Every one of us needs to create a safe inner place. We need a comfortable home to return to, which provides us with physical security. We need to be connected positively to ourselves and to others on an emotional level, which represents a stable place in which we can grow emotionally. We also need to create a positive self-talk cycle, where pleasant words of self-encouragement circulate in our minds, even when the going gets rough; this represents a balanced mental place. We need to develop a desire for spirituality, to prepare ourselves and others for a level of existence that is higher than mere physicality, and this represents our spiritual place. Finally, we need to be open to our own infinite positive potential, so we can draw from it continuously; this represents our essential place. One distinguishing factor of a “place” is that it has given boundaries and demarcations: “This is my place; this is his place.” The color red is most appropriate for creating a safe inner place, for red connotes boundaries: the color red signals a driver to stop, and it warns us of dangers, such as when there are dangerous chemicals in the area.
The following visualization is designed to help us create a positive, safe place for self-actualization.
Red
Exercise I
Red is a warm color, signifying joy and enthusiasm, both of which are essential elements in creating a place that will help a person grow and develop his talents and abilities. For the next sixty seconds, please look with total focus at the red sky pictured here, holding one hand on your forehead and your second hand on the back of your head, opposite your eyes. As you look at the picture, breathe calmly and deeply.
Relax your arms for half a minute.
Exercise II
Again, place your hands in position, and read aloud as you think about the following “statement of choice.” Where you are instructed to breathe, take a deep breath and take another look at the picture:
I choose to connect [breathe] to the healing power power implanted by God in the color red [breathe] in order to release all self-punishing behaviors, [breathe] all self-destructive behaviors, [breathe] and all self-denigrating behaviors or perceptions [breathe] that block my ability to create a positive, safe place for self-actualization [breathe].
And I choose instead [breathe] to use the healing energy present in the color red [breathe] to connect to my intrinsic, essential positive self [breathe] and to create joy and enthusiasm [breathe] in all areas of life, relationships, learning experiences and endeavor [breathe].
Relax your arms for half a minute.
Exercise III
Once more, place your hands in position. Read aloud as you think about the following “statement of choice.” At each pause to breathe, take a deep breath and take another look at the picture:
Any time in the future [breathe] when I chance to see the color red, [breathe] whether it be in the sky, [breathe] or reflected in a stop sign or in a bottle of ketchup, [breathe] I choose to rearouse the powerful positive energy created by this visualization [breathe] to enhance my ability to create a positive, safe place [breathe] full of joy and enthusiasm, [breathe] in all areas of life, relationships, learning experiences and endeavor [breathe].
Relax your arms for half a minute.
