ThetaHealing Blog

Criticism -- A Merry Go-Round - Theta Thought for Today 2-28-08

How is criticism a merry-go-round? It goes something like this. If I grew up around folks who where critical, and I wanted to "get it right" to get their love, then I probably adopted habits of self-criticism thinking that was the way to get myself to perform better, achieve more or just get the love I wanted. And, not only did I criticize myself, but I then probably did these critical comparisons -- well my body looks slimmer than hers, or not as slim as hers or I got the answer right more times than he did. If we are doing something like this, then we create an energy of criticism around us, attracting more of that energy to us from the universe. And it truly is a merry-go-round that we have difficulty stepping away from.

One place I've noticed that criticism seems to abound is looking in the mirror. If you are going to work on changing one habit in your life that will have an impact on how you treat yourself and how you feel about yourself -- it's criticizing yourself in the mirror. Yes, I know you are probably saying right at this moment, but, "If I don't tell myself what needs to be changed how will it ever change."

What you focus on you get more of. And if you are focusing on what's wrong, then you'll get more of that. Studies have shown that children in schools who get praised for certain behaviors show more of those behaviors. How many times today did you praise yourself? Have many times today, did you praise someone else?

So, this is the exercise. The next time you look in a mirror, start talking to yourself, and what you talk about is what you appreciate about what you've accomplished today or something you are proud you did, or just that you got out of bed and fed your family. If you need to think about this first, make a list. Then, face yourself with some praise. I've built in the habit of smiling at myself and saying "Hi Pretty" or "Hi Honey". When I treat myself better, I find others treat me better as well. This energy attracts more of the same, too.

You can also do this at other times as well. I have been known to leave the house, get many blocks down the street and have forgotten something crucial I need to have with me -- like my cell phone for instance. I used to criticize myself for this -- why can't you get everything together, etc. Now, I thank myself for remembering that I forgot it. And you know what, it's rare that I get more than out the driveway before I remember and lately I've been remembering in the house or just as I go out the door. Each time I remember I tell myself how proud of myself I am that I remembered. The more I praise myself for the little things the more I find that my own habits are changing. Yes, I also use Theta on them, and so the combination makes change much faster.

Downloads:

Would you like Creator's perspective on criticism? Say YES if you want it.

And would you like yours to be be the same? Again, say YES, out loud.

Would you like to creator to show you how to praise yourself, and what that feels like, that you are worthy and deserving, that it's safe and how to live your life praising yourself? YES, is the magic word.

Private appointments for releasing self-criticism and having more quiet within are available for $80.00 an hour (this price goes up to $125.00 on March 15. (I have a 4 session package -- for the price of 3 sessions.)

New Basic ThetaHealing Class coming up on March 28, 29, 30.
Advanced Theta Healing is scheduled for May 30, 31 and June 1.

You can email me at thetahealingblog@gmail.com or call me a 818-590-0062 to make appointments or discuss the classes.

Practice groups available in Los Angeles and Pasadena. Call for more info.

Enjoy your day!

Negative Self Talk – Part 1 Theta Thought for the Day, 2-27-008

This is the beginning of a series on Negative Self Talk.

There’s a whole section in the Basic Theta Healing Class about the consequences of negative self talk and the use of ThetaHealing to slow down, erase or eliminate it. Quantum Physics now tells us that we create our reality with our thoughts. Other references are the movies "What the Bleep" and "The Secret."

So what are you doing to change yours so that you create the reality you consciously desire? Destructive self talk can occur in a number of guises – judgment, criticism, comparison, resentment, rejection, disparaging thoughts about ourselves and others. In each post of this series I’m going to focus on a different area of self talk and offer some suggestions and downloads for change.

Are you aware of the “conversation” that is going on in the background of your consciousness? Awareness is the first step. Without awareness, the tapes just keep repeating in your subconscious or as conscious habits. I’ll give you an example, recently I noticed a man I was attracted to and almost immediately I heard the self talk in the back ground, “Oh he wouldn’t be attracted to me because I’m too __________.” With that echoing in my consciousness and out to the universe, he certainly would not be attracted to me.

There are two ways I know to change habits of negative self talk like this. One is becoming aware of what you are doing, and consciously changing the statement to a positive one each time you begin to go in that direction. “That’s an attractive man and I’m sure he’ll find me attractive, too.”

