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Reaching Reiki

with ReikiAwakening.com’s Alice Langholt

Welcome to this month’s Reaching Reiki column. This month’s topic is Patience. Patience is very hard for most of us, because we want to plan, control our destiny, shape our lives. We have a desire to know what’s coming and prepare for it, because doing so helps us feel more confident and ready. I know, because I am very much like this in personality.

I envy those who can easily surrender, having faith that things will work themselves out, and that the Universe has a plan in motion. This is a wonderful state of being, just living in the present, without the anxiety of trying to second-guess what’s coming and figure out how it would be handled. Those without patience use their thoughts in the present to try to predict what’s coming and get ready for it by trying to decide now what to do if this or that should happen. The ironic thing is that instead of making us feel more prepared and calm, trying to predict and plan creates anxiety as we sit on the edge of our seats waiting to see what will actually happen. Then we’re living in a state of anxious worry, finding it hard to relax. Meanwhile, our friends who have decided to “go with the flow” are calm, serene, and capable in the face of whatever life presents them.

So how, you might be asking, how does one who is not accustomed to having patience go about attaining that patience? How does one surrender to the present? How does one keep from going to that place of “what if” and trying to plan for this and that outcome? I will tell you that it isn’t easy. It’s hardest in times of transition, for instance, between jobs, or when waiting for a significant event to occur. Here are some suggestions for finding that quiet place within that can bring about the patience that can change your life:

  • Meditate. This doesn’t involve long stretches of time sitting in the lotus position chanting OM. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but most of us who are unaccustomed to lengthy meditation don’t feel ready for that yet. Instead, try five minute stretches, or even still, take a moment, several times a day, for a mini-meditation. A mini meditation involves stopping, and taking 10 slow, deep breaths with your eyes closed. Just be in the moment, breathe and clear your mind. It’s short, but it has amazing effects on calming you and bringing you into the present moment. When you feel your mind drifting to that state of “what’s going to happen next?” just stop and breathe.
  • Mindful presence. This means really working on staying out of that anxious zone where you try to plan for every possible outcome. When you find yourself going there, grab your thoughts and bring them to the present again. Really make an effort to be here, now. Living in the present moment instead of the future or the past means you only have to deal with what is happening to you right now. The future will get here, and you will deal with it when it does. There is only now, after all. Live that way, and you’ll find yourself calmer, more balanced, and happier. You won’t be spending all of your energy planning the future, but instead you will be able to enjoy what’s happening in the present.
  • Manifestation. Use whatever means of visualizing the way you want things to unfold, and really see it in your mind. Then, let it go. You may, if you wish, send positive energy to that vision, using Reiki or whatever method you personally find meaningful. For me, it’s Reiki, of course. If you want to learn how to channel Reiki energy to yourself, others, or a goal, just get in touch with me via my website – ReikiAwakening.com. I’m happy to teach anyone who wishes to learn. Others may choose to write their goals down on a list, and then put it away. The next, very important step is to let it go and let the Universe take care of setting the details in motion. That is the key to manifestation – putting the idea out there and then avoiding dwelling on it afterward. Surrender it to Source and watch it start to unfold. Trust that it will. You will cultivate patience by doing so.

I am learning patience right along with you, and doing my best to incorporate these methods into my life. It takes work, so don’t think it’s effortless. But make the process yours and see the impact it can have on your overall happiness, stress levels, and peace of mind.