I Can’t Get No Satisfaction: Amy Hamilton Of The Extraordinary Lives Foundation On Why So Many Of Us Are Feeling Unsatisfied & What We Can Do About It
An Interview With Drew Gerber
Giving back or helping others usually boosts satisfaction in your own life. There are so many needs right now it can be overwhelming. If you need something — Google “food pantry” or “animal shelter” both can use your time right now!
From an objective standpoint, we are living in an unprecedented era of abundance. Yet so many of us are feeling unsatisfied. Why are we seemingly so insatiable? What is going on inside of us that is making us feel unsatisfied? What is the brain chemistry that makes us feel this way? Is our brain wired for endless insatiable consumption? What can we do about it? In this interview series, we are talking to credentialed experts such as psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, brain science experts, as well as spiritual and religious leaders, and mind-body-spirit coaches, to address why so many of us are feeling unsatisfied & what we can do about it.
As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Amy Hamilton.
Working as an medical intuitive, psychic and medium since 2010, Amy has provided countless people across the world with direction and clarity in their lives. She might be the only full time psychic with an MBA from Carnegie Mellon — her 20-year corporate career really helps her give insight and advice in a swift, impactful way.
In addition, Amy serves as an Business Advisor to the Extraordinary Lives Foundation and is a wife and mom to 2 wonderful boys.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to know how you got from “there to here.” Inspire us with your backstory!
That’s a great question! How in the world did I get from my goal of running a big company to a professional psychic? Well, that starts with my boys. When my oldest son was 3, he was diagnosed with a pretty scary developmental issue. Despite me working at a large, traditional pharmaceutical company at the time, we jumped into about a million alternative ways to heal him. One of those ways was to go to a psychic for information. She gave us great direction for both of our boys and then she told me that I could do everything she was doing and that I should do it as a business. I told her she was crazy. Well, to make two stories really short — this is my business and my son is recovered.
What lessons would you share with yourself if you had the opportunity to meet your younger self?
To be more in the moment. It is SO easy to get stuck cycling on your past mistakes or living in anxiety about the future. The only thing we have really is right now. I was so worried about everything that I think I missed out on a lot of fun and didn’t appreciate what I had. This is especially true about my kids when they were little ones.
None of us are able to experience success without support along the way. Is there a particular person for whom you are grateful because of the support they gave you to grow you from “there to here?” Can you share that story and why you are grateful for them?
That would be my husband. He is my rock! It took a lot of support from him to make the leap from a big, cushy (but hard!) job to the life of an entrepreneur. He is not a risk taker, so I think I have made him a little nuts in this process.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think it might help people?
I just launched a free eBook that I am really excited about. Using a medical intuitive to help get direction about medical issues is not a typical process. I get a lot of questions about it. So, I started writing a few paragraphs and it turned into a really (if I do say so myself!) nice explanation on my process and tips on how people can holistically heal.
Ok, thank you for sharing your inspired life. Let’s now talk about feeling “unsatisfied”. In the Western world, humans typically have their shelter, food, and survival needs met. What has led to us feeling we aren’t enough and don’t have enough? What is the wiring? Or in other words, how has nature and nurture played into how humans (in an otherwise “safe and secure” environment) experience feeling less than, or a need to have more than what is needed for basic survival?
Right now the world is changing and things can be very scary. And change is hard for most people. One day it is political fighting and the next is catastrophic flooding. The negative news cycles are endless. It’s the constant change that is causing the unsatisfaction because many times the feeling of being satisfied comes from feeling safe. So we buy things and get in debt or eat or drink things that aren’t great for our body to help assuage that unfulfilled feeling. Sadly, outside things cannot make someone feel satisfied inside. That usually comes from inner work — and that is tough. Right now our culture is focused on blame. And when you are blaming others it is easy to miss looking at yourself.
How are societies different? For example, capitalistic societies trade differently than communists. Developed nations trade differently than developing nations. In your opinion, how does society shape a human’s experience and feelings of satisfaction?
Yes, there are historic differences in cultures — some are more focused on self growth, inner calm, being present. That can help with feelings of satisfaction. But, that is changing. The internet and social media are a leveler. Culture is crossing boundaries in many places and changing rapidly.
With a specific focus on brain function, how has the brain and its dominion over the body and beliefs been impacted by the societal construct?
I don’t know if that is something I could comment on.