The second is to find the underlying belief using ThetaHealing and change that. Because I live in the Los Angeles area, the first place I would check are my beliefs about image. If your negative self talk has become a conscious habit, then you will probably need to employ both methods. If I muscle tested “men find me attractive.” I might get a “Yes.” But if I test, “I'm the type of woman handsome men find attractive.” I might get a “no.” So it does matter what you muscle test. (If you don’t know how to do this, call me I’ll show you how to do muscle testing over the phone and give you a 10 minute free ThetaHealing consultation.)

The magical thing I find with ThetaHealing is that once I’ve changed the belief, sometimes I forget that I even had the pattern. It does just change. Certainly, it’s much, much easier for me to focus on the direction I desire myself to go. Before ThetaHealing I lived with massive amounts of negative self-talk around each action I was thinking of taking. Often, it paralyzed me. Now I have positive self-talk that's encourages me.

Downloads:

If you would like the Universal perspective, definition and understand of negative self talk, say YES now.

And if you’d like the universe to make your perspective, definition and understanding the same, say YES now.

I know what it feels like from the Universal perspective to have positive, encouraging self talk. Say YES, now.

Private appointments for taming the negative self-talk and having more quiet within are available for $80.00 an hour (this price goes up to $125.00 on March 15. (I have a 4 session package -- for the price of 3 sessions.)

New Basic ThetaHealing Class coming up on March 28, 29, 30.
Advanced Theta Healing is scheduled for May 30, 31 and June 1.

You can email me at thetahealingblog@gmail.com or call me a 818-590-0062 to make appointments or discuss the classes.

Enjoy your day!

February 26--ThetaThought for the Day, Life's Adventure

It's Tuesday, and no you didn't miss the yesterday's Theta Thought. I taught a ThetaHealing class in Pasadena, California this past weekend that included folks from all over the Los Angeles area. So I took yesterday off from writing Theta Thoughts.

Today I'm taking an easy approach. I received the following in a forward from a friend who had received it from someone else. The timing of it seemed just right for both of us, and I kept hearing it might be for you too. Let me know what you think.

OK, OK, time out! Time out!

Whattaya mean, it doesn't seem like it's working? You don't see your life turning around? It's hard?

ARRRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course it doesn't seem like it! Of course it seems hard!

This is an adventure!!!

Hello?

You’re a cosmic adventurer here in space and time, and uncertainty and setbacks "happen".

D-uhhh!

Besides, "easy" has never been your style; and setbacks are only ever and always stepping-stones to grander places. Aw geez, c'mon....you KNOW this stuff already!!!

The day your ship arrives, (and it swiftly approaches verily as you read this), your journey's uncertainties and your setbacks will be among your fondest memories. Trust me.

Stay the course!

Resume play!

Challenges? Problems? Gimme a break!

Love,

GUS* *God's Universal Spirit

Downloads:

If you'd like the Creator's perspective on Life as an Adventure, say YES.

And, if you'd like your perspective to be the same, say YES, again.

If you'd like Creator's Definition of Ease and yours to be the same, say YES.

For me one of the reasons I love ThetaHealing is that I still have the challenges and the thrill of the adventure, and I have a lot more ease within myself navigating these challenges.

Private appointments for continuing your adventue with more ease are available for $80.00 an hour. (I have a 4 session package -- for the price of 3 sessions.)

New Basic ThetaHealing Class coming up on March 28, 29, 30.
Advanced Theta Healing is scheduled for May 30, 31 and June 1.

You can email me at thetahealingblog@gmail.com or call me a 818-590-0062 to make appointments or discuss the classes.

Enjoy your day!

Thought for Today February 21, 2008

Taking Action!?

Do you have all kinds of ideas? Even make lists of all the steps to take to bring your ideas into reality? And then, somehow never get to the essential step – taking the actions. I have two businesses - my ThetaHealing Business and my Photography Business and while I know that in marketing, follow-up is essential – it’s one of those things that often falls through the cracks. Events in my day today have reminded me of just how important taking action is, so I’m writing about it. I also know and want to point out that not taking action can be the most effective action. Remember, not to judge yourself in this area, this is just an inquiry a look from another perspective.

