The human brain is an amazing thing. We have the ability to process tremendous amounts of information in a single second. Our synapses fire at incredible speeds for very long periods of time. It’s a wonder we don’t get dizzy with all of the information pouring into us and through us, triggering rapid-fire bursts of energy under our skin. But, what amazes me the most is the persuasive power of suggestion.
We’ve heard the expression we “will” ourselves not to do something. It is our will that prevents us from getting sick. Or vice versa, the power of suggestion can in fact make us sick. How many times have we traveled on a plane or in some other vehicle with close quarters and some kid or obnoxious adult is coughing and hacking without the decency to cover their mouth? Haven’t we all said, at least once in our lives, “I’ll probably be sick now?” That’s right, we “will” ourselves into illness. We’ve made the suggestion to our ever-powerful mind, and it happens just so.
That my friends is the power of suggestion. That is how trends become fads and fads become crazes. Someone “suggests” something and we all jump on the bandwagon. Someone in Hollyweirdwood decided to shock the world by wearing a see-through dress. Now, everyone who’s anyone is wearing see through clothing because it’s all the rage. Someone suggested it, someone else pondered on it and voila, it’s a new trend. Not long ago I blogged about eating fads and the new trendiness of having food allergies. Someone with an honest to goodness gluten allergy got sick and tired of nobody believing them so they riled up the social media sites with their symptoms and bang – everyone’s gluten intolerant because they happen to have similar symptoms. That’s the power of suggestion.
This persuasive tendency in our minds is very real and very reliable. Above I said that people can “will” themselves into being sick. Same works in reverse. Ever heard the expression, “where there’s a will, there’s a way?” That’s the power of suggestion my friends. We suggest that something may be possible and suddenly it happens. That’s how I became a writer. Someone from my past suggested that I write down one of the crazy tales spinning around in my head. I pondered that idea and look at me now, I’m writing books.
The power of suggestion has actually had a profound effect on my life very recently; life-changing in fact. If you follow my blog, you know that my house is for sale, which obviously means that I am moving, and you’ve seen my most recent post about the obstacle blocking the path I chose from the fork in my road. Well, it seems that that obstacle has been removed and I am once again cruising down the road to my future.
Here’s how it all started; my husband and I have been trying to move out of California for many years now, but something has always prevented us from doing so. I’ll not go into detail, but suffice it to say that the things preventing our move were huge and much more important at the time than us moving East. We decided at the end of last year that we would try again. We traveled to North Carolina (the State we’d decided on many years ago) to look at houses and check out the employment market. While we were there an opportunity presented itself to us and we sort of checked into it on a whim. That whim got us to thinking, which lead to suggesting that perhaps we choose another path; one not in North Carolina. Here’s where the power of suggestion changed our lives – that suggestion is going to happen very, very soon.
We are going to be the owners of a Bed & Breakfast!
That’s right, we’ll be innkeepers. The power of suggestion has transformed our lives dramatically. Neither my husband nor I had ever talked about owning or operating an inn, yet here we are, about to be innkeepers. (It should be noted that we both have experience doing this kind of work and in the hospitality and food industry.)
While we were looking at houses in North Carolina back in November, we can upon a really cute old farmhouse for sale. Even though it was out of our price range, we decided to check it out – on a whim. It was operating as a bed and breakfast, but only had 4 guest rooms. It was way too expensive to consider buying for a private home, but did not provide enough income opportunities (with only 4 rentable rooms) to make ends meet as a business. But, that got us to thinking – why not look into buying an inn? That way we’d have built in jobs when we purchase our new home. Sort of, killing two birds with one stone.
That’s all I’m going to say for now, because a couple of little pieces still need to fall into place to complete the big picture, but I’m fairly confident that in a week or two there’ll be an announcement with all the details. There is a clue in this post, however.
And that my friends, is how the power of suggestion can change a life.
Tell me dear readers, how has the power of suggestion had an impact on your life? Have you ever willed yourself sick? Or not sick? Have you ever stayed in a bed and breakfast inn? If so, what was your favorite part?
Word of the day: Rya
Fun fact about me: I worked at a bed & breakfast one summer a number of years ago. I enjoyed it.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, June 2015. Images and photos courtesy Google Images.
Yowza! I’m excited for you and your husband!
