Category: WFB Poetry

Photo Credit: Anonymous

How Haiku helps

What does my body need now? Frequently writing Haiku about my WBF discoveries not only helps me document what is emerging but also helps me to sustain the new healing.

As I was preparing for bed a few weeks ago, I noticed that I felt defeated. There were so many challenges that made me anxious and fearful that I wondered if it were useless to try to sleep. My husband and I have been experiencing serious health problems for the last year and a half and it felt exhausting to be in this place.

The words “what does my body need now?” came to me. I thought I would give it a try.  As I got into bed, I felt into my body as I asked this question. My hands moved. They landed crossed, on my upper chest with my hands near my shoulders. It felt so comfortable and comforting. The next thing I remembered is that I woke up at 6:00 AM. I had slept through the night and my hands were still in this position. It was as if I had given myself a seven hour Reiki treatment.

Asking My Body

In the days following, I noticed a shift. When a situation arose, I didn’t have to “check” in with my body what it needed. The answer was just there.

“Did I want to work on taxes right now?”

“No! I needed to finish my film project.”

“Did I want to be part of a committee to make important decisions?”

“No! I just wanted to play.”

“Could I take on a new responsibility?”

“No! I had to organize myself to be with the responsibilities that were already here.”

I am noticing ME as my first reaction to a situation. It is coming from my body and out my mouth before I can get a chance to filter it. In the past, when someone wanted me to do something, I would usually say yes first and think about it later. That caused a lot of stress because, while I may come to know how I really feel about something later, I would never want to renege on my agreement to take on a responsibility.

The body needs what it needs

Old feelings emerged. Was I being selfish? Would this new assertion of my needs alienate people?  These are the same feelings that lead me to say yes to most of what people asked of me, however, now I was having them after I declined to do the whatever was asked of me. I had the opportunity to see in real time what the result was of my going with what my body needed. Here are some respones from ohters. Sometimes people were surprised or amused or agreed that I needed to take care of myself. No one has disowned me or started to not return my calls. These Haikus helped me feel  less stress and anxiety because I was doing what my body needed rather than what others might want of me.

Writing about what comes for us in any format supports our WBF work by continuing the healing that is already in progress. I encourage all who read this blog to share their own experiences with shifts and new ways of living. You can do this as a contributor to the blog

Haiku to Find Myself

15 
Being with the pain
That is trauma residue
Takes grounding and love.

16 
When there are stressors
Allowing movement steadies
The nervous system

17
When progress is made
New shifts need to be noticed
So that they can stay

 18 
When good things happen
I hold space for all that comes
With an open heart

 19
When challenges pop
And there is nowhere to go
Go inside and move!

 20
What does my heart need?
Slowing down to listen now
This is new to me

21
When upset, I ask
What does my body need now?
Then I notice me

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