Now, I want you to make yourself comfortable. Relax and just focus on the story in front of you. Just read my words. And I'd like you to take a nice, deep breath, and as you slowly exhale, just keep reading my words.

And when you're ready, you're going to learn all about today, which is World Hypnotism Day.

That's ... right. You're doing great.

World Hypnotism Day is the brainchild of Tom Nicoli, a certified hypnotist in Woburn, Mass., who said he was looking for a way to promote his profession as a therapeutic tool while erasing the myths and misconceptions.

"It's unfortunate, because there are people like me on hospital staffs all over the world, but it's not widely known," said Mr. Nicoli, 49, who has been practicing for 10 years. "The word 'hypnosis' really freaks some people out."

Patterned after the Great American Smokeout -- during which many people are galvanized to quit smoking -- World Hypnotism Day is Jan. 4, just in time for people who might be struggling to keep their New Year's resolutions.

"It's strategically placed at the start of the new year, when people are more motivated," said John Weir, a hypnotist who practices in West Mifflin. "And we can give them a tool to help them succeed at their resolutions."

Mr. Weir, 27, said he has hypnotized thousands of people since joining the profession in 2001. He has helped subjects with weight loss, smoking addictions, fears of public speaking, driving phobias, sleeping problems and pain management. He has assisted athletes with achieving peak performances and even shaved a dozen strokes off hackers' golf scores.

The costs vary. A three-session stop-smoking program, for example, costs $500, but group rates are more affordable.

The goal, Mr. Weir said, is to reinforce positive motivations for change within the patients. A big part of that involves teaching them how to help themselves so they can leave the nest, so to speak.

"The majority of my clients will stop after the first session," Mr. Weir said. "But additional sessions teach self-hypnosis, so [patients] can reinforce their behavioral changes all on their own. I don't want my clients to be dependent. I want to empower them so they can move forward."

Despite the fictional images attached to hypnosis, Mr. Weir said, it is a naturally occurring state of mind that people frequently experience without realizing it.

"People in auto accidents, athletes in the zone, being lost in a great movie or a wonderful book," he said. "It's not necessarily a relaxed state, but more of an alternative state."

You're enjoying this story, because you're learning about World Hypnotism Day and you're in control. You could stop reading if you want to, but you want to keep reading. Keep reading my words.

Lenny Bilski, 22, of Pleasant Hills, turned to Mr. Weir for help in kicking his smoking habit. After almost four years of smoking, he was up to nearly two packs a day.

Friday morning, he savored what he hoped would be his last cigarette.

Citing health, finances and the wishes of his girlfriend, Mr. Bilski said he was properly motivated.

Sitting back in a deep leather chair, he closed his eyes and listened to Mr. Weir talk him through a 30-minute session.

While ambient music played softly in the background, the hypnotist spoke in a smooth, steady tone and manner, telling the subject to recall a memory of when he was strong, healthy and at his happiest. That feeling is key because Mr. Bilski will want to summon it to mind when he feels weak.

He chose a key word -- "lacrosse" -- as his trigger.

Other mental tools included the selection of a role model -- his grandmother, who did not smoke -- and the sound and image of cool, pouring water. Mr. Bilski was told to turn to water when he feels the urge for a cigarette. And, from now on, the color red will jump out at him through the course of his daily routine, reminding him subconsciously of his strength.

"This is what we do naturally. We create associations," said Mr. Weir, who travels the country giving seminars and teaching others. "We want to create a behavioral change. A lot of people try to quit cold-turkey, and they substitute food. We're creating the connection to water. It's a commodity we can find anywhere you go, and it washes away the desire for cigarettes."

"It felt awesome. Incredible," Mr. Bilski said after the session. "I never felt better in my entire life. I felt heavy, yet felt like I was floating. It was weird."

Whether he will be able to quit smoking remains to be seen. But Mr. Weir expressed confidence.

"It isn't stage shows," he said of his profession. "It's a clear, distinct and separate profession. We're fighting the good fight, kind of like the chiropractors did back in the 1980s. We have educational standards, our own codes of ethics, our own set practices."

World Hypnotism Day, which is being marked in 28 countries and has been recognized by the city of Pittsburgh, is a step toward that perceived legitimacy. People can go to the Web site -- worldhypnotismday.com -- and learn about events and local professionals.

Now, you're ready to proceed. I'm going to count you down and you'll sit up and be able to proceed to the Sports section. That's five ... and four ... and three ... and two ...