Barbara Socher, the Awareness Advocate The Key to Being "In the Moment"

Let’s welcome Barbara Socher, the Awareness Advocate, to our Member Spotlight this month. Barbara helps people to become more aware of their own thinking and to apply positive changes to their lives.

Common Ground: Why is it important to become more aware of one’s own thinking?

BS: There are many people who come across as clueless. If you’re having a conversation with me about what’s going on in the moment, but I’m thinking about last year’s snow, we’re not going to get anywhere, are we? I think it’s important to be in the moment, to be present, to be aware, to be participating fully.

CG: Tell us about your career and what led up to this area of expertise?

BS: Right before starting this awareness work, my son and I had a punk clothing, tattoo and piercing parlor. We did that for a number of years, then we closed it, then I became a real estate agent. That was back about 20 years ago. At the time, the ink wasn’t even dry on the contracts and people were selling houses like crazy. I didn’t like the business because I felt there were a lot of unscrupulous things happening.  People needing help weren’t getting helped. 

I had a lot of stress from it and began having back problems. I went to a chiropractor, and she asked if I wanted to learn how to take care of myself. So, I said yes, and I went to my first introduction to awareness work. It became apparent to me (because we did a brief overview of my life) that I was the common denominator in all of these situations where I kept on leaving. I had moved several times and everywhere I went I felt like I was the victim of circumstances and didn’t like the way I was being treated.

CG: What inspired you to start your business?

BS: I was at a point in my life when I kept on wondering why I had the same experiences everywhere I went. Somebody says, “Move from one city to the next,” but “anywhere you go, there you are, right?” It was pointed out to me that I was creating what I was experiencing. And I realized it was time to start doing something about it.

CG: What problem does your business solve, and what makes your approach different?

BS: I really feel like, I like to teach people how to fish. Everyone can tell their story, but after telling it many times, it’s time to ask what change you would like to make. I give people specific strategies on how to make the changes.

CG: What are some positive things/ success stories that your clients have shared with you? 

See Barbara’s response in the video below.

https://youtu.be/zhMCIIKx4oE

CG: Did you study psychology?

BS: No, my degree was in English and secondary education. I was trained by the person who created the first program that I presented to people.

CG: Tell us about your family.

BS: I have a son who lives about 10 minutes from me. He’s been married 29 years. I have a 22-year-old grandson who lives with me. I also have a brother who lives in South Carolina.

CG: Take me through what an introductory exploratory first session would be with a client.  Is the first session free?

BS: Yes, it’s a complimentary first session. The person will talk to me about their life, a brief overview. Specifically, we focus on their key issues, the things that keep on coming up and are not resolved. Everybody’s got a theme. My belief is that we are spiritual beings having a human experience. And it’s a temporary situation (our humanity) and we’re here to learn. It’s all about how to handle challenges, how to handle anxiety, how to handle things that come up.

I show people how they have actually created their own issues. And if they can create them, they can “dis-create them.” I give people the feeling of empowerment, knowing that they really are in command of their lives, they’re the captain of their ship, they are masters of their souls.

CG: What’s a favorite quote, book or piece of advice that guides you?

BS: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” – Gandhi

Also, I like to say, “You spot what you got.” So, if you are pointing a finger at someone, you have three fingers pointing back at you. It’s just yourself you’re seeing.

I spent a lot of my life feeling like a victim. I like to show people they are not victims, but they are the cause (not the effect).

In all of the years I did this with approximately 700 people, I think there were only 3 people that were not aligned with me, so it did not work out.  So that’s not too bad.

CG: Anything else?

BS: I’m going to be doing a small group workshop at Common Ground Community Development in the near future. I’m also going to be doing a podcast.

For more information or to schedule a complimentary first session, email Barbara Socher at: barbarasocher@gmail.com.