The therapeutic ‘miracle question’ – If you were to wake up tomorrow and all of your troubles are gone, what would that feel like? – has long been used as a solution-focused counseling technique to determine what the best case scenario would be for an individual who is struggling to overcome negative thoughts and behaviors. It basically asks, if they were to wake up one day and everything was just as it should be, how would this look and feel? Allowing one to respond to this bolsters motivation and enables a solution-focused plan to be put into place which will help a person achieve his or her best life.
Of course, life isn’t perfect. So, the miracle question is a “what if” hypothetical from which realistic goals can be developed. Asking yourself this question will allow you to better understand your own perception of self and what you need to heal in a sustainable way. Write down your response in a journal entry so you can continually reference this miracle situation as you reach new milestones. How close are you to finding peace and contentment with life? What more needs to be done?
Life also has a tendency to change as time goes by. Therefore, your miracle question response could change. So, it’s important to stay open-minded and flexible, and realize that what you may have at first wanted to accomplish has become irrelevant or you would like to redirect your focus on progressing along a different route. That’s completely natural and okay. It’s part human nature and the continual journey.
In order to jump start the healing process, ask yourself this miracle question and record your response. From there, determine what needs to be done to move towards this goal. Set milestones for yourself and jot down how you plan to achieve each. These should be stretch goals, but baby steps are also important. Make sure they are challenging, yet achievable. Once you’ve achieved a milestone, go back to your list and check off what’s been done.
Remember, the healing process is an ever-evolving, lifelong journey. Stay focused, yet flexible. Record your progress and reference your notes to stay motivated. Making a commitment to self to realize your own miracle – whatever that may look like – is a commendable first step.