New energies are being experienced in countries all over the world.  People are rejecting the oppressive governments they have lived under for decades. They are looking for freedom, tolerance, economic security, and safety.  The old is being swept away, sometimes with great personal sacrifices, but it is happening because people are through with being disadvantaged: of living in poverty with little or no food, health facilities, or education; of suffering for lack of proper sanitation facilities. All this while a small percentage of citizens in their country control the majority of wealth for their own benefits. This is the old paradigm which is crumbling. A new paradigm is coming into existence.

Even in the United States, we are experiencing a rejection of the status quo. Many are beginning to reject the government gridlock, the lobbies, the corporate welfare and  monetary unfairness that separates the wealthy from everyone else. Why is it acceptable for large corporations and their management to benefit from huge taxpayer bailouts, and then withhold job opportunities for the average worker? Why is it acceptable  for conservatives to block legislation for job growth that would be beneficial for the good of most lower and middle class people? Why is our government spending incredible amounts of money overseas, yet will not allocate monies for needed repairs of our infrastructures? More and more people are seeing this as wrong and are making their voices heard, from the Tea Party to Occupy Wall Street.

We need to use these new energies for a higher purpose than simply saying, what I believe is right and what you believe is wrong. It is not good enough to continue to be self-centered, as individuals or groups. No one has the right to dictate the conditions of life to everyone without consideration of the common good. Compromise and compassion are important words which must be adopted by one hundred percent of our people, not just a small percentage of those who understand the consequences if we don’t. If we cannot embrace both, we are fostering our own demise. If we cannot look to a common good, our democracy with perish.

The new energies sweeping in are here to help us evolve to a higher state of being. They help to banish the negatives we endure. They bring in light, love, and compassion. They bring in a chance for us to save ourselves. They bring in peace, prosperity, joy, consideration, tolerance, happiness, abundance, and all that is positive. When we embrace these new energies, we help ourselves and the world to evolve. As more and more evolve, it becomes easier for others to do the same. Do your share in helping the world. Choose compassion and compromise. Light a match in the darkness. If you find that difficult, Reiki energy can help you incorporate the new energies to live a more positive, powerful life.

Have you noticed all the changes in our world, particularly over the last seven or eight months? These changes have been going on much longer, but are now coming faster and more intensely. Consider the weather. Every part of the earth is or has been affected by severe weather conditions of one sort or another. People are experiencing unusual and extended periods of heat or cold, drought or floods, tornadoes or hurricanes. Not only are the changes atmospheric, but terrestrial, as well. We read about or experience earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes far more often than we remember experiencing before. Why? We have not been good stewards. So, Mother Earth is shaking off the pollution and damage she has experienced over the last fifty years or so.  She no longer will accept the punishment we humans have so carelessly imposed. She is returning to her natural state by “cleaning house” and raising her vibration through purification. Do we understand what she is showing us? It is time for us to go back to treating her with honor, respect and love as the native peoples around the world have done. Do not panic and be fearful. Just change your ways.

Likewise, our governments and institutions are being challenged in ways we had not thought possible. Not only are uprisings occurring in the Middle East and Africa, but we are seeing more unrest in countries throughout the world, including our own. Our government is gridlocked, preventing serious problems from being solved. The trust we felt in our leaders, regardless of who they are or were, has eroded. Similarly, we are fed up with institutions and corporations that continue to take advantage of us. More and more dissatisfaction may push us beyond our limits. We are at a point where we need to evolve, or ascend to a higher level. What we are experiencing now is not sustainable.

So, let’s look at what is happening energetically. The Age of Aquarius is upon us. We are in a state of ascension. We are evolving. This means each of us is in the process of raising our vibration, moving toward light and love. How can we accomplish such a goal when the world is in such a terrible state, you might ask? Very simply, as each of us moves toward bringing more love into the world, we will automatically raise our own vibration, that of those around us, and the earth itself. Looking at what is happening in the world, we may think that impossible. There is too much negativity here. However, it is up to each of us to light the candle in the dark, to join those who are doing the same, so at some point soon, there will be a critical mass that tips the scale. It will happen. That means truly loving yourself. That means consciously living in the present moment. That means releasing hatred, resistance and fear. How?  Read books on spirituality, read my other blogs, work with energy like Reiki, massage, tai chi, or yoga. Take responsibility for yourself. Get rid of the “shoulds” and “oughts”  in your life.

We are moving back to Oneness with the Creator who is perfect love and light.  That is our work in this world. There is not only one way to achieve the goal, but there is only one goal and that is unconditional love. During the next few months and years, each of us will continue to move toward, or achieve, ascension. Some of us will move quickly, some slowly, and some not at all in this life. However, the work is not done until everyone is part of the Oneness of the Creator. If each of us works on ourselves,  everything else will fall into place.

