to be the fate of the Jews, he fled into the forest.  There he was able to live by eating the plants, shrubs, fruits and berries that his dear Rabbi had taught him would be safe to eat.  When he suffered a cut or wound, he used the same herbs that he had been taught would make him well.

Not only did the young Rabbi's strong faith keep him alive but all the things his old teacher had shown and taught him, when they had wandered together through the forest years before, came to his rescue and kept him alive.  What had never seemed important to the young man thirsting for Biblical knowledge, served to save his life.

After the Holocaust ended, the young man went on to become a great, learned Rabbi, in his turn revered by those whose lives he touched.

We never know how important our learning may prove to be.  We should savor all kinds of knowledge; you can never tell when one will become important later in life.

Exercise: How can you relate to this story?

Have you ever learned something that when you first started, it seemed purposeless and burdensome?

I remember how terrible I felt when I first took typing.  How boring the practice exercises were! 

Yet, over the years typing has proven to be one of my greatest assets, making it possible for me to keep notes and records on so much of both my personal and professional life.

Can you reminisce about some form of learning that went from feeling irritating and annoying, to becoming a very positive, important part of your life?  If you have a story from your life, write it down.  If you can't think of one, just carry with you the memory of the Rabbi's walks in the forest.  You never know when something you're asked to learn will someday result in enchantment rather than in frustration or annoyance.

How to Order Books, Audio Tapes and more

How about some autographed copies of 'Recipes for Enchantment' with a free copy of The Enchanted Self's paper newsletter and a bookmark?  Perhaps you would be interested my first book, 'The Enchanted Self', which is also available on audio tape?  Here are some ways to order:

Tip: When shopping online use keywords "recipes for enchantment" and "enchanted self" to locate the books.

E-group: Connect with others like you!

Find out "what's right with you--not what's wrong!"  Come chat with other "Enchanted Self-ers" at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/encself. Membership is free and you will have access to our on-line calendar, message board, chat room, and more.  It's a great way to connect with others who are exploring, creating and sharing their own positive and satisfying lives.  See you there!

Share Your Enchantment!

Share your positive stories and questions about enchantment with us and other Enchanted Self readers around the globe!  Our mid-month e-zine focuses on YOU and reaches a subscriber list of almost 700 people from the US , Canada , Australia , the United Kingdom , and many other countries!  Please send stories, comments, and questions to encself@aol.com.

Quote of the Month

"You must open up from the very beginning--hearts and body open--and dance.  You can't wait until you get there because you never get there!" 

-- Teacher at Steps Dance Studio in New York City

Although this ballet teacher was referring to dance, I believe that this concept refers to the living of life!  

Blessing of the Month

May you have the courage to value each moment of your life, even when the moment seems less than optimum.  And, may you also have the pleasure of many optimum moments this year!

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Have an "enchanting" month.  I wish you all many enchanted moments!

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Forwarding & Reprinting

(C) 2001 Copyright The Enchanted Self - All rights reserved.

Please feel free to pass this issue on to someone who might enjoy it.  The Enchanted Self Newsletter is copyrighted but may be quoted, reprinted, or distributed in whole or part without prior permission, provided the content is not changed and attribution is given including:

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein

THE ENCHANTED SELF(R)

I also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as self-healing and professional psychology newsletters. However, I do ask that you contact me beforehand for permission and send a sample issue.         

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To learn more about THE ENCHANTED SELF(R) - A State of Well Being, Joy, and Happiness, please contact me or visit my web site.

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