I recently went on a cruise to Alaska. One of the stops was to a majestic natural wonder, called Hubbard Glacier. When the ship neared the location, the captain announced that the best place to view the glacier was the helicopter landing pad area at the front of the ship. He also informed us that he would rotate the ship so that no matter where you were, everyone would ultimately get a great view.

Shortly after the announcement, it started raining. As the rain continued, the captain announced an update, recommending other parts of the ship that would be safer, less slippery, and offer as good of a view as the helicopter landing pad. We chose to listen.

But hundreds of people still flocked to the front of the ship, cramming around the helicopter landing pad for “the best” view of the glacier. While we enjoyed the magnificent view from the other recommended areas with ease and space around us, crowds squeezed and pushed at the helicopter landing, stretched on their tiptoes with their iphones held high, attempting to get a shot of the glacier. There we were, looking at the same view, but the crowd at the helicopter pad seemed in a trance, oblivious to the updated recommendation. It wasn’t enough to break their hypnotic state about the worse “best” view.

I thought about how often we do this in our lives. We get attached to an idea, behavior, person or life situation that may have seemed appropriate or “the best” choice in the past. But even when it’s no longer the case, we hold on to old notions, concepts, habits or familiar ways of doing things—even if it’s to our detriment.

When we continue to repeat behaviors from our past, we produce the same outdated results. And even if we think we want the same outcome, it’s impossible for things to remain unchanged—change is an unavoidable and essential part of growth and evolution. To remain attached to the past inevitably ends in frustration, disharmony, emotional suffering and grief, lamenting over something that can no longer exist. More importantly, attachment to our past robs us from experiencing the best present moment possible.

Hypnotherapy, meditation or anything that anchors us to the Now can help break the trance of our past conditioning. This allows us to make mindful choices that align more with who we are today—what we want in this moment—and truly enjoy the best views in life.

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