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There is a 4 part communication pattern they recommend, and the 4th part is really hard for me, as it is usually in the form of a request. Making requests of people if extremely hard for me due to my deep-rooted fear of rejection. But it is something I would like to work on. Plus, what if you are brave enough to make the request and the person says point blank "no"? What then? How do I respond? I have a lot to learn.... I'm looking forward to tomorrow's workshop but just came down with a cold, so I hope I am not too tired after work tomorrow to go.

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Sunny, did you get to go?

It sounds like some assertiveness (training) is built into this. I did some of this with a former T (the one who wanted to do hypnotherapy). One thing she taught me was not only do I have a right to make a request but the other (and therefore me too when I am on the other end) has the right to refuse the request. And that their refusal is about them, not me. It is hard for me to not take it personally.

I wanted to share on this thread the lyrics in the book you gave the link to in a previous post because I just love them. It is another of my issues, feeling so deeply indebted to those who give to me.

Lyrics by Ruth Behermeyer from the song "Given To" on the album "Given To", provided by the authors to describe "giving from the heart". The authors wrote: "What I want in my life is compassion, a flow between myself and others based on a mutual giving from the heart."

Given To

I never feel more given to
than when you take from me--
When you understand the joy I feel
giving to you.
And you know my giving isn't done
to put you in my debt,
But because I want to live the love
I feel for you.
To receive with grace
May be the greatest giving.
There's no way I can separate
the two.
When you give to me,
I give you my receiving.
When you take from me,
I feel so given to.

Ruth Behermeyer