Advanced Professional Hypnotherapy Graduate April Avalos shares her story of loss, and how living with intention and purpose brings happiness to her life day by day.
What was your life like before SWIHA? What led you to SWIHA and to your particular program of study? Why are you passionate about this modality?:
Before SWIHA my life was on autopilot I was literally living each day just to survive the struggles I was having at the time and not enjoying the moments of calmness because I didn’t even recognize them at the time. I started seeing my daughter's hypnotherapist to help me with my stress and anxiety and when I saw the results which brought sanity back into my life, I was amazed and wanted to learn everything I could about hypnotherapy so that I can use this holistic approach to continue to help myself and at the same time help those in my inner circle. Now my heart, my desire, especially after my daughter died, is to help others.
How does intention/mindfulness show up in your life?:
When I wake up in the morning listening to a script with intentions to have a strong day, grief is paralyzing, and when I am mindful of the “feelings” I have I can feel them and release them and coexist with grief, peace, hope, and I’m inviting happiness back in my life, it’s a work in progress, although, with intentions and mindfulness, I am getting pieces of it.
What did your life look like when you weren't living with intention?:
A blur, no blueprint or it was all scattered, I couldn’t hear, see or feel.
What goals did you have the past year and how did living with intention help you reach them?:
My goal after my daughter passed was to complete the course, to really use everything I learned as my lifeline, and then share it with others - which I have. I am still achieving my goals of creating this new life I have by continuing my self-learning in areas that are personal to me in my growth, incorporating new traditions and tools in my home with my other children, helping others in groups, by literally healing and supporting myself mind, body, and spirit by living with intentions from the moment I wake up to find my purpose to honor my purpose and to coexist with my grief. Only with hypnotherapy, self-hypnosis, and guided imagery have I been able to take one day at a time.
What advice do you have for those wanting to live with intention and mindfulness?:
Get to understand your feelings, find those that are heavy on your heart and not letting you grow, then with intention and mindfulness recognize them, allow them, and release them so you can achieve your dreams, your goals, and your purpose in life.
Anything else you want to add about living ON-PURPOSE?:
If you aren’t living with a purpose, for a purpose, or towards a purpose then really what do you have? These last 2 years have been the hardest of my life where there were moments I saw no purpose to move on which is a very lonely scary place to be. With this program, I found my purpose, and more than one, MY PURPOSE is my light! Find your purpose and GO FOR IT, amazing things will happen!
