It has been over 21 years since I was first introduced to Reiki by my friend Nancy. At the time, I didn’t feel much when she gave me a Reiki treatment – just a sense of ease, relief and relaxation. I didn’t feel heat from her hands, or even know what ‘energy’ felt like back then. Little did I know how dramatically this simple practice of “hands on healing” would impact my life!
It was some months later I took a First Degree Reiki class, in Phoenix (where I will be teaching in September) and my motivation (I thought!) was one of curiosity. As I look back, I can see that I was unwittingly “following the bread crumbs” to a life that I couldn’t have begun to image, let alone believe was possible!
Even when I took the First Degree class, I enjoyed it, I liked meeting the people in the class and was excited about the prospect of sharing Reiki with others – even though I wasn’t fully confident it was real! I offered Reiki to friends mostly out of a need to gather evidence that something this easy and simple could work. I had no idea that this was a “fork in the road” that would lead me to my life today.
In many ways, I still feel that I am “following the bread crumbs” and cannot envision what my life will be like in a few years from now. And, I think I’d rather not know.
Many times I meet students or clients who are seeking clarity on “What is my Purpose”, or how do I “Fulfill my Destiny”, or “What is it I Came Here to Do?” I am beginning to see that for most of us, it is not a Vision that we find or discover, and then make the plan and take action to fulfill – but rather a Journey that leads us to a place of Fulfillment.
If I had known back in 1994 that I was going to “quit my day job”, and never have a guaranteed income again, I might not have made the decision to begin my training as a Reiki master.
If I had known that when I left Honolulu almost three years ago to take a ‘three month sabbatical’ that I would be traveling constantly for all this time, I might not have taken that step.
(a little sidebar – I can hear the theme song for Gilligan’s Island in my head right now – “… set sail that day, For a three hour tour, a three hour tour… So this is the tale of the castaways – They’re here for a long, long time, They’ll have to make the best of things…)
My point is, when we follow an idea, an inspiration, a nudge of some kind, it is often the “breadcrumb” that leads us towards our fulfillment. Many of us feel that until we have a clear plan or idea that we can’t or shouldn’t take action. Or, that we try and anticipate all of the possible problems that could arise before we decide to take action.
I started off talking about my decision to take a Reiki class. I was motivated by a little curiosity, and listened to that nudge. I had no idea that it would lead me to where I am today, but all I can do is sit here in deep appreciation for all that has unfolded since I chose to take a class.
What ‘nudge” has called you lately? Why not follow it?
