Loretta L. Peters is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, who practices in Atlanta, Georgia. "... learning to let go of judgment and learning to love others unconditionally. This is not an easy path, of course, but it is quite rewarding. "

Growing up, although I appeared pretty normal in the eyes of other people, I grew up with pretty low self-esteem and low self-worth. Like many people, I came from a dysfunctional family. I was raised with a lot of fear-based religious beliefs that never felt right to me even as a young child. I was a perfectionist even as a child, and if I couldn't accomplish something perfectly, then I would quit or not do it at all. (I didn't understand back then about the importance of the actual process - regardless of the outcome). I seemed to procrastinate a lot, too. I won't go into the various problems and issues I had while growing up, but let's just say that I had some major issues with regard to various aspects of my life.

One quarter while in college as a music major, I was taking on too many course hours, as well as working a part-time job. I was so overloaded and overwhelmed that I was about to give up, when a friend of mine (a drama major who is still a very dear friend) told me about free on-campus counseling. I went to see a campus counselor, and that was the beginning of getting to know myself a little better. In addition, she taught me how to manage my time more wisely and to not take everything so seriously. She taught me to lighten up and not place so many unrealistic demands upon myself in order to subconsciously set myself up for failure.

When I moved to Atlanta, I landed a job at CBI/Equifax as an Executive Assistant to one of the VPs. Because I was still struggling and did not understand where any of my negative emotions were coming from, I took advantage of the free in-house counseling. This counselor opened my eyes to a new world. I saw him once a week for several weeks, during which time he turned me on to the "Adult Children of Dysfunctional Family" support groups, whereby I was able to freely express some suppressed anger regarding my parents, and share with others. Also during this time, I read books like Co-Dependent No More and The Road Less Traveled and other self-help books that taught me new ways of thinking and processing.

A year or so after leaving Equifax, a friend of mine introduced me to a psychologist/author friend of his, who agreed to see me and allowed me to pay him what I could for a few months in order to help me get to the next level. This, too, was continued soul-searching for me.

A few years later, I felt really drawn to read The Celestine Prophecy, by James Redfield. This was the first book I ever read that put me on the path that I am on today. This book had a tremendous effect on my thoughts and beliefs. The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success, by Deepak Chopra, was the next book I read, which also made quite an impact. Adding to that all of the mystery and synchronistic events which were occurring at the precise time I was reading those books, I was amazed at all that was transpiring in my life. Like-minded individuals began to mysteriously appear in my life. Each time I met someone, they would refer another book. Each time I read another book, I would meet someone new who would do the same thing, and each book would lead me to another book.

I began shopping in new age bookstores, where my mind was open to an entirely new spiritual realm - much unlike the dysfunctionally religious background by which I was raised. Then I began taking different metaphysical classes and attending meditation groups, meeting more and more people of like mind.

Ever since then, I have grown by leaps and bounds. I have discovered parts of me I never before knew existed. Since then, I have read books by Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer, Andrew Weil, Marianne Williamson, and many more. With each and every book I read comes more and more work, but oh the beautiful and magical rewards of getting to know who I really am, and learning to let go of judgment and learning to love others unconditionally. This is not an easy path, of course, but it is quite rewarding.

At some point I made the decision that I wanted to help bless others in the same way that I have been blessed….to help people learn and grow just as I had others who helped me to learn and grow. I discovered that I get a great deal of joy by helping other people. So far, I have chosen music (which has always been my passion) and hypnotherapy. Many more options will come my way as I continue down my path towards enlightenment.

I wish the same for you.

With honor and blessings for you and your path, I am,

~Loretta