03/21/2026
FEAR? I love the ocean and everything about it; swimming in it, floating feeling the spray on my skin, hearing the sound of the waves, seeing the endless colours or just watching it and breathing it in. Even as a child, I lived for the water and the freedom I experienced.
When I was only twenty-one and newly married, we visited Tom’s sister and her husband in Arbour, Michigan, for the first time. Anxious to fit in, when it was suggested we should all see one of the most popular movies of the summer, I agreed. It wasn’t until we were approaching the theatre that I realized the movie was Jaws.
I had seen the trailers with severed limbs floating down through the water and I knew myself well enough to know that this was definitely NOT for me. After much cajoling, I gave in to peer pressure. Before it even it began, I knew it was a mistake. For me, it was indeed off the chart horrifying. I was frozen in my chair, my eyes closed trying desperately to ignore the sounds around me.
The day after the movie, they decided we should go to the beach for a swim in the lake. As the others rushed ahead, I found myself exceeding anxious about going into the water. Willing myself in, my feet attempted to move through the uneven floor of muck, seaweed, old pieces of wood and discarded bottles, which only increased my anxiety. Again, my new “in-laws” told me I was being silly. There definitely was nothing to be afraid of, especially in Lake Michigan. I could not be convinced.
Most weekends in the summer, I visited my folks who lived on a lake outside of Dunchurch in Northern Ontario. I had grown up on that lake and there was little you could normally do to keep me out of it or on it. Things had changed. I was no longer able to go in the water, even if my Dad offered himself as “fish bait” and it was impossible to go out fishing in the boat to “drag a worm”.
Later that summer, I found myself in the office of a Hypnotist. I don’t really remember how this came about or who he was. However, after a few exercises to engage my imagination and quiet my conscious mind, I was ready to tackle my fear.
It all seemed pretty easy. And, as I became more and more relaxed, positive suggestions were introduced to help me overcome this fear. I left the session feeling peaceful, calm and hopeful. However, the next time I visited the lake, I only managed to get down the stairs onto the dock, but I was shaking uncontrollably and was still extremely frightened and couldn’t go any further.
After two more visits to the Hypnotist, I was able to not only enter the water, but swim a little, still with my Dad as “fish bait”. In time, I became more relaxed and eventually was able to even swim in the ocean in Hawaii.
Overall, hypnosis became an extremely positive experience, one that enabled me to return to something I loved. I had no idea it would become a major part of my life.
Now as a Master Hypnotist, I’ve had the opportunity to help others overcome their fears or phobias. All real, all terrifying; from dentists and needles, snakes and dogs, heights and flying, dying and sleeping, claustrophobia and panic attacks, public speaking and fear of success, and yes, even fear of covid and terrorism.
My own experience and that of my clients, continues to fuel my enthusiasm for helping people heal naturally through hypnosis.
And as for Jaws, I say “Bite me.”