Tapping Exercises Archives - Finding the Meaning in Everyday Life

Worried About the Economy

No matter which news channel you watch you will find dire predictions from time to time about the economy. Unless you have advanced knowledge in that field it is so hard to know who to believe. This can create significant anxiety about money, finance, and the future. We can use tapping to decrease that anxiety.

Money and the economy can be sources of stress, even for individuals with good jobs, steady incomes, and money in the bank. It seems that money issues are quite common and sometimes very debilitating. In addition to spending a great deal of our time each week in the active pursuite of money, we have many beliefs about money that can disrupt our energy system at times.

Take a minute and write down a few of the thoughts and feelings you have about money, the current economy, or predictions about the future. Set aside some time later to tap on the things that you wrote down. For now, tap along with the following script to get started.

Say this statement aloud, “I’m worried about the economy.” Rate the intensity or truth of that statement on a 0-10 scale, with 10 being very worried and 0 being not worried at all. Write down the rating.

Tap on the karate chop point and repeat these phrases,”Even though I am worried about the economy, I deeply and completely love and accept myself. Even though I am worried about the economy, I deeply and completely love and accept myself and all of my worries. Even though I am worried about the economy and it makes me feel uncertain about my future, I deeply and completely love and accept myself anyway.”

Eyebrow…I am worried about the economy.

Side of Eye…The news is always bad

Under the Eye…No one seems to have enough money

Under the Nose…I am afraid for the future since the economy is so bad

Chin…I am worried about the economy

Collarbone…Feeling very insecure about money

Under the Arm…With the economy being as bad as it is

Top of Head…It makes sense to worry about money

Eyebrow…Even though I am worried about the economy

Side of Eye…I choose to look for options

Under the Eye…It seems like no one has enough money

Under the Nose…But there are people who seem to be doing fine

Chin…Instead of looking at the problems

Collarbone…I choose to look for the solutions

Under the Arm…When I feel insecure about money

Top of Head…I choose to feel calm and confident anyway

Take a deep breath and let it out. Check the intensity of your original statement by saying it aloud, “I’m worried about the economy.” Record your rating. Continue to tap using these, or more personal statements until the intensity is much lower.

Need to learn more about tapping? Click here.

Happy Tapping.

Fox – A Tapping Meditation

Adorable fluffy omnivorous orange fox with white spot on neck and brown eyes standing in wild nature on blurred background

The fox is known as the magician and the keeper of magic. It is also said that the fox possesses the gifts of shapeshifting and invisibility. They often live at the edges of forests and in the border areas. There are 21 different species but we almost never see them in the wild. Even though we don’t see them, they may have a lot to teach us.

We are not going to use a problem statement (MPI) or do the setup (karate chop), but instead are going to hop right into the tapping meditation. Take a few deep breaths and let them out slowly.

Eyebrow…Fox

Side of Eye…Concealment

Under the Eye…Fox

Under the Nose…Camouflage

Chin…Fox

Collarbone…Knowledge

Under the Arm…Fox

Top of Head…Silent

Eyebrow…Fox

Side of Eye…Keen senses

Under the Eye…Fox

Under the Nose…Recognizing opportunity

Chin…Fox

Collarbone…Trusting instincts

Under the Arm…Fox

Top of Head…Finding and accepting blessings

Eyebrow…Fox

Side of Eye…Sexuality

Under the Eye…Fox

Under the Nose…Cunning

Chin…Fox

Collarbone…Protector of family unity

Under the Arm…Fox

Top of Head…Adaptation

Eyebrow…Fox

Side of Eye…Swift thought and action

Under the Eye…Fox

Under the Nose…Decisive

Chin…Fox

Collarbone…What message do you have for me?