Are there situations or places where over and over you don’t take action? What’s blocking you? Is there a fear? I don’t intend to deal with fears in this Theta Thought. Working with fears is one of the places that ThetaHealing excells, but that kind of work is for either a private session or in a ThetaHealing class. Here, we can assist with developing a great awareness of what’s stopping you or holding you back so you have a clearer idea. And maybe the awareness that will come to you, is that inaction is just the right thing in this moment.

Downloads:

If you’d like the Universal/Creator’s perspective, definition and understanding of taking action and taking action in your life say YES right now?

If you’d like your perspective, definition and understanding of taking action and taking action in your life to be the same as the Universal/Creator’s perspective.

Would you like a greater awareness from the Universal/Creator’s perspective about the places of action and in-action in your life? Again, YES, is the magic word.

www.thetahealingblog.com
818-590-0062

Private Sessions -- special offer available for a limited time -- 4 sessions for the price of 3.
Single session cost $80.00.

Theta Thought for Today - February 20

About Mistakes

What are mistakes? Dictionary.com defines mistakes as "An error or fault resulting from defective judgment, deficient knowledge, or carelessness." How do we define the mistakes in our lives? As children we make mistakes all the time, it’s how we learn to walk. We get up, fall down, get up again, each time becoming a little steadier, a little stronger, walking a little further until we’ve learned to walk easily – and even in that process we begin to make all the mistakes that allow us to walk, run, jump, dance, etc.. We don’t even call falling down a mistake. It’s a natural part of the process.

Somewhere between being a little kid who’s clear that the learning process includes falling down and getting up and becoming an adult, we start defining falling down, start defining that part of learning as making a mistake. Maybe a feeling of having to be right takes over, having to get it right or not do it at all. We begin to want to do it perfectly the first time and so when our action isn’t “perfect” according to our standards or the standards we’ve allowed someone else to set for us, then we stop the whole process. Maybe we develop a belief that getting it right is the way to get love.

I know for myself, I’ve allowed myself to become "fenced in” by only being willing to step in directions that are comfortable. Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. And, I found that before my ThetaHealing work, I was often reluctant to accept that, and instead placed heavy judgments on myself for “being wrong” or making mistakes. Where are you with your ability to make what you call mistakes and still love yourself in the process? How easy is learning something new for you? How judgmental are you in your process? Are there ever really any mistakes? What I've learned in ThetaHealing is that I can love myself whatever I do, and that love flows to me from the Universal Source whatever I do.

Downloads:

Would you like the Creator’s perspective, definition and understanding of mistakes? If so, say YES, out loud right now.

Would you like your perspective, definition and understanding to be the same? Again, saying YES brings this to you.

Would you like the Creator/Universal perspective, definition and understanding of loving yourself in the process of learning? The magic work is YES.

And if this is something you’d like to pursue further, private appointments are available. Also, I’m conducting a ThetaHealing Basic class this weekend, Feb. 22, 23, 24 and there’s still a spot available.

You can call me at 818-590-0062 or email me at thetahealingblog@gmail.com

Theta Thought for Today – February 19, 2008

Self-Care – Rest

Are you a “Type-A” personality – driven to accomplish and achieve. Are you one of those givers that just keep on doing for others even when you know you should stop and rest? Do you push your body to its limits and beyond? I ask these questions from experience – I do push myself often. And I’ve also found that rest is important – important to my overall functioning, my problem solving, my creativity, my ability to love myself and others.

One of the things that I love about ThetaHealing is that I can use it to get to sleep at night, and another is that I can use it to just relax and refresh myself in the middle of a full and busy day. If you know how to do ThetaHealing already, remember to take the time to just relax and refresh yourself. If you want to know how to do ThetaHealing for yourself, I’m conducting a 3-day class this weekend. There’s 2 spots still available. Call me at 818-590-0062 to learn more. Private Sessions also available.

Downloads:
Would you like the Universal Energy/Creator’s perspective, definition and understanding of Rest? If so, say YES.

And would you like yours to be the same? Say YES out loud, if so.

Would you like to know the most important step for you to take right now with respect to rest? Again, say YES, if you want this.

Theta Thought for Today, February 18, 2008

Self-Care -- Loving and Appreciating Your Body

Do you love your body or criticize it? What is the first thing that comes to mind if you are looking in a mirror? If it is critical, change it. Look at the body reflected in the mirror and let it know what you appreciate about it. Take 30 seconds and spend that time appreciating what your body does for you. Here's what Oprah said about her body in O Magazine.

