"Eve, thanks for that reminder Monday - er, yesterday, I completely forgot about that amendment." Lindsey says as she passes me in the hallway. "No problem!" I reply as I head to the copy room. I pick up my stack of complaints from the printer and walk back to my desk. A notification window pops up on my screen. Oh yeah, we have a meeting in a couple minutes. I close the reminder window and grab a pad of paper and a pen and head towards the conference room. I'm the first one in the room. I take a seat at the long table and flip through notes from the previous meeting. Others begin trickling in, and the meeting commences. This meeting is always so boring. Recap notes are always distributed after, so why am I needed here? At least it's a break from the typical grind. After about a half hour, the meeting ends, and everyone goes back to their tasks.

I look at the computer clock - a little under two hours to go. I begin sorting through the hanging file folders in my drawer. Geez, glad I'm finally getting around to this. The updating and removal of files keeps me busy until work day's end. "It's leaving time, biotches, have a Merry Christmas!" Beatrice says as she walks out the door. Time to see Dr. Coyle. I put on my coat, log off my computer, grab my purse, and head out the door.

I walk along the sidewalk, then up the stairs in the parking garage to my car. I open my car, get in, turn it on, and check my phone. Sam sent me a text saying 'I love you so much!' Awww! My husband is the best! Oh, the little things..I put my car in reverse, back up, and then head out of the parking garage. On the ride to Dr. Coyle's office, I listen to my 'Artsy' playlist. Some of the songs on this playlist come from soundtracks from movies I like. This particular song is a version of the Beatles' 'All You Need Is Love.' I begin belting the words and tapping my foot on the floor board. So true. All you need IS love.

I arrive at Dr. Coyle's suite and knock. He opens the door within a matter of seconds, "Merry Christmas Eve, Eve, to you, Eve!" I laugh. "Wow, I don't think I've heard that one yet." "I'm glad it's original," Joseph chuckles, "Let's go to the other room, and dive right in!" We get situated in the white room. "So," Joseph begins, "Did you release your ego to the Universe since we last saw each other?" I nod my head, "I did, it was nice, it was liberating." "That's excellent to hear," he replies, "Any big plans for the holidays?" I shake my head, "No, not really. We'll see Sam's family on Christmas, that's about it. I look forward to the break." "Sounds relaxing," he says. "Mmmhmm" I nod my head again. "Well, Eve, let's get started with part two - this time, you do the conceptual raking?" "Sure." I respond.

I sit back, take a few deep breaths, and begin, "Elijah and I arrived in Colorado, and reunited with our biological mother after several years of not seeing her. She was amazed at how 'grown up' we were, and I could tell that this moment was not only life-changing for myself and Elijah, but also a monumental experience for her, as well. At first, it was new, it was exciting, and totally different from the way we were raised. Our biological mother, whom I'll just refer to by her first name - Yvonne - was very liberal, and still very much a partier. Her live-in boyfriend owned an adult toy store, complete with an adult movie theater...god, I don't even want to know what happened in there...uhh...but yeah, she wanted to take us out one night, and she did, to a club, and another night to a bar. Obviously Elijah and I were underage but she had her ways of getting us in. She had the wardrobe of a high-end escort. She even tried to get me to wear some of her clothes. It was funny, it was different, but nothing I was familiar or comfortable with. One day, she lost her wallet and blamed Elijah. She kept calling him a thief. I knew he didn't take it, so I stood up for him. She kicked him out, so naturally, I left with him. At this point, I had just bought a car, so we packed our stuff up, and left. A couple hours later, Yvonne called to apologize. She had left the wallet in the car of some man I didn't know. It hurt. It hurt to see family so readily accuse another family member and then kick them out without any proof of wrong-doing. To me, in that instance, she was no better than my adoptive mother. Both swift to judge and punish, and almost always dead wrong in their assumptions. Um, after that, we bounced around to a couple of hotel rooms. I had met a guy out there, Ivan, who had managed to sweet talk me into staying with him for a little bit. Ivan and I ended up going our separate ways from Elijah; Elijah's way ended up being living out of the back of 18-wheeler trucks in a warehouse he worked for, while I ended up living out of motels or out of my car, until my credit cards were maxed out. Then, Ivan saw no more use for me, the gig was up. I wound up going to a homeless shelter. It was scary and depressing at the same time. Luckily, the characters I met there kept the situation colorful and adventurous - all that is a story in itself, I might write a t.v. series about it one day. Ultimately, Ivan's jealousy caused a rift with some of the others at the shelter, which put me in a bad position - definitely in harm's way. I had been keeping in touch with Johnathan, and he begged our adoptive mother to let me come back, as I was not safe staying at the homeless shelter. Somehow his pleas worked - it was just before Christmas, and he said he would give up Christmas just to have me back. So, my adoptive father flew out to Colorado and drove back with me in my car...and the rest..is still a soap opera, but not nearly as dramatic from that point on..."