Under the Arm…Fox

Top of Head…Open to the wisdom of the fox

Eyebrow…I like the idea of being silent

Side of Eye…Becoming like the wind

Under the Eye…And being undetected in my observation of others and situations

Under the Nose…The downside is that I can feel I am not worth noticing

Chin…Sometimes I think I am too visible

Collarbone…Striving for recognition

Under the Arm…Experiencing jealousy or envy

Top of Head…Or putting myself in a position to be attacked

Eyebrow…The fox has the ability to shapeshift

Side of Eye…And choose when to be visible

Under the Eye…And when to be invisible

Under the Nose…It also can move silently

Chin…And not reveal its intentions to anyone

Collarbone…I need to learn more of this

Under the Arm…And I call upon the wisdom of the fox to teach me

Top of Head…I would like to be more mindful of how I interact in the world

Eyebrow…And learn to control my aura

Side of Eye…To be more harmonious with my environment

Under the Eye…And the people around me

Under the Nose…This totem teaches us

Chin…That we don’t have to reveal everything we know

Collarbone…This is another skill that I seem not to have developed

Under the Arm…I used to feel bad

Top of Head…When I wasn’t noticed

Eyebrow…But maybe that is just my inherent and unrecognized fox energy

Side of Eye…Working its magic

Under the Eye…Once recognized, I could learn to control it

Under the Nose…And enjoy being silent and invisible

Chin…When it suits me

Collarbone…And becoming visible when I think it is important

Under the Arm…Claiming the energy of the fox

Top of Head…Exercising my fox-ness.

Take a deep breath and let it out gently. If certain thoughts or feelings came up, be sure to write them down, or continue tapping with them now. As noted above, the fox tends to be invisible so I haven’t had very many personal experiences with them. I find them intriguing and am excited to seek out more opportunities to learn from them.

A couple of situations and tendencies did pop into my awareness and will need further tapping. I became aware of my tendency to call people out on things, just to let them known that I know what they are up to. This has not always worked to my advantage. To divulge the knowledge just so they don’t think I’m naive or gullible is not very fox-like. I also became aware of how my previous tendency to stay in the background is at odds with my desire to be known as an author. Obviously, to sell books and make a living I will need to be more in the spotlight. Some tapping about how that could be congruent with fox energy will be quite interesting I think.

You can find a video of tapping with this animal here.

Is there another animal that you would like to see a tapping about? Let me know. Perhaps you would like to tap with the lessons from the hawk. You can find more tapping about animal characterstics in Unleash Your Primal Power: Totem Tapping for Health and Happiness.

Need to learn more about tapping? Click here.

Until next time, Happy Tapping.

Life is Hard

There seems to be a prevalent belief that life is hard and that we should just accept it. I’m not sure where that belief actually comes from, but that prior programming is likely to get in the way of having the life I desire. As with all prior programming, tapping can eliminate or decrease its impact on my life.

Say this problem statement, “Life is hard.” Rate the intensity you feel on the 0-10 scale.

Setup (karate-chop point) – Even though life is hard, I deeply and completely love and accept myself. Even though life is hard, and anything that seems easy is therefore suspicious to me, I deeply and completely love and accept myself, including my old ways of doing things – those old, really hard ways. Even though life is hard, I am open to the small possibility that not all things have to be hard.

Eyebrow…Life is hard

Side of Eye…It is supposed to be hard

Under the Eye…If it isn’t hard, I’m probably not working at it enough

Under the Nose…If it doesn’t feel hard, I’m probably slacking

Chin…Everyone knows that hard is better than easy

Collarbone…That good old Puritan work ethic. Its got to be hard

Under the Arm…Life is hard

Side of Eye…The harder the better

Under the Eye…Maybe I can make it even harder so that I can feel good about how hard it is

Under the Nose… Maybe I could make it so hard that no one could succeed

Chin…Now I’m just being silly

Collarbone…At least part of me knows that it doesn’t really have to be hard to be good

Under the Arm…I’m trying to remain open to clarity about this

Top of Head…I’m trying to remain open to the possibility that easy can be good too.

Take a deep breath and let it out. Check the intensity of your original problem statement, “Life is hard.” Write down your new rating then continue tapping with these, or similar reminder phrases until your intensity around the problem statement is significantly reduced.