I finally realized that being grateful to my body was key to giving more love to myself. Oprah Winfrey O Magazine

Downloads

Would you like to know from the Creator's perspective how to love your body more? If so, say the magic word, YES out loud right now.

Would you like to know what's the next step in loving your body? Again, if so, say YES.

Would you like to know that it is safe to stop criticizing your body? And how you can make the changes you want without criticism? Again, Yes is the magic word.

Theta Thought for Today -- It Begins

For the next few months, I'm going to start something called "Theta Thought for Today". My intention is to share with you whatever it is that I'm working on with ThetaHealing each day. Yes, I use ThetaHealing every day of my life. There just isn't a day I don't connect in with the Universal Source of Energy -- whatever you may want to call it -- God, Creator, The All, The All Powerful Source, The Universe, and on and on. In Theta we often call it Creator. I think of Creator as the Universal Source of Energy -- The All, that which I am a part of. I do, also use the term Creator and will in this blog. It is my intention to publish one of these Theta Thoughts each day for about 5 days out of 7 each week. And, if you want to receive it in your email, you can email me and it will be sent to you when it is written.

Each Theta Thought will have a download. What is a download you ask -- is this some crazy computer program you're going to be sending? Well, sort of, but not the way you might think. In ThetaHealingTM we use the term "Downloads" to refer to the installation of new beliefs in our subconscious that allow us to view the world in a different way, either by being taught what is feels like to have something new, or by knowing that it is safe or that we are worthy and deserving. Sometimes a download is just the Creator's perspective, definition and understanding of a quality, situation, word, etc. An additional part of this, may be making your perspective, definition and understanding the same as the Universal Energy Source or Creator's.

Now, you may ask, if I read this, do I get these downloads automatically. No, absolutely not. The Universal Energy Source/Creator/God never interferes with our free will. So, even though I publish downloads in this blog, the only way you will receive them is to say "Yes" out loud after you read it. In ThetaHealing whether in the classroom or in a private appointment, nothing and I mean Nothing is ever done without your permission. If you read my Theta Thought for Today, say "Yes" to the downloads, you are getting some ThetaHealing each day. It is now available online, just for you, if you want it.

So, all this said, so begins my Theta Thought for Today.

Self-care -- The Body

For a while now, self-care has been on my radar screen. I'm going to divide it into several parts. The first is this amazing body I have -- we all have if we're human and on this plane of existence. How am I taking care of it? What are my beliefs about self-care. Is it something that comes first, or last? Do I take care of myself first, or do I always "put off" my self-care to get other things done? What is it that comes before my self-care? Family, friends, work? What is it that comes before your self-care? And is self-care like the oxygen mask in airplanes? Take care of yourself before you take care of others?

I have a coach, and recently during a bad patch in my life, my coach suggested that the most important thing was my self-care, taking care of and soothing myself during challenging times.

In Theta Thought for Today it is not my intention to do a long post, though this one is turning out that way. Instead, I want it to instigate interaction and comment as well as bring to you some downloads that will assist you to focus on your self-care -- what that means to you and where you might want to do more of that.

Downloads:

Do you want The Universal Energy's/Creator's perspective, definition and understanding of Self-Care? (If so, say Yes, out loud right now.) And for yours to be the same? (Again, Yes if you want it.)

Would you like to know what is feels like to really take care of yourself?

That you are worthy and deserving of this, that it's safe and possible? And how to live each moment of your life taking care of yourself? (Again, the magic word is "Yes".)

These downloads should get you started. Should you want to work more on these issues, private sessions are available by phone. You can email me at thetahealingblog@gmail.com. and I'll respond.

Also if you want the Theta Thought of the Day delivered to your email box, also email me at thetahealingblog@gmail.com. and put in the subject line email Theta Thought.

Are You Listening? Using Your Intuition for Abundance and Success

How many times have you had this experience? You are faced with a decision or an action to take, and in the process of determining your course, you hear to go in one direction but rationally convince yourself to do something else because it makes more sense. And when you can see from hindsight, you see that the decision you heard and rejected was the exactly right one. I destroyed an engine on a car once because of that. I had just bought a “new to me” car. Had only had it for a day. I had this feeling that I’d better check the oil. But, I was in a hurry, and so I went in another direction. In a few hours the engine started making horrible noises and I found that it was burned up because it had no oil. I could blame it on all sorts of things – the person who had sold it to me, especially, but I had known to check the oil.