Most often we think of some event as serendipitous when it is a good thing. It’s an unexpected bonus that just appears. It’s a beautiful day, but you have a great deal to accomplish, so much so that it weighs on your mind and your shoulders. Perhaps you are even resisting beginning. Then out of the blue, an old friend calls to have lunch on her way to a farther destination. You put your mound of work aside gladly to spend some quality time with her. When you get back, you feel so much lighter. You sit down and organize yourself, completing your tasks in much less time than you ever thought it would take! So goes serendipity.

If we desire more serendipity in our lives, we must trust in ourselves and our abilities, as well as the Universe (God, The Source, or whatever higher being in which we believe).  Some people find this quite simple, others struggle. Trust involves acceptance of ourselves, even with all our foibles. It also requires the acceptance of the premise that the Universe is always working in our behalf for our greatest good. We must do some work ourselves, though, for our “good” will not be served to us on a silver platter. We will always have our basic needs of love, safety, food, shelter, and clothing provided in some way, but our greatest good does not always include our wants, which often go far beyond the basics. The stronger our trust, the more will come our way. An event often seems like serendipity, but it is really each of us working in sync with God.

Is the serendipitous relationship only between ourselves and God? I think not. If everything is connected in the Universe, we are also helping others consciously or unconsciously when we move closer to God. We become part of the serendipity for them. It doesn’t happen by accident that people come to see me for Reiki treatments, or that you are reading this blog. There is always a reason for the events in our lives, both large and small. We need to be conscious of where our lives are going in the greater scheme of things. The more consciously we live our lives, the stronger our trust in ourselves and our world becomes. With trust comes the recognition of truth. The more truths we realize, the more we spread love. The more love grows, the closer we come to God.

Use Reiki to bring yourself into balance and trust. The more balanced you become, the more serendipity will turn up in your life. Wouldn’t it be great to say, I love my life?

In this country, do we feel a sense of sacredness? Some might say “of course”, and others, “absolutely not”. Do we owe all we have to God, or all we have to capitalism? Is our land sacred, or is the money we make to build the land up sacred? In our busy lives, do we even think of sacredness? Is this idea narrow or broad for you? Most people would acknowledge their personal religious beliefs are sacred.   Do we ever ask ourselves what is sacred beyond that point, particularly when considering other people’s ideas and beliefs? Hopefully the answer is yes. We may not talk the same talk, or walk the same walk, but each person’s perspective should be respected. Every individual is a sacred being. Negativity toward others, for any reason, removes their sacredness.  Each of us has a choice and a responsibility. I choose to take a positive viewpoint of what this world can be. I believe we  are on this earth to find our way back to God, or Spirit, so I do all I can to help myself and others. When we broaden our perspective, our tolerance, and respect, we spread love, (God, Spirit) throughout the world.

How? Words can be very powerful.  Most religions use sacred words in their services. These words are revered, particularly when speaking to the Almighty.  At a trial, we hold swearing on a bible to speak the truth as a sacred oath. Even the words in some contracts are sacred, like the marriage vows between couples. What we say and how we say it makes a difference in every part of our existence. It means the difference between darkness and light, evil and good, hate and love.  Every positive utterance elevates the vibrational energies of the world. Words spoken in love and tolerance are sacred to the speaker, as well as the receiver, because there is consciousness involved that elevates each.

Where? Sacred space may be a structure but there are many parts of nature which evoke a sense of sacredness. We feel a connection to something bigger than ourselves. Native Americans often revered a special tree for its powers, or a hallowed place for the spiritual energies it manifested. As a nation, we have disrespected Native Americans, as well as their sacred spaces. If the feeling of a space in some way gives praise to God, someone may consider it sacred. It behooves each of us to be aware and sensitive to this point.

Obviously, what is sacred to me may not be sacred to you. Some may say religion is sacred and spirituality is not, or vice versa. However, in order for humans to live in harmony with each other and our Mother Earth, each of us must respect that which is sacred to another. Sacredness comes in all shapes and sizes, like a cow in India, or the Holy Grail in Medieval times. As our world becomes smaller and our interactions with others become more global, it is our responsibility to understand the sacredness of all people throughout the world, and to help them understand the sacredness in us. Reiki is a powerful means of helping us balance our energies and bring more light into the world. Are you ready to expand your perceptions?

