PERVIEW: Rewrite Your Story, Transform Your Life

For example, it’s often said that thoughts are vibrations  – a fearful thought might be a low-frequency, heavy wave, while a loving thought is high-frequency and light. PERVIEW trains practitioners to notice these energetic qualities. A client’s story isn’t just the content of their narrative; it’s also the emotional tone (angry, resigned, hopeful, etc.) which can be seen as their current vibration. By helping clients shift the frequency of their feelings (for instance, from anger toward forgiveness, or from despair toward hope), we help them alter what they attract and experience in their lives. This idea aligns with principles from positive psychology and even the Law of Attraction, which suggest that our “thoughts, emotions, and beliefs have the power to shape our external reality” . In practice, the VIEW aspect means using techniques that raise a client’s emotional state (such as gratitude exercises or mindfulness, discussed later) so that the “quantum field” of their life begins to resonate at a healthier frequency.

Practical Applications: The PERVIEW methodology is especially useful for those who have experienced trauma and high stress – populations like military veterans, first responders, and their families. These individuals often carry heavy stories (of war, loss, danger) and correspondingly low vibrations (grief, guilt, anger). PERVIEW offers a way to gently rewrite those stories and uplift their emotional state. In work with military families, for example, Embodied Restorying Practices have been proposed as an intervention to aid post-deployment family reintegration . A veteran returning from combat might initially have an “old story” full of pain or survivor’s guilt. Using PERVIEW, a coach can guide them to craft a new narrative of courage, meaning, and reconnection with loved ones. Similarly, a first responder’s spouse and children might use these steps to articulate their own story of a traumatic event (rather than silently internalizing fear), thereby processing it together. By combining narrative reframing with attention to emotional energy, practitioners can help clients not only understand their experiences differently but also feel different about them. The result is often a profound shift: clients move from feeling powerless in the face of their story to feeling empowered as the author of a new story. In the next sections, we’ll delve deeper into the quantum principles behind this approach and the specific steps practitioners can use.

---

The Seven Steps of PERVIEW Coaching

In this section, we break down the seven core steps of the PERVIEW coaching process. These steps constitute the “Processes for Embodied Restorying” (the PER in PERVIEW) – a guided journey that takes a client from identifying their old story to actively living a new one. Each step is explained in depth with an example of how a practitioner might implement it, along with a practical exercise or technique. While the steps are presented in a logical order, in practice the process is iterative and fluid – clients may loop back or spend extra time on one step, and that’s okay. The goal is to eventually move through all seven, as each plays a crucial role in restorying and healing. Here are the steps:

1. Characterize – Identifying Key Moments Before Trauma: The first step is about characterizing the client’s identity and narrative in its best light, prior to the defining trauma or problem. Often, trauma and adversity “shrink” someone’s story down to only pain and struggle. Characterize aims to expand the narrative again by recalling who the person was at their best. One way to do this is to ask the client to describe themselves (or their family) during a positive period in their life – for example, “Tell me about you when you felt most alive or strong (perhaps before this trauma occurred). Who were you then? What were you passionate about?” Encourage rich detail. Sometimes we facilitate this by having them create a scene: they might draw it, use a sand tray with figurines, or simply close their eyes and visualize a happy memory. It can help to have them include the perspectives of people who love them: “What would your best friend or a caring grandparent say about you at that time?” . This draws out affirming aspects of their character that the trauma may have eclipsed. In essence, we are painting a portrait of the client at their best – confident, connected, and capable. That portrait becomes a reference point for the healing journey, a reminder that “I have been more than this trauma; I am more than this story of brokenness.”

Practical Exercise (Characterize): One effective exercise is the “Best Self Collage.” Ask the client to gather or draw images that represent them when they were at their best or happiest. These could be photos, magazine cut-outs, symbols, or words. Have them assemble a collage (physically or digitally) and then narrate the story of that collage to you. As they explain each element (“This represents me finishing my first marathon” or “This word ‘kind’ is how my friends describe me”), listen and highlight strengths and values that emerge. Another exercise is the “Letter from a Loved One.” The client writes a short letter to themselves from the viewpoint of someone who cares about them, describing their positive qualities. This external perspective often brings out strengths the client overlooks. Characterize sets a positive tone and taps into the client’s embodied memory of wellness. It’s not just an intellectual exercise; as the client recalls these key moments, encourage them to notice how their body feels – perhaps their posture straightens or they breathe easier when talking about their proud moments. That physical shift is important, because it means we’re already altering the energy state and making room for a new story.