I have also had those magical times when I followed that quiet little voice (seems like its never loud and screaming – though I often wish it was) on a course that (led me to all I was attempting to accomplish. In 1994 I was working on an Earthquake Clean-up Project at California State University, Northridge. There were no phones operating, and cell coverage was spotty and this was a huge campus. People were not in their regular offices because most of them were trashed and there were no directories of their new locations.
I needed to speak with and make connections with 7 different people spread out over a campus I wasn’t very familiar with and I knew it would take me a while. My MIND kept thinking about how I had to go to the north end and see if I could find one person and then to the South end to find another. The quiet little voice said “Go to lunch.” Finally, I did listen to that voice, even though I really didn’t want to stop what I was doing. The Burger King that was the only place on the campus that was open. While eating in an outside courtyard nearby, 5 of the 7 people I needed to speak with walked past me at one time or another during my lunch. I had an appointment with the 6th. And while I was waiting for him the 7th walked in. Listening to that quiet inner voice saved me hours and hours of searching and put me in a position of having what and who I needed come to me.

Our ability to tune in, to know, to see the direction for us is available to all of us. There isn’t a person I know who hasn’t had a similar experience to the negative one I described above. And most of us have had the positive ones, too. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to tune in to that on a regular basis? To know the difference between intuition and other more negative qualities like procrastination (for instance). Recently, I was going to conduct an intro evening, but I kept stalling on sending out the email. I had confirmed the place I was holding it several weeks earlier, but something told me to confirm it again. And, when I didn’t hear back from my contact, I just could not send out that email. Went the whole weekend, and found out on Monday (the event was on Tuesday) that the room was no longer available. My contact had been out of town so she didn’t get my second email. Inner knowing or intuition saves the day – again.

Wouldn’t it be great to know “the next step” on actions we are to take? In ThetaHealing we ask for and are given the Perspective, definition and understanding of the universal energy on a situation, quality, word, decision and also that ours be the same. The first time I had this happen, I expected the practitioner to tell me what it was. But no, I was allowed the freedom to have that knowing come in on its own. I doubted it would, and I suddenly had my awareness subtly change. I could feel it. When I work with clients and give them this perspective, definition and understanding, I can see and feel them change. Using Theta we can also ask for and know the next step for us in a situation. Or, in a private session, a practitioner can have you know the next step.

Are there beliefs that block you from hearing, feeling, seeing messages from your intuition? If there are some of them probably surfaced in just reading this post. Maybe it was in the form of “I could never have that happen on a consistent basis.” Or, “that’s true for other folks, but I’m not at all psychic.” Or, I never know which voice to follow. I don’t trust what I see. I’m not sure I see anything. I get feelings about what to do, but that’s probably not really intuition. I don’t really see or hear anything so I discount that.

We are all connected. Yes, I know. That’s said over and over now. And, it’s true. Just like one cell separated from other cells by many miles, reacts instantaneously when cells in its distant home are traumatized or pleasured, so to do we have that ability, as cells of a huge universe, to tune in.

If you’d like the Universal Perspective on your intuition and have yours be the same, say YES, now. And, if you’d like to know what it feels like to listen to your intuition, that it’s possible and safe, that you are worthy and deserving, and how to live your life that way, say YES now. In Theta, here as in a private session with a practitioner, you must give your permission for that energy to enter you. You do have free will. Saying YES opens you to this greater knowing that is part of this blog post.

On the other hand, if you feel you’d like to work more on this area of your life, private sessions are available. And yes, Theta works on the phone as well as in person. So if you want to know more, call me 818-590-0062. For a short while more I have a 4 session coaching package for the price of 3 sessions.

Are you a Valentine for Yourself?

It's the time our attention turns to love. Do we have it? Will we meet that special one? Will he/she give me the kind of Valentine's day I want. What does he/she want? Mostly though, our focus is outward.

I'm suggesting that this Valentine's may be the day to look inward first.

Are you a Valentine for yourself? Are you loving yourself in the best way for you? Can you look in the mirror and say, "I love you." to the person looking back at you -- without -- and this is the important part -- hearing the little exceptions or exemptions.