Joseph nods, "Good! Okay, and the conceptual raking..." "Oh!," I exclaim, "right, I'm sorry. Um, the first concept is feeling betrayed by my biological mother when she accused Elijah of stealing and then proceeded to kick him out. I felt that she was supposed to protect us and love us, like she implied she would. But she disappointed me - again. It was like being abandoned by her all over again. Like some wound I had forgotten about was suddenly ripped back open. Too much was going on at that time for me to address it properly. Looking back, though, I see that she was simply unstable and unable to provide the support, and the foundation which Elijah and I so desperately wanted and needed. Some people were just not meant to be parents.....the next concept would be Ivan's deceit. He originally had told me he was divorced and had a kid, turns out he was still married and had two kids, one he vehemently denied was his, but I kid you not, this kid looked exactly like him and a lot like his daughter. Ivan was a master scam artist. Fool me once! It hurt to feel totally used and lied to, to know that I would never get any of the money back I spent on him, as he had promised. It was scary to know people were going to use and hurt me left and right unless I did something to prevent it. Ivan was obviously messed up, especially by denying that his son was his, and lying about his marital status. You know, he told me he had a house that was being renovated - even had me drive past it once because I kept asking to see it, said he wanted me to be the mother of his daughter, and even proposed to me. I felt like such a fool. The takeaway...well, I now know most of the signs of a scam artist, so I do thank the universe for that lesson. I will never be scammed like that again. I also know I deserve so much better, and hopefully this is evident by these sessions. I'm taking all the necessary steps to ensure that I am strong enough in the future to dismiss from my life what is hurting me or what will hurt me in the future. Also, I am now bold enough to pursue the things I love, the things that will create great joy, abundance, and benefit me in all areas of my life..."

Joseph responds, "And what about returning back to your adoptive mother's house, how did that feel?" "Huh," I reply, "Well, it was a relief to escape the dangerous situation I was in at that time, but also not a pleasant feeling. Sure enough, once I arrived back, she made me sleep in the basement, on the floor, without a mattress, and I could only sleep on top of the sleeping bag she provided - not in it. She had generated a list of rules I had to follow - most of which were absolutely ridiculous. It was a big power trip for her to have me be at her mercy once again. It didn't last long. I was there for a couple months, then one day, she pushed it too far. I had a friend come rescue me, and I went to live with her and her roommate. Since then, I haven't looked back." Joseph nods, "That's a lot of situations for a young person to have dealt with, Eve, you do know that, right?" I nod my head. It's all I've ever known.

Joseph leans forward with his elbows propped on his knees, "Do you feel that we have touched on all the major issues you want to discuss?" I nod my head in agreement. "Well," he continues, "my assessment is that you have made tremendous progress in these last couple of weeks, truly remarkable, it's further evidence for this therapy - of reprogramming. You have overcome some difficult and unfathomable situations - perhaps more challenges than most will face in a lifetime. You have a great head on some strong shoulders. You have experience in carrying very heavy burdens, so I believe now that you have successfully learned to reprogram your memories, you will overcome anything that comes your way with ease, grace, and in a short amount of time! How do you feel about our sessions?"

I reply, "I definitely think they have helped me. I have noticed an improvement in my overall mood and in my general perception of everyday life experiences. I've essentially received the attention and guidance from you that I was searching tirelessly for in the past - and you helped me get where I wanted to be mentally, emotionally - even spiritually, in just a couple of weeks. If someone told me that I could be 'fixed' in a couple of weeks a month ago, I would have laughed and thought that was impossible. But it's true, I actually now feel sorry for those that are too closed minded to give this therapy a try - they don't know what they are missing out on! Save money, save time, get rid of endless worry and doubt - just try it, apply it, and if they do, they too will be amazed!"

Joseph laughs, "Hahah! Oh, you are such a saleswoman! Can I use that as a testimony? I kid, I kid, clients are confidential. I'm very glad you feel that way, Eve, that is why I began my practice. I love helping people who want to help themselves. You have been a wonderful investment!" I smile, "Thank you! So, does this mean we're done?" Joseph nods, "We sure are! I'll walk you to the door." I put on my coat, grab my purse and follow Joseph through the front room, then to the door. "Have a very blessed Christmas, Eve, and also an amazing new year! May it be your best, yet!" Joseph says as he extends his hand. I shake his hand and smile, "You too!"