2. Externalize – Recognizing Hidden Story Filters: In this step, we help the client separate themselves from the problem or limiting story they’ve been carrying. In other words, we externalize the “old story” so that it can be examined and talked about as something outside the self, rather than an all-defining truth. Often, people come in saying things like “I am a failure” or “I am broken.” We work to change that to, “I have been telling myself a story of failure” or “I have an old story that says I’m broken.” Notice the difference: the latter phrasing makes the story an object that one possesses (or a character that one can relate to), rather than one’s identity. A useful technique is to personify the problem or filter. We might ask, “If your ‘old story’ was a character or creature, what would it look like? What name would it have?” It could be anything – the “Critic Monster,” the “Shadow,” or maybe an image like “a dark cloud that’s followed me since 2005.” This might seem whimsical, but it actually allows the client to get some distance and see the narrative as a thing that affects them, not their essence. Some clients even use objects: for instance, placing an object in the sand tray or an empty chair and saying, “That chair holds my depression.” The original researchers note that you can “make any problems or struggles into another character in your story (use an object in the sand tray to describe this problem)” . By doing this, the client can dialogue with the problem, sometimes literally (“Why are you here, Depression? What do you want to tell me?”). Externalizing hidden story filters also includes identifying the “received narratives” – the beliefs and scripts imposed by others (family, society, military culture, etc.) that the client may have internalized . For example, a veteran might realize that part of his old story (“I must never show weakness”) actually came from military training and societal expectations of masculinity. Recognizing these outside influences is freeing: the client sees that the story they’ve been living is not inherently them – it’s a narrative that they can choose to keep or not.

Practical Exercise (Externalize): A powerful exercise here is the Story Sculpture or Sand Tray activity. Provide the client with figurines, toys, or symbolic objects. Ask them to create a scene that represents their life story, especially focusing on the problem. For instance, they might choose a soldier figurine to represent themselves and a looming shadow figure to represent PTSD, placing them in relation to each other. After setting up the “sculpture,” have the client describe what’s happening in that scene. This process often brings hidden assumptions to the surface (e.g., “This small figure is me – notice how I put it in a corner, away from others, because I feel nobody understands me”). By narrating the tableau, they are externalizing their internal story. Another simpler tool is journaling in third person. Have the client write a brief narrative of their struggle as if it’s about someone else, perhaps even giving that person a different name. (“John was a firefighter who saw many tragic things… Now John feels numb.”) This can reveal surprising insights, as the client often writes more compassionately or objectively about “John” than they do about themselves. Afterward, you can discuss how “John’s” story might be approached or changed. Externalization fundamentally empowers the client to say, “I am not my story; my story is something I can observe and change.” This creates a critical emotional distance from which real change becomes possible.

3. Sympathize – Understanding the Function of the Past Narrative: Once the problem story is externalized, the next step is somewhat counterintuitive: we approach that old story with sympathy and understanding. Rather than immediately trying to destroy the “villain” of the story, we ask, “In what way has this story (or problem) actually been trying to help you?”. This aligns with approaches in Internal Family Systems therapy and narrative therapy which suggest every behavior or belief, no matter how maladaptive, developed for a reason – usually self-protection or survival. We want the client to find the positive intent or understandable origin of their old narrative. For example, a veteran’s hyper-vigilance and distrust (old story: “No one’s safe, I must always be on guard”) likely kept him alive in war and maybe was the only way he knew to cope with chaos. Acknowledge that. Perhaps that narrative “benefited you or was in some way understandable”* in the past . By sympathizing with the old story, we remove shame and resistance. The client often feels a wave of self-compassion as they realize “I’m not crazy for having felt this way; it actually makes sense given what I went through.” This step is crucial for building the therapeutic alliance with oneself – instead of fighting their own psyche, the client learns to thank that part of their story for its service. We sometimes frame it as speaking to the old narrative (or the part of self that clings to it) and saying, “I know you were trying to help/protect me when you made me believe X.” It’s a gentle acknowledgement that even the dark chapters had a role. Only after giving the old story its due recognition do we ask it to step aside.

