Article by Patti Deschaine
Change is something that comes to us all. When it arrives, change can be positive and exciting and we are happy to be headed in a new direction. At other times it can be upsetting and hard to process, as in the case of sudden bad fortune or unexpected loss.
Ideally, change would be thoughtfully planned out and happen over time. This way we can map it out carefully and try to address every possible eventuality, but change can be unpredictable. It often takes us by surprising and rockets out of the blue, abruptly shaking us to our core.
One of the most challenging things about change is the uncertainty that accompanies it. It’s that feeling of not knowing that can paralyze us into indecision, making it seem impossible to move forward. We wonder about the next hour, the next day, the next week; how things will turn out and how we will handle it. We resist and we struggle. This complicates our situation further.
Whether change is desirable and expected or suddenly thrust upon us; positive and life-affirming or devastatingly unfair, we can find ways to move forward. It is our destiny to accept and embrace all that life offers. Through it all, there is Reiki and the world of energy.
You may be wondering what Reiki has to do with accepting and processing life changes? The answer is everything! When life shifts to new and unknown experiences, Reiki is the constant that nourishes us and helps us to keep our balance. Sudden alterations in circumstances are naturally jolting to the system. Eating and sleeping patterns may change dramatically. Our emotions can become erratic and make us feel out of control. We may experience a full gamut of reactions, sometimes all in one day. Fear, anger, sadness, and instability can shake our foundation. Even with happy shifts can leave us feeling vulnerable and out of sorts. Time spent with Reiki soothes us, lessens our anxiety and supports our immune system. It helps us release the ideas and thoughts that no longer serve us. It clears stuck energy that impedes our progress.
During times of emotional upheaval, the last thing usually on our minds is our health. However, that’s when we need physical balance the most! We can opt to be vigilant in our choices to ensure that we eat healthy food and not rely on caffeine and sugar to get through the day. Proper fuel for the body provides us with the strength to navigate life changes in a steady way, minus the crashes caused by quick fixes like coffee and candy bars. We eat to nourish our body and give our mind vital support to stay strong, even if we have little or no appetite.
Because change can wreak havoc with our sleep, mindful awareness to monitor our need for adequate rest is vital. A short nap can restore a sense of balance and well being. Meditation and self-healing fill the gaps left from a sleepless night.
During times of change, reach out for help if you need it. Counsel with trusted friends or loved ones will provide emotional support and remember that you have powerful spiritual allies as well. Call on angels, ancestors, spirit guides and helping spirits to walk beside you on your journey. This powerful practice will make all the difference!
Change can make us feel out of control. It’s as if we are being hurtled toward a destination not of our choosing. When this happens we react in a way to manage the change. We push harder trying to control our circumstances, but change is not always a manageable process. Trying to control the uncontrollable is an exercise in frustration. Decisions of those around us can affect us directly like the loss of a job, home or relationship. Sometimes even the moon, the stars, and planets conspire to complicate our lives as in the case of a retrograde or eclipse. Moon cycles subtly affect our mood and the mood of those around us. When this happens we may see friction with loved one or coworkers. We can run into squabbles with people we don’t know but interact with, like the utility company rep on the phone or the bus driver on our commute.
As hard it may be to accept, especially for those of us, (like me) who like to feel in control, it is best to try to work with change on its own terms. This allows us to move forward.
Relinquishing control sometimes feels impossible. Our best thinking has developed a plan for our lives and it’s hard to see that there may be another way. We need to remind ourselves that we don’t know the future and we may not always know what is best for us. Resisting change only complicates the process and makes it harder for us. Acceptance is key to finding a middle ground.
Meditation will clear the mind and body of stress. Reiki self-healing is a powerful ally. Allow energy to flow and clear your aura of irritation and lower frequencies.
Even if you are not in a place where you can find a spot to sit quietly, you can become grounded. Eat a healthy snack or drink a cool glass of clean water. Take a short walk and breathe some fresh air. Practice awareness of your surroundings and feel your connection with the elements. Breathe deeply into the belly and up to the heart. Use the following as a mantra to regulate your breathing and your mood.
I am connected to earth
I am connected to breath
I am connected to spirit
With these tools I raise my vibration and find balance.
If you can step back from the situation and find some gratitude, you will immediately feel a positive result.
Gratitude opens the door to receiving blessings. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude attracts and invites positive change into your life. Gratitude works best if you can feel it really feel it in your heart. Ask your powerful spiritual allies to help you to understand and accept that the change happening in your life is truly for the better. That it will bring new experiences and wonderful new growth for you. If you are in a bad space and can’t feel grateful, then it is okay to “fake it till you make it”. We can always find something to be grateful for even if it is as basic as “I am alive and have a chance at something better today.” The more you look for things to be grateful for, the better at it you will become.
Remember that gratitude is a cornerstone of our Reiki precepts
Just for today
I will not anger
I will not worry
I will be grateful
I will do my work diligently
I will be kind to myself and others
Change is a natural part of life – it allows us to learn and grow. Without it, we would become stagnant, listless and bored. There would be no surprises, no variety, no growth, and no flavor to life. If you are struggling with the change going on in your life, remember that nothing is permanent. This too shall pass.
Blessings.
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Patti Deschaine
Patti Deschaine is a traditionally trained Usui Reiki Master, Lightarian Reiki Master, and owner of Maja Energy Works and Reiki Healing. She resides and practices in Wilmington, NC. She enjoys all types of Reiki and particularly loves using Reiki on animals. Patti can be found at MajaEnergyWorks.
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