Think about the neck of the giraffe. Now imagine it reaching up to grab a tasty leaf hanging high above. The stretching and reaching associated with the giraffe may be physical, but the giraffe as a totem may also be instructing us about stretching and reaching for a goal or simply stretching ourselves beyond our comfort zone.
Say this statement aloud, “I’m afraid to leave my comfort zone.” How true does that feel on the 0-10 SUD scale?
Setup (Karate Chop Point): I have this image of the giraffe stretching and reaching with its amazingly long neck. I also have an image of myself closed safely into my comfort zone without taking any risks. In that image I am small like a mouse, not majestic and tall like a giraffe. Most of the time I reject the comfort zone image and will urge myself to stretch beyond whatever it is that I, or others, think I can accomplish. Although I would prefer to be continually reaching for more, I love and accept the part of myself that sometimes wishes for comfort and safety instead. Even though I feel that I don’t always risk enough, I love and accept myself completely. Even though sometimes I have trouble reaching, risking, or leaving my comfort zone I deeply and completely love, accept, and honor all parts of myself and choose to allow my intuition to guide me.
Eyebrow…Feeling small
Side of Eye…But wanting to be big
Under the Eye…Prefering to stay in my comfort zone
Under the Nose…But also wanting to reach for more
Chin…It is true that sometimes I take risks
Collarbone…But in reality
Under the Arm…It is less often than I wish
Top of Head…I like to imagine myself
Eyebrow…Sticking my neck out more often
Side of Eye…Sometimes I think about doing it
Under the Eye…And sometimes I actually do it
Under the Nose…And sometimes I don’t act at all
Chin…I’d like to know more about
Collarbone…My choices
Under the Arm…I would like to think that I am listening to my intuition
Top of Head…And that my intuition is flawlessly guiding me
Eyebrow…To take risks when appropriate
Side of Eye…And to stay in my comfort zone
Under the Eye…When that is in my best interest too
Under the Nose…But I suspect that it is my willingness
Chin…To listen to my intuition that really is making the difference
Collarbone…I definitely have more growth
Under the Arm…Coming my way in this risk taking thing
Top of Head…Perhaps my willingness to take a risk
Eyebrow…Or to reach for more
Side of Eye…And leave my comfort zone
Under the Eye…Is somehow a product of my values and priorities
Under the Nose…Actually makes some sense to me
Chin…Reaching for more may be much easier
Collarbone…When the goal I’m reaching for is very important
Under the Arm…And when the goal is neutral or perhaps not really desirable
Top of Head…I hold back
Eyebrow…So when I think about reaching for more
Side of Eye…I need to identify some things
Under the Eye…That are worth reaching for
Under the Nose…Things that feel important
Chin…Things that match my values
Collarbone…Reaching for more
Under the Arm…Reaching for more purpose
Top of Head…Reaching for what matters
Take a deep breath and let it out gently. Say the starting statement aloud again, “I’m afraid to leave my comfort zone.” Re-rate the emotional reaction on the 0-10 scale and notice any change.