I opened my eyes to a pastel-pink sunrise.
It was cold outside but warm inside my sanctuary (what I like to call my bedroom). I felt cozy and protected underneath my duvet, watching nature waking up through my window.
Even though I had a good night’s sleep, my heart was heavy.
It felt like a cloud was over my chest, making my breathing hard. I racked my brain for the reason why as I thought about the women I’ve been mentoring.
- Did I take on the heartbreak of the woman who is about to file for divorce?
- Did I absorb the pain of the woman healing her childhood trauma?
- Did I over-empathize with the woman grieving losing her husband to cancer?
Despite their suffering, these women are dedicated to connecting with their inner strength to feel, heal, and find the light in the darkness.
I’ve had the honor of helping them bring purpose to their pain, find hope and give themselves permission to bring back the joy they’ve been missing into their lives.
The sunrise through my window reminded me of the duality of life.
The city lights shone from the right while nature began a new day on the left.
Light needs darkness.
Courage needs fear.
Calm needs chaos.
This is yin and yang. The reality of opposites making a whole.
After taking some deep breaths, I meditated and treated myself with Reiki, as I have done every morning since 1996 (when Reiki “found” me).
Aligning with life force energy, the universe, divine love-whatever you want to call it-helps me reset. My morning practice is my sanctuary.
Self-Reiki feels different every time. That particular morning, I felt held and carried. I asked for a higher perspective on how to lighten my heavy heart.
I received three words: Move your body.
When you routinely raise your vibration, asking for and receiving guidance from a higher consciousness comes naturally. (By the way, if you’d like to learn a simple practice to reset and connect with life force energy, learn Reiki with me).
“Move your body” was the message. So, I listened, no questions asked.
I crawled out from under the duvet and put on my newest favorite song. That week, a cover of Rihanna’s song “Lift Me Up” by Israeli singer Raviv Kaner was at the top of my list. I’ve always been deeply moved by music and the feeling it evokes.
Closing my eyes, I danced like no one was watching.
I allowed my body to move freely, the song on repeat. I let my muscles move however they wanted to in the moment. Then, I pressed pause, placed my hands over my heart, and became still.
Observing my breath. Experiencing the present without judgment, just love. Embodying the lightness vibrating through my body. Simply being.
The relief I felt was immediate. My heart felt lighter, and the heavy cloud I’d felt when I woke up was no longer there.