Does it sound something like this "I love you, except for the lines around your eyes." or "I love you, and I'll love you more when you lose 20 lbs." or, "Oh my God, how tired I look."

Those litte comments that come after the first 3 words are what I call "take-aways". They take away from what you said. They discount it, negate it, make it not so.

If you can say "I love you." to yourself and just sparkle back at the person in the mirror, I applaud you.

Make it longer and see how it works -- "I love you and you are my best Valentine." What happens now?

Sometimes we think, I'll love myself when I find love or when someone else loves me enough. If you are waiting for someone else to be your Valentine, to love you so you can love yourslef, it might be a very long wait. The universe seems to mirror us. Love begats love. Being critical seems to bring move of the same.

Probably you've heard the old saying, "The Buck Stops here." I'm changing it to "Loving Starts Here." Right here, in each one of us. The more we love ourselves, the more others are attracted. The energy of love is very magnetic.

How do you love yourself more? First, become aware of the things you are putting in the way of loving yourself -- the criticism, the conditions, the timing. And stop it!

Here's an exercise. Spend 1 minute -- 60 seconds -- looking at yourself silently in the mirror. Where do your thoughts go? What do you say to yourself? What thoughts run through your head? How do you feel? Do you smile at yourself or do you whince and want to look away? Are you admiring or critical? How appreciative are you?

If your thoughts were admiring and appreciative, pat yourself on the back.

If what you heard, felt or noticed was critical, negative, conditional, unappreciative, you may have some work to do. Consider this, when you are critical of yourself, you are often very critical of others. If you are looking for something wrong with someone, they'll usually show it to you. And the energy or criticism attracts that from others toward you. Is this what you want?

Would you like to know how to live your life with more self-compassion and compassion for others. Just say YES, right now? Do you want to know what it feels like to live your life with more compassion? That you are worthy and deserving of doing that? And that's it's safe? Just say YES, right now. Saying YES, is very important -- it asks the universe to let this energy come to you.

ThetaHealing is an excellent way to change the underlying beliefs that cause criticism and self-judgement. If you like to talke about that, email me.

Super Tuesday

First, let me say this post is not about who to vote for or who I support, it's just about realizing some things about how I feel about having the possibility of voting for a woman. I just got back from voting. It was the most amazing feeling. I had thought long and hard about who to vote for -- Obama or Hillary -- back and forth, back and forth, and had honestly not completely decided until I looked at the ballot.

All of a sudden I realized that I was looking at a woman's name. For the first time in history, I had the opportunity as a woman to cast a vote for a woman as President. It felt to me so completely different as an experience than anytime I've ever voted in my life. I realize now that it was pride I felt. Pride that "one of my own" had made it that far. To actually be able to vote for another woman as President. Tears filled my eyes. And I still get them as I think about it. The impact of this election came home to me. I won't be unhappy if Obama wins, but I could not have lived with myself, had I not cast my vote for Hillary. I felt so in the moment, so present with what it all means -- that my choice was a woman or a man of mixed race. How fabulous, how amazing. That both were on the ballot. That both were, in my view, worthy of being on that ballot and worthy and able to do the job of President. How far we've come over my lifetime. I'm in tears as I write you. Not even able to express the totality of my feelings. Would certainly never have expected them.

All of this tells me that I have very deep and far reaching beliefs about the possibility of a woman being President in the United States. Hillary Clinton, in running for President, and being willing to go through all she's going through is changing our beliefs, our neural pathways just by doing what she's doing. Her actions are forging new paths for many generations to come.

Women's suffrage movement began in 1869-70 in Wyoming and Utah, but it wasn't until 1920 that Women's right to Vote was ratified as the 19th Amendment of the Constitution. About 50 years just to win the battle to vote. And another 88 years before a woman would be running for President.

This is a ThetaHealing Post so let's do a little Theta change on this.

I just checked myself to see if I had a belief that I could be President and of course that was no. I also get a no at the possibility of a woman being President. I suspect I'm not the only woman, so if you'd like to have the belief that a woman can be President (no) pulled and transformed, just say YES.

If you want the universal perspective and understanding of this to be the way you see it, say YES now and receive it.

I'd love to hear other women's and men's comments about how they felt after this historic event.