Need to learn more about tapping? Click here.

Cover Image of Tap It Away: 10 Minutes to Freedom With EFT by Dr. Leanna Manuel — More tapping can be found in this book.

Transformational Power of the Snake

The transformational power of the snake totem is exemplified by the shedding of the snake’s skin. It is a physical rebirth process. Additionally, it teaches us that we can transform most things that come into our lives, for better or worse. We can create opportunity out of loss, passion from hardship, or vitality from illness. Consider the ways in which you have engaged in the process of transformation. Are there things in your life or personality that you would like to transform now?

I wanted to give you a sneak peek from my upcoming book Unleash Your Primal Power: Totem Tapping for Health and Happiness. This came from a chapter dedicated to the different characteristics of the snake. Think of a specific hardship you are facing right now or expect to be facing in the near future and then start tapping.

MPI: “I’m facing this hardship.”

Setup (Karate Chop Point) – Even though I am facing this hardship right now, I choose to remain open to learning how to use this experience to create a better opportunity. Even though I am facing this hardship right now, I choose to remain open to using this experience for growth and prosperity. Even though I am facing this hardship right now, I choose to remain hopeful and full of expectation for the great things that are coming next.

Eyebrow	This hardship
Side of Eye	Things are really hard right now
Under the Eye	And I’m having trouble seeing past this moment
Under the Nose	All I can focus on
Chin	Is this hardship
Collarbone	And how bad it feels
Under the Arm	This hardship
Top of Head	Stuck in this negative viewpoint
Eyebrow	I’m having a hard time
Side of Eye	But I choose to remember that things can transform
Under the Eye	Into something wonderful
Under the Nose	This hardship
Chin	And I choose to remember that things can transform
Collarbone	Into something special
Under the Arm	This hardship
Top of Head	I can transform it
Eyebrow	Seeking transformation
Side of Eye	Things will change
Under the Eye	Transforming hardship into something wonderful
Under the Nose	Things do change
Chin	Transforming hardship into something special
Collarbone	Transforming hardship into something better
Under the Arm	Things change
Top of Head	I claim this transformational power

Take a deep breath and let it out gently. What thoughts about your hardship came up? Did you have any thoughts about how you would like it to transform? How can the transformational power of the snake assist? Write those things down in your tapping journal and continue tapping until you feel resolution.

Need to learn more about tapping? Click here.

Happy Tapping.

I Order Comfort

What is it you are really ordering when you go to a restaurant? Do you order food or are you ordering comfort? Many people who struggle with weight are ordering comfort. They are not thinking about how they will feel nourished. They are not thinking about how they will feel healthier.

Setup (Karate Chop Point) – When I go to a restaurant, I don’t really order food, I order comfort. I think about how I will feel more than how it will nourish my body. I am pretty sure I would be healthier if I thought about nourishment when eating and thought about comfort when I am doing other things. Even though I have food and comfort somehow confused, I love and accept myself and am thankful that I am finally getting some clarity about this issue. It seems that I have confused food and comfort in the past; however, I am excited about a new way of thinking about this. Even though I have confused food and comfort in the past, and I am feeling just a little stubborn about giving it up, I love and accept myself anyway.

Eyebrow…I need comfort

Side of Eye…And I do it with food

Under the Eye…I have confused food with comfort

Under the Nose…And I would like to find a way to deal with that

Chin…I want comfort

Collarbone…I haven’t been good about getting it except through food

Under the Arm…I want that to change

Top of Head…This need to get comfort through food

Eyebrow…I have a need to get comfort through food

Side of Eye…Even though I want comfort

Under the Eye…I choose to let food be food

Under the Nose…It is ok to enjoy it

Chin…But it doesn’t – CAN’T – fill up the empty spot inside of me

Collarbone…It is ok to want comfort

Under the Arm…It is ok to like food

Top of Head…I choose to seek other ways to get comfort in my life

BONUS TAPPING: Begin tapping on the spots. Repeat the word “failure” aloud. Continue tapping while focusing on the thoughts and feelings associated with failure as it relates to your eating habits.

