Taking a Moment

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It's been a busy Fall so far. I spent about eight weeks creating a 365 day tear-off calendar. Each page has something different on it. The theme is self care for busy people. It's called A Moment for Me 365 Day Calendar - self care for busy people - 365 FREE things you can do in 30 seconds to balance body, mind, emotions, and spirit. 

Here's the Behind-the-Scenes look at the process of creating this project I assigned myself.

Let me tell you, it was quite a project. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do it. I mean, I've written lots of content before - I have been a game content writer for several years and had to write thousands of categories for board games. But, this was different. These are some narrow parameters! 

First of all, they had to be tasks that a person could do in 30 seconds. So that eliminates lots of things, like taking a bath, or doing a yoga class. I had to find short ways to accomplish the same kind of effect as those, like washing your hands and the back of your neck, instead of a bath. Or doing a modified Sun Salutation, instead of a yoga class. 

There couldn't been any equipment needed, or special places to need to go to do the things. I did allow a pen and paper, because most people have those, or can at least think through the things if they don't. I did also allow an internet connection for just a few of the tasks, because I figured that most people have access to the internet most of the time. 

They also had to be free, and not involve spending money. So, no real retail therapy, or making some kind of donation. 

At first, it was easy. That's how content writing usually is. The ideas pour out fast, and need to be captured on paper quickly. The first 150 or so were like this. I also categorized by body, mind, emotions, and spirit, and made lists according to those. I listed special days that would be good for putting on the calendar, like holidays, zodiac sign changes, and seasons. Then I also added some themes, such as totem animals, planets, yin/yang, numerology, and colors. I made lists for those. 

Then, around the 250 mark, things slowed down a bit. I didn't want to be repetitive, and every task needed a reason behind it, and some benefit for doing it. I started researching what others had to say on the subject of changing your life, and self care. I was able to bounce some ideas off of some things I read, and that helped. 

The last 20 were the hardest, but I got to them somehow. Though the stress had increased at that point, as I had a timeline to manage (this IS a calendar after all, and needs to be ready for calendar buying time). The accomplishment was short lived because there was more to do beyond the content writing. I pulled some VERY late nights!

Now, I'm proud to say that it's done! I finished the list, organized everything in a spreadsheet, formatted it onto a document, designed the cover, and found a printer. I also started a website, a free daily email, a Facebook page, and a Twitter account for it. 

Three stores have ordered some so far. 

Why did I make this?
            Because I need it. 
I'm a busy person. With four kids, a business to run, a Reiki practice that's growing, and volunteering once a week for JSSA Hospice, I needed the reminder that self care isn't something to do once a week or whenever. A daily commitment of even 30 seconds can make a difference. And I know that this message isn't just for me, it's for other people like me. 

I loved doing this activity, actually. It taught me a lot. I learned that there are many, many ways to become present, mindful, and to value yourself. They don't cost money, and they don't take long. But they matter, and they make a profound difference. And now I can share this message with everyone.

So, I'm inviting you, my dear readers, to give it a try. Read the daily posts, or subscribe to the free daily updates. Maybe even purchase a calendar for yourself, or for a gift for the other busy people you know. (Use NOVPROMO as a code to save $5 per order). 

And especially, please offer me feedback. When I create something new, it really matters to me how people receive it. I want to know that it's helpful, and that it's really good, because I worked really hard to try to make it good. 

Thanks and love.

The Mind-Body-Spirit Connection

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We're still surrounded by mounds of snow here, but seem to have dug enough pathways to get to and from where we need to go, so that's progress for you.

Meanwhile, I want to report that I had a great meeting last night with a really wonderful Reiki person. We are exploring the possibilities of working together to promote Reiki. He has access to studio space in a pilates/yoga studio near my home, and we spent a good hour and a half sharing our Reiki experiences and ideas. My hands were tingling often while we talked, and I think we both felt very positive about the possibilities.

My first book on my reading list was ready at the library and I picked up Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss. She is a Medical Intuitive, and I started reading her book last night. She posits that physical ailments in the body are a result of our negative thoughts, emotions, and experiences that build up and cause the conditions. She can intuit health problems developing often before a person knows they are there. She can also channel the underlying cause of the problem. She can do all of this by just hearing the person's name and age. Remarkable. But, not impossible or shocking to my way of thinking at this point in my experiences, because I can connect with an individual's energy to send him or her Reiki simply by having that person's name and age or location. I can also sometimes tell where a person needs extra energy through a similar (but significantly less develped!) intuition.

I find this reading fascinating, and will eagerly continue to explore her ideas. I have some kind of strange sciatica-type thing happening lately that may be a pinched nerve of some kind. I'm hoping to find the cause and help it heal through Reiki and energy work. It's not painful, just a kind of "buzzing" feeling that feels as if my cell phone is on vibrate and is ringing throughout the day, especially after I go up or down stairs. Maybe working with Reiki, and attempting to incorporate what I'll learn from Caroline Myss' book will help me resove this. For me it's not an issue of will that work, but just will I be able to get in touch with that level of intuition that will guide me in dealing with this.

I feel that the strength of the Reiki I'm able to channel has increased significantly since taking the Master level class a week and a half ago. Hard to believe that much time has passed already. I'm encouraged by this development, and intend to continue to work with the energy and see where it will lead. My meeting last night felt like it could lead to good opportunities with Reiki, and I'm excited to see what will develop.

