Article by Stephanie Drane
My final article about the Reiki principles focuses on the principle ‘I Will Show Gratitude to Everything’. It’s not always easy to feel grateful, especially when life throws the unexpected at us. Life tends to give us what we need, not necessarily what we want. Karmically we receive what we need to grow and learn throughout our lives. Being grateful for the lessons from life and growing from them leads us on the path of spiritual enlightenment and creates a more harmonious state of mind and happy life, opposed to battling against the lessons, denying them, making the same mistakes over and over or feeling bitter.
Taking a step back to appreciate all the good things we have in our life really helps us to find perspective. There is joy to be found in so many things: our family and friends, our health, being outdoors, trees, flowers, sunsets, music, the sea, laughing, the list is endless. Finding value in and gratitude for these true blessings will help us to let go of the more materialistic things (and the pursuit of them, which is often exhausting and fraught with stress), and leads us to enjoy life more.
Looking for reasons to be grateful leads us to finding the good in every situation which in turn reduces the chances of us feeling anger and bitterness. This more positive outlook can help us get through tough times and make the most of difficult situations. Gratitude also raises your vibration and puts you in a positive state of mind which attracts more blessings.
When I’m finding it difficult to feel gratitude I play ‘who would I swap with?’ where I think of everyone I know and decide if I would swap my life for theirs. I’ve never yet found someone whose life I’d rather have. Everyone has stuff to deal with in life but I’d rather have my own problems than anyone else’s. It makes me grateful for my own problems.
To help to integrate this principle into your life you could take a moment each day, to list at least three things you are grateful for. This simple exercise can really alter your state of mind. Maybe a good time to do this would be during self-healing, I tend to do this when I go to bed and it’s a lovely positive way to drift off to sleep.You can also write your gratitude list in a journal, adding Reiki symbols that seem appropriate and hold this in your hands while sending Reiki out to the divine/world/universe in thanks.
You also like to try a gratitude ritual, where you write a list of everything that you are grateful for. Add any Reiki symbols that resonate with you and place your hands over the list and channel Reiki into it with gratitude. Then you can safely burn the list in a fireproof container with the intention of sending healing and blessings back to the world/universe/the divine/your deity with the smoke. You can add any essential oils or herbs to this little gratitude fire that feel right to you (just be very careful of how flammable they are!). Once the list has burned and the ash has cooled you can give this back to the Earth as an offering. You could sprinkle the ash in water, or on the roots of a tree or plants, or let it be blown away by the wind. Wherever you leave your offering send it with love, gratitude, and Reiki and with the intention that the blessings you have gratefully received will be passed on to others, to our planet, and to the universe.
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Stephanie Drane is a Reiki Master, Holistic Therapist and Spiritual Artist in Suffolk, England. Stephanie’s mission is to provide her clients with a calm and serene space away from their busy lifestyles, where she encourages them to take control of their own wellbeing and to value and nurture themselves to bring about inner peace, balance, and happiness. As a Reiki Master Stephanie is thrilled to be able to teach and empower others: “It is so rewarding to watch people discover the positive power of Reiki and experience the benefits for themselves.” When Stephanie is not giving Reiki and other holistic treatments or enjoying time with her family and friends she recharges herself by swimming in rivers, walking barefoot outdoors and eating good food. Check out Stephanie’s blog for her insights and wisdom on how to enjoy inner peace and a calmer life over at angelichands444.wordpress.com.
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