Fasting Journal : Fasting Center International

ABC'S 'GOOD MORNING, AMERICA!' SR. PRODUCER, 46, HAS 'LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE' ON HER 82-DAY PROGRAM!

      [NOTE: Know that a large number of FCI clients arrive to do our Programs contemplating or already in 'transition,' so to speak. In fact, their intuitive wisdom may well have led them to do this marvelous, self-improvement technique, primarily for the heightened clarity and enhanced spirituality with which one can make more intelligent decisions about major changes in one's life direction, as well as regarding more skillful dietary and lifestyle choices. If interested to read about another highly successful FCI client, 41, actually blessed to take a year off in order to determine the professional direction he wants to go in next, pull up (http://www.fasting.com/becerra.html).
      By achieving, through prolonged fasting, the greatest clarity of consciousness of one's lifetime, literally lifting oneself up out of the clouded consciousness most spend their entire life in, all of your life's options become clearer, as does your ability to act upon them. Using this wisely, in deciding how you wish to follow your true passion in life, going forward, prolonged fasting also enables you to realize that you have enormous potential to help end unnecessary suffering in most any field you choose, using whatever talents you've been blessed with, combined with the skill-set you've developed along the way. Thus, FCI clients, now representing 220 countries, especially those doing our longer Programs to literally lift themselves up into the stratosphere of human potential, are encouraged to enter into their mind's stillness when possible, using quietude, contemplation and/or meditation while also respecting the power of prayer for guidance along Life's enigmatic path.
      When I was a kid, my father repeatedly told my two sisters and I: "It appears that at least 95% of people get up every day and drag themselves to a job they really don't enjoy that much, and probably wouldn't continue in if there weren't a paycheck at the end of the period. Try to get into that 5% who actually love and enjoy what they're doing." With my own children, I've preached the same wisdom since they were old enough to logic: "Follow your passion, your bliss, what truly lights your fire!" Wonderfully, they have! :-)
      Obviously, a new door in one's life cannot open until the previous one has closed. From this perspective, the 'transition' period always is challenging, simply because the future always is unknown. Thus, we seem to be bungee jumping into an abyss. Know, however, that by walking through that fear of the unknown and putting yourself 'out there,' so to speak, you allow the Creative Force from which we all emerged to guide you to your next 'assignment' in humanity's behalf (and we all could do absolutely nothing in this life without the help of countless other human beings, if you stop to think about it, including eating food others have grown, wearing clothes others have made, using vehicles others have constructed, etc.).
       Whenever facing another of life's changes, it's always helpful to remember the changes we've already successfully navigated over the decades, such as each time we changed grade levels, or schools, or moved, repeatedly having to establish new friendships and support systems. However, since change is the only constant in this enigmatic Universe, and since our various life changes seem like excellent preparations for that ultimate change we all will one day make in not only leaving this particular spec in a rather humdrum, distant galaxy among literally billions of other galaxies (along with our precious body, itself), perhaps learning to more intelligently navigate life's never ending changes is worth practicing and getting better at. Also, unlike most adults now in their advanced maturity here in America, those just entering our workforce can expect, on average, eight career changes throughout their working lifetime, so navigating such changes is something we all will do, regardless; thus, we might as well get good at it!
      In navigating your own life's myriad changes, always take courage, have faith, and know that your true essence--that which is not physiological, and thus may well transcend even death, itself--is indestructible. . .if the greatest spiritual teachers our species has been blessed with actually knew what they were talking about.
      Although most reading here are prospective FCI clients, if you're among that age group defined by what's euphemistically called 'mid-life crisis,' since we're discussing major life transitions here, the following book from FCI's Recommended Reading list may be of interest: Awakening At Midlife: A Guide to Reviving Your Spirits, Recreating Your Life, and Returning to Your Truest Self, by Kathleen Brehony. It was recommended by the chief of surgery of a Phoenix, AZ, medical center, 53, during his 80-day Total Detox. Program, when he wrote: "This really great book has found me, by a Jungian psychologist who draws not only from Jung, but also from religions, art, literature and her own and others' personal examples of being drawn into the 'midlife crisis,' when the undeveloped, repressed parts of our being are crying out to be freed and developed. It's an excellent rendering of what so many people in this country go through, as their psyche makes them realize there is more than the material rat race." If interested to also read Doctor Stempel's post-fast testimonial, point your browser at (http://www.fasting.com/stempel.html).
      What follows, then, is a perfect example of one in the midst of a mid-life crisis, seemingly enjoying one of the best jobs one might wish for in her chosen field, but drawn to Fasting Center International by her intuitive wisdom, acting in behalf of the "repressed parts" of her being "crying out to be freed and developed." As noted, FCI, year in and decade out, has many clients similarly drawn to do our Programs while about to enter, or already into, serious life transitions. What follows is just one, representative, albeit high-profile example.
      Lisa Sharkey, 46, married to a New York City architect with whom she has three children, is today president of Al Roker Productions, a multimedia company involved in the development and production of network, cable, home video, and public television projects, producing programming for a diverse clientele including NBC News, Lifetime Television, A&E, The History Channel, Discovery Networks, PBS, TV ONE, Oxygen, NBC Television Stations Group and others. A television journalist with 25 years of experience in the business, Lisa has worked for several of America's top five TV networks, as an award-winning producer with several local and national Emmy and Freddie Awards, as well as Peabody and Dupont Awards. She's also contributed articles to Redbook and Child magazines, and was working as senior producer of ABC's "Good Morning, America!" when she began her 82-day Total Detox. Program with Fasting Center International at 150 lbs., remembering the 115 she'd weighed in college, but more importantly, "wanting a new beginning--a cleansing of the body, mind and spirit in my life!" Eight months after that new beginning, she sat down on New Year's Eve to evaluate the experience and changes it inspired]:

