Choosing to Accept

Article by Deborah Lloyd, Reiki Master

Recently, one of my hospice patients talked about one of the worse days of her life – when her children took away her car keys. Although she was steadily losing her ability to walk, she was having a difficult time accepting her physical decline. She voiced feelings of frustration and anger with her adult children, stating they were unreasonable and overinvolved in her life. So, having her keys confiscated (as she called it) held much meaning for her, and she resisted this change with every ounce of energy she had. She viewed herself as totally independent, although it did not match the reality of her waning physical strength.

Another patient who became unexpectedly bedbound, due to increased weakness and a fall, had the opposite reaction. He viewed these physical changes as part of his disease process and an indication of his life on earth coming to its end. He talked about his faith and his belief in the afterlife; he stated there are times he cannot wait to see his deceased parents again. He also voiced some feelings of sadness at leaving his children and grandchildren. While there were some ambivalent statements, overall he accepted his decline with grace and anticipation.

The primary life lesson for all of us in these two examples is that we always have choices, even when life circumstances present us with situations where it seems there are no choices to be made. The choice is our level of acceptance – or, non-acceptance. Reiki can always help us to find – and even embrace – the ability to choose.

One gift of Reiki is to help us see the bigger pictures of our lives. We come to the understanding that the Divine is always with us, giving us new challenges and circumstances when we are given opportunities to grow. Problems can be viewed with a new perspective, and we learn to appreciate these problems as gifts. They can assist us in expanding our awareness and making good decisions. We become survivors, not victims. We learn not one solution fits all people; rather, with guidance, we can make the right decision, for us. We learn everything happens for a reason.

As we grow in understanding of how our thoughts and beliefs affect our energy, we become sensitive to times when we are resistant to change, and times when we go with the flow of life. We learn that thoughts of non-acceptance cause energetic blocks when we do not deal with the emotional aspects associated with life events. We experience positive energetic shifts when we release anger and disappointment, and face challenges with resolve and purpose.

We also learn to take responsibility for the choices in our lives. It is no longer the fault of others (the victim mentality). We learn if we want to live a balanced life, the everyday decisions of our lives create this balance. We gain a new level of understanding of the mind/body/spirit connectedness. And, we become more aware, every day, of the interconnectedness with us and all others, Mother Earth and Divine Consciousness.

I grew up with the belief that when one reached a certain age, they were “set for life.” Uncertainties would end and it would be smooth sailing, here on out. Nothing could be further from the truth! One of the biggest lessons I have learned in working with people at the end of their earthly lives, is that there are still many opportunities to make choices and learn life lessons. And, the more we put off this needed spiritual growth, the more opportunities we will be given!

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Deborah Lloyd is a Usui and Karuna Reiki® Master and certified holistic therapy practitioner, providing Distant Reiki sessions and training in Asheville, NC. Deborah is the author of two books, 22 Messages from the Archangels; and, Believe and it is True: A Story of Healing and Life Lessons. She is also one of the co-authors of Reiki 101: 101 Answers for Your Reiki Questions. Reach Deborah at [email protected] and on Facebook at Deb Lloyd Healing.