Practical Exercise (Sympathize): One exercise is the Protective Truth dialogue. Have the client write down or verbalize answers to: “How did this story protect me? What was it trying to prevent or ensure?” If the story is “I trust no one,” maybe it protected them from further betrayal; if the story is “I’m in control by drinking,” maybe it was ensuring they could numb overwhelming pain. Then have them write a short “thank you note” to the old narrative or behavior: e.g., “Dear Anger, thank you for helping me stand up for myself when I felt powerless.” This can feel odd at first, but it often releases a lot of pent-up tension. Tears are common here, as clients soften toward their own past selves. Another method is a role-play: the practitioner can “be” the old story or belief and the client asks questions to understand its perspective. For instance, the coach plays the voice of Workaholism and says, “I’m here because if you stay busy, you won’t have to feel pain,” and the client might respond, “I see… you were afraid I’d collapse if I stopped working.” This kind of empathetic engagement with the root causes of the narrative helps integrate the experience. It tells the client’s nervous system that we’re not going to rip away its defenses without honoring why they were there. Only once the client sees that the old story had a purpose (often, a noble one in its context) can they fully release it with peace rather than inner conflict.

4. Revise – Challenging Limiting Beliefs and Restructuring Perception: After honoring the old narrative, it’s time to consciously challenge and revise it. In this step, we help the client identify the aspects of the story that are no longer serving them – the distortions, the exaggerations, the unnecessary limitations – and encourage them to question those elements. Essentially, we pivot from “I understand why I had this story” to “I recognize why I no longer need this story (at least not in its current form).” One technique is to list the negative consequences of continuing to believe the old story . For instance, the veteran might realize that staying hyper-vigilant and isolated is ruining his chance at a loving family life; the belief “I must not trust anyone” leads to loneliness, anxiety, and exhaustion. Enumerating these costs helps reaffirm the commitment to change. It creates motivation: “This story helped me survive, but now it’s keeping me from living.” We also target specific limiting beliefs within the story. If the story is “I’m helpless,” we challenge that: is it absolutely true? What evidence might contradict it? If the story is “It was all my fault,” we gently introduce doubt about that absolutism. Essentially, we start editing the script. In cognitive-behavioral terms, this is like cognitive restructuring – identifying irrational or unhelpful thoughts and replacing them with more realistic, beneficial ones – but done in a narrative, story-focused manner. The client is encouraged to revise the plot: perhaps by acknowledging new factors (e.g., “I did the best I could under the circumstances” instead of “I failed”), or by changing the “genre” of the story (from tragedy to rebirth story). This step is about breaking the old narrative’s authority. We want the client to emerge saying, “I no longer buy this story as the only truth. I can see its flaws and I choose to release my attachment to it.”

Practical Exercise (Revise): A helpful tool is the Belief Examination Worksheet. Draw three columns: in the first column, list key beliefs or assumptions from the old story (e.g., “I can’t trust anyone,” “I am damaged beyond repair,” “If I relax, something bad will happen”). In the second column, list the impact of holding that belief (e.g., “I isolate myself, I have constant stress headaches, I snap at people who try to get close”). In the third column, challenge or reframe the belief (e.g., “Maybe I can trust some people – I do have a couple of friends who’ve never hurt me,” or “I am healing from damage, which is different from being ‘beyond repair’,” or “Staying tense doesn’t actually prevent bad things, it just makes me miserable in the meantime”). Work through this with the client, probing gently but critically. Another exercise is the “Courtroom of the Mind.” The client imagines their old story is on trial. They, along with the practitioner, act as the attorney presenting evidence for why this story is no longer valid. For each self-accusing statement (“I’m to blame for what happened”), present counter-evidence (“I had no control over the circumstances”, “I saved who I could, given the situation”). The idea is to create reasonable doubt about the negative narrative’s verdict on their life. This can even be done playfully, with the coach playing the overzealous prosecutor (the inner critic) and the client learning to be the defense attorney for themselves. By the end of Revise, the foundation of the old story should be cracked – not destroyed out of hand, but seen in a new light where it no longer holds absolute power. The client often feels a sense of liberation here, as the narrative that felt like a life sentence is now revealed to be a changeable interpretation. We often hear things like, “I never realized how much I was blaming myself for X” or “It’s crazy, I’ve been telling myself this lie for years.” These lightbulb moments signal that the mind is opening to a new narrative.

