Just for today . . . do not worry

Last time we discussed the Reiki precept Do not Anger and this time I’d like to delve further into the precept Do not Worry. 

Worry is linked with the future and is not always an outcome we can alter.  Worrying is an easy habit to slip into, yet no matter how much of it you do the worrying itself will never achieve anything or change anything.  Doing Reiki on yourself can help you to achieve a less anxious, more positive frame of mind.

Worry is yet another negative emotion that drains and consumes many people. All negative emotions are energy stealers, and thus can cause physical, emotional and mental damage.  If you believe in the Law of Attraction, then the focus that worrying over an issue provides may actually work to invite that which you worry about to manifest. I'd rather use the Law of Attraction more positively, wouldn't you?

So how do I cope with worry?  Worry is something I know I suffer with and like any other addictive habit, admitting I have a problem is the first step.  I practice Reiki daily and if I have a situation where I am aware I’m worrying about I immediately send Reiki to myself and to the situation.  Reiki helps you realise the universe has a plan for you, one which you may not always understand.  Reiki is like taking leap of faith, 

Do you worry?  How about trying the suggestions above and let me know how you progress.  Let me know in the comments below and thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

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Just for today . . . do not anger

The first Reiki precept is “Just for today . . . do not anger”.  Although easy to recite, to put into practice on a daily basis can be a challenge.  However, it does get easier with time.  I’m sure Usui didn’t mean for us to ignore or swallow our anger but to acknowledge our angry emotions and deal with them.  So how do I work with this precept?

I’ve mentioned before that I recite and meditate with these precepts twice daily.  This allows them to become second nature.  Therefore when I do get angry, I acknowledge what has made me angry and take several large deep breaths.  This gives me 30 seconds of valuable ‘clearing’ time.  If I decide I need to outlet my anger physically I have a punch bag in my garage.  If I want to verbalise my anger; I can go and talk to someone away from the situation or even scream into a pillow.  I have been known to drawn or write my feelings on paper and then ceremoniously burn them.  Once I have dealt with my anger, I then perform a ‘brushing off’ style ritual (more on dry brushing in future blog posts) and do not dwell in my anger.  I have dealt with it and it’s now time to move on.  Silently repeating, “Just for today, do not anger,” like a mantra, over and over, distracting your mind until the anger or annoyance fades can also help whilst practicing self Reiki.

Just for today reminds us to be mindful and in the present moment.  Anger tends to be an emotion based in the past.  Holding on to your anger for any length of time can be very counter-productive health-wise.  Negative emotions set up a whole series of stressful chemical responses in the body and generally hurts us more than the one at which it is directed. It is always a good idea to remember that you always have the choice of whether to be angry or not.

How do you deal with your anger?  Let me know in the comments below and thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

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Reiki Precepts

This weeks blog will enable you to learn a little more about Reiki.

One of the fundamental factors of Reiki is the five precepts.  These are guidelines from the Reiki founder Usui Mikao. Although Reiki has no religious basis, many religious or spiritual practices have precepts.  A dictionary definition of a precept is “A precept (from the Latin: præcipere, to teach) is a commandment, instruction, or order intended as an authoritative rule of action.”

Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki lineage, referred to the Precepts as “the secret of inviting happiness through many blessings, the spiritual medicine for all illness” and included them in daily practice.  Understanding these precepts and that Reiki is primarily a personal spiritual growth tool, can aid self-healing and help us understand Reiki. 

The precepts are taught from Reiki 1 and should be recited morning and night.  However, reciting doesn’t help us fully understand these precepts.  I have spent several months meditating with these precepts, endeavouring to use them constantly in my day to day life.

·         Just for today, do not anger

·         Just for today, do not worry

·         Just for today, be grateful

·         Just for today, work hard

·         Just for today, be compassionate towards yourself and others

Please be aware when surfing the internet you may find slightly different versions due to translation but all have the same basic principle. 

In future blogs, I hope to work with each of these precepts and delve a little deeper.

As always, thanks for reading and if you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you below.

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Quick disclaimer; I am not a medical practitioner so therefore I’m not prescribing.  All of my blog posts are based on complementary therapies and not as a replacement for conventional medicine.  

Hopi ear candles

This is a treatment which didn’t initially appeal to me however after a treatment I was impressed and decided to train and add this to the growing list of treatments I offer.

Hopi Ear Candles (also known as Thermal Auricular Therapy) are a pleasant and non-invasive treatment of the ears, used to treat a variety of conditions.  These ear candles induce a revitalising heat upon the head and ears, which soothes, relieves and relaxes. The candles work on a chimney principle, drawing any impurities to the surface where they can be gently removed. They equalise the pressure in the head and ears, making them suitable for most conditions.

