The power of the mind is a funny thing.
And like most things in life, the power is transferable.
I can say that for a fact now; if you asked me two hours ago I probably would have been slightly sceptical.
Growing up with a scientist for a father, it was ingrained in me to be open-minded while seeking evidence.
So in actual fact, when it comes to hypnotism – I had it coming.
I can’t say my moment as a human puppet was an unpleasant one.
The entire experience was one of the most relaxing moments of my life; it had to be, otherwise it wouldn’t have worked.
That being said, hearing myself describe all journalists as “bastards” and agreeing they’re all liars, is obviously an opinion I don’t hold naturally.
You know the moment just before you go to sleep and you’re aware of the sounds around you but they just become part of your dreams and imagination?
That’s basically what hypnotism felt like to me.
With a slight difference – I don’t usually sleep in the middle of Mandurah's foreshore.
It’s hard to believe that I actually forgot my own name.
Instead of announcing with pride the name I have held for almost 24 years, ‘Lauren’ seemed to be the pseudonym my hypnotised self preferred.
And to have had my hand stuck firmly on my head, as if it were glued with the most super of super glues, caused the weirdest sense of frustration you’ve ever felt.
You know what’s going on but you don’t at the same time.
But what I could take away from this experience most is the satisfaction of knowing that there are still things in this world that surprise us.
That you can even surprise yourself by doing something you wouldn’t usually do.
Sure, in my case it’s knowing that for one moment I wasn’t the independent woman that Destiny’s Child taught me to be, but that’s just one example of many.
Wayne Donnelly himself fought and won his battle with depression with hypnosis.
Mind power is more than just some inspirational words in the motivational section of the library.
I was out of my mind.
And now I’m a believer.
Wayne Donnelly will be at the Brighton Hotel on July 27.
