Well, let’s tie a ribbon on our visualization series by talking about how best to introduce it into our lives. But before we get started, let’s make sure we’ve accepted this scientific fact…
Our brains are incapable of differentiating between action we’ve mentally created and action that occurs in real-time.
Okay, let’s move forward. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, “We tend to get what we expect.” True? Come on, you know it is. If a severe dip in mood or a panic attack pops onto the scene in the midst of a situation where they’ve traditionally taken place, I think it’s pretty safe to say we’ve told ourselves what’s supposed to happen. But aren’t we also visualizing it? Of course we are. And it’s time to do something about it.
Now, do us both a favor…don’t even bother saying you can’t visualize because you do it multiple times a day. Just go back and re-read the last paragraph. But that only scratches the surface, as those of us who lean toward the depressed, anxious, and stressed are experts at creating trouble for ourselves. And, again, it’s all about our self-talk, as well as our mental images.
So the task at hand becomes training ourselves to proactively turn things around so we’re consistently visualizing in a positive fashion. I mean, until we ultimately excise our negative thought patterns we have to somehow keep pace with our self-degradation tactics. Needless to say, we know, scientifically, they’ll culminate in a self-destructive nightmare.
I’ll say it here and now…if we begin to visualize ourselves managing our lives as relaxed, confident, and efficient individuals; we’ll take major strides toward becoming the person of our dreams. But it isn’t going to happen magically. It’s going to take creativity and hard work (ouch).
To help you along, here are…
6 primo visualization chipur tipurs
- Practice daily, throughout the day and in a 15 minute closed session.
- Do your best to free your body and mind of fear and worry before a session.
- Always visualize in the first person.
- Communicate with your brain in simple pictures…mental and graphic.
- Don’t expect immediate results and keep working in the face of frustration.
- Remain open to trying assorted strategies and techniques as indicated.
Okay, so you want a sample visualization, don’t you?
Sporadically, I get really nasty lower G.I. cramps (no, it isn’t that) that leave me pale, sweaty, “seated,” and feeling as though I’m going to pass out. Both during a “spell,” and in between, I visualize my lower abdominal muscles and large intestine being soothed by a mysterious source of warmth. I then visualize myself as an integrated being, telling myself aloud it’s natural law that I’ll feel just fine as I keep my head down and breathe myself to a state of internal balance. It works!
Look, visualization is the goods. In spite of how it’s often presented by self-help “gurus,” it isn’t snake oil. It’s human science, pure and simple. Of course, it’s only going to provide relief if and when we get to learning and practicing. And if we don’t, we’ll be left with another half-hearted and failed attempt at a better life. Haven’t we had enough of those?
Why not share a visualization you’ve used, or one you believe will be effective. All of us will benefit.
