Breathe Again

In the Hawaiian culture there is a practice called Ho'oponopono.

Its essence is about restoring harmony within yourself if you're experiencing emotional discomfort.

The idea is to release the emotional charge you are having at a given moment.

In the practice, you repeat four phrases that you direct inward to the part of you

that is holding a momentary emotional charge be it a memory, a belief, or reaction.

The phrases you repeat are:

I'm sorry -acknowledges awareness of disharmony

Please forgive me -opens the door to release

Thank you -expresses trust that healing is happening

I love you -reconnects you to your compassion and wholeness

I find the practice to be even more effective with a deep breath after each phrase.

Having had an incident where I found myself having a strong emotional reaction, I used this practice and then wrote in my journal about why anger and hurt were showing up like tacks in my shoe.

What I discovered, is that the situation I was reacting to, unveiled a feeling of being rejected (because I was) when I spoke my truth, followed by the feeling of loneliness from the rejection. (So many feelings, I know.)

The experience: Spoke my truth>rejected>loneliness>sad>angry.

This certainly wasn't the first time this has happened.

But here's the good news.

I'm grateful I got to notice and address that part of myself that had those feelings.

In my exploration through journaling, I acknowledged and understood my feelings.

My strong reaction was linked to previous events (wounds) where I was rejected and felt lonely.

With this understanding, I comforted myself with compassion and still have more inner work to do. After a few hours, I released the anger around that particular situation and felt more grounded and steady.

Days later I wrote a letter of 'thanks' to the person who rejected me because in that incident, I realized I needed to develop thicker skin and lean more into my own power, strength, and love.

I hope you're understanding what I'm sharing — self-awareness and self-compassion are essential ingredients for self-development.

Anyone can do this type of inner work.

Afterwards, I wrote this short piece that I'll use next time after the Ho'oponopono practice—or anytime, just because.

Even reading these words invokes a feeling of inner peace.

If this piece speaks to you...feel free to use it for yourself should you be in a space of discomfort of any sort.

Sit still

Breathe

Breathe again

Pause

Let go of the noise

Release now

Eassssyyyyyy

Reeeellllaaaax

Imagine yourself floating in a warm pool

Looking at a beautiful sky

Indulging in Life

Connecting with your heart

Embraced by Mother Nature

No one else in the pool

Just you

Warm sun at just the right temperature

Settling into your skin

A gentle breeze kissing your cheeks

Birds, butterflies, swaying branches

Freely flying, gliding in the wind

Let it all go—

You are present

You are here

I am present

I am here

Steady

Strong

Safe

Loved

Enough