“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:10
I often give homework to clients that involves taking a few moments during the day for some self-awareness. Just take the time to be still and reflect. It begins by taking control of breathing – inhale 4 seconds through the nose, hold the breath about 4-5 seconds, and exhale slowly through the mouth for 8 or 9 seconds. Do this several times until you feel relaxed, having expelled more of the carbon dioxide which has built up.
Then, just think about how you are feeling at that moment. Be honest with yourself, you need not share it with anyone else if you don’t want to. Become aware of the feelings you may have. Are they negative feelings in the moment? Angry, scared, hurt, sad, frustrated? etc.
Then just accept that those are real feelings in the moment. Perhaps you feel none of those things. Maybe you are feeling happy, grateful, excited, loving. Just be in touch with what is happening at the moment.
Then decide, “what do I want to do with that feeling?” Do I want to record it like a journal entry? Do I simply want to be aware of my current state and accept it? Is there something that I could/should do with such a feeling?
Just the honest awareness of our current state is healing. There may or may not be anything that one can do at that moment, but the honest reflection allows us to feel control of our current state. That alone is a healing moment.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of presence and self-awareness, Amen
Reflections of a Counselor 