Savoring the good, an important theme in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and somatic therapy in general, emphasizes the intentional focus on strengths and positive experiences. While addressing past pain is an essential part of trauma therapy, healing is fundamentally about enhancing the positive aspects of life and learning to sustainably connect with them. This involves directing attention towards pleasurable sensations in the body and the experiences that evoke them.

In this approach, resources are essential. These are sources of energy and support that enrich our lives, making healing and thriving possible. Resources encompass psychological, spiritual, relational, somatic, emotional, intellectual, artistic/creative, and material dimensions. Recognizing the diversity of these categories highlights our innate need for a variety of resources to feel secure, alive, and fully expressive of our desires and needs.

As you consider examples of these resources, take note of those already present in your life. Reflect on where you might expand and cultivate abundance by developing new resources in different areas. This exploration can enhance your sense of well-being and resilience, inviting a more fulfilling life experience.

As you explore what genuinely resources you, a deeper connection unfolds when you deliberately name the elements that contribute to that positive experience. Since feelings manifest in the body, pinpointing what feels good directly correlates with bodily sensations. For instance, activities like hiking and weightlifting are beneficial resources for my body because they generate immediate and lasting positive sensations. Conversely, running does not align as a resource because it fails to evoke positive feelings during or after the activity.

This distinction became clear to me over time. I noticed that running consistently left my body feeling disjointed, a sensation I've experienced since childhood, whereas hiking and weightlifting consistently integrate my body, leaving me feeling whole and aligned. This integration is palpable across my joints and in the tone of my muscles, empowering me to move with strength and confidence, helping to encourage good posture. These combined sensations create a profound sense of empowerment, security, and optimism.

I enjoy savoring these feelings every time I engage in hiking and weightlifting. This positive reinforcement motivates me to continue these activities, ensuring I stay within healthy limits to avoid injury or discomfort, which would undermine the positive experience.

Here's another example: Some individuals may naturally gravitate towards large group settings, while others find more fulfillment in one-on-one or small group interactions. There's often a societal expectation to enjoy and participate in large group gatherings, whether with family, friends, or professionally. However, for those who find smaller settings more nourishing, there can be a notable sense of relief in recognizing and honoring this preference.

When someone acknowledges that one-on-one and small group connections resonate more deeply with them, they can actively seek out and cherish these experiences. This alignment allows them to fully savor the moments as they unfold and appreciate the positive effects that follow from engaging in what genuinely suits them.

The key here is to recognize what uniquely benefits you across various aspects of life and then cultivate the habit of intentionally focusing on what is positive, nurturing, and life-affirming about these experiences. The more resources you identify in your life, the more intentionally you can engage in experiences that enrich you.

A day in a richly resourced life might unfold like this: Despite a restless night, I relied on body scan meditation and focused breathing to maintain calm and achieve some rest. The aroma and taste of my morning coffee brought me joy and comfort after a challenging night. Following this, I engaged in 15 minutes of spiritual practice, surrendering my burdens and connecting with uplifting energy for the day ahead. I joined my neighborhood running group for a morning jog. I noticed that I felt a little out of place today so I sought out a friend who I reliably feel emotionally comfortable around. Breakfast was not only delicious but provided the balanced nutrients my body craves, leaving me energized and grounded as I started my workday. I felt apprehensive to open my email, so I paused and took a deep breath, remembering that it is enough to get done what I can today and not more than that. The breath and the reminder settled my apprehension and allowed me to get into a pleasurable flow state as I calmly crossed off my to-do list.

In this example, the individual isn't necessarily having a flawless day, but they are actively noticing what feels good, particularly in small moments, and leveraging various resources to support their well-being. By consciously engaging these resources, they are able to observe and appreciate the impact each has on them. This awareness empowers them to make intentional choices throughout their day to enhance their sense of being well-resourced.

This edition of the newsletter invites you to appreciate the good already in your life and build upon it! Summer is the perfect season for this, as it's often filled with positive emotions and joyful moments. If you're enjoying happy times, make the most of this season by deepening your connection with the good around you. And if you're facing challenges, these practices can still be incredibly beneficial. The greatest growth in embodying our resources often comes during struggles or crises. Focusing on your strengths during tough times can make future challenges more manageable.

What’s New at Prosopon

Last month we had a lot of exciting new beginnings to announce! Gabby is now settling into the practice and seeing clients. Liz is working diligently on her syllabus for teaching her upcoming class at the Naropa Mindfulness Transpersonal Counseling Program. We are actively out in our community making connections, building relationships, and collaborating on these fresh challenges and learning opportunities.

New at the Blog

This month I wasn’t sure if I was going to have the impetus to write blog posts and then suddenly the muse breathed life into my creative spark. Hallelujah! Topics this month center on themes related to change and the reality of where our control and freedom lie in the world of limitations.

•  THE POWER OF LISTENING

•  YOU DON'T HAVE TO REMEMBER

•  CHANGE OF HEART: BELIEFS TAKE TIME

•  THE HARDEST PART OF CHANGE

•  FREEDOM WITHIN LIFE'S LIMITS

Hopes, Fears, and Salves

We have been heavily relying on our resources across all categories at Prosopon Therapy this month. So many exciting changes also means growing emotionally and mentally. Facing the unknown ahead means facing your fears. As therapists, it is important the we continue to push our edges and get out of our comfort zones. Its the best way for us to remain empathetic to our clients who are bravely doing the same. Sometimes we do that in our own therapy and sometimes we take life risks to drum up such an experience. I wrote a bit about this in the blog article THE HARDEST PART OF CHANGE.

Hopes:

• While change brings hard work and risk, it also brings new, fresh, and better aligned realties.

• Community and collaboration are useful but they are also the oxygen we need to prevent unhealthy loneliness (as opposed to healthy solitude).

• Beauty and delightful surprises come from having a steady, calm, and understanding relationship with the unknown.

Fears:

• Risk inherently implies the possibility of failure.

• People are complex. Hurt, pain, and conflict are inevitable when we engage in community.

• The void can be devouring!

Salves

• Failure is always a learning opportunity. Resources invested always yield the fruits of knowledge.

• Conflict creates the conditions for deeper connection with those who are open to it.

• When we face the void, whether the void devours us or not, we have the conditions we need to transform and become stronger.