Carol Norris, MFT : Psychotherapy for the body, mind, brain and spirit |
Stop and experience the sound of rain for 30 seconds. Just 30 seconds.
Such a seemingly small thing is a concrete step on your healing journey. Slowing down, creating space for what's around you and inside you is vital to the therapy process and to connecting to the wisdom we all have that helps us create a happy life. It's called different things: being aware of the present moment, mindfulness, heartfulness, being in the here and now, paying attention, or focusing without analyzing, to name a few. Whatever you choose to call it, it's the first skill we use in therapy, regardless of what brings you in. To get comfortable with it takes practice, but you don't need any practice or skill for the next 30 seconds. Giving yourself this short time might help you regroup to go into a meeting or a class, or help you find a sense of calm before you interact with your partner or your boss or your kids. Or it just might feel good. Give it a try.
Suggestions: The clip below is just the simple sound of rain. As you play it, maybe imagine sitting out on a relaxing Santa Fe portal watching the rain clouds move across the sky. Or perhaps you're taking a summer walk in nature, welcoming the fresh smells around you as you feel the warm rain on your body. You might prefer to listen to the sound of the rain without imagining anything. Whatever you choose, try to really absorb yourself in the experience with as many senses as you can. If you find your mind wandering, that's perfectly okay, just gently bring it back. No judgment, your brain is just doing it's thing. And if it does that many times, that's also okay - and common. The point is, as often as you need to, just keep coming back to the rain.
Such a seemingly small thing is a concrete step on your healing journey. Slowing down, creating space for what's around you and inside you is vital to the therapy process and to connecting to the wisdom we all have that helps us create a happy life. It's called different things: being aware of the present moment, mindfulness, heartfulness, being in the here and now, paying attention, or focusing without analyzing, to name a few. Whatever you choose to call it, it's the first skill we use in therapy, regardless of what brings you in. To get comfortable with it takes practice, but you don't need any practice or skill for the next 30 seconds. Giving yourself this short time might help you regroup to go into a meeting or a class, or help you find a sense of calm before you interact with your partner or your boss or your kids. Or it just might feel good. Give it a try.
Suggestions: The clip below is just the simple sound of rain. As you play it, maybe imagine sitting out on a relaxing Santa Fe portal watching the rain clouds move across the sky. Or perhaps you're taking a summer walk in nature, welcoming the fresh smells around you as you feel the warm rain on your body. You might prefer to listen to the sound of the rain without imagining anything. Whatever you choose, try to really absorb yourself in the experience with as many senses as you can. If you find your mind wandering, that's perfectly okay, just gently bring it back. No judgment, your brain is just doing it's thing. And if it does that many times, that's also okay - and common. The point is, as often as you need to, just keep coming back to the rain.
Copyright 2014 | Carol Norris, MFT
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