And, I've been thinking lately about people who don't believe in Reiki. Here's my take on it:
I think people who doubt Reiki's validity are ignorant about Reiki, because it seems on the surface to be impossible, magical even, that a person could just hold out their hands, think of a person's name anywhere in the world, even if they've never met them, and send healing energy to that person that is tangibly felt by that person. It sounds close to just saying prayers for a person's healing, or on the other side, like saying magic words and sending a magic spell to a person. Saying prayers or "magic words" don't seem like they'd be enough to do anything. I mean, how many of us can affect our physical world by willing it? Can you close the door by saying "door, close"? Well I can't. So how can someone say, in his or her mind, "I want to send healing to Joe Shmegeggi in Boston" and Joe receives healing? I get it - the idea of Reiki being real messes with people's take on reality.

And hands-on Reiki has the same kind of innuendos. So we Reiki people expect the people we are telling about Reiki to put aside this ingrained idea of what is real and what is magic first, in order to be open to trying Reiki without skoffing, snickering, or feeling like a bozo. Not to mention that it's scary to let go of one's version of reality enough to be open to accept the possibilities of being touched by a kind of spiritual energy.

If a person is able to put aside all the ingrained cultural mumbo jumbo and get beyond it, he or she would have a better chance of really being helped by Reiki, or even being open to learning to channel it for him or herself. For some people, that's asking a lot.

But it worked for me. I was just like everybody else who grew up without much of a spiritual connection. I'm not clairvoyant or especially intuitive by nature. I'm pretty down to earth and realistic usually. All of this growth the past few months has been a result of deciding that I would be open to trying and seeing what would happen.

And now my husband has joined me here. (Actually, I think he is even more sensitive to energy that I was at the Reiki I level, because his hands tingle when he thinks about Reiki. My hands didn't tingle until I was attuned to Reiki II). All it took was him deciding to let his mind be open just enough to give it a try.

If I can do it, others can too.
Peace.

Waking Other People to Reiki

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I had the fortune of spreading the word about Reiki some more. (There I go again - can't seem to help myself!)

One reader who stumbled upon my blog emailed and asked me to send her distance Reiki, as she was curious about what it would feel like, or if she would even feel it. She admitted to some doubts, although she had some experience with chi through working with yoga. I was happy to set up a time, and I'm glad to report that the energy was felt as she received it. She also felt energized and positive, even when facing a stress-inducing day.

The other nice experience I had was that a student of mine was curious about what Reiki would feel like, and asked me to give her a little hands-on Reiki during break from class last night. I did, and it turns out that she is VERY sensitive to energy. She felt tingles, heat, and felt the energy move through her body to places I wasn't even near with my hands. Even after I stopped, she felt tingles continue for the next few minutes. She was thrilled, amazed, and is very interested in learning more. Maybe I'll have the chance to teach her once I'm ready for that huge step.

I find that I'm good at spreading enthusiasm about Reiki, and generating interest in it. I'm glad, because it is so very beneficial on many levels that I wish everyone knew about it. It really feels good when I can show someone a little about Reiki, and they appreciate it and want to learn more. This feels very natural to me. Maybe it's taking me in a direction.

My Master Level class is in two days!! I'm excited and a little nervous. I know throughout my lifetime I intend to continue to learn about and practice energy healing. This is another step in my journey. It came along fast, but I know I have time to go at my own pace from here.

Thanks again to my RMT who started me along this path.

Peace.

Spreading the Word

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It's ironic, really. Some religious proselytizers came to my door today, and I politely but firmly turned them away. I'm not going to be one of their success stories. Not ever. So they shouldn't waste their time.

The ironic part (if one would choose to see it that way) is that I find myself trying to win people over to Reiki any time I have the chance now. For instance, we were at a family gathering at a restaurant tonight, with members of the family we seldom see. I started a conversation with the person next to me, (who I know a bit, but we're not close), about Reiki. She looked at me with a pretty vague expression, like I was talking about speaking Hindi or something out of the ordinary realm of conversation. I dropped it for a while.

A bit later, I tried again (why? I don't know). I explained that it's not a religion, and it's real and amazing, and helpful. I activated Reiki energy in my hands, and placed one hand on her shoulder. Immediately, she said, "Oh, wow. That feels really good!" I got happy and told her about my student with the headache (see earlier post Is it Better to be Helpful or Cautious? ).

Before you knew it, we had made a date - I'm sending her distance Reiki tomorrow night at 10. I'm going to call her at 9:55 to remind her, and she promised to email me feedback.

I'm also sending Reiki to my California sister tomorrow morning (8:30 her time - 11:30 mine).

I feel like it's part of my job to educate and initiate people to Reiki's reality and benefits. What would I have said two years ago if I met someone like myself, and that person tried to talk me into accepting a distance Reiki treatment? I'm not really sure - but I like to think I would have accepted, for the heck of it. That's kind of how I started learning about Reiki - like, "why not?" when it was offered to me. So am I like the people who came to my door this morning? I am not going door to door. But I think it could be in my path to continue to bring knowledge of Reiki to people as I continue along my journey.

Something to ponder.
Peace.