I grew up watching my grandfather smoke himself into an early grave. I listened to him every day cough and wheeze, struggling to breathe his every breath. I wondered why on earth, he would keep doing something that was so dangerous to his body. I guess as a young boy, I didn't fully understand the effects and the addiction that cigarette smoking could have on him. Therefore, I didn't understand why he wouldn't just lay them down, instead of having to breathe on an oxygen machine for the remaining years of his life.
However, I loved him just the same, no matter what. I urged him to quit every chance I got. I even got a license as a hypnotherapist in hopes of helping him to kick the habit. Unfortunately, it took longer to get my license than he had left. I vowed when he passed away, to do all that I could to help others in the same situation to quit smoking. That is why I have chosen to start my business as a licensed hypnotherapist, specializing exclusively in helping others to quit smoking.
My only problem is that I do not have enough money just yet to rent my own office space or building. Being a newcomer in this field is taking me a little while to build my clientele. It is hard to be serious when you don't have a professional area to work in. This is why I have decided to discuss my options with my mentor, Dr. Milton Dickerson. I know he'll have some good advice for me, so I called him and invited him to lunch.
When we met at the restaurant, I slowly worked my way into telling him about my plans. I told him that I really wanted to do this but wasn't sure how to get an office without the funds to rent it. I asked him if he knew of anywhere reasonably cheap that I could rent in order to get my business started.
Dr. Dickerson told me that the building he was renting was originally a Dental Office. He said it had a waiting area, along with four individual rooms in it. Then he told me that his landlord had given him a really good rental price, since a dentist before him had rented it.
I told Milton, "Man... you are so lucky. I wish I could run across a great deal like that. I know I could make a go at it, if I just had my own space."
Milton twirled his fork on his plate for a few seconds as I went on talking about my new business ideas. Then he broke in and said, "Steve, do you really think you can help people quit smoking? I mean... Is that really, what you want to do...? There are so many other things you are qualified to handle..."
I replied, "I have always wanted to help others... so why not help save their lives in the process of kicking a nasty habit."
Milton grinned and said, "Well... I like your conviction for this... Tell you what, since I have four rooms, why don't you start out your business there with me. Then you can build it up and get your own place when you're ready."
My heart just about jumped out of my chest. I couldn't believe my ears. Did my mentor just tell me I could start my business out of his office? Shocked I asked, "Are you sure? You won't be sorry... Thank you. Oh..., this is going to be great! How much are you going to charge me for rent?"
Milton sat back in his chair as he laughed slightly at me. He said, "Don't worry about it. We're both in the business of helping other people. In fact, you would be doing me a favor... I've had several of my students use that space just until they were ready to move out on their own to something bigger and better... I can do it for you as well. I know you'll make me proud!"
I shook his hand and told him "thank you" several more times, as we finished our meal. I couldn't believe how generous he was being, but I wasn't going to question him anymore. I was really looking forward to getting my name out there. So much so, that I asked him if it would be all right for me to go ahead and get things organized and ready for me to begin... starting today. So, he told me to begin whenever I wanted, "Today was just fine."
After lunch, I rushed home and gathered up a few of my things that I knew I would need. Then I headed over to the office and began hanging my license certificates along with some personal photos that gave the room my personality. "This is great." I thought as I organized the desk and labeled the filing cabinet accordingly. Then I posted flyers throughout the office and distributed some around to the local businesses on my way home. Everything was falling into place for me and I was going to do my best and not let this opportunity go to waste.
Over the next couple of months, my business was doing well. I successfully helped 51 people kick the habit. They had all stopped smoking with my help. It felt great to have my business up and running so well.
That made me even more excited to be doing this on my own. More importantly, I was able to help people change their lives and it felt good.
When I got around to telling Milton that I had helped that many people and that my success rate was 51 out of 53, he looked shocked. So I asked him, "What wrong?"
He said to me, "Steve, I figured that you had only helped about 5 or 6 clients in this short amount of time, which would have been great. In addition to that, your success rate is off the charts! I had no idea it had been so many... I'm blown away! You have a talent unlike anything I've ever seen or read about!"
I replied, "You're too kind."
He said, "No Steve really... You're a slam-dunk... averaging 90 points a game! That's amazing... You're really gifted!" Then he became silent for a few moments and added, "Tell me Steve... You are so talented at this... why do you only help smokers?
There are so many other issues you could help people overcome... It's all the same. You of all people should know that. Have you thought about expanding your area of expertise?"
I looked at him thinking about what he had just said and told him, "Not really. I have my reasons, I guess."
Then Milton interrupted and said, "You know what... I actually need a favor, if you will?"
I just looked at him as he continued with, "My wife and I are going on vacation to Greece for a month... There is this woman I want you to help while I'm away."
I asked him, "How many cigarettes does she smoke per day?"
Milton replied, "None... She doesn't have a smoking problem."
I replied, "I'm really sorry, but I only help those who smoke... I never told you the full story, but I do it in honor of my grandfather since he passed due to smoking for so long." I was just about to officially tell him no..., and then I realized how generous he had been by giving me the opportunity to do this without it costing me a dime right now.
He allowed me the chance to build my business rent free... so how was I really going to say no to him... Without another thought I said, "Alright, I'll do it..."
Milton replied, "Great... She could use someone with your talents... Linda and I are leaving early tomorrow morning and I really have to finish packing. So I'll have my assistant put her file on your desk in the morning."
I asked him, "Can you tell me the nature of her problem?"
Milton replied, "You see... that's just it... That's why I need your help. Ami doesn't have just one problem... She's a very special case..."
Then he added, "It's best that you read her file for yourself tomorrow!"
Well those statements really confused me, so I stopped asking and let him go on his way. I told myself, I would take a look at it as soon as I got it... She sounded like an intriguing person overall.
The next day, I couldn't wait for Ami's file to reach my desk. Milton's words kept replaying over and over in my mind. I was excited to read it. I wanted to find out more about this "very special case." So when Milton's assistant placed it on my desk and informed me that she would be in at noon, I opened it up right away and began reading.
Needless to say, it was a very interesting read. I could hardly absorb all the information that it contained. In fact, I never seen a file so thick. It was endless. As I skimmed through it, at one point I ran across a documented that stated that she was a psychological genius and part of a Secret Governmental program. Another file suggested that she was the subject of unusual psychological experimentation. I started flipping through some more, and saw an evaluation stating that Ami was, in quotes, "a nymphomaniac with an irrational inability to understand why she can't have what she wants". It wasn't clear whether they were trying to help her or just trying to figure out her out. Nevertheless, she was ordered to get the help from Dr. Milton being that he's the best there is.
I noticed that it was getting close to the time she was to arrive, so I headed to the waiting area to straighten it up before her arrival. I kept thinking about all the different things that the file had to say about Ami and became very intrigued as I continued to rearrange the magazines lying on the table.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a young girl walk in, appearing to be about 13 or 14 years old. I guessed that she was selling Girl Scout cookies or something without even asking. That was, until she introduced herself.