Wellbeing
Now for the exercise to rid you of that unwanted baggage! Get
yourself settled somewhere comfy, when you know you will
not be disturbed.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Take several deep breaths… breath in through your
diaphragm to the count of 5, then breathe out to the count of
5… do this several times until you feel yourself beginning to
relax.
Just allow your breathing to come and go in a natural,
unforced way.
Imagine you are sitting or lying on a beautiful, remote
tropical island beach, or any other place in nature where you
feel grounded, safe and peaceful. There should be a massive
body of water close by and you see or imagine a boat there…
its size determined by how much negative emotional pain
you are carrying… so it could be a dinghy, a massive ocean
liner, a vast old pirate ship. The choice is yours.
Imagine the vessel is close up to you, with an easy means of
access… a plank… a ladder… whatever you feel works best.
Now, take the painful memory and imagine it could have
physical form… what would it be? What size? What colour?
What sound would it make? Is it inanimate or alive, living
and breathing?
Take some time to really give this memory as much colour,
shape and texture as you can. If it feels right, you can even
turn it into a wild, raging beast.
When you have the image very clearly defined, pour every
last ounce of anger, pain, resentment, depression or
whatever emotion it holds for you… into the beast that
represents your pain.
Imagine you are standing upright, tall and strong, feeling
immensely powerful. Look squarely at the ‘beast’ of your
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
emotional pain and say out loud: “Enough is enough! I have
no need of you in my life any more. You have outstayed
your welcome. Thank you for what you did way back then.
But now it’s time for you to go. It’s time for ME to let go and
move on.”
Take a deep breath and say out loud: “I release you.”
COMMAND the beast to get on the vessel. Do NOT take no
for an answer. You are the boss. You are in control.
Watch until the ‘beast’ has boarded the vessel. Watch it settle
down on the vessel. Watch it shrink.
Command the vessel to sail away. Watch it sail away… keep
watching until it is on the horizon, far away. Watch it
disappear over the horizon until you can no longer see it.
Take a deep breath in for 5, and let it out for five.
Then, go and dance in the sand or the grass or on whatever
earth is beneath your feet. Feel the sense of freedom within.
Feel who you truly are. Think of all the things in life that
make you wondrously happy and bask in those memories
now, for as long as you care to.
When you’re done, open your eyes and gently return to your
surroundings. You will feel incredible!
Now many people who do this find it to be a powerful exercise
that can be used time and again to rid yourself of negative
thoughts, feelings and memories. Always finish the exercise by
calling to mind feelings of joy and genuine happiness in your
life.
Maria McMahon
BSc. (Psych) Hons,
Dip.H.E. NLP/Hyp & Author
See contact details below
49