5. Strategize – Identifying “Little Wow Moments” to Build Positive Change: Now we shift focus to the exceptions and positive deviances from the old story. Strategize is about finding and reinforcing what some therapists call the “sparkling moments” or here, as one team coined, the “little wow moments” . These are those instances, however small, when the client did not follow their old script – times when they coped well, experienced joy, or saw a glimpse of their preferred future. In a life dominated by trauma or problems, these moments often get overlooked or dismissed, but in truth they are seeds of change. We ask the client to “find the little ‘wow’ moments of exception to the usual ‘same old story.’”  For example, a first responder who believes “I’m always on edge” might recall that on a recent vacation with his kids, he actually relaxed and laughed for a day when they went fishing. That’s a “wow moment” – evidence that relaxation and happiness are possible. A spouse who feels “I’m trapped in resentment” might realize that last week she felt compassion for her husband when he had a panic attack – another wow moment (an exception where love shone through the resentment). These moments are precious because they point to resources, strengths, or conditions that allowed a break in the negative pattern. In Strategize, we identify these moments and then strategize how to amplify and multiply them. We treat them as clues: What was different in that moment? How can we do more of that? This step is very solution-focused – rather than dwelling on problems, we’re studying success, however modest. By stringing together little wow moments, we start to build a new normal.

Practical Exercise (Strategize): A great exercise is the Exception Journal. Ask the client to keep a log over a week (or look back over the past months) specifically for times when the problem was less intense or absent. Even a few hours count. They should note what they were doing, who they were with, what thoughts or actions might have helped. In session, review these notes and highlight themes. Maybe many exception moments happen when the client is outdoors, or when they are with a certain friend, or when they use humor. These are keys to strategizing future change. Another technique is Scaling Questions borrowed from solution-focused therapy: “On a scale of 1 to 10, if 10 means you’re living your new ideal story and 1 means you’re stuck in the old story, where are you today?” Suppose the client says “I’m at a 4.” You can then ask, “Why not a 3? What are you doing that makes it a 4 and not lower?” This prompts them to articulate what’s already working, even a little. Those answers often reveal the exceptions (e.g., “Well, I did reach out to a friend instead of isolating last week, that’s maybe why I’m a bit better”). Now, strategize how to take it a notch higher, from 4 to 5: “What would a 5 look like? What small thing could you try this week to move up one step?” The client might brainstorm, “If I went for a run instead of drinking when I get angry, that might bump me to 5.” You then plan for that: when, how, what support they need. These concrete “little wins” plans help the client practice being in the new story now, in incremental ways. We often call them “homework” or “experiments.” For example: “Over the next week, deliberately create at least one ‘wow moment.’ Perhaps plan a weekend outing that breaks your routine, or set a rule to have dinner with the family with no phones on.” These strategies turn the abstract idea of a new story into lived experiences, piece by piece. Celebrating these moments is important – when the client returns and reports that something was a bit better, really acknowledge it. These are the building blocks of the new narrative.

6. Rehistoricize – Rewriting Personal and Collective Histories in an Empowering Way: This step is the heart of “restorying.” After gathering all the insights and positive exceptions from the previous steps, the client is now invited to rewrite the narrative of their life (and, where relevant, their family or collective story) in a way that is empowering and true to their values and potentials. The term “re-historicize” means we are not erasing or denying the past, but we are re-interpreting and integrating it into a new, healthier storyline. It’s about placing those “little wow moments” into the timeline of the story as central elements rather than flukes. One practitioner described it as making the exceptions into the rule: “Re-write history and write a new future story. This time, highlight all the ‘little wow moments’…and make them the ‘new normal’ (instead of the exception) in the future story.”  In practical terms, this could mean the veteran creates a narrative like: “I served in war and witnessed great loss (acknowledging truth), and that led me to struggle with trust and anger. However, through those struggles I discovered my strength and my deep love for my family, who stood by me. Now I am writing a new chapter: I am a survivor who uses what I learned in combat to help others and to cherish every day of peace.” Notice how the new story doesn’t delete the old one; it re-historicizes it – the trauma is now one chapter in a larger story of growth, not the whole story. We encourage the client to be creative in this rewriting. They might literally write a few pages of “My Life Story – New Edition,” or they might prefer a different format (a voice recording, a piece of art, a timeline on paper with captions). The key elements of the new story should include: recognition of their core strengths/identity (from Characterize), understanding of where they came from (the old story and its function, from Sympathize), acknowledgment of what they’re leaving behind (from Revise), and incorporation of the new possibilities and positive moments (from Strategize). It should also project into the future: what is the next chapter? What kind of person are they becoming? How will they handle challenges now? This future-casting is important; it serves as a mental rehearsal of living out the new narrative.

