Part of today’s offering is a rehash of an earlier blog. It’s timely because we’re in a space right now (think economy, politics, Saturn, SATs/ACTs–okay, maybe the last one just applies to our house) where our control is limited. In reality, I believe our control is an illusion and try as we might to act as if we’ve got all balls juggling perfectly, at any given time the Universe can tilt knocking them all cattywampus. The other night I had a dream where I was driving a white BMW on black rainy streets in the city at night, but the car had a mind of its own. At some point I just had to lean into the skid and go along for the ride.

Still, we can always add things to our respective tool boxes and Emotional Freedom Technique is one tool I was reminded about this week. I was at a meeting with energy types (Reiki Masters and the like) and a woman did a demonstration on EFT. Collectively, we did an experiential exercise using tapping. We needed to come up with a collective worry that was stressing everybody out. Guess what it was? I’ll give you a hint. Starts with Hilary ends with The Donald. It didn’t matter what side people were on. The whole caboodle was leaving everybody in the room at a 10 stress-wise when we started. We tapped through it as a group and when we were done, only one woman in a co-ed room of 25 was above a 5. Now that’s saying something.

EFT, aka “tapping”, is a tool I’ve seen thrown around the past decade in various venues with varying degrees of enthusiasm. I think this might be because some people see it as too “wooey.”  I’ve concluded this based on the look on mainstream people’s faces when I bring it up as a tool they might consider.

But I’ve seen it used by therapists, particularly child psychologists with great success. Perhaps that’s because kids, ten and under, are usually more receptive to new ideas than older adults who’ve already developed in their minds what is acceptable and unacceptable. I’ve also seen it used up close and personal used on everyday people for everyday things. It takes 5 minutes and can change the whole direction of a day. I especially love it for the jitters I get before public speaking.

Here’s what I’m going to say about tapping. I think it ROCKS. You can use it any time, any place. It’s free and it’s very, very effective. Don’t believe me? Think it’s too freaky to try? Go find a dark closet where nobody can see you, find something you need to deal with, and try it. I dare you. Worse case scenario, nothing happens. Best case (and most likely case) scenario, problem solved…or at least, substantially reduced. Teachers, try it on your students for that dreaded day after Halloween.

The core thought of EFT is that “all negative emotions are a disruption in the bodies energy system.” The basic concept is that by resetting that energy system, you can reduce and/or eliminate negative emotions like stress, overeating, anger, whatever.

Here’s how it works (and this is summarized nicely in the flow chart above.)

1. Rate the issue from 0 – 10, 10 being worse and 0 being best. Think of it like “Yelping” your issue.

2. Tell it like it is. Even though I have this (describe the issue in your own words), I deeply and completely love and accept myself. Say this 3x while tapping on the karate chop.

3. Reminder Binder. Say “this (whatever your issue is that you described) causes me (whatever happens in your own words).” The idea here is to describe what is happening. I would say for a speech I was about to do “thinking about giving this speech is making me feel like throwing up, I get so nervous when I think about it, etc.,” trying to name it as honestly as you can. While doing this tap through and the points, while starting at the top of your head, 5-7 times. You go through the whole circuit 3x.

4. Status check. After one round, rate your issue again. If not at 0, repeat the set up. Use this wording. “Even though I still have (some of this issue) left, I deeply and completely love and accept myself.” Keep going around the circuit until you feel you are done.

That’s it. Easy peezy. There are a number of “tapping practitioners” out there to help you tap your way happy if you don’t feel like you are having success on your own. They need guinea pigs to complete certification courses and put in “tapping” hours. If you feel you need support, this may be a way to go. There is also a movie called “The Tapping Solution” that chronicles tapping used in the lives of various individuals (particularly effective with PTSD–post traumatic stress disorder) and you can watch vicariously how it works.

Go forth and tap!