Kirsten Hope | Kirsten Hope | ACASMA Quantum Energy Healing

Are Highly Trusting People Better Lie Detectors?

Article by Jeremy Dean
Contrary to our intuition, research suggests that more trusting people are better than cynics at detecting when others are lying.

Humans can be an untrusting race. People are often very cynical about human nature, tending to think that strangers will happily lie to us if there is something in it for them.

We intuitive believe that being cynical is an advantage in detecting lies. Or so Nancy Carter and J. Mark Weber found when they asked a group of MBA students whether people high or low in trust would be better at detecting lies in others (Carter & Weber, 2010).

The results were as we’d expect: 85% thought low trusters are better than high trusters at lie detection.

Is this the right answer though? Are low-trusters really better at detecting lies?… Read Full Article

Photo Credit: buckyishungry

By Kirsten Hope

The Peacock who wouldn’t listen

photo credit: h.koppdelaney

Knock, knock. Who’s there? Ego. Ego who?
A few years back a colleague asked me if I was interested in opening a BodyTalk clinic. I was so honored! “Wow, I must be really good if she wants to go into business with me”, I thought. And with each conversation I felt more and more important. Never mind that my heart felt flat, I had people to see and places to go! My ego was bursting at the seems with pride. So I did what any good natured Aries would do. I put blinders on my heart and dove right in, no questions asked.

We spent days, weeks, and months dreaming, planning, and considering all the “what ifs”. This was a magical time and I could literally feel all my neurons making connections like wild fire.

Yet the further we got into the project, the more I began to pull back. As time went on and plans turned into commitments I felt the familiar dread of being on a ride I couldn’t get off.

It was fun imagining myself in a bigger, fancier office. I could see myself swirling about, greeting clients, asking my receptionist to “hold my calls” (see, my ego was really running amok here). My collaborative juices were salivating at the thought of working with like-minded people. Not to mention the fun of playing house in a new space.

But another part of me just didn’t feel right. This part was giving excuses, dragging her feet, finding fault, not replying to emails, and hiding in bed with the covers over her head.

Ah, she’s just a naysayer
This is a classic case of he said, she said. Otherwise known as conflict between the head and the heart. My head ego was so busy trying on this new lifestyle, feeling important, puffing up like a peacock it couldn’t, wouldn’t listen to my heart. And boy did I pay the price. I lost a friendship and respect.

My poor heart. Sometimes I just need to give it a little hug. It works so hard, giving me feelings that will always, always point me in the right direction. And this time I didn’t listen to it. Sort of like the toddler who keeps pulling on his mother’s arm “Mommy! Mommy! I really need to GO!” But mommy doesn’t listen, and neither did I.

Believe it or not I waited until the very day we were to sign the lease to fess up. I finally told my partner that I wanted out, my heart just wasn’t in it. Was she mad? Yes! Confused? Yes! Hurt? Yes! And who could blame her?

The heart knows, what the heart knows
Here is what my heart had to say: It likes freedom. It’s independent. It likes to do its own thing. It likes to figure problems out on its own. It likes to run through fields with out a care in the world. Or a watch.

My heart does not want to know what it’s doing a year from now or even a week from now.

This is where to start
But how do we improve our lives without setting goals or making commitments? You listen to your heart first. First. Really. First. The mistake I made is one that many people make. I made my decision from my head before my heart. Your heart and the feelings it gives you is your starting place.

If you struggle with procrastination, follow through, or finishing jobs chances are you have inadvertently put blinders on your heart. So go ahead and take them off and let your heart run free.

By Kirsten Hope

Intuition on the Radio

Recently I threw in the towel and got an iPod. Not any iPod, but the coveted (by some) iPhone. Now, to be clear, I am not bragging! My point is that as much as I love having my own choice of music, podcasts, and lecture available at the drop of a hat, I have to admit I miss my dear old radio.

Yes, you heard me right.

The radio is an excellent feedback system for when I’m on the right path. When I’m doing a really good job of listening to myself and following my deepest desires the radio always plays the perfect songs for me. When I am true to myself, even when it doesn’t feel very comfortable the very best song for that situation will start playing, changing my mood instantly.

When I try too hard it doesn’t matter what station I listen to, no song is even close to hitting the sweet spot of resonance.

The lesson learned? Take a moment to look for the patterns in your life that tell you “yes, you’re on the right path”, or “no, not this way”. They abound in the strangest places.

By Kirsten Hope

Watching TV on Thanksgiving

photo credit: flash.pro
My family spent the Thanksgiving holiday at my sister’s house. My mom and mother-in-law joined us. Of all the adult men, Jeff (my husband) spent the most time hanging out with the family and being social.

But on Friday he did the opposite. He spent the entire day in the TV room laying on the couch and sleeping or watching TV. And to top it off, his mother did this too. That audacity of it! (or so I thought…)

I was so confused by this behavior and was pretty annoyed that they were being so anti-social. But what I’ve come to realize is that they just couldn’t take the energy of my family anymore! We (me, my mom, and sister) have a much more intense and jagged energy compared to Jeff’s family. His family’s (especially Jeff and his mom) essence is much calmer and slower. In addition to this, Jeff is very sensitive to other people’s vibrations which leaves him vulnerable when there’s a bunch of intense energy people (like my family) in one place. He’s learned how to filter my vibration, but multiply me by three, and well, you get the picture.

Then it dawned on my that my sister and I diffuse our energy by talking (like lifting the lid off a pot so it doesn’t boil over) whereas Jeff diffuses his energy by retreating (taking the pie out of the oven to cool off). I’ve never seen this as clearly as I did this weekend.

I’ve always been critical of Jeff when he withdraws from me. You can imagine my chagrin when I realized that this is actually the healthiest decision for him. Which is funny because I’m always nagging him to take better care of himself!

Lesson learned? Next time you (or I) feel the need to tell someone what we think is best for them, hold up. Take a moment to watch what happens. They might actually know what they’re doing!