Practical Exercise (Re-historicize): One exercise is the Written Narrative approach. Give the client a structured outline to fill in, which can be adjusted as needed:
   •   “Before: (Who I was and what I went through – highlight the key events including the trauma, but also earlier positive identity from Step 1)
   •   What I Learned: (Insights gained from facing these challenges – could include what they realized in Sympathize and Revise, like understanding their own strength, or recognizing a false belief)
   •   Turning Points: (Little wow moments or decisions that mark a shift – times they fought back, sought help, felt love, etc.)
   •   Now: (Who I am today as a result – emphasizing resilience, values, and the fact that they are the author of their story, not a victim of it)
   •   Future: (How I intend to continue this story – hopes, commitments, and how they will use their experiences positively).”

They fill this in as a narrative. For clients less comfortable with writing, you can do it orally in session, perhaps recording it (with permission) so they can listen back. Another creative method is the Letter from the Future. The client writes a letter from their future self (say 5 or 10 years ahead) to their present self, describing how things turned out and how they got there. For example: “Dear Present Me, You would not believe how far we’ve come. It’s 2030 and I am living a peaceful life. Yes, we still remember those hard days of 2020, but they no longer control us… Here’s what helped us heal….” This exercise allows the new story to really take flight, unencumbered by present doubts. Many clients find it inspiring and emotional, as it crystallizes a vision of success and wholeness.

Re-historicizing can also be done as a group or family exercise if appropriate. For a collective story (like a family that went through a disaster), you might gather everyone (or representatives) to jointly create a “family storybook” of the event: starting with what happened (each person can add their perspective), then how they all pulled through, and ending with what they envision for their family’s future. Doing this collectively can be very bonding and healing, as it aligns everyone on the new narrative and validates each person’s experience. Whether individual or collective, the final product of Re-historicize is a new narrative artifact the client can hold onto. It’s something they can revisit and refine, but at this stage it serves as a milestone: a declaration of a new identity and purpose born from the journey of restorying.

7. Publicize – Articulating New Narratives within a Supportive Community: The journey culminates in Publicize, which is about sharing the new story with others and thereby solidifying it. In many ways, a story finds its full power when it is spoken or witnessed in community. “Publicize” doesn’t necessarily mean broadcasting it to the whole world (unless the client wants to); rather, it means not keeping the new narrative hidden in a notebook or inside their head. The client identifies a support network or at least a few trusted individuals with whom they can share their story and from whom they can request encouragement and accountability. The original method suggests writing letters to potential supporters inviting them to be part of the new story . For example, a veteran might write to an old army buddy or a sibling: “I want to share with you where I am in my life now and how I’m changing, and I’d love your support in this next chapter.” The act of articulating the new narrative to others serves several purposes. First, it reinforces the client’s commitment – saying it out loud makes it more real. Second, it recruits allies – people who can cheer them on or gently “call them out” if they slip back into old habits (“Supporters who can ‘call you on it’ if the old story creeps back” ). Third, it shifts the client’s identity in the eyes of others. For instance, if a former addict publicly identifies as a “person in recovery, dedicated to growth,” it not only empowers the individual but also changes how others relate to them (hopefully reducing stigma and increasing support). Essentially, Publicize is about community and continuity. Healing doesn’t happen in isolation; we need others to witness our story and hold us to it when we waver. By sharing their story, clients close the loop from isolation (where trauma often puts them) to reconnection (which is where healing flourishes).

