On paradigm shift

"The Secret," "The Passion Test," and the Stuttering Hexagon: The first was seen on TV by everyone (it seems) except me. The second is a short, business-like (in my opinion)motivational book. The last is prominent in John Harrison's book for stutterers and public speakers. I have not yet seen "The Secret" DVD but I have read the book (which, between the lines, echoes "The Passion Test"). I've struggled with the Stuttering Hexagon with many a client and now am trying to incorporate appropriate parts of the two new books. They are all about paradigm shift; I'll be one of those to say "paradigm shift" is getting overused. I'd love to create a synonym and write several books with it being a new concept!

My experience has been that once a child or adult "gets it" (in their own way), real change CAN begin. The dilemma or barrier is getting someone to begin to allow themselves to think differently about what they want and what they can have, or do, as opposed to what they do not want. This includes parents of children with disorders like stuttering. The parent/child/adult is locked in to stopping behaviors (negative thinking)rather than believing they ARE capable of conceptualizing it completely differently, and then doing so consistently. It's the paradigm shift. It is neither side of the coin; the new perspective is WITHIN the coin. Is it easy for me or for most I've spoken with? No. To stay within a different mind-set is through determination, let alone focusing on actively receiving what we want. We challenge what we've incorporated over the years or through our parents, friends, teachers, etc. Yet, some IS what our grandparents said and we recall: "Mind over matter," for example.

Someone asked me if we are predestined or if we can determine our destiny. I've read that we choose lessons to learn in a lifetime, which seems counterintuitive to being able to do a paradigm shift. If I am in the core of the coin I can encompass both, I believe. What do you think?

J. Harrison wrote an article for ISAD 2006 called "You can sink your own ship." The final story in the article is one that enables me to think that my aforementioned readings can hold water simultaneously. Once one breaks through this hurtle, or mind barrier, it is clear, but still not easy.

If someone knows an "easy" way for children to understand, I'd love to hear it. I'd like to know if anyone has used the paradigm shift in treatment, and if so, how!

I've had clients who arrive having read much more than I about the version of paradigm shift in these books and articles. However, they "talk the talk" but can't put it into action. This is a challenge for me and for them. I must discover WHERE to start for each in terms of "doing" assignments, and they must focus, for they tell me it's too easy to jump ahead since they believe they can predict what is ahead.