Self-help gurus offer tips on how to find peace of mind
By MICHELLE BEARDEN | The Tampa Tribune
Published: October 28, 2010
Updated: 10/29/2010 02:43 pm
Louise Hay is sounding chirpy and upbeat. And why not? It's 8 a.m. in Maui, Hawaii, with the promise of a lovely day before her. She's traveled from her home base in San Diego to attend a workshop led by fellow motivation speaker and best-selling author Wayne Dyer.
"We like to support each other," she says of Dyer. But she could also be speaking of the whole self-help crowd, which has propelled the mind-body-spirit movement into an estimated $11 billion-a-year business.
Say what you want about these perpetually positive prophets. They are delivering a message that the public apparently wants to hear. They're doing it through books, audio tapes, films, big-arena events, Podcasts, media appearances and even on themed cruises.
As for Hay, the grand dame of the movement, she must be doing something right.
At 84, she is going as strong as ever, leading a successful publishing house and headlining the popular "I Can Do It!" conferences around the world. The event comes to the Tampa Convention Center for the second time Nov. 12 through 14. (To learn more about the conference, go to www.icandoit.net or call (800)-654-5126
How have things changed in self-help circles since she wrote her 1984 bestseller, "You Can Heal Your Life"?
"People have generally been coming to these conferences and reading these books for years because they wanted certain things," she says. "But now I think they are more confident they can achieve what they've put their minds to, because they've seen the results and they know it works."
Good health, job success, financial security, relationship issues – all of those are on people's minds these days. What is the issue that Hay views as most prominent?
"Peace of mind," she says. "That's what we're all seeking now. Without that, it's hard to move forward in any area."
Hay's conferences don't come cheap. With the cost of facility rental, direct-mail promotion and bringing in the movement's heavy hitters to draw crowds, attendees can expect to pay anywhere from $50 for a one-night general admission pass to $375 for preferred seating for the full three days. She says her organization is sensitive to the struggling economy and has dropped prices. But it's a substantial investment, especially for those on a tight budget.
Why are they still drawing thousands? "Because people get so much out of it," she says. "If you learn something that makes a positive impact on your life, then it's worth it."
Some tips on finding inner peace
Loretta LaRoche, author of "Lighten Up!"
Q: D-I-E-T is a four-letter word, and not a pleasant one for chronic overeaters. Share a tip or two on how a yo-yo dieter can find inspiration in starting yet another weight-loss regime.
A: Yo-yo dieting has become an unfortunate metaphor for those who have spent years trying to maintain a healthy weight. As the individual tries more and more diets, the chances of success diminish exponentially. I have been there, done that and often feel that I have lost and gained a tribe of people. So, now what? The reality is that we must stop trying unrealistic eating regimes that force us into thinking that certain foods are illegal, dangerous, or off limits. Our inner "health advocate" knows what foods are more supportive to our well-being
1. Become more available to your intuition as a guide.
2. Consider what kind of energy you want. I love to be filled with enthusiasm and energy and I know when I eat well, it gets me through the day with less stress and fatigue.
3. Consider the possibility of using a more altruistic approach. Lose weight so someone who is disadvantaged can gain. There is so much poverty in the world and how heartwarming would it be to donate a certain dollar amount to an organization that feeds the hungry? Altruism is perhaps the best diet we can follow.
4. And lastly savor your food. Eating should never feel as if it is a race to get to a finish line. Make it enjoyable, fun and break bread with others as often as possible. It builds community and just might make you more aware of what you're eating.
Reporter Michelle Bearden can be reached at (813) 259-7613 or mbearden@tampatrib.com