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Thanks Pat. Stayed tuned and check in often for updates. It’s going to be possible for us to potentially see each other more often when this is all said and done.
Have a great week!
Patricia
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I am a huge believer in the power of suggestion. I read recently a comment in a book where the character said if I don’t do something to change now this will be my life. I found that very powerful and am using it in my own life. You will also find my computer, bathroom mirror, anywhere I see frequently notes that may read, “At the end of the day I will be satisfied with my progress on whatever I’m working on or name three good things that happened today. I think all these things have the power to alter our lives and the more do this the more we alter the direction of our lives. And my niece and her family moved to North Carolina last year. Maybe one of these days I’ll end up visiting and check out this quaint b&b run by a great blogger. You just never know right?
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You just never know indeed, Kate. However, you won’t be finding us in North Carolina. But, if you take a road trip (that’d be a really long one), you could stop and visit us on the way.
I’ll post all the details when everything is “for sure.” Right now, it’s an “almost there,” adventure. At least the obstacle has been removed; that was the scary part.
Stay tune and thanks for visiting. Keep up that positive attitude. It’s appreciated.
Patricia
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Wow. This all sounds so exciting! The idea of running a B&B has always sounded like a cool thing. I read a memoir a couple years ago about a woman who opened one alone. Fascinating! I’ve stayed in a couple and really want to go to the one that Nora Roberts opened in Maryland. 🙂 Can’t wait to hear more about this new adventure, Patricia!!
And a rya might make for interesting decor for a B&B…
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Hey Coleen, thanks for bringing your sunny smile this morning. I’m not sure there’ll be a rya in our inn, but one never knows.
I hope you’ll be paying a visit to our inn. I’d love to meet you and whoever you bring along. We’re going to be in a super cool place that I’m sure will be on interest and you’ll get lots of awesome pictures.
Keep tuning in for updates and have a great week!
Patricia
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Yay – roadblock smackdown! It’s so cool you’re ditching your California ways and heading into a new B&B journey. You should totally buy a haunted inn… 🙂 I definitely believe in the power of suggestion, otherwise encouragement would be ineffective. I always did love how Dumbo couldn’t fly without his “magic” feather.
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Oh Coleen – I’d forgotten about the magic feather, but you are correct. We all need one.
This adventure is totally scary and exciting at the same time. My husband and I have never done anything like this – life changing – before, but we’re in it together and we’re going all the way so we’re totally going to need all of the positiveness we can get. In for a penny, in for a pound as they say.
As far as our inn being haunted – weeellllll . . . . it is on the National Register of Historic Places and it does have a very colorful cast of former occupants so . . . stay tuned for more about that.
Thanks for visiting and have a great week!
Patricia
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You’ve got me REALLY intrigued now! And I’ve never been to North Carolina before…
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Well maybe it will make for a more interesting trip to find you! It’s scary and exciting at the same time isn’t it?
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I try to will myself things like not to eat that candy bar, and it never works. LOL.
Your new venture sounds so exciting! I’m looking forward to reading about your progress. And whether in NC or the other place you mentioned in your comments last week, it’s close enough to OH to be a road trip! I’ve never stayed in a B&B, so that could be my first… 😀
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Oh Jennette, how exciting to look forward to seeing you. We will not be in North Carolina but we’ll still be close enough for a road trip. I hope you can work it into your vacation schedule because I’d love to visit with you.
Stay tune as my next few week’s posts will be about the move across country and my final destination.
Thanks for stopping by and keep on “willing.” (Stupid candy bars.)
Patricia
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I’ve always wanted to have a writing retreat (part time B&B). The fact that I hate cooking and cleaning could be somewhat detrimental to a fulltime B&B profession. But I love staying at them and I love hanging out with you. I can’t wait to learn where you’re going!
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Thanks Cindy. Follow my blog for weekly updates. It’s a 95% done deal at this point, but I’m holding off on final disclosure until all the pieces make a whole picture.
It’s going to be exciting and I’m hoping to see some of the SVR gals in the future. It’s make a great place to do a mini writing retreat. Something to think about.
Thanks for visiting.
Patricia
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[…] it’s exciting to think about. This is one reason why I’ve been particularly inspired by Patricia’s story of leaving California and following her and her husband’s dream to Mississippi, where they […]
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