Continuation
…The introduction to Reiki opened a magical door! Once I stepped through it, there was no turning back!...
 
Initially my why for learning Reiki was to feel relaxed. I felt I needed to take control of my broken self and put myself back together like I Humpty Dumpty, one piece at a time. The Reiki training was the beginning of my journey of pursuing a wholistic health.
It was an amazing beginning.  I encourage anyone who's reading who can relate to any of what I'm saying in my last 2 blogs to follow up and learn something new!  If you decide you want to embark on the healer’s journey, you will want to empower yourself first.  We need to learn the tools that we can apply for ourselves.

I signed up for Reiki Level 1, and a few experiences from that class left an imprint. There were at least eight or nine students in the class, and we were all at the teacher's apartment. Deborah (the teacher) taught us the theory, the history, and how this energy therapy works.  For the first time I learnt that I was more than my physical body.  This wisdom was earth shattering for me.  It was a big WOW!  To learn that I was more than my physical body, that I had an emotional, mind, and spiritual layers was something so strange, so unfathomable.  I had no idea, or ever heard of this concept.  I learnt about chakras, these energy centers and how they could get clogged up. The wisdom, the experience of this class was mind bending.

One of the exercises that we did was to play with an energy ball.  It was a way in which we could put into feeling what we could not see.  Humans tend to have to see to believe.  In this case we felt to believe.  It was a perfect way to demonstrate that we were more than our physical bodies. We rubbed the palms of her hands together to create friction between the hands and then we would take the hands apart slowly to feel the edges of the energy ball.  We would play with it by moving the hands further apart and closer together.  This was the first time I consciously felt energy.  

Deborah had us partnered up with someone where we had to be cognizant of our own energetic field and the other person’s field.  We did this by walking slowly into each other’s space with our eyes closed.  Deborah asked me to assist her in this demonstration. She placed me at one end of the apartment, and she was at the other.  I was blind folded, and she had slippers on her feet to not make a sound.  Deborah says to the class: “Pay attention and let's see where Carole can feel me”.  I sat with my eyes closed and my back to her. She slowly started to move towards me.  I don't think she had taken her first step and I felt her. I could feel her energetic body.  I was so surprised how obvious it was to me.  Deborah asked me to turn around and take off my blindfold.  There she was at the other end of the apartment and she’d only taken one step.  Seriously, I thought she was right behind me.  She had barely even taken a step.

Deborah explained to the class that I was extremely sensitive, that if I could feel her from all the way at the end of the hallway, I was extremely sensitive.  To think that I could feel other people’s energies from. 20 feet away.  This knowledge about myself was a game changer.  A huge WOW WOW moment.  This nugget of wisdom about myself started to answer lots of questions for me about my life, my choices and most importantly how I desperately looked for ways to shut off, dumb down, numb all these energies I was feeling from other people around me. I came to realize why, as a young adolescent I made lots of bad choices of the substances I put in my body, alcohol, narcotics, sugar, and junk food.  This was my coping mechanism of absorbing all of these energies around me, anger, sadness, happiness, anxiety, loneliness.  I was feeling what others were feeling and I did not know that it wasn’t mine!  I was unconsciously numbing out, everyone else is pain that I could feel around me. I knew nothing about discernment back then. 

Learning Reiki Level 1 was a massive self-discovery of the incredibly beautiful, sensitive being that I am. I'm so grateful for it. After I completed Level 1, I went through a bit of a body detox.  I broke out into a rash and had some minor cold symptoms.  I then noticed a shift.  I quit drugs and reduced my alcohol intake. I started to make better food choices, joined a gym and worked out. I even noticed that certain friends moved on. My circle of friendship was changing. I was healing. Although that could be uncomfortable, and confusing, it was necessary.  And it certainly has played a huge part of who I am today. What I am. What my magic is, and what I am here to offer today. All these incredible experiences came to me with Reiki Level 1.  Wait till I share more stories of my journey!
 
Stay tuned….for part IV.

Have I ever told you my story of how REIKI introduced itself into my life?  It's a beautiful story…and of course, divinely timed. I would love to share it with you.
I was in my mid 20's and life had dealt me a series of traumatic experiences in my early twenties. I’m not here to share the traumas in this post but to put it into context, I will say the state of my body was in extreme stress. I was date raped at 21 and later abused by a partner whom I lived with just over a year.

My mom decided to treat me to a pedicure, giving me an example of how to self-love.  Mom always had a knack in finding these unique self-care places for treatments.  We were in a lovely, intimate spa on Des Meurons in St. Boniface, Manitoba for a pedicure treatment. Although I don’t remember the name of this spa, I do remember that their logo was a butterfly.  For whatever reason, when we arrived for the treatment, I found out my pedicure was cancelled. But they offered me a Reflexology treatment instead.  Many of the details of that treatment are fuzzy, but what I do remember is this: A man giving gave me the treatment and towards the end of the session, he asked me if it would be okay to give me some Reiki.  My response was, “Reiki?  What the heck is that!” Whatever this man told me at the time must have satisfied my comfort level as I said, “Yes, go ahead.” The cool thing was what happened next:  I experienced this DEEP sense of RELAXATION! 

