Keys to free yourself from Edith Eger(

The things that interrupt our lives, that stop us in our tracks can also be catalysts for the emerging self, tools that show us a new way to be, that endow us with a new vision.

This is why I say that in every crisis there is a transition. Awful things happen, and they hurt like hell. And these devastating experiences are also.opportunities to regroup and decide what it is we want for our lives. When we choose to respond (rather than react) to what’s happening by moving forward and discovering our freedom to, we release ourselves from the prison of victimhood.

That was then this is now.

Think of a moment on childhood or adolescence when you felt hurt by another’s actions, large or small. Try to think of a specific moment not a generalised impression of that relationship or time of life. Imagine the moment as you are reliving it pay attention to sensory details – sights, sounds, smells, tastes, physical sensations. Then picture yourself as you are now. See yourself enter the past moment and take your past self by the hand. Tell yourself, “Here I am, I’m going to take care of you.”

In every crisis there is a transition

Write a letter to a person or a situation that has caused you pain recently or in the past. Be specific about what the person did or about what happened that you didn’t like. Put it all on the table. Say how the actions, words, or events affected you. Then write another letter to the same situation or person- but this time write a thank you letter, expressing gratitude for what the person taught you about yourself or how the situation prompted you to grow. The goal of the thank you letter is not to.pretend you like something you didn’t like, or force yourself to be happy about something painful. Acknowledge that what happened wasn’t right and that it hurt. And also notice the healing power in shifting your point of view from.a powerless victim to who you really are: a survivor, a person of strength.

Harness your freedom to.

Make a vision board – a visual representation of what you want to create or embrace in your life. Cut out pictures and words from magazines old calendars etc – there are no rules just see what attracts you. Paste the images and words to a poster board or a big sheet of cardboard. Notice what patterns emerge. Keep your vision board close by and look at it every day. Let this intuitive creaton be an arrow to follow

(This is an extract from pages 27 and 28 of Edith Eger’s book The Gift : 12 Lessons to Save Your Life.)