      "Dear Dennis: As the new year approaches a bit more than an hour from now, I look back and reflect on the accomplishments, both personal and professional, as well as the many blessings of this past year. And, there is no doubt in my mind and heart (and for that matter, my colon), Dennis, that you and your extraordinary teachings are among the great highlights of the past year. When I first heard about you through the successes of others, there was an immediate spiritual knowledge inside of me that your work was something that would prove to be a life-changing experience. It certainly was. And I want to thank you for helping me along this oft-troublesome journey through the complex Universe.
       "Before we met, and before I began my 82-day Total Detox. Program, I was stuck in a job (albeit a wonderful one, from the outside looking in) where I felt under-appreciated, worked to the bone, and filled with self-rage and resentment. However, once I began the fast in April and started to re-ignite the emotions and spiritual parts of myself that had been ignored for way too long, my body, my mind and my universe began to spin differently. Not only did I drop the extra 30 lbs. (finished at 119) which had been making me tired, causing me bloat, worry, and daily distress, but I also paved the way for a much more exciting, creative and eye-opening journey to the presidency of a wonderful company where I feel appreciated, earn more money, and am all-around happier.
      "So, thank you again and again. I know that this renewed sense of self, and awareness of the environment (evidenced by the entirely organic, green, sustainable Manhattan townhouse that we are currently constructing) will continue onward for many years, hopefully for my entire life ahead. Have I reached perfection? No, not at all. I have fasted again since ending the first fast, and plan to begin a new phase of fasting just after the new year. I probably will only do 30 days, but feel it is necessary to remove some weight gain, and some fuzzy thinking. Clarity is addictive, and far healthier than other negative things that cause us to want to return again and again to fasting.
      "Much love and peace to you and your wonderful children in the new year. I certainly hope you will be heading into the Big Apple sometime again soon, as I would love nothing more than to see you in person again. All the best, Lisa.
      "P.S. We watched 25 minutes of stunning fireworks out of our 25th-floor apartment window. They must have been exploding over Central Park, and it was quite a show!"

[FCI UPDATE: Among the tens of thousands of prospective clients accessing our Virtual Office each month of every year, we're often asked if our clients, globally, make this marvelous, self-improvement technique we teach them, an integral part of their life going forward. Lisa Sharkey, who's since moved from being senior producer of ABC's "Good Morning, America!" to being Vice President and and Director of Creative Development at one of the world's largest publishing houses (also headquartered in New York City), reflects the vast majority who do just that. Below, she's speaking 16 days into a repeat, 40-day Program with FCI]:
      "Hi, Dennis: You are in my thoughts every day as I continue this fast (and even when not fasting, of course). The clarity this cleansing process provides for me is unmatched throughout my existence. I am more compassionate, not only with others, but importantly, with myself. My body thanks you. My heart thanks you. The readers of compassionate and conscious-raising books I am publishing and will be publishing thank you. It is amazing how much more fasting and detoxification are in the public consciousness since my first fast, nearly 3 years ago. Now, when I am out with folks and not eating, all I need to say is that I am doing a detoxification fast, and nobody even blinks. Three years ago, there was negative reaction, and now there is nothing but encouragement. Perhaps, also, it is the upgraded quality of those with whom I am affiliating. I'd love some 'windows' in on kindred souls on their same fasting day as I am today!! XOXO, Lisa"
[On her 30th fasting day, she'd add]: "Hi, Dennis: This fast is so much easier now, perhaps because I have surrounded myself with more caring, loving, compassionate friends and colleagues, and because I, myself, have become so much more in tune with my spiritual side, as well. Here on day 30, I have lot 22 lbs., and feel no hunger at all. No cravings. . .simply unconcerned about food, except for feeding my family. On that front, I have been obsessed with preparing the healthiest foods I can for my husband and children. Tonight, again, I baked an organic carrot cake, made from the pulp of the carrots I juiced for myself, adding all organic flours (quinoa) and organic ingredients such as nut oils and molasses. I have been taking more and more yoga classes, and generally feel much more aligned with my breath and the core of the Universe than I have ever felt before. I now know that fasting is not a one-time thing; it is a lifetime experience, and thank you for being a tremendous friend, support and tour guide through this wonderful universe. HUGS from NEW YORK! LISA"

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Any questions, email or phone FCI. Email: FastMaster@fasting.com; phone: 818-590-2536 (know that the best time to catch Founder/Director Dennis Paulson, himself, with the least interruption, is between 10-4, California time). For the Fasting Center International home page, click here: www.fasting.com