Practical Exercise (Publicize): One straightforward exercise is the Support Letter assignment. After completing their rewritten story, the client composes a letter or email to one or more people they trust. The letter can include: a brief summary of what they’ve been through, the growth they’ve achieved, and specific ways the friend/family member can support them going forward. It might say something like, “I have realized I am not defined by my past, and I’m working on being more open and trusting. It would help me if you could encourage me to socialize, and also gently remind me when I start isolating again.” The client doesn’t even have to send the letter if they’re not ready; sometimes just writing it and reading it aloud in session can be a powerful declaration. If they are comfortable, though, sending it or talking about it with the person can yield wonderfully affirming responses. Another approach is the Storytelling Gathering. Some clients choose to share their story in a more communal setting – for example, in a therapy group, at a support meeting, or a family meeting. The practitioner can facilitate this: maybe the final session of a coaching program is a “story graduation” where each client presents their journey to the group in whatever form they want (speech, poem, slideshow, etc.). The applause and validation they receive become part of the healing. For family, you might have the client sit with their partner or family and literally read their new life story, then discuss it, allowing loved ones to ask questions or express their pride and support. It’s important for the practitioner to prepare the client for mixed reactions – not everyone in their life may understand or applaud their changes (sometimes others are dealing with their own issues). Emphasize choosing truly supportive, safe people for Publicize, especially early on. Over time, as the client grows more confident, they might “go public” in bigger ways if relevant (e.g., speaking at a community event about overcoming PTSD, or becoming a mentor to others). But the core requirement is simply this: do not keep the new story locked away. Bring it into relationships. Social support is one of the greatest predictors of sustained positive change. By publicizing their narrative, clients essentially step into their new story fully and invite the world to acknowledge it. This also helps create a feedback loop – the more they verbalize and live the new story, the more it becomes the dominant narrative, fading out the old one.

With these seven steps – Characterize, Externalize, Sympathize, Revise, Strategize, Re-historicize, and Publicize – the PERVIEW methodology provides a comprehensive roadmap for transformation. Each step flows into the next, from building a foundation of strengths and understanding, to dismantling the old narrative, to actively constructing and sharing a new one. Practitioners can adapt these steps to their style and the client’s needs (for instance, spending more time in one phase, or revisiting an earlier step if new insights arise). Used in sequence, however, they cover all the critical elements: identity, problem separation, compassion, critical reflection, solution building, narrative creation, and community support. Throughout, remember to incorporate the “VIEW” side – pay attention to the client’s emotional vibrations at each phase. You might notice their energy is heaviest during Externalize and Sympathize (when confronting pain) and starts to lighten during Strategize and Re-historicize (when envisioning positive change). That’s a good sign of progress. Now, having equipped the client with a new story and supportive witnesses, the task is to help them continue living and developing that story going forward. The next section discusses how practitioners can integrate this into ongoing practice and help clients maintain these changes in daily life.

---

The Observer Effect and Story Filters

The Quantum “Observer Effect”: In quantum physics, the observer effect refers to the strange phenomenon where the act of observation changes the outcome of an event. A classic example comes from the double-slit experiment. When scientists observe particles of light or electrons, the particles behave differently (as particles or waves) depending on whether they are being watched. In summary, “the act of observation influences the behavior of particles… the act of observing it alters reality” . This principle highlights the active role of consciousness in shaping what is real. PERVIEW applies this concept psychologically: the way a person observes their life through story filters will alter the “reality” they experience. If you look at your life through a lens of doom and defeat, the outcomes will tend to align with that perspective (in part because you’ll unconsciously act in ways that confirm the story). Change the lens, and the experience changes – much like looking through a different filter changes the colors you see.

Story Filters and Perception: A story filter is the narrative through which someone interprets events. It acts like a pair of tinted glasses, coloring every perception. For instance, two people might live through the exact same event – say, a job layoff – but have very different responses based on their inner stories. One person, viewing it through a filter of “I’m a resilient survivor,” might feel determined and see opportunity, while another with a filter of “Nothing ever works out for me” will feel devastated and hopeless. The facts are identical; the observing story makes the difference. In this way, our personal narratives are continuously co-creating what we perceive as reality. As one writer put it, unresolved emotional baggage can “fog our perception”, and we connect it to our story filters [so] it affects our whole experience of the world”, often casting a shadow over new events. The observer effect teaches us that by becoming aware of these story filters (observing the observer, so to speak), we can start to change the outcome. Simply recognizing “I am looking at life through a trauma lens” begins to weaken the power of that lens. More at https://enthinkment.com

