"I Need A Miracle..."

By Maryanna Blair

Mark's girlfriend Brenda carefully interviewed me, then made an appointment for him. It was clear Brenda was cultured, intelligent, spiritual, successful, deeply in love, yet seriously seeking change. I'd always preferred talking directly with prospective clients, but she begged me to trust her approach.

In his mid thirties, Mark was charming, well mannered, extremely handsome, intelligent, and very calculating. He had a "smooth" exterior, and a volcanic undercurrent shielded by invisible steel. He'd lost his lucrative career in Investment banking five months before, and seemed embarrassed to connect with recent colleagues or any family. He said very little. Why?

I sensed a strong emotional intelligence and wonderful creativity within him, yet a searing mistrust of my "authority" or ability to assist him at all. Since he wasn't "coming clean" with me, I risked sharing everything I'd sensed in him. After a long pause, I told him that the "volcanic undercurrent" was where his best possible future was stored! If he had courage to investigate the volcano, or "go through the fire," he could bring more of his true nature out into his life! He was "stuck," isolated, and about to waste his partner's money on this appointment. He stood up, said "You're on to me!" and walked out.

For weeks Mark "faced himself," then returned to make a three-month commitment to work together. He admitted a strangling cocaine addiction of seven years and hating the idea of "God." At first he was combative, mocking, and resentful, but in two Hypnotherapy sessions his "steel shield" melted away. Instead he found an abandoned, abused, tender child, desperate to be known, truly seen, and appreciated for his creativity, love of motivating others, and love of life itself. He wanted to give these gifts to his world.

Under hypnosis he recalled that he had been "sent to his room" at 3 years old, "told from inside" that he was "truly emotionally alone." Having been adopted, his "parents" could never "truly connect" or understand who he was! It was true, His Father was a high powered, type A, abusive executive, and his mother, although loving, was critical and unable to protect him.

With time, trust, spiritual counsel, and assigned homework, (books like A Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck, which he loved,) he opened to spiritual inspiration and practices.

Together we practiced Non Violent Communication, Science of Mind Philosophy, Yoga postures and Breathwork that quieted his muscular tension and nervous system. I used the "7 Weeks to Sobriety" information on diet and supplement recommendations which cleared his mind and body of physical pains, and the poisons of cocaine, when he relapsed more than once.

After a year, I challenged him to share his creativity and sensitivity with others. Fluent in Spanish, he volunteered teaching English to young Mexicans, and volunteer work became a passion.

Another year passed. At Christmas time hundreds of "Santa Claus" letters awaited takers at Mark's local Post Office. So Mark reconnected with his former colleagues, calling 21 busy professionals he'd avoided for two years, inspiring and guilt-tripping each of them to take a letter and fulfill a child's wish.

Meanwhile, neither Mark nor Brenda could find a fire truck for their young friend Rolando. Mark called me on December 20 from a street corner saying, "I need a Miracle!" We did powerful spiritual work quickly, he felt motivated and called me back in 45 minutes.

"You're not going to believe this, but just when I hung up, a fireman walked up beside me. I asked him for fire truck help, and he invited me to the firehouse!" The firefighters promised to provide an actual fire truck ride, with siren, for Rolando, his family, Mark, Brenda—and me!

On December 23 Mark's colleagues gathered for wrapping, sending, great fun, and holiday dinner. They all joyously acknowledged Mark for inspiring them to be more involved in their community, and for his own generosity.

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