What does your dream look like?

What does your dream look like?

What does your dream look like?

I was watching TV when one of the characters asked the other, “What does your dream look like?” She had the same look on her face that I did. Blank.

If you’re like me, you’ve spent the majority of your time doing for others (customers or clients, co-workers, parents, children, spouse or partner…). You’ve sacrificed your time and energy taking care of everyone else, trying not to upset the apple cart, and keeping everything running smoothly so that you probably completely forgot you have your own wants and needs and somewhere, buried deep down inside, you have a vision, a dream, for your life.

The problem, for me, was that I had forgotten just about everything that makes me happy and trying to imagine my dream for my life was just a smidge overwhelming. It was definitely easier to try to maintain the status quo than it was to figure out what made me happy. Until it wasn’t. 

I had forgotten just about  

everything that makes me happy.

 

I had known for years that I wanted to take a break from the rat race, but I had no idea how that would be possible. And then the business that provided my main source of income failed and provided that sabbatical. COVID and a history of saving helped in a big way because I was able to take a chunk of my retirement savings to support me financially – I know not everyone can do that and I am grateful. 

I took advantage of this opportunity and went on an internal expedition to figure out what I wanted to do next – and to do that successfully, I needed to figure out what lit me up. I also needed to figure out what being lit up felt like, what sensations existed for me when I was engaged, interested, and curious in a way that made me lose track of time.

During this expedition I went back to my coaching tools to figure out where my thoughts were blocking the way, I followed breadcrumbs to things that captured my interest (staying away from social media breadcrumbs because I wasn’t looking for that kind of time suck), and I tried to pay really close attention to the messages my body was sending me. I tracked what sensations were coming up, what thoughts were floating through my mind, and topics or activities that I was drawn to.

When I got stuck, I went back to my natal chart for ideas – both for ways to rest and play and for things that interest me and things I am good at.

At first, I needed a lot of rest (three-hour naps every day for weeks got a little worrisome) and then I needed less extra rest and more play (thank God for my always-ready-to-play critters). What was super interesting to me was that my mind was criticizing me whenever I took a break yet after, when I reengaged with whatever work I had stepped away from, I got more done than I would have if I had pushed through. This was definitely something to notice and even celebrate (so that I could encourage myself to do more of it).

It took a lot of practice, and a LOT of boundary work, and I still don’t know what my dream looks like (letting go of the concept of an outcome is a topic for another day), but I sure know how living my dream feels. I know when I’m on the right track. Sometimes it’s as easy as playing warmer-colder when facing a decision, sometimes it takes rest or play, sometimes it takes allowing myself to experiment with a decision and giving myself the freedom to change my mind and go down another path. The best part of all of this is now I am clear about how I want to feel and feel better able to answer questions about what I want to do.

What is Reiki?

What is Reiki?

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by someone who has been trained to connect with high levels of life force energy and can be channeled in-person through light touch or no touch (with the practitioner’s hands inches from the client’s body) or, surprisingly enough, from a distance – I am located in Michigan and have several clients in other regions of the US and even in Europe.

The technique is based on the idea that an unseen life force energy flows through each of us. If our life force energy is low or blocked, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of feeling energized and being happy and healthy.

Reiki treats the whole person (body, emotions, mind, and spirit), supports other modalities, is relaxing and restorative, and brings about feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. It can even be sent to past or future events.

Reiki treats the whole person and supports other modalities

Reiki is a simple, natural, and safe method of spiritual healing that works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery. There are no contraindications and it complements and supports your medical care.

While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to receive Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and only requires that you are open to receiving Reiki energy.

Reiki is beneficial to children, adults, and animals. Who couldn’t use a little stress reduction?

I have used Reiki with clients before and after surgery, in preparation for a big event, to send energy to heal a past event, to send energy to their goals, and for general relaxation and stress reduction. It works well for people in Hospice care to promote relaxation and comfort. I have received positive and loving feedback from all of my clients and look forward to working with you soon.

Reiki can support everything you’ve got going on in your life and can promote and support:

  • Relaxation and stress reduction
  • Empowering goals
  • Healing past events
  • Supporting future events
  • Healing before, during, and after surgery
  • In conjunction with medical care, support for physical, emotional, and mental health conditions

Distance reiki sessions are good for stress reduction, relaxation, goal empowerment, sending healing energy to past situations, and more. 

Reiki for loved ones is meant for your loved ones who don’t need the pre- and post- session call to discuss the session who you want to send Reiki to for a specific situation (like hospitalization or Hospice care). This session type can also be used when you are having or recovering from surgery. I have sent Reiki to clients and their medical team the night before and the day of surgery and have continued with on-going Reiki for recovery on a schedule that works for my client.

Don’t forget your animals! Animal reiki is a wonderful gift to give your beloved pets. And, because animals are very sensitive to energy, distance sessions work as well as, or even better than, on-site sessions. 

 

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