Increasing Energy Boosters
A GUIDED IMAGERY EXERCISE BY ARLENE HARDER, MA, MFT
This guided imagery exercise teaches a simple technique to experience purpose, creativity, joy, beauty, contentment, love and time seven days a week.
When you saw that this was about energy boosters, you may have thought I would talk about eating energy-filled foods and getting busy with activities that create energy. Rather, this is a simple technique to help you remember to have purpose, creativity, joy, beauty, contentment, love, and time available seven days a week. Using those qualities can often produce more energy than a calorie-packed candy bar—and it will help you sustain your energy for a longer period of time.
This is written in the form of an imagery script you can use in several different ways. First, simply read it as you would read any article, with the purpose of learning something and exploring how that might apply to you. On the other hand, you may want to get into the piece more deeply by reading it several times to yourself, pausing when you come to breaks identified by three periods (. . .) in order to have time to experience that section in whatever way feels comfortable to you.
Or, you can try to experience it as a regular imagery exercise is usually done, that is, first read it into a tape player (or have a friend or family member read it for you) and then, as you listen to it, close your eyes and follow along in whatever way feels right to you. To learn more about the technique of imagery, I suggest you first read Using Imagery Scripts. You might even want to take our Imagery Classes, which are easy to do at your own pace and can teach you about this effective technique for making certain you don't let small problems take over your life. All you need is a little imagination.
If you'd like to have fun with a technique you can use to create a greater sense of health and vitality, all you need is a little imagination.
To prepare yourself for this whimsical and imaginative exercise, first become a comfortable as possible. . . . And as you allow your body to feel fully supported, gently close your eyes and allow your muscles to relax by letting any tension or discomfort flow down your spine, into the furniture and then into the ground. . . . And when your muscles are very loose and limp, let them relax even more. . . . As you continue to relax and yet remain alert, I want you to imagine that you're having one of those low energy days when you just can't seem to get your engine started. You may be physically tired because you've worked too long and hard or haven't been getting enough sleep. Maybe a personal problem keeps distracting you from responsibilities you must attend to today. Although your doctor has given you a clean bill of health, sometimes you think there's something wrong with you, because you often feel tired and short of energy.
And so imagine you're feeling pretty droopy when along comes your friend or co-worker, you know, the one who always seems to have energy to spare. You've often wondered at the source of their seemingly endless vitality and this time you can't keep from asking them just how they do it. They smile and pat you on your shoulder. "There's nothing wrong with you that some new clothes wouldn't fix. What you need to give you more energy is a seven pocket jacket like the one I'm wearing. Go see my tailor and have him make one for you." Your friend hands you a card and winks. "But I have to tell you in advance, he's pure magic." You think the tailor must be a very good magician, because as far as you can see, your friend isn't wearing a jacket, let alone one with seven pockets.
But you're so tired of feeling tired that you decide to give it a try. Anything would be an improvement and you set off that very afternoon to visit the unusual tailor. What do you suppose such a tailor would look like and what kind of shop would he have? . . .
And now imagine the tailor greets you warmly. As you describe your need for more energy, he says that although your jacket can be made from any color or material you can imagine, it has to have seven pockets. When you ask why, he cheerfully replies, "There are seven days in the week." As he tells you more about this magical jacket, you learn that each day has its own pocket that is embroidered with a word that describes a different source of energy. Into each pocket you will place a picture that represents that source. Whatever picture you choose to focus on for a particular day, its power will fill you with energy and renewed vitality.
The tailor points out that you need to do an imagery exercise to help you select the right picture to put in each pocket. You can use ones you recall having in an album or you can use an imaginary Polaroid to capture new images. The tailor adds that he does very fast work and your jacket will be finished over night. Sure enough, the next morning it's lying on a chair near your bed. Take a moment and imagine what the coat will look like. . . .
Now you want to get started right away charging up your jacket with powerful pictures and begin with the pocket embroidered with the label "Purpose." Purpose gives you a reason to get up in the morning. Without it, the days not only pass slowly, they have no vitality. But having a purpose, wanting to accomplish something, is one of the best ways to great the day with enthusiasm—and with energy. Another motivation is wanting to make a difference in the lives of others, to teach them and to help them reach their goals. What is your purpose, your reason for living? . . . And now take a moment to choose a picture that would really help you look forward to each new day. . . . And now imagine putting the picture of purpose into your Purpose pocket. . . .
