| Has something stressful or upsetting | | | | but I was able to become much calmer |
| happened to you recently? Maybe it was a | | | | than I had been. This felt better plus |
| fender bender car accident, or telling a | | | | it allowed me to have a more effective |
| friend she did something that hurt you, | | | | conversation with my friend than I would |
| or being triggered by something your | | | | have had if I'd been completely |
| spouse said, or stepping on stage to | | | | agitated. |
| make a presentation. | | | | Here are a few examples of personal 911s |
| Even when you are following what lights | | | | I and others have used: |
| you up and creating more of what you | | | | * I choose peace. |
| truly want in life, not every moment of | | | | * I choose love. |
| every day will be filled with ease, joy, | | | | * I choose serenity. |
| and pleasure. Each of us has moments, | | | | * I choose joy. |
| situations, and experiences that stress | | | | * I choose love over fear. |
| and upset us. | | | | * Everything is perfect. |
| What can you do to help yourself during | | | | * All is well. |
| those times? How can you calm yourself | | | | * God, grant me the serenity to accept |
| until you gain more perspective to | | | | the things I cannot change, the courage |
| effectively deal with the situation? | | | | to change the things I can, and the |
| Use your personal 911! | | | | wisdom to know the difference. |
| What Is a Personal 911? | | | | While you're saying the words, you could |
| 911 is the phone number we call in the | | | | also do a grounding technique such as |
| U.S. when we have an emergency and need | | | | pressing your feet firmly on the floor, |
| help fast. We don't have to figure out | | | | rubbing your palms together, or deep |
| what kind of help is needed or which | | | | breathing. Many people also add a |
| number to call; we already know if we | | | | homeopathic aid such as Bach's Rescue |
| have any kind of emergency, dial 911. | | | | Remedy. |
| The 911 dispatcher sends the police, | | | | In Your Life |
| fire department, or medical responders; | | | | If you'd like to experiment with this |
| the right help is quickly on its way. | | | | the next time you're stressed or upset, |
| 911 is an easy and effective emergency | | | | here are some suggestions. |
| system. | | | | 1) Choose your 911 now. |
| What about when you have a more personal | | | | You've probably heard people say "I can |
| "emergency?" You can't call the | | | | hardly think straight!" Science has now |
| community 911 system just because you're | | | | shown that, in fact, we can't think |
| stressed, jarred, upset, anxious, angry, | | | | clearly under certain conditions. When |
| or afraid and want some relief and help | | | | you are flooded with feelings and |
| quickly. But you can call on your own | | | | physiological stress responses you'll |
| personal 911. | | | | have a very hard time figuring out how |
| Your personal 911 is a sentence, phrase | | | | to help yourself. |
| or word you say to yourself during | | | | Have your emergency response prepared so |
| trying times, something designed to ease | | | | it's ready when you need it. Then, in |
| and calm you. Your 911 is simple and | | | | the midst of a stressful situation, you |
| easy so you can use it anytime and | | | | won't have to figure out what to do -- |
| anywhere. | | | | you just start saying your 911! |
| You choose it in advance and use it as | | | | 2) Choose something that will work for |
| your first, immediate response when you | | | | you. |
| are stressed and upset. No need to think | | | | There is not a universal personal 911 |
| about it; as soon as you realize you | | | | that will work best for everybody. Your |
| need personal emergency help, you just | | | | most effective 911 will speak strongly |
| start saying it. | | | | to you: be powerful and meaningful |
| Your personal 911 will provide some | | | | enough for you that it will calm you, |
| quick relief, reducing your stress and | | | | shift your attention, and switch your |
| calming you. Once you're calmer, you can | | | | perspective. It may be one of the |
| then take whatever additional actions | | | | examples above or it may be something |
| are needed to help yourself and to deal | | | | completely different. |
| with the situation. | | | | 3) Use it! |
| Would One of These Work For You? | | | | When you're feeling stressed or upset, |
| I just used a personal 911 myself. I was | | | | use your 911. Repeat it over and over, |
| meeting a friend for breakfast and I had | | | | like a mantra. If you start with the |
| something to discuss that was difficult | | | | little things, the stuff that's mildly |
| for me. Anticipating the conversation | | | | upsetting, you can build your ability to |
| stirred me up; I was agitated and | | | | use this in tougher situations as well. |
| anxious, my mind was racing. | | | | Your personal 911 is a simple tool to |
| To calm myself, I used one of my | | | | add to your life toolkit. You can |
| personal 911s: "I choose peace." I kept | | | | quickly and easily call on it when |
| saying this to myself over and over and | | | | you're in situations that challenge you. |
| over again. I was able to shift some of | | | | Using your personal 911 will reduce your |
| my attention from the thoughts that were | | | | stress, calm you, and allow you to more |
| upsetting me to more soothing thoughts. | | | | effectively respond to the situation. |
| Did it make my problem disappear? No, | | | | Enjoy! |