Need to learn more about tapping? Click here.

Want more tapping exercises like this one? Click here.

Happy Tapping.

book cover for Don't Diet Reprogramming Your Weight With Meridian Tapping

Tappable Offenses

What are tappable offenses? While calling it that may not sound particularly kind or loving, I want to catch myself in tappable offenses, defined as those things I say to myself that limit who I am or what I can be. A tappable offense almost always begins with the words “I am” or “I am not.” These words have amazing power and work at the subconscious level, which is estimated to be somewhere between 80-95% of all of the processing that goes on in our brains.

The term tappable offense doesn’t feel negative to me. It acknowledges that I have said something to or about myself that is “offensive” and that it is tappable. That means that I can do something about it. It is also very positive when I can actually catch them rather than let those negative limiting beliefs run unchecked through my subconsious for very long.

Once I noticed how often I do this, I decided to make a list (in my tapping journal) and wanted to share a few of them with you to inspire you on your own transformational journey.

I am too old
I am not a technie
I am stupid
I am an introvert so I can’t do that
I am not wealthy
I am tired
I am not pretty
I am not fast (related to swimming)
I am too fat
I am lazy
I am too short
I am stuck in my job
I am never going to achieve my goals
I am too anxious to put myself out there
I am unlovable

That list was generated with negative self-statements I made within just 2 short days about myself. I am often able to devise a counterargument for some of them pretty quickly. However, the fact that the statements showed up means that on some level they are true for me at least some of the time.

In their present form, they represent wonderful problem statements, aka most pressing issue (MPI) to start of some rounds of tapping. Make a list of your own, and write it down WITHOUT JUDGING. Then make 3 columns. In one column write down all of the proof that your problem statement is true. Include past experiences that you believe support this position. Then in the second column write down all of the evidence, including experiences, in which this problem was not true. If you are like most people the second list will be shorter than the first.

In the third column, write down all of the thoughts, feelings, and experiences that you would like to have that could prove that the MPI is untrue in the future. Describe your hopes and desires for how you might handle any of the past situations if they would happen again in the future (words like grace and dignity popped into my mind). Then, start tapping.

You can make your setup statement by tapping on the karate chop point and stating your problem statement, followed by the words “I deeply and completely love and accept myself” or “I am open to new thoughts, feelings, and experiences.” After you have done that 3 times while tapping on the karate chop point you can begin the tapping rounds.

You can use the things in the first column of your list as you tap through the points as many times as it takes for the problem statement to start feeling less true. Then alternate the first and second column “proof” as you continue to tap through the points. Once you are pretty sure that you have erased this issue from your negative and limiting beliefs library, tap through the points again using the things that you wrote in column three.

I plan to put together some videos that address some of the issues I included earlier on my list soon. If you have specific issues you would like to have a tapping script for, just ask. Stay tuned.

Happy Tapping

Need to learn more about tapping? Click here.

It Helps Me Relax

There are many people who enjoy a glass or two of wine and feel that it helps them to relax. There are also people who are watching their calories and know that wine doesn’t help much with that daily calorie count. Here is a tapping that might help with that decision-making.

Setup (Karate Chop Point) – Even though wine helps me relax in the evening, I know that it adds to the calories I’m taking in each day. I don’t even want to think about giving that up too. I’ve already given up so many foods that I love in order to lose weight. Giving up my wine just doesn’t feel like it is even possible. What would I do to relax in the evening instead? Even though this conflict feels very uncomfortable to me, I am open to wisdom and clarity. Even though I am reluctant to give up my glass of wine in the evening, and I suspect that it is making it harder for me to reach my weight loss goals, I love and accept myself anyway.

