Don't Let Fear of Disappointment Limit Your Success in 2012

Here we are, approaching a new year. For many of us it symbols a time to "start over" and make things better in some way.

We make resolutions to quit smoking or quit procrastinating or to start exercising every day. Of course, few of those resolutions stick through the month of January.

Here's a better resolution for 2012: Resolve to conquer the fear of disappointment.

Psychologists and talk show hosts like to talk about Fear of Failure and Fear of Success, but I've never heard them talk about the other fear that prevents people from reaching for the stars. That one is Fear of Disappointment.

It's tied to hope – or rather, having the courage to hope.

Some who have tried and failed in the past are so afraid of being knocked down again that they're afraid to stand up. They're afraid to hope or to make any effort at all, because it's "safer" to just stay down.

Of course, that means they have unhappy, unfulfilling lives – but at least they're not disappointed. They get exactly what they expect every day.

According to the Law of Attraction, we get what we think about most. Those folks think about failure, so of course they get more of it. The only pleasure they get is in saying "I told you so" to anyone and everyone who has dared to hope for a better outcome and haven't yet found it.

The first step in climbing out of that ever-deepening rut of failure is to have hope – and the courage to try even if failure is a possibility.

If you suffer from this, you might think you're alone. but you're not. In fact, so many do suffer from lack of hope that Feel Bach! created a special blend, just to help you get your hope back. It's called Get Hope Back.

Merry Christmas / Happy Hanukkah from Feel Bach

Here we are, in the middle of the holiday hustle and bustle.

We hope you're enjoying it, but we know that it can sometimes be stressful as well. There are just so many places to go and things to do. And your normal activities don't just stop because you want to celebrate the holidays.

So - take the time to plan some "stress breaks" for you, your children, and your pets.

When you're filling your day planner with activities, pencil in a half hour (or even fifteen minutes) here and there to simply be alone. Sit down and do nothing but breathe.

Take long, slow, deep breaths and let them out slowly. And think about nothing but the act of breathing. Teach your children to do the same.

And of course, keep your bottle of Feel5ive handy to use whenever you start to feel over taxed. If the kids are getting a little too wound up and excited, share it with them.

And... share it with your pets. A few drops in the water dish on days when there will be people coming and going will help them stay calm. Some pets do just fine with extra activity in the house - some even enjoy it. But if yours are going to be upset, you do need to help them.

If your pets are used to being crated, put them in their crates before company arrives. If they're NOT used to it - don't do it. You'll make their stress worse.

Instead, put their beds, toys, and water in a room that won't be used. Then go in or send the kids in occasionally to spend a few minutes with them.

We wish you the best holiday season ever!

Holidays May Not be so Much Fun for Your Pets

When you're too busy to give them their normal share of attention; when you're a bit wound up with trying to remember all you have to do; and when the house becomes filled with strangers, pets can and do suffer.

And that's only if you're staying home. If you're going on a trip and leaving them in a kennel or with friends, their stress levels are even higher.

To prepare for these events, now is a good time to make sure you have two important pet remedies on your shelf: "Feel5ive for Pets," and "Home Alone."

The Feel5ive will help them remain calm while they deal with your unusual behavior and with the strangers in the house. It will also help them stay calm in the car while you're traveling.

Home Alone will help them if they have to go to a kennel. Start giving it a day or two before you leave, and give the kennel operators specific instructions to put it in your pet's water dish every day until you return.

Home Alone is also good to use if you're being away from home for longer periods than normal. (If you have a dog or cat who always suffers from separation anxiety, this should be a part of his or her routine every day.)

FeelBach's other pet product - Thunder Storms - may also be advisable. If your community events (or personal traditions) include shooting fireworks, your dog might panic. So put Thunder Storm in the water dish starting in the morning, and then be sure to keep your dogs locked indoors when the noise starts.
One more thing - don't forget about yourself!

Thanks to Dr. Bach, there's no reason for you to go through this holiday season under stress. Feel5ive may be all you need to stay calm, but if you have other old issues that mar the holidays, do take the FeelBach! questionnaire and get help.

If You're Dreading the Holidays...

If you're dreading the holidays, it's time for a mental and emotional check-up - because you deserve to enjoy every day of your life.

Some experience dread because they love Christmas and/or Hanukkah but don't have time to really enjoy the festivities. They're too busy running from one thing to the next and trying to keep up with all the extra chores.

Those folks need to learn to say no to any activities that don't bring them joy.

The Bach Flower Essence Centaury can help them find the courage to do so.

Some dislike the holidays because their wants conflict with the wants of other family members. This is common with newlyweds who come from families with differing ways of celebrating the holidays. One common conflict is: "Do we open gifts on Christmas Eve or wait until Christmas morning?" The Bach Flower Remedy Beech can help put the understanding and acceptance back into the celebration.

We'll examine a few more causes next week. But meanwhile, if you dread the holidays for any reason at all, get over to FeelBach! and fill out the questionnaire. Then order the blend that will help you put the "Merry" back into "Merry Christmas."

While you're there, be sure to order a bottle of Feel5ive - it will come in handy!