Focusing Tip #564 – Focusing with sadness and powerlessness about a medical procedure

A Reader writes:

I am having an issue with a medical concern. Having reached out to my doctor I am experiencing an inner sense of something that is overwhelming and makes me feel a sense of sadness and powerlessness. I’ve focused with two different partners on this but it is ever present. I may require an invasive procedure that I am quite worried about. How do I acknowledge these feelings and continue being centered despite all these encompassing feelings?

Dear Reader:

That sounds like a hard thing to be going through – and I’m glad you wrote, because I think I can help.

I like the way you said you are sensing something that is overwhelming. May I suggest another sentence as well? Try saying, “I am sensing something in me feels overwhelmed.” That moves your attention from the outer situation (which you cannot change) to the inner reaction, which is already starting to change as you say the words.

To the overwhelmed part of you, you might say, “I am sensing how overwhelmed and powerless you are feeling. No wonder!”

Trying to change our feelings just makes them stronger. But when we can be in relationship to them, then we feel ourselves get stronger.

This is something you can do all day, any time it all feels like too much:

• Pause
• Let a gentle hand move to your body where the feeling is
• Say it the feeling, “Yes, I know you are there.”

And do let me know how it goes…