Believe it or not, this is a very old tapping exercise, but it seems appropriate for today’s social climate. It was included in a chapter about current stressors in my first book Tap It Away: 10 Minutes to Freedom with EFT. This tapping is about the intense emotions people experience when talking about politics.
Some people may actually be afraid to do this tapping because they equate the decrease in intense emotions with lack of conviction. Tapping on the intense emotions will not take away your conviction but it will allow for better control and more ease around others that may believe differently than you do.
The story begins with Joe, a normally reasonable and mild-mannered man who was having difficulty at family gatherings because his political views were radically different from those of other family members. Joe and his wife actually dreaded holidays such as Thanksgiving where there was extended contact that allowed ample time for such discussions. Joe really wanted to be able to control his emotions better when family members disagreed with him, failed to listen to his views, or even provoked him to just get a reaction. Tapping was a perfrect tool for the situation.
Is this scenario something you can relate to? Let’s tap.
Say this problem statement aloud, “I can’t handle it when other people don’t respect my political views.” Rate the intensity (or truth) of this statement on a 0-10 scale (10 is very true). Write down your number.
Say these setup statements while tapping on the karate chop point: Even though I can’t handle it when other people don’t respect my political views, I deeply and completely love and accept myself. Even though I get really angry when other people don’t agree with my political views, I deeply and completely love and accept myself. Even though it feels like other people aren’t respecting my political views when they disagree with me, and I don’t handle it very well, I deeply and completely love and accept myself and all of my feels on this subject.
Eyebrow…I can’t handle it when other people don’t respect my political views
Side of Eye…I get pretty upset when others disagree with my politics
Under the Eye…It is dangerous to discuss politics with anyone that doesn’t agree with my view
Under the Nose…Because I can’t handle it
Chin…I’m so sure that my political views are right
Collarbone…That I can’t handle it when anyone has a different opinion
Under the Arm…I can’t handle it when anyone can’t see the value of my political views
Top of Head…I can’t handle any challenge to my political views without getting very upset
Take a deep breath and let it out. Check the intensity of your original problem statement “I can’t handle it when other people don’t respect my political views.” Record your new rating. Continue tapping with these statements until your intensity rating is low. Once your rating is below a 3 or 4, feel free to move on to the positive affirmation reminder phrases below.
Eyebrow…Even though I can’t handle it when other people don’t respect my political views right now
Side of Eye…I am trying to maintain an open mind
Under the Eye…Even though I haven’t been able to handle it as well as I would like in the past
Under the Nose…I am open to feeling more comfortable with challenges to my views in the future
Chin…Even though I’m pretty convinced that I am right
Collarbone…I am trying to be okay with others’ opinions
Under the Arm…Even when I feel they are wrong
Top of Head…I love and respect my own views and calmly allow allows to have their views.
Take a deep breath and let it out gently. Check the intensity of your original problem statement “I can’t handle it when other people don’t respect my political views.” Write down your new rating.
If politics is one of your stressors, be sure to notice what additional thoughts and feelings come up and write them down for future tapping. It may be important for you to tap on those additional issues.
Would you like more examples of tapping about every day stressors? Check out Tap It Away: 10 Minutes to Freedom With EFT.
