I can’t blame my short-term memory lapses on my age. I’ve had this problem all my life. Neurofeedback sessions have helped a lot, but there are still gaps that leave me frustrated and even exasperated at times. To try to fill these gaps, I’ve developed some habits that help, like putting my billfold, glasses, car keys etc. in the same location every night when I empty my pockets, so that finding them in the morning will be routine.
Recently, I was rushing around getting ready to leave for work, when I realized my billfold was not in its usual place. Immediately, my anxiety rose, triggering thoughts such as, what if I get stopped by a traffic cop on the way to work? What will I do if I have to make a credit card purchase?
I frantically raced through the house, revisiting all the places I had been last night, the living room, my home office, my wife’s computer desk, my clothes closet, the kitchen and dinette. In my closet, I’d twice checked the coat and pants pockets of the clothes I had been wearing yesterday. When the second time around the house didn’t locate the billfold, I found my anxiety enhanced by frustration. The thought of having to notify the credit card companies to cancel and reissue, as well as having to apply for a replacement driver’s license, added anger to the above emotions.
Then a thought popped into my mind, why not try tapping? Though new to this tool, with still a lot to learn, I sat down and began tapping:
Even though I know I’ve been careless with my billfold, I very much would like to remember where it is, and I’m a very worthwhile person.
I repeated this several times. Suddenly, the closet flashed into my mind. I rejected the image at first, because I had already twice gone through the pockets of the suit I had worn. Then I got another flash. I hadn’t worn the suit, only the coat. I’d worn a pair of different colored slacks!
Rushing to the closet, I pulled out the slacks I’d worn. There in a pocket was my billfold! Plus, I still had time to get to work by opening hour.
While this may seem a trivial thing to get upset about, my first emotional reaction had the potential to set my whole day on the wrong track. Tapping relieved my anxiety, frustration and anger, and allowed my short-term memory circuits to do their job.
Robert (Bob) Dickson
Originally published on November 18, 2011.
M.Coulter says
I’ve read your article and can understand your
reaction to the ‘loss’ of your glasses.
The thought occurred to me while reading was
this: Does the anxiety about NOT being able to
remember where something is cause the brain to
short circuit in some way and this is not one
of the beginning of dementia? I practice when
I remember it…lol There are two questions I
would like you to respond to: My aunt is 80
yoa. My cousin, her daughter, is tellling me
her short term memory is ‘shot’. I have no
idea if this is her assessment or if it means
my aunt’s memory is getting worser/shorter.
Could EFT be beneficial to her in this matter?
My second quesition is I have become very
irritated when I can’t think of a word or name
of a movie, thing or person when I need it.
Could my frustration inhibit the brain’s
ability to make the connection I need. I’ve
noticed when I stop fretting and let it go
I can usually recall the name I wanted.
Thank you
M. Coulter
William says
I’d forget my head if it weren’t attached! hehehe! I have a feeling this will work and definitely will try it soon! Negativity is a feeling I try and avoid a when I loose something it definitely is frightening. I have tapped before with Brad Yates on Youtube.com And it has helped with stress and a multitude of other issues and I can afford free so I say to whoever reads this….it definitely has helped me and continues to help me every day. I hopefully will report on the tapping to remember things and let people know of my success or not so successful results in the future. With warm regards, William