Living in the past puts a great deal of weight on our shoulders. We carry a lot of baggage that comes from our life experiences and the people who influenced us.  We’ve held on to burdensome emotions to one degree or another, or we’ve buried those we could not handle.  Either way, they influence our lives. Time to let them go. When we experience a negative emotional reaction, there should be a bell going off in our minds and the question “why?”. When a negative emotion comes to the surface, that’s a matter we need to look at. Negativity blocks the energy flow in the body, causing dis-ease on the physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual planes. When we’ve learned anger from a parent, it isn’t necessary to continue with that anger.  The emotions of anger, depression, sadness, fear, and jealousy come out of situations that can present us with life-changing lessons. Uncontrollable rage is detrimental to everyone around us, as well as ourselves. It can present us with a lesson on how to express oneself without causing severe emotional harm. Understanding the damage that occurs from this emotion can help us to change. However, if change is difficult for us, we may resist learning the lesson the first few times around. In that case, the Universe will continue to give us other opportunities.  Coming to some understanding of the reaction and its impact helps to uncover the lesson to be learned. Anger, fear, and all the other negative emotions can be changed and conquered.

Consider the following hypothetical example:  When “Jane” was a little girl, the only way she could get positive attention was to go out of her way to help others in her family, even when it was not reasonable. If she didn’t, she was chastised for being lazy and selfish. This pattern continues into her present life.  “Jane” feels depressed because her efforts are often not appreciated or reciprocated. The pattern will continue until “Jane” becomes conscious of her own needs and what is appropriate for her.  When “Jane” realizes how important it is to stand up for herself,  her present understanding will help her to put change in place. When she can recognize that, as an adult,  she is not in the same situation as she was as a child, she will be able to let go of her need to please everyone, and take care of herself first. Letting go of the “shoulds” and “oughts” we learned from family, school, and society can be liberating. However, it is important to choose and eliminate those that do us the most harm and keep reexamining the rest. The more we can let go of the burdens of the past, the more balanced we will be in the present.

Likewise, living our lives in the future can be weighty. The predominant emotions that arise are usually fear and worry. Two common situations come to mind: 1) fear of what will happen, and worry about what to do about it; and 2) fear that we’re not measuring up, and worry that we won’t fit in. Of course, there are many other possibilities, so ask yourself:  Will that fear and worry, of whatever, create happiness and balance for you?  Most likely not, so why do it?  Because deep down inside, humans have a need to be in control. In reality, we are not, particularly in the future. There are too many variables possible to have everything work out exactly the way we’d like all the time. Having a reasonable plan for our lives and setting high goals can keep us vibrant, but being attached to plan A with no other alternatives can lead us down a dead end street. Make sure to have a plan B, or C, or D,…  and roll with the punches. You’ll find there will actually be fewer punches coming your way.

Since living in the past will not lead us to happiness, and living in the future will not guarantee it either, we must recognize and accept that the control we desire is available to us only in the present. Now is the time to conquer fear, anger, sadness, guilt, jealousy, and any other negative feeling that comes up. Right now is reality, not what happened before or what will happen. The past cannot be changed and we will never be in the future. All we have is the present. It is here we live our lives.  Make the most of it now.

If you are interested in extracting yourself from the past or future, Reiki can be a potent tool to help you live your life to the fullest, now. Are you ready?

2010 was a transitional year in many areas. In one area, we saw more, intense, extreme weather patterns, as well as earthquakes and volcanoes.  Now we are hearing more discussion about green energies and technology: reduce, reuse, recycle; wind energy; electric cars; solar panels; organic foods. The list goes on. It is becoming more apparent how important it is for us to be better stewards of our planet. Native peoples throughout the world have always revered Mother Earth. In taking care of her, they ensured life for themselves and they were grateful. We have taken the earth for granted. In 2011, we must be much more aware of our dependence on her, be grateful for all she gives us, and change our relationship to her.

Over the last few decades, there has been and will continue to be duplicities within governments and corporations worldwide. The time has come, however, when serious mismanagement and fraud will become unacceptable to the public. No longer will people shrug their shoulders and accept the status quo. They will insist on accountability and responsibility from those in charge, as well as individuals and institutions.  Compromise, not stonewalling, will move us forward as a people. We must embrace shared responsibility, reasonable debate, and respect for each other.

In the field of metaphysics, all will not be lost for us and Mother Earth in 2011. Many humans are awakening to the higher vibrational energies we have all been receiving. Some of us have been aware of this transformation over the last twenty or so years, but most have not. In the 60’s and 70’s, we smiled about “the Age of Aquarius”. It was not taken too seriously by the majority, but this age is actually coming to be. The higher energies coming to our planet during the solstice, equinox, full moons, and astrologically important dates are all moving us in that direction. It is time to acknowledge this important step.

