EFT Tapping Tip: No “Wrong” Words

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Key points:

• You can use any words that come up for you.
• You can even use noises!
• No one is grading you.
• You can accept yourself… and if not, tap for the hell of it!

“I just can’t seem to come up with the right words.”

So many people new to tapping using Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) get wrapped up in having the perfect words to say. They learn the points, start listening to audio sessions, and have a pretty good idea of where they would like to use EFT to make improvements in their life. But they don’t act. They feel so stymied about where to start and what to say that they don’t tap.

I’m here to tell you… there are no “wrong” words for you to use when they come from within YOU. How is that possible? Let me explain.

EFT is based on the premise that all negative emotions are caused by a disruption in the body’s energy system. We connect with those negative emotions by describing them. This description need not be articulate. It need not even strike our brains as particularly truthful or accurate! If they are YOUR words being used to connect with a feeling YOU are feeling, then they are PERFECT.

They don’t even have to be words. For example, if you have this <groan> feeling in the pit of your stomach, you can use the following EFT sequence: (We start at the karate chop point)

“Even though I have this <groan> feeling in my stomach, I deeply and completely accept myself.”
“Even though I have this <groan> feeling in my stomach, I deeply and completely accept myself.”
“Even though I have this <groan> feeling in my stomach, I deeply and completely accept myself.”

Then tap  the points and make the <groan> noise:

(Top of head) This <groan> feeling
(Eyebrow) This <groan> feeling
(Side of eye) This <groan> feeling
(Under eye) This <groan> feeling
(Under nose) This <groan> feeling
(Chin) This <groan> feeling
(Collarbone) This <groan> feeling
(Under arm) This <groan> feeling

Take a deep breath….

You can use a <shriek> feeling, a <whimper> feeling, a <whine> feeling, a <growl> feeling… you make the noise, and EFT will help.

So… if you can use some weird noise and have EFT work, can you imagine that whatever words come up for you will also work?

The words (or the noises) are just a way for you to acknowledge what is present. If you feel “nothing” then tap, “Even though I feel nothing, I deeply and completely accept myself!” EFT is very flexible. Why? Because it connects with the artistic beauty of the human soul. It should be treated as more like painting a picture than painting a house.

“But Rick! I can’t paint a picture!”

Boy, can I relate to that! I got a “D” in 7th grade art!

Yet, there is no judge here. No one is grading you. If you are grading you, then stop! You can’t get it wrong! Your art will become more to your liking over time and with practice. So sit back and enjoy the process, both the learning and the feelings.

And if you can’t, if you can’t just let go and enjoy, then tap for the hell of it. Tap with whatever angry, judgmental thoughts come into your head. Tap about your discouragement that nothing has worked. Tap with your feelings that you will never get it right. Tap with your belief that, “This won’t work, because nothing ever works for me… even though it works for everybody else!”

Tap those points. Tap with whatever words show up. Tap with whatever noises show up. Or, Tap in silent fuming. Tap in silent distress.

You cannot get it wrong. Because in whatever state you are in, you are deeply and completely accepted. You may not feel it now. You may not be able to recall a time when you felt deeply and completely accepted by anyone… even yourself. You may feel your sins and shame and guilt and failures make you unredeemable.

But you cannot say the wrong things when you tap. You cannot say the wrong things in prayer. And if a part of you finds it hard to say, “I deeply and completely accept myself” then let me say it for you. Tap with me:

(Karate chop) “Even though I feel worthless sometimes, I am deeply and completely accepted.”
“Even though anyone who accepts me just doesn’t know me, I am deeply and completely accepted.”
“Even though I feel so WRONG, I choose to know… somewhere inside me… some place still clean and untouched by pain… that I am deeply and completely accepted.”

(Top of head) I have felt so wrong.
(Eyebrow) I have failed at times..
(Side of eye) I have been guilty.
(Under eye) I have done wrong..
(Under nose) I have been wronged.
(Chin) I have felt wrong.
(Collarbone) I have known shame.
(Under arm) And I am sorry..

(Top of head) It is time for me to heal.
(Eyebrow) I accept my feelings.
(Side of eye) I choose to heal.
(Under eye) I’m okay.
(Under nose) I’m feeling better.
(Chin) I am taking positive steps.
(Collarbone) I am relaxing.
(Under arm) I am finding myself.
(Top of head) And I deeply and completely accept myself. No matter what. So help me, God.

And take a big, deep breath….

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Tagged as: EFT, Tapping EFT