Eyebrow…Wine helps me relax in the evening

Side of Eye…I just don’t know what I would do without it

Under the Eye…I am afraid that I would be uptight and anxious

Under the Nose…I certainly don’t want that

Chin…Besides, they say wine is good for you

Collarbone…It is almost a health food

Under the Arm…I really do know better than that

Top of Head…I don’t like the idea that I have to drink wine just to relax

Eyebrow…It wold be nice if I could come up with some other things that relax me too

Side of Eye…Maybe things that don’t have so many calories

Under the Eye…Or even things that burn calories

Under the Nose…That would be nice

Chin…I could ask for help so I don’t feel overwhelmed

Collarbone…Wine does help be relax in the evening

Under the Arm…Adding all of the those calories on to the end of my day isn’t really what I want in the long run

Top of Head…But I don’t want anybody to take it away from me

Eyebrow…I am choosing what calories I want to put in my body

Side of Eye…Sometimes I might plan my day so that I have a glass of wine

Under the Eye…Some days I might not

Under the Nose…Nothing bad will happen to me if I don’t drink wine

Chin…There are lots of ways I can take care of myself

Collarbone…It feels good to know that I have choices

Under the Arm…It feels good to take care of myself

Top of Head…It feels good to know I can always tap if I need to relax

If you aren’t feeling completely calm about this yet, keep tapping. Use your own words and describe how you really feel about the situation to get the most relief.

Need to learn more about tapping? Click here.

Want more tapping exercises like this one? Click here.

Happy Tapping.

Don’t Diet: Reprogram Your Weight With Meridian Tapping

I Already Blew It

There is a thing that happens when we get off track with our diet plan. The thought “I might as well eat whatever I want because I already blew it” pops in. Sometimes I am able to think “get back on track right now”, but usually I set some date in the future to resume healthy eating. The tapping exercise below may help.

Setup (Karate Chop Point) – I already blew my diet so I might as well eat whatever I want. There’s no point in controlling my food now. I’ve already pointed the guilt finger at myself. I’m already wallowing in blame. So I might as well eat. Even though all of these things are true, I want to love and accept myself anyway. It is pretty hard to love and accempt myself with all of this guilt and shame, but I am open to the possibility that I could do it. Even though I am a quitter and planning to give up immediately just because I slipped off my food plan, I want to choose to start again right now.

Eyebrow…I already blew it

Side of Eye…I already ate something that is on my forbidden list

Under the Eye…I ate way too much of it too

Under the Nose…I feel the guilt and shame

Chin…I might as well go ahead and eat whatever I want

Collarbone…That is what quitters do

Under the Arm…I am a guilt and shameful quitter

Top of Head…Ouch. That smarts.

Eyebrow…Sometimes I give up

Side of Eye…Sometimes I don’t

Under the Eye…I don’t have to give up just because I made a mistake

Under the Nose…I have options

Chin…I have choices

Collarbone…”I already blew it” might not be totally accurate

Under the Arm…I wouldn’t tell anyone else to give up just because of a simple error

Top of Head…I am not going to tell myself that right now either. I can start back on my food plan whenever I choose, including now.

This example is shorter and for illustration only. With a topic like this, I probably would not switch from the negative to the positive so quickly in real life. After the first round of negative tapping I recommend checking in to see how much change has occurred. In this case “I already blew it” should have an intensity below 3 before moving on to the positive tapping in order to fully deal with this issue.

Need to learn more about tapping? Click here.

Want more tapping exercises like this one? Click here.

Happy Tapping.

All The Plates Will Fall – Resistance to Meditation Part III

I am still resistant to doing meditation and I apparently have an abundance of excuses about why I can’t meditate. I find that mildly humorous since I have been re-reading one of my favorite books, Eat Pray Love, in which there is at least a third of the book that addresses meditation.

One of my excuses is that it feels like all of the plates will fall down (the ones I have to keep spinning) if I stop to meditate. Although not as bad as at other times in my life, I often feel frantic because of all that I try to do and accomplish. Just a momentary lapse in trying to control my universe feels like it would be a disaster.

