Last Thursday I made a last minute decision to stop into my local health food store. I was looking for spelt berries for a recipe I will be using for my upcoming St. Hildegard retreat. After a quick glance around the store, I did not see what I was looking for, and approached the checkout to inquire. The young woman at the register said they didn’t carry spelt, but could probably get some by special order As she took down my contact information, I couldn’t help but notice that her voice was strained and hoarse. I asked if she was okay. She replied, “No”. Something was clearly not right. I asked if she was getting over a cold. Again the answer was “No”. I asked if she knew the cause of her laryngitis and she replied, “Screaming”. “What happened?” I asked innocently. Her expression became tense and tears welled up in her eyes as she revealed, “My sister was attacked by a dog…..she’s having plastic surgery right now. I saw it happen.”
My heart sank. I had sensed something was really wrong. Here we were, just the two of us in a store. I debated inside myself – should I get involved and offer EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) or should I gently acknowledge her pain, express my sympathy and leave. I had just returned from the ACEP conference this week having heard more about the trauma relief efforts using EFT with veterans and Rwandan orphans. How could I turn away without offering this stranger a chance to feel better?
One thing I knew I would never want to do is force something on her. I didn’t come equipped with my consent forms, however even in this setting; it was appropriate and empowering to put the decision into the hands of the person who was hurting. I looked directly into her eyes and said, “I am trained in a special healing process that could help you let go of the painful memory of your sister’s attack. Would you like me to show you how it works? It would take just 2-3 minutes.” She nodded her head – “Yes”.
Fortunately, there was noone else in the store. After a few words of background about how EFT works, we began the treatment with the reminder phrase “devastation”. A full round of tapping brought significant relief. The tears were gone, she was breathing more fully. She shared that her intensity had dropped from a 10 to a 5. I asked her to focus on what was now highest in her awareness when she thought of the memory. Her reply – “the screaming”. We tapped another round using the phrase, “all that screaming” and by the end of that round; I could see the corners of her mouth turning upward. Could that be a smile? YES!
As we completed that round, a man entered the store. There was probably more we could have done, but clearly she needed to be back on the job. She asked for my card and thanked me for helping her feel better. I noticed that her voice was louder and stronger. Two minutes of tapping had changed her day.
I am glad I chose to get involved and help a stranger that day. Part of me wonders if I was sent to that store not because I needed spelt berries, but because someone needed my help. I entered that store as a stranger, and left with a new friend. Today’s lesson reminds me to be open to people needing help, wherever they might show up in my daily life. I hope you’ll look for those opportunities to use your talents and gifts too. It doesn’t have to be a life or death situation to step up, speak up and serve.