This step is evolutionary. As our vibrational energies rise, we will literally become lighter. Our actual physical bodies will lighten, as well as our emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies. Will we leave the planet? Some may, if they choose not to change and choose not to be here, but those of us who believe in the power of love, peace, and good will for all, will see amazing shifts that will help bring us to a higher energetic plane.

This will not happen automatically. It’s a boost to receive all these extra energies, but we also need to make changes within ourselves.  If you feel you are ready, take the first step. Live in the light, and reject that which is dark. Reject anger, hatred, prejudice, fear, anxiety, jealousy, selfishness, sadness, control, war, torture, slavery, rape, murder. We all can choose how we will live our lives. Make a choice that not only makes sense for you, but makes sense for all. What do we want for our children? Hopefully, we will work toward a world based on shared abundances, cooperation, and respect; a world devoid of war, starvation, subjugation, poverty, and hate.

Make a resolution for yourself this year, to live in the present, not the past or future. Love yourself. Live a conscious life by making well thought-out choices. Show love and compassion for everyone, regardless of how you are treated. If necessary, right the wrong reasonably. If each of us does our part, we’ll make it to the next level. If we keep John Lennon’s song, “Imagine”, in our lives “… the world will be as one.”

Why is kindness so important?   When someone is genuinely kind to us, we feel appreciated, valued, and happy inside.  Our self worth rises.  Think about it.  Our world is full of people who’s self esteem is so low that anger and hatred are predominant.  There is an enormous amount of  fear in the world which contributes to stress, unhappiness, unhealthy competition, violence, selfishness, and the like.  Do we really want to live in a world so unbalanced?  When we go about our business, disregarding the well being of all others, we contribute to this lack of balance.

Being a kind person means seeing the good in everyone and doing something to enhance that good.  Just smiling at each person you encounter during the course of the day will raise the vibrational level of this planet and foster more light in the world.  Regardless of whether you receive a smile back, the “smile” energy will register in that person on some level.  So many times, we have no idea how our simple acts of kindness influence people, and how far that positive energy goes.  What we give out comes back to us.  Spread kindness and receive it in return.  Bring light into the world and you will feel lighter.

During this holiday season, where so many traditions encompass the light of candles shining into the darkness, let your light shine brightly to all you meet.  The fifth Reiki principle is “Just for today, I will be kind to my neighbor and every living thing.”  I send the light of Reiki energy for health, happiness and balance to you and all living beings on Earth.

We look around today at our society and wonder what has happened to the integrity so valued a century ago. Is it completely gone?  Probably not, but it is more difficult to maintain with so many negative influences bombarding us.  The expectation is to strive for more and more, and to achieve it any way we can, often at another’s expense.  Pressure is everywhere, from achieving wealth, to getting the highest grades, to having the biggest house, car, or TV!  Many of us succumb to that pressure due to a deep need to fit in with our peer group.  Or we want to elevate ourselves from that group.  Once we buy into that pressure, it’s easy for our integrity to be compromised.

Is compromise necessary?  Of course not.  But it is important to be conscious of who we are and what we stand for.  To value competition at any price,  integrity will suffer.  To be unconscious of our values, and participate in whatever comes down the road,  weakens our integrity.  A large part of societal expectation is to follow what is new, exciting, or “in”.  Many follow like sheep because it feels uncomfortable to do otherwise.  It’s easier to think like the crowd than think for oneself.

Each of us has our own life to live, however.  We must decide how we will live it.  Having integrity does not mean our lives need be dull.  Quite the contrary.  We can enjoy what’s new, exciting and “in” by aligning each of them with what we hold important.  Use the good, discard what’s not.  Competition is great, as long as it’s fair.  Making lots of money is fine, as long as it is done honestly and no one is hurt.  Buying your dream house is terrific, as long as you can actually afford it and it fits in with your concept of who you are.  But you need to know who you are and what your values are. It’s hard to be honest when honesty is not important.

Why should honesty be important to us?  Basically, we all have a personal responsibility to contribute positively to society. As each of us honors our integrity, our society becomes stronger.  We must recognize that trust and confidence are rooted in honesty.  Honesty keeps our values high.  We are better able to make good decisions for ourselves and our families when we are on a firm foundation.  Will we always live up to our ideals?  No.  But if each of us strives, one day at a time, to consciously live in integrity, we will raise the vibration of  our nation and this planet to a totally new dimension. In this regard, Reiki is a wonderful means of achieving this goal.  Are you willing to reach for the gold standard?