Setup (Karate Chop point) – Even though I am still resisting meditation I deeply and completely love and accept myself anyway. Even though I have what seems to be a million excuses why I can’t meditate, I choose to relax and know that I am ok just as I am. Even though it often feels like the world will tumble down around me if I stop to meditate for even a minute, I love and accept myself with or without all of my excuses.

Eyebrow…I am still resisting meditation

Side of Eye…No matter how much I promise myself that I will do it

Under the Eye…I just can’t seem to stop for long enough

Under the Nose…And just considering it feels like I am courting disaster

Chin…While I logically know that meditation will help me do almost anything better

Collarbone…And with more ease

Under the Arm…It feels just the opposite

Top of Head…If feels like stopping to meditate

Eyebrow…Will allow all of those plates that I am trying to keep spinning in my life

Side of Eye…To fall to the ground and smash into tiny pieces

Under the Eye…Nothing but constant vigilance

Under the Nose…Can keep that from happening

Chin…This doesn’t seem to be just about meditation

Collarbone…But also about the lifestyle that I have accepted

Under the Arm…I may have to address more than one thing

Top of Head…In order to be successful with meditation

Eyebrow…I choose to consider the possibility

Side of Eye…That all of this is an illusion

Under the Eye…To keep myself safe

Under the Nose…Safe from what?

Chin…Probably safe from myself

Collarbone…Just like avoiding meditation, I can be my own worst enemy

Under the Arm…It might be time to consider a change

Top of Head…I could gently put down the plates

Eyebrow…I could ask someone to spin them for me

Side of Eye…Or I could let the plates take care of themselves during my meditation time

Under the Eye…The plates obviously take care of themselves when I am sleeping and my world doesn’t crumble

Under the Nose…The plates obviously take care of themselves when I am at work (at least most of the time)

Chin…I think I have revealed this to just be an excuse

Collarbone…And now I might consider letting it go

Under the Arm…I may still resist meditation and that is ok

Top of Head…But fear of falling plates is not a valid reason to avoid it

Take a deep breath and let it out gently. It is likely that different thoughts popped into your mind. For me, I think I have some work to do about my serious control issues.

Happy Tapping.

I Can Ignore My Health

Just for today, I can ignore my health. That is a great example of unhealthy thinking. But it is also an example of something most of us really think. If you think it is harmful to your body why do you want to eat it on your birthday, or any other time? I don’t have an answer for you, but I do have a short tapping to get you started.

Setup (Karate Chop Point) – Even though I feel entitled to overeat on my birthday, I choose to keep my goals in mind. I feel that I really deserve to blow my diet since it is a special occasion but I choose to consider finding ways to celebrate without hurting my body or my health. Even though there is a possibility that I will “blow it”, I deeply and completely accept myself including the parts of me that want this indulgence.

Eyebrow…It’s my birthday

Side of Eye…I deserve to eat whatever I want

Under the Eye…It doesn’t seem fair to have to say no to food on my birthday

Under the Nose…I want steak or lobster

Chin…I want cake and ice cream

Collarbone…I want pancakes and bacon for breakfast

Under the Arm…How can my day be special without those things?

Top of Head…Of course I could eat all of that but just eat smaller portions

Eyebrow..But I’m not sure that would satisfy me either

Side of Eye…Shouldn’t I be able to have whatever I want on my birthday?

Under the Eye…The answer is yes. But, maybe I should look closer at what I really want.

Under the Nose…Will those foods make me feel good about myself?

Chin…No they won’t

Collarbone…Will overeating make me feel loved?

Under the Arm…No it won’t

Top of Head…I want to choose to find ways to love myself on my birthday without hurting my health

Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Now is the time to keep tapping with the answers to some of those questions. What do you really want? How can you show yourself love without hurting your health?

BONUS TAPPING: Name 3 comfort foods. While tapping through the points, describe them in as much detail as you possibly can. Continue tapping while you describe your first memory of these foods. Spend some time thinking about what these foods mean to you, when you crave them the most, and how you feel when you eat them.

Need to learn more about tapping? Click here.

Want more tapping exercises like this one? Click here.

Happy Tapping.