X's response to my reading those stories amazed me. She sat totally still, eyes unblinking, totally absorbed in what I was saying, a very nice trance state. And, when I told her a particular story about releasing the past through tears, she cried. She said that she didn't know why, and that she never cried, that she hated crying. But cry she did, while I told her how wonderful it was that she was finally letting go of those old outdated feelings. And, that in allowing herself a very human way of expressing those kinds powerful feelings in a healthy manner that she was gathering important learnings about herself. When X came for another visit the next week she asked me, "Wesley, what did you do to me last week? I quit smoking!" She had mentioned in passing that it might be a good idea for her to quit, but we had never discussed it any further since she had more pressing issues to resolve. So I told her that her unconscious had mobilized her inner abilities in response to the metaphors in a way that was uniquely her own. She had replaced the resourcefulness that was triggered by smoking with something better. I didn't know what that was any more than she did, since her unconscious had made the changes based on its most intimate knowledge of her unique personality and life experiences. And, then I told her some more stories.

I still see X occasionally and I just tell her the stories that come to mind, and pay attention to her responses, because they determine what I will say next. Erickson used to tell his students, "Trust your unconscious", and I do. However, I trained long and thoroughly to get to this point, and I am deeply grateful to Milton, Richard and my other teachers for what they have shared with me.

X now has a stable job, is off drugs, and is dealing with some of the consequences of years of malnutrition and the physical repercussions of drug abuse. She has developed her social skills to the point that "people like her" (she's amazed), and has increasingly healthy intimate relationships.

In "Poor Richard's Almanac" Ben Franklin wrote, "Hunger is the best pickle". Pickles were used as appetizers in those times.