When we lose a limb we experience phantom body pain. When we lose a part of our spirit we experience phantom soul pain. They both hurt!” Kathleen O’Keefe-Kanavos
If you have “hit bottom” you are in a perfect place to begin again because there is nothing left to hold you back or keep you down. As cohost with Kelly Sullivan Walden of the radio show Dreams Unzipped it is my pleasure to discuss tips with you and share tales of Tears to Triumph offered by world-renowned guest Marianne Williamson.
When you were a child you may have had physical growing pains. Expanding limbs can create cramps, and aches. As adults, we forget that as long as there is life, there is growth even when the growing pains are of a different sort; emotional.
A child’s arms weighted down with precious toys are replaced by mature hearts overburdened with life.
We loved our childhood toys and when one disappeared we felt as though we had lost a piece of ourselves. A toy slept with and lost becomes so traumatic it may change sleep patterns. A lost adult relationship can do the same thing.
On the way to our adult “toy box” it is not unusual to lose something that brings us to tears. We suffer emotional phantom pain. So, how can we move from tears to triumph?
Mirror therapy used to help alleviate phantom limb pain from amputation can be modified to reestablish a connection with self to find the lost pieces of our life.
Mirror Box Therapy is an occupational therapy invented by Vilayanur S. Ramachandran that is comprised of a mirror box in which two mirrors in the center (one facing each way) helps alleviate phantom limb pain, in which patients feel they still have an amputated limb.
How can similar therapies treat dissimilar ailments when one is physical and the other is emotional?
Modified Mirror therapy discussed in detail during the radio show is a method to find and reconnect with what is truly important in life- you. It is an emotional therapeutic technique to reassess your priorities. It is difficult to ignore yourself or embellish on the truth when you are looking yourself in the eye. What a great way to get to know yourself better.
When a part of our spirit is lost we experience phantom soul pain. Journaling is a means of measurement. How will you know how far you have improved if you don’t know where you are right now? You may be pleasantly surprised when you read your journal and discover you are improved.
Like Mirror Box therapy the goal of Modified Mirror therapy is to reestablish a connection with self through the windows of your soul; your eyes. Using any mirror accomplishes this goal and is easy enough to do daily in the privacy of your home.
The next time you look in the mirror while brushing your teeth, combing your hair or getting dressed take thirty-seconds to look deeply into your eyes. Then, ask and answer these three questions:
1.) When was I the happiest in my life? When you feel joy from that memory of that moment you have found what was lost.
2.) What can I do to reestablish that happiness in my life now? If you feel excitement from the question you are reestablishing the connection by formulating a plan.
3.) How can I keep that joy safe? The answer to this question is an emotional protection mechanism. Once implemented it will help keep your love safe.
Ask your own questions. Modified mirror therapy is a bit like stepping through the Looking Glass into Alice’s Wonderland. If you look in the mirror and dare to ask, “How far down this darned rabbit hole filled with tears do I have to go?” Don’t be surprised if a voice from behind the windows of your soul answers, “How far down do you want to go? It’s your journey.”
The more truthful you are with yourself the quicker your will find your missing parts and the tears will turn to triumph.
CLICK LINK TO LISTEN: http://kellysullivanwalden.com/audio/MarianneWilliamsonShow.mp3
Photo credits: Poster created by co-host Kathleen O’Keefe-Kanavos for Dreams Unzipped
Kathleen (Kat) O’Keefe-Kanavos is a three-time breast –cancer survivor whose dreams diagnosed her illness, TV/Radio Host/Producer of Wicked Housewives On Cape Cod™ , Kat Kanavos Show, Nautilus Book Awards Radio Show, Internationally Syndicated Columnist, Award-winning Author/Lecturer who promotes patient advocacy and connecting with inner guidance, and contributing author to Chicken Soup for the Soul. Learn more @ www.KathleenOkeefeKanavos.com