You might think what is the big deal about feeling relaxed.  But it was a big deal!  I spent most of my time in hiding from an abusive ex-partner.  I was in constant high alert. I was worried when he would come for me. I felt like I was in constant flight mode.  So, feeling relaxed was a very BIG deal!

Let’s fast forward to my late 20's, quickly approaching the big 3-0. Life looked very different. I was living in Winnipeg with my husband in our perfect house, with our perfect dog and the perfect truck.  I had great aspirations of climbing the corporate ladder and wearing the title of Management so proudly.  Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?  Well, here is the truth from the outside looking in: I was living the perfect life.  But if you are reading this blog right now you KNOW that is never the full TRUTH! Life is full of illusions.

The truth is I was MISERABLE.  My inner world was in a real shamble. My mind was filled with worries, fears, doubts, self-sabotaging, self-loathing, low self-esteem, low self-worth.  I had absolutely no LOVE for myself back in those days.  I continuously made bad food choices and drank lots of alcohol for the sake of having a good time.  Those good times always ended with a horrible hangover.  Don't get me wrong. There were many things going right in my life, but my outer appearance was not in alignment with my inner life.  I truly was not in a good place.

One of the benefits of working in a large corporation is their health and wellness benefits.  For me that was yoga.  This beautiful yoga teacher by the name of Deborah came into my life.  I started attending her yoga classes and quickly realized how much stress I held in my body.  I truly was very disconnected to from my whole body.  Deborah came to class one day handing out pamphlets. She was offering  other classes and they were--you guessed it—Reiki.  Thoughts came flooding back to me of how I had experienced 10 minutes of bliss from the man at the spa who did a Reiki treatment that to my feet all those years ago.  Yes…I was curious.  So, I saved up the my money and registered for my first Reiki class.  That first class was eye opening! , and I was absorbing the knowledge like a sponge.  There was so much truth flowing through my body., and I learnt for the very first time I was made up of energy!  Wow!

Well, as we like to say, the rest is history.  I’ll share more as of this story has as so many stories are tangled together like a fine silk cloth.  Stay tuned for more…on my journey with Reiki.

Do you believe in angels?  I certainly do.  I have been very fortunate in my life time to have witnessed, and experience the grace of their work in their miracles. Angels are always ready to go to work and help all life forms on earth, their only criteria is to be asked.

About a month ago as I was getting ready to crawl into bed, I had a vision.  It was a scene that flashed by like a movie, one that involved my mother.  The vision, was of mom walking on the sidewalk in the middle of a cold winter night, with something in her arms and a strange blue flashing light surrounding her.  She had nothing but her shoes, pants, a couple of t-shirts and a hoodie on.  You might think that this is no big deal, but it is when it's minus 30 outside.  This vision disturbed me, and left me feeling alarmed and concerned.  You see mom lives in a supportive housing complex in a small town outside of Winnipeg and suffers from dementia.

After I received the vision I decided to *heartlink with the angels and ask Archangel Michael for his guidance, and surround my mother with protection.  I asked the angels that if by the grace of God it was time for my mother to leave the earth, then let it be so, but not in a grueling death, by freezing to death; let it be gentle and kind in a way that it is easier for her and for the souls, her friends, family and grandchildren that are left behind.

24 hours later from the time I had this vision, I received a call from my sister at 3:30 a.m.  That awful dread came creeping into my solar-plex as you know nothing good comes from a phone call in the middle of the night. My sister informs me that she is at the hospital with my mom.  Mom had been spotted by a street cleaner walking along the sidewalk with nothing but her shoes, pants, a couple of t-shirts and a stuffed cat in her arms.  The "Earth Angel", street cleaner, got into his truck, and convinced my mom to get in, where he then took her to the hospital. 

Here is what we know for sure.  Mom managed to exit her residence in Ste. Annes around 1:45 a.m. and walked all the way to the Co-op.  This is probably a 3/4 mile walk.  She was brought to the hospital around 2:30 a.m.  For 45 minutes she was in -30 weather, with nothing but her pants, shoes and t-shirt on.  When she arrived at the hospital she was disoriented, but her toes, fingers, ears and nose were warm.  By the grace of the angels, mom did not suffer any effects from the cold.

When my sister was done telling me about the details of mom's adventure I was in awe.  I then told her of my vision.  I said: "But what was the blue light,I can't figure out what this weird flashing blue light was?".  My sister then replied; "the blue light is the light on top of the street cleaners machinery".

There are no words to express the feelings, the rush, the gratefulness, the relief that no harm had come to mom; no frost bite, no effects whatsoever.  It simply is unfathomable.  I know that Archangel Michael illuminated his blue protective shield over my mother and worked through this street cleaner.  I know that on that night a miracle took place and by the grace of God my mother was spared a grueling death.