Do you think the way our society markets and advertises goods and services, has affected people’s feelings of satisfaction? Can you explain what you mean?
Well, coming from someone who was in marketing that is a loaded question! Products are generally marketed using messaging to boost demand for the product. So, marketers are looking to address the underlying needs of people. And as I said earlier, it is really tough for an outside product to affect someone’s internal satisfaction. So even though the products are addressing the “stated” need — they are not ultimately satisfying it.
How is the wiring of the brain, body, and beliefs shaped by marketing, language, and how humans trade?
There is that saying that you are a reflection of the people around you. I find this true. What and who people surround themselves with sets their beliefs. Over time, this creates pathways in routine and we like routine. Those well worn paths of how we act and believe can be hard to change.
I work in marketing so I’m very cognizant of this question. In your opinion, how do you think marketing professionals can be more responsible for how their advertising shapes humans’ health and experience of happiness overall?
That is a hard question! In general, if marketers are more responsible in their messaging the products don’t sell as much. People want the magic fairy dust, the magic pills, the promise of easy. Many times, when you market reality, sales decrease. But, I think we can work towards this goal.
For you personally, if you have all your basic needs met, do you feel you have enough in life?
Absolutely. I am incredibly blessed. That said, it has taken me a lot of work to both appreciate where I am in life and trust what I have. That inner work has helped a lot.
Okay, fantastic. Here is the main question of our interview: Can you share with our readers your “5 things we can each do to address the feeling of not having enough.” Please share a story or example for each.
- Meditate
Giving your brain a break in these changing and honestly scary times is critical. Even 5 minutes of meditation can change the dynamic from a knee jerk reaction to being able to be calm and respond appropriately. While that may not seem to help with the feeling of not having enough — I challenge you to try for the next 10 days and let me know how you feel. And if meditation feels uncomfortable- try prayer, or slow walking (without the phone!), or gardening. Something that can make you more present.
2. Gratitude journal
In different ways we are all blessed and have “enough”. But in the current culture of marketing and social media and FOMO it encourages a feeling of lack. Spend a few minutes each morning or night (if you struggle with sleep) and write down at least 10 things you are grateful for.
3. Surround yourself with people who lift you up
If you surround yourself with people always trying to be like everyone else, or have the latest plastic surgery or the latest thing it can be a killer to satisfaction. Take some time to reflect on who you spend the most amount of time with. Are they a help to your satisfaction?
4. Help Others
Giving back or helping others usually boosts satisfaction in your own life. There are so many needs right now it can be overwhelming. If you need something — Google “food pantry” or “animal shelter” both can use your time right now!
5. Don’t beat yourself up
Our inner meanie- that voice that says mean things to us inside of our head- is pretty powerful. Sometimes if you have “a lot” you can beat yourself up because you can’t figure out how to appreciate what you have. That’s what our culture, the news, even social media filters encourage. Making you feel like you, and what you have isn’t enough. Give yourself a break. Life is tough enough without making yourself feel worse.
Do you have any favorite books, podcasts, or resources that have inspired you to live with more joy in life?
My go to book of inspiration is The Four Agreements. It is a short book, so even if you are not a reader you should check it out. It is one of my go-to’s to read and read again.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
That everyone spends at least 5 minutes a day to center themselves. It can be a meditation (which is scary to a lot of people), prayer, a quiet walk. Overall, at least 5 minutes to give you brain a “break” so that you have the resources to deal with the constant changes, news and other things that you can encounter. My random bet is that this would decrease road rage!
What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?
You can find information about me on my website at www.amyhamiltonhelps.com and read the free eBook at www.amyhamiltonhelps.com/eBook
On IG www.instagram.com/amyhamiltonhelps
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
About The Interviewer: For 30 years, Drew Gerber has been inspiring those who want to change the world. Drew is the CEO of Wasabi Publicity, Inc., a full-service PR agency lauded by PR Week and Good Morning America. Wasabi Publicity, Inc. is a global marketing company that supports industry leaders, change agents, unconventional thinkers, companies and organizations that strive to make a difference. Whether it’s branding, traditional PR or social media marketing, every campaign is instilled with passion, creativity and brilliance to powerfully tell their clients’ story and amplify their intentions in the world. Schedule a free consultation at WasabiPublicity.com/Choosing-Publicity
I Can’t Get No Satisfaction: Amy Hamilton Of The Extraordinary Lives Foundation On Why So Many Of… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.