Gratitude Practices of PERVIEW: Gratitude is often cited by spiritual teachers as one of the quickest ways to raise one’s vibration. Even science concurs that gratitude can shift mindset and mood powerfully. Encourage clients to adopt a daily gratitude ritual, such as writing down three things they’re grateful for each morning or night. This practice can elevate their emotional state from, say, frustration to contentment in a matter of minutes. In fact, it’s suggested that gratitude resonates at extremely high levels on the consciousness scale – potentially even higher than love or joy when deeply sustained . Whether or not we assign it a number, gratitude moves a person’s attention away from lack and fear toward abundance and safety, which directly soothes the nervous system and lifts their energy.

---

VIEW (Vibrations in Energy Waves)
 
Emotions as Vibrations – The Hawkins Scale: An important tool for linking emotions to “energy waves” is Dr. David Hawkins’ Map of Consciousness (often called the Hawkins Scale). This scale assigns a numerical level to various emotional states, roughly from 0 to 1000, with higher numbers representing higher vibrations or levels of consciousness. While the exact numbers aren’t as important as the concept, it provides a useful framework: low emotions like shame, guilt, apathy, and fear cluster at the bottom (under level 100), indicating a contracted, weak energy. Mid-range emotions like anger and pride are higher up (around 150-175), and pivotally, at level 200 is Courage, which Hawkins identified as the turning point from negative to positive influence. Crossing into courage and acceptance brings someone into an empowering vibration where they start to take charge of their life. Above that, we find love (500), joy (540), peace (600), and so on, up to enlightenment at 700+. In general, “all of the more negative traits such as fear, shame, guilt…fall below 200, while the more positive traits – like acceptance, willingness, reason – are above 200. The most heart-based values like love, joy, and peace register above 500.” . This spectrum isn’t a judgment of good or bad personality; it’s a way to understand the energetic resonance of emotional states. Lower vibrations tend to feel heavy and close us off, whereas higher vibrations feel lighter and open us up.

Cultivate Higher Vibrations in Sessions: Practicing what we preach about vibrational energy can enhance the efficacy of our sessions. Try to embody a higher vibration yourself when working with clients – bringing in an attitude of compassion (love), genuine optimism (joy/hope), and calm presence (peace). Clients often “entrain” to the energy of the therapist or coach. If you maintain a grounded, heart-centered space, it subconsciously invites the client to rise to that level. Simple ways to do this: start sessions with a short centering exercise (both take a few deep breaths together, or share a brief moment of gratitude). End sessions by highlighting a positive achievement or quality you observed in the client (to send them off on a higher note). Be mindful of not getting lost in the “story mud” – we acknowledge the tough stuff but we don’t want to collude in despair. Continuously look for sparks to amplify (those wow moments) and guide the client’s attention there, in a gentle balance with validating pain. It might even be helpful to introduce tools like a feelings scale (Hawkins or otherwise) to clients directly, so they have a language for their energy. For example, you could ask at the end of a session, “Where would you rate your overall feelings now on that 0-10 or on the Hawkins scale? Great, what can you do this week to keep it there or higher?” This reinforces that managing their emotional vibration is part of their self-care homework.

---

Cool Calm Collected (Rolling Stones 1967)

The framework is built upon the "7 C's"—Cool, Calm, Collected, and Contentment, Clarity, Consciousness, and Celebration—as a pathway to personal and collective healing for veterans and first responders and their family members.

PERVIEW aims to help veterans, police, firefighters and their family memers to restory and rewrite their stuck stories by engaging with their inner fire and becoming the composer of their new stories and new future.

PERVIEW suggests practical steps for daily integration and coaching others with these principles in mind. The text encourages readers to embrace PERVIEW as a movement toward positive change.

We are raising money to pay tuition and expense of people who want to become certified coaches using PERVIEW to help veterans, first responders, and thier family members.