If I ever had any doubt about angels in the past, I can tell you that all that doubt is gone, for I do BELIEVE in ANGELS!

PS
If you are reading this story and you know someone who knows someone who was that man who saved my mom that night.  Please have him contact us, for my family would really love to say thank you to him personally.  Please share!

*Heartlink:  a process in which you make a connection from your heart to the angels.  I teach this in my "Healing with Angels" course.

How does one gracefully walk alongside someone who has just been diagnosed with cancer?  We all fear to some degree that big ugly disease called cancer.  We all know someone who has either died or survived it.   So what do you do when you find out someone close to you is suffering from this disease?

My journey begins on September 18th, 2015 when my sister called me to tell me her husband had been diagnosed with lung cancer....silence

It's like hearing a bomb going off.  A hundred thoughts come flashing through the mind with a thousand questions.  As you stand in shock, you struggle to keep your center and say something supportive and intelligent.

Good morning!  It's a brand new day and a new canvas to be painted!  First order up BELIEVE in miracles cause you are going to make them happen!

Today my sister takes her husband to Health Science Centre Cancer Care to be admitted. 

Imagine you are leaving your home and you truly don't know if you will ever step your feet back in your home again.  You have no idea what to expect, you feel nothing but FEAR, CONFUSION, SHOCK, EMOTIONS, SADNESS, DESPAIR, HELPLESSNESS, ANGER and the same question keeps repeating itself in your mind WHY ME?

Another new day.  Word for today is UNDERSTANDING.
Lots of information coming to you today; listen, discern, question and pay attention to how the information makes you FEEL.  Second opinions are your right.
Love you both

Today my sister watches her husband receive a barrage of tests; everything from Xrays, blood tests, drainage tubes. intravenous, exploratory surgery and a lumbar tap.

Imagine witnessing a man who has never had any health issues, to seeing him pulled in one direction to another, seeing a body used like a pin cushion.  A man, proud and strong sitting in his hospital gown, feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed with fear.

Top of the morning to you both.
Today's powerful word is TRUST.  Trust in the skills of the doctors and nurses who will be doing the surgery and treatment today.  They have spent their lifetime perfecting their skills to be of service today for you in this moment now!

We have an identity; lymphoma T cells.  Okay so now what? Chemo, chemo, chemo.  All due respect to all the health practitioners who specialize in cancer care, but is that truly the only answer?  My belief system is different from my brother in law's.  I do believe you can heal yourself, I do believe in miracles, I do believe in the power of prayer, and energy work.  I believe!  But this is NOT my journey.  I'm walking alongside this cancer, I'm walking along side my sister who is being the best she can be to support her husband in this leg of his journey.

Today's word is IDENTITY.  You both will learn the identity of the disease that has invaded your body.  Identities are made up of characteristics.  Those characteristics are malleable like the mortar you use in brick laying.  The mortar changes depending on the type of sand silt and water.  So guess what characteristics are temporary and changeable.  So in essence the identity is not permanent.  Cancer whatever name it goes by is temporary because it's characteristics can change.
Love you both

Radiation begins....our western world treats cancer like wars.  Kill everything in site, kill all, clean up and then rebuild.  Do you ever really recover from that type of war strategy?  Such a hostile body takeover.  We sit and listen to the team of doctors and nurses explain the plan of attack.  The whole body and all it's perfectly operating systems will be affected by this strategy.  Not only will my brother in law's body be filled with chemo and radiation, but he will be pumped with many other drugs to counter attack the barrage of side effects he is expected to experience.

What if there was another way?  What if we could incorporate Eastern medicine (Ayurveda) with Western.  Wouldn't we have a perfect marriage and we would not have to go to war?

Today's word is GENTLENESS.
Be gentle to yourselves today.  Do something nurturing, and love yourself like you do your girls.  Yesterday is gone and all its events with it.  No need to relive them.

Just when life seems complicated enough, you find yourself in a different hospital for a different emergency supporting another family member...

Today's wise word is CHAOS.
What is chaos other then temporary?  If we can find the eye of the storm we remain calm and the chaos is nothing but external factors.  We choose to step into the storm or stay centered.  Find your "eye" and the chaos will end.

My brother in law is experiencing some ill effects from his first round of chemo.  But there is something magical that is going to happen today.  A ray of sunshine is flying in from Ottawa. This will help raise everyone's spirits.

Good morning!  The word today is JOY.
The humming bird is the power animal that brings JOY.  It flutters and navigates quickly into and out of your life.  Yesterday JOY flew into your life.  Enjoy her presence while she is here.  And when she is gone allow her presence to permeate into your hearts.  This little hummingbird has a name; she's your youngest daughter.

So how do we get to the point of dis-ease? Where does it come from?  What lessons are we suppose to learn from it all?  Can you find gratitude in dis-ease?  Can you truly bring yourself to embrace the dis-ease, love it, then release it to something greater than you; the divine?  Walking along side my brother-in law's journey, puts you in deep reflection about your own journey and your own life.  These questions and more are to be continued...