FIRST AID FOR FULLNESS OF LIVING

Nancy Pfaff, M.A.

(775) 560-3030

 

  1. Center yourself.
    1. Sit comfortably.
    2. Breathe slow and deeply.
    3. Press your feet into the flour on the inhale, relax pressure on exhale.
    4. Practice as needed 5 minutes to 20 minutes daily or more often.
  2. Check in with your body.
    1. Are you hungry, angry, lonely or tired?

                    i.     Do something about it now.

    1. Pull yourself into the present moment.  Ask, “Am I okay in this moment?” (Answer yes if you are functioning and coping, no matter how well.)
    2. What does your body need you to do to help it out?

                                                               i.      List

                                                             ii.      Begin to do something about it now.

    1. Let your attention be drawn to a place of tension or pain in your body.

                                                               i.      Draw a picture of this body feeling.

                                                             ii.      Draw a second picture that comforts and helps this body feeling.  (How would you prefer the picture to look? Draw that picture.)

  1. Check in with your inner child (your emotional self).
    1. List your feelings (use the feeling list).
    2. Say to the inner child, “You are feeling _______(use one of the feeling words).  I love you.”  Do this with all the feelings identified.
    3. Dialogue with the inner child about each feeling.  This means adding to the child’s perception things that are also true.
    4. Tell the child he/she doesn’t have to worry about it.  You will take care of him/her.  If you can’t, you will take yourself and the child to someone who can help you both.
  2. Ask yourself, “What is my truth?  If I’m completely honest, what do I want to do?”
    1. Assess your support system.  Do you have enough support to risk taking a step toward your truth?  If not, how can you get that support?  When you have the support, take the next step.
    2. Take the first, safe step toward doing what you want to do.
    3. Continue taking safe steps (with least risk) until you are living your life from your truth. Some steps may be more risky than others.  If you have sufficient support, go for it!
    4. Things that can block you—feeling a failure, feeling stupid, feeling weak, feeling ashamed, etc.  Say to these feelings, “That is not helpful.”  Refocus on your truth and your intention to move more fully into it regardless of anyone’s opinion, including these feelings of shame.  The goal is not to be perfect, but to live from your truth.  That is where God is.  That is what will guide you to freedom and satisfaction in life.  This is God’s will for you.