---

Schedule of Daily Practices for Clients: Help clients develop daily routines that keep their narrative and vibration uplifted. We’ve discussed many strategies in Now it’s about tailoring a sustainable regimen. Some best practices:
   •   Morning Intention-Setting: Encourage them to start each day with the new story in mind. It could be through reading a statement or affirmation (“I am a thriver, not just a survivor, and today I will act like it”), a few minutes of visualization (seeing themselves handling the day’s tasks with confidence and calm), or a quick meditation. This “tunes” them to the right frequency before old stressors hit.
   •   Gratitude and Journaling: A nightly gratitude journal or a short narrative journal helps them reflect on the day’s story. They can jot down how they saw their new narrative play out, and note any exceptions or successes. If things went poorly, they can use the journal to process it through the lens of what they’re learning (“Today was hard, but I noticed I didn’t spiral as far down as I would have last year. That’s progress.”).
   •   Mind-Body Maintenance: Recommend that they integrate activities that support emotional regulation – exercise, adequate sleep, mindfulness practices, time in nature. These keep their baseline vibration higher, making it easier to stay in the new story and not revert to old reactive patterns. Even something like listening to uplifting music or motivational talks during their commute can reinforce positive messaging.
   •   Identity Cues: Suggest that they place reminders of their new story in their environment. It could be a sticky note on the mirror with a key phrase (“Remember your strength”), a symbolic object on their desk (like a small anchor to remind them of stability, or a butterfly symbolizing transformation), or setting their phone wallpaper to an image that represents their new life chapter. These cues help redirect them if they start falling back into old thought habits during daily life.
   •   Buddy System: If possible, pair them up (or have them find) an accountability buddy – maybe another client who went through PERVIEW or a friend who is also focusing on personal growth. They can check in with each other regularly, share their stories of success or struggle, and practice gratitude together. This not only keeps them accountable but also normalizes the idea of deliberate self-development through narrative.
   •   Periodic “Story Revisits”: Encourage the client that even after formal coaching ends, they should periodically revisit their story and perhaps update it. Life is dynamic, and new challenges will arise. A “quantum storyteller” mindset means they will continue to adapt their narrative. Perhaps they set aside a day each month to reflect: “Am I living the story I want to be living? Where am I slipping? What new events do I need to integrate into the story?” This way, they remain the active author of their life.

Case Example: To illustrate a successful integration, consider a hypothetical but representative case of a first responder: John is a firefighter who came to coaching with severe burnout and PTSD from a disastrous fire. Initially, his story (mostly unspoken but evident) was: “I failed to save people; I’m guilty and broken; life is just stress.” Over a series of sessions using PERVIEW, John rediscovered his pre-trauma self (a dedicated, brave community hero who also loved surfing with friends on weekends – something he’d stopped doing). He externalized his inner critic by calling it “The Judge” that constantly punished him for not being perfect. He understood that this harsh voice originally tried to push him to be better and prevent future mistakes (Sympathize), but he also saw how it was tearing him down and costing him sleep and relationships (Revise). John recalled a “wow moment” that despite all his pain, he mentored a new rookie at the station last month and felt useful again. In fact, he realized he still had so much knowledge and care to give – an exception to the idea that he was “useless now.” Building on that, he strategized by volunteering to train junior firefighters twice a week, which made him feel proud and connected. John then rewrote his story: yes, he carries scars from that tragedy, but he is a survivor who honors the fallen by teaching others and who balances duty with self-care (he even went back to surfing and found it therapeutic). He shared this story in a letter to his firefighting crew and family, thanking them for support and stating his goals openly. The crew responded with a standing ovation at the station and a few others opened up about their own struggles – a ripple effect of healing. In follow-up months, John continued therapy and maintained his practices (gratitude journal, mentoring, therapy group). He still has tough days, but he no longer identifies with the “broken hero” story. He identifies as a resilient mentor and family man. This composite example shows how integrating story and energy work can lead to durable, empowering change.

Best Practices Summary: To build a quantum storytelling practice: be intentional about story-listening, use tools like PERVIEW to structure transformation, maintain an awareness of the energetic tone in the room, and equip clients with daily-life techniques to sustain high vibrations. Be patient and celebrate incremental change. Remember that you as the practitioner are also part of the story – your belief in the client’s capacity to change is itself a positive wave that influences them. As one trauma expert wisely said, “the goal for survivors…is to own our stories, and all of the different parts, over time, when we are ready, by ourselves and with others whom we trust.” . Your role is to guide clients to that place of owning their story, with authenticity and support. When clients become active creators of their narratives, they transition from feeling like passive victims of fate to feeling like empowered protagonists of their lives. That shift in identity is often the biggest quantum leap of all.