Remember no one is accepted by everyone. Unfortunately, most of us look outside ourselves for our worth. To think we can only be happy if others accept us is an unrealistic belief. We think it would be wonderful if we did everything exactly “right” and everyone thought we were great. We’ve been programmed to “measure up” to family members, friends, teachers, bosses, or society in so many ways from birth. Inevitably, we can’t, or we don’t. It is then that the fear starts to show. It may manifest as anger, depression (anger turned inward),  anxiety, intense stress, or some sort of pathology. Why do we do that to ourselves?

We have an obligation to ourselves to lead a happy and productive life on a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level. We should not be convinced otherwise. This is not selfishness.  We are social beings, so narcissism is not allowed. But if we believe in, accept, and are happy with ourselves, we will not need anyone else to provide us worth. We should be able to provide all we need. The more worthy we feel within, the less we fear, and consequently, the less anger we experience.

So what’s the solution? Taking one moment at a time  and loving ourselves for who we are. Accepting ourselves in this moment and the next, and the next… We are good enough just as we are right now. If we notice it’s necessary, we should try to improve ourselves. But the past is done and gone. Let it go. The future will never be here in this moment, so let’s do what we can now to ensure a positive one.

Does that mean we will never get angry? I doubt it. But, look at this anger in terms of what it means. Is it helpful to us or our combatants? Probably not. Is it satisfying or does it make us feel good? Possibly, in the moment, but over time, how does it impact our lives? (Plan for the future!)  Anger is a dark emotion. Controlling, or eliminating it helps us feel lighter, happier, and more accepting of ourselves and others. When it arises, let’s take time to evaluate it, be conscious of its impact, and then look for alternatives.  Not only will we improve our own lives, but we will also contribute more positively to others, society, and our planet. Can we do everyone a favor and take this third Reiki Principle to heart: “Just for today, I will not be angry.” ? It may be difficult, but the rewards are enormous and life-changing.

We worry because we live in the past, or the future, but hardly ever in the present. Realistically speaking, however, there is nothing that can be changed from the past. The past is over. Done. Kaput. There is no benefit from worrying about the past. Learning from it is smart, but worrying about it is futile. So why do we do it? All those “shoulds” and “oughts” that have ruled our lives often come back to haunt us. “I should have been kinder to so-and-so when we were kids”. The only way we can rectify that is to be kinder to that person, right now, if possible. If not, we need to let it go and get on with our lives. Be kinder to people we are with NOW!

Worry over the future can be just as frustrating. We can think about it, and we can plan for it. However, we have no control over it. Our future depends on what we do in the present, as well as billions of other factors happening right now, over which we have absolutely no control. The odds are not good for making things just the way we want them, even on a minute by minute basis.

Worry has to do with control and fear. The more we give up control over people and circumstances, the less worry and fear we will have. It is important to remember that each of us is on our own journey. We have our own path to follow.  We can offer help or advice to others, which they can accept or reject, but the decision is theirs, not ours. “You should…” or “You ought to…” are good phrases to drop from our vocabulary bank.

Is it easy to give up control? Absolutely not. It takes time and consciousness. We need to be aware of what we are doing in order to change our ways. Even with lots of practice, we may regress. For example, over many years, I have learned to be concerned about members of my family when appropriate, but not worry about them. It has taken a lot of effort and time. However, just the other day, one of my family members was “missing” after several hours and I panicked. My mind was racing in all directions, fearing what might have happened, what I should do, who I should call, yada, yada, yada. I called emergency rooms, and finally the police. Five minutes later, this family member showed up, having been delayed for quite a while with no way to notify me. I was ready to cry, I was so relieved. I must admit, I have not been that worried in quite some time and I did not follow my own advice to others. I let myself become overwhelmed by the situation, instead of calming myself right at the beginning. If I had sat down, done some deep breathing, and just noticed that my stomach was in knots, and the tears were starting to gather, I could have allowed these feelings to dissipate. I would have saved myself from a lot of needless negative energy. I may still have called the emergency rooms and the police, but I would not have gotten to a state of panic.

Worry is not the same thing as concern.  Worry is fear-based. Concern is based on compassion for another. As we work with Reiki, the energy helps us to discriminate between the two. It helps us to let go of the fear, understand ourselves and others better, and work toward the greatest good of all. We often allow ourselves to be fearful of all sorts of things, but we do not have to live our lives in fear. Fear and worry are negative emotions, concern is a state of mind devoid of emotion. When we move from worry to concern, we allow ourselves and others each to follow our own paths. The second Reiki principle is not asking us to work on our whole life all at once. All it is saying is to take it day by day. Be in the present. Work on what your life is right now. Are you ready to take that small step? Reiki will help.