The next pocket is called "Creativity." Our souls need to be fed by the joyful process of creation, for creativity is the chance to be creative at work, where others determine what we are to do, and at home the household routines can get pretty boring. Creativity is further discouraged by the competition that is part of so many lives. But the value of creativity comes from immersing yourself in the process of creation, without regard to whether or not someone will praise you for your efforts. In fact, the passion of creativity provides its own fuel. Before you realize it, an hour is like a minute and a day like an hour. What picture would you use to encourage your creativity? . . . Imagine putting it into your Creativity pocket.
After you put the creativity picture in your pocket, turn your attention to the next one, a pocket called "Joy." Joy fills you with wonderful, easily achieved energy. That is because it celebrates the gift of life in simple things, like building sand castles with a child. Joy is also a spontaneous source of vitality that overrides the should's and ought-to's of regulations and appearances. And when you allow joy to fill every pore of your body and consciously involve all your senses in your experiences, your energy is increased even more. For example, when you are surrounded by the simple pleasures of a casual backyard barbecue, you can enjoy more than just the smell and taste of delicious food. There is also the feel of cool grass on your bare feet, the welcome sight of a brilliant sunset and your favorite music floating from a stereo and intermingling with the laughter of friends. What picture could help remind you to experience the joyful love of life? . . . Put it into your Joy pocket.
As you put the picture of joy into its pocket, turn your attention to the pocket labeled "Beauty." When you pay attention to the aesthetic pleasures of life, you not only feed your soul, you also promote a healing sense of physical well-being. In our rush to get from here to there and back again, it is easy to ignore beauty in its many forms. Yet almost everywhere there is beauty & if you only choose to see it. You don't have to travel to a museum to find beautiful art. It can be seen in a child's handmade birthday card. Beauty is not only sparking jewels, it is also the shimmer of sun dancing on waves. Some beauty is so familiar that you may neglect this source of gentle energy by failing to appreciate the elegance of a lovely song or the gracefulness in a voice of someone you love. And of course, you, yourself, can express beauty in a physical attribute or a quality of character. Take a moment now and choose a picture of beauty to put into your Beauty pocket. . . .
Now look at the pocket called "Contentment." At first you may be puzzled by this word because mere contentment sounds too passive to be an energy booster. Think of it this way. Contentment is the opposite of stress, anxiety and dissatisfaction. It feels no need for frantic hurry. Nor is it overly concerned with success and failure, or with making an impression on others. Contentment comes from simply accepting each moment as it arrives. And so select a picture now that represents peace of mind and serenity. . . . As you put this picture into your Contentment pocket, allow a feeling of contentment to wash over you, giving you a taste of what you will experience when you later use this gentle source of energy. . . .
The next to the last pocket is called "Love." Love is a real energy booster. It enhances everything you do. Any job you undertake is easier when done with love. And the marvelous energy that arises from loving, meaningful relationships is known to improve health and increase longevity. You wouldn't want to live without it. From all the pictures you can remember, which one most represents love to you? . . .
Putting love into your pocket, and into your heart, now you come to the last pocket. It is called "Time," a source of energy that most of us wish we had a great deal more of. "If only we had more time," we say, "then we would have the energy we need to do all the things that have to be done." But everyone has the same amount of time. Whether or not we feel it is enough depends on how we manage it and what we try to fit into it. This pocket is a reminder that if you want to increase your energy, you will need to create an opportunity—to take time, if you will—for finding your purpose, for being creative, for experiencing joy, beauty, contentment and love. And so, take a moment now, using a piece of that thing we call time, to discover what picture you could use that would help you better manage this precious commodity. . . .
As you slip this picture of time into the seventh pocket, the one for Time, you realize that there is no pocket for food, sleep and exercise. Those are clearly essential sources of energy. Did the tailor make a mistake? As you think about it a bit, you decide he didn't. You can't do without food, sleep and exercise for a week. You automatically pay attention to them every day. But the pockets in this seven-day jacket are intended to be used for special sources of energy. The more you wear this jacket, the more you will be reminded by the pictures to take time for purpose, creativity, joy, beauty, contentment and love, the sources of the energy you want.
And now as you come to the end of this exercise, you give a final touch to the jacket by imagining you sew onto it a label you have created. This could be your name or something you make up, anything that would always remind you of the energy and vitality you need and deserve. . . .
Now turn your attention to the room you are in, bringing with you something that is important for you to remember about this exercise. . . . And then take a deep energizing breath, . . . stretch your arms and legs, . . . gently open your eyes and look forward to increasing your energy by drawing upon the sources for vitality that are always available.
© Copyright 1996, Arlene Harder, MA, MFT |
