Be Like Me?

If I try and shape you in my image and likeness, I'm doing a poor imitation of God.

Grasshopper Notes are the writings from America's Best Known Hypnotherapist John Morgan. His podcasts contain his most responded to essays and blog posts from the past two decades. 

Find the written versions of these podcasts on John's podcasting site: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628038

"The Grasshopper" is the part of you that whispers pearls of wisdom that  seem to pop into your mind from out of the blue. John's essays and blog posts are his interpretations of these "Nips of Nectar." Others have labeled his writings as timeless wisdom. 

Most of the John's writings revolve around self improvement and self help. They address topics like:

• Mindfulness
• Peace of mind
• Creativity
• How to stay in the present moment
• Spirituality
• Behavior improvement

And stories that transform you to a wider sense of awareness that presents more options. And isn't that what we all want, more options? 

John uploads these podcasts on a regular basis. So check back often to hear these podcasts heard around the world. Who wants to be the next person to change? 

Make sure to order a copy of John's new book: WISDOM OF THE GRASSHOPPER – 21 Days to Creativity. These mini-meditations take you inside where all your creative resources live. And you'll come out not only refreshed but recommitted to creating your future. 

It's only $16.95 and available at BLURB.COM at the link below. https://www.blurb.com/b/10239673-wisd...

Also, download John's FREE book INTER RUPTION: The Magic Key To Lasting Change. It's available at John's website  https://GrasshopperNotes.com

Transcript

Be Like Me?

If I try to shape you in my image, I’m not really helping — I’m performing a role I was never meant to play.

There’s nothing wrong with the raw, unfiltered version of me. Same goes for you. But I’ve picked up patterns and habits along the way — some that no longer serve me. If I pass them on as advice, I’m not guiding you. I’m just handing over my baggage.

If what I offer comes from the version of me I present to the world — polished, manicured, managed — then I’m not giving you the facts. I’m giving you a costume.

My grandmother used to say, “Do as I say, not as I do.” It took me years to realize she was pointing to our blind spots — the parts of us we don’t want to see.

Even the clearest diamond has flaws. That’s not failure — it’s being human.

Telling you to “be like me” doesn’t just miss the point. It risks taking you further away from yourself.

Even if you wanted to be like me, you couldn’t. We don’t have the same blueprint. And if you tried, you’d lose sight of your own shape. Reminds me of a story I've told many times . . .

I was interviewing for a radio job back in the 70s. After listening to my audition, the program director asked me if I was imitating another DJ. I was honest and said, "yes." He then gave me a piece of advice that forever changed my approach to being on the air. He said, "As hard as you try, you'll never be him. But you know what, he can never be you."

I'm able to walk beside you. Maybe even point toward something I’ve learned. But the walk? That’s yours to take. And the discoveries are yours to make.

The truth is, no one needs to be more like me or you. What others need is a safe space to become more like themselves.

So before offering advice, I pause. To let my answer come from that quiet place of presence, not prefabrication.

In that space, you'll find something unlike the polished you that you present to the world, and offer it instead.

That’s when real help begins and you discover that everyone is "one of a kind."

All the best,

John