The candles are made from a variety of natural ingredients including beeswax, honey extracts, sage, St Johns Wort, chamomile, beta-carotene and organically grown flax.  I only use the best quality candles.

Hopi Candles have been reported to help with a wide range of disorders in ears and/or sinuses and have a relaxing calming effect for stress disorders.  Ideal for people who have their ears syringed regularly, frequent flyers or before air travel.

I will ask you to lie on your side and the candle is then gently placed into your ear. You may experience a pleasant crackling sound as the candle burns and a warm comfortable feeling. The candle is then taken away while you lie there for a few moments before turning over to treat the other ear. Most clients find the whole experience very relaxing. Some fall asleep during treatment.

As we are due to fly in the couple of months, I intend to treat us all prior to travel to help with any ear pressure problems we may have.  

As always, thank you for reading this blog.  If you have any questions or comments, please chat to me below.

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Travel tips

If you haven’t realised already, I’m one of those organised people who like to plan things in advance.  In a couple of months we are travelling abroad for a family holiday.  So I’d like to ask you some questions:-

·         What is an essential on your packing list?
I’ve started with passports, clothes, sun cream, medications, entertainment devices and of course my trusty Filofax.

·         What do you put in your beach bag?
Sun hat, book, suncream, beach towel, talc, sunglasses, toys, flip flops,

I’m going to Cuba so my Filofax is going to be even more useful.  However, some of the pre-lists I have used Dropbox so I can see the lists on both my IPhone and home PC.

Last year I printed Ray’s amazing Travel Journals (found here http://mylifeallinoneplace.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/print-your-own-filofax-travel-journal.html) and used my Pocket Pennybridge.  As it proved so successful, I’m hoping to do the same again this year. 

What essentials do you carry for holiday?  Please let me know in the comments below and thank you for reading.

My favourite IPhone apps – part 2

Following on from my last blog post, here are some of my other favourite IPhone apps:-

Hullo Mail.  The missed called and voice message interface from my mobile carrier 3 isn’t great.  After trying the free version of Hullo Mail, it shows me who has left me a message or I have received a missed call from.

Pocket – Any interesting web sites or pictures/articles I would like to read later I email to my Pocket account.  I can then read these (even off line if updated) on my IPad or IPhone.  Invaluable.

Endomondo – tracks my outside exercise.  Fairly accurate and transfers the data straight into My Fitness Pal which I use daily to track calorie intake and exercise. 

Flipbox – A custom magazine of some of my favourite blogs with pictures. 

Cozi for my FlyLady routines.  I use the free version (can you spot a theme here?) which reminds me of cleaning zones for this week.  If you dislike housework as much as I do, may I recommend you investigate Fly Lady.   

Feedly – As Google Reader is no longer going to be operational later this year, Feedly painlessly transferred all my blog subscriptions from Google Reader to themselves.  Again links to my pc, IPhone and IPad.

Trello – I’ve just started using this for my project management.  I’m enjoying the visual boards approach.

You Tube – I must admit I use this as a knowledge tool.  It is much easier to learn something if you can see what you need to do rather than just reading. 

Would I swap to anything else? Not currently.  My eldest son has an Android phone and whilst it’s ok – the operating system is not as sleek, intuitive and professional as an apple product.  Don’t even get me started on BlackBerry’s!  I have a fairly modern BlackBerry for work and it’s heavy to carry, slow to use and not intuitive.  I cannot currently compare to the latest version of a Windows phone.  However, if someone would like to send me one to test and compare I wouldn’t complain ;)

As always, thanks for reading and if you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you below.

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My favourite IPhone apps – part 1

I admit I’m a geek.  I love my gadgets and technology.  I was also adamant I was not going to become an Apple fan girl.  Previously I’ve had a HTC Windows phone running Windows Mobile 7 which I liked but had a few flaws.  However, two years ago my husband bought an IPhone then I bought an IPod and I realised they really are rather good.

Siri and ICloud Reminders and Notes - I’ve grouped these together as they are standard Apple apps and I would struggle to cope without them.  Along with my Bluetooth headset, whilst I’m on my commute to and from work I often remember things I should be doing or adding to.  I just wish reminders could be set for the 2^nd Monday in the month etc rather than just the basic scheduling.

Calendar linked with Google calendar.  I’ve managed to colour code 7 different Google calendars which I can view at an instant on my IPhone.  I immediately know where my family should be and whether my shared treatment room is available or already booked. 

Dropbox – It enables me to share files not only between all of my devices (PC’s and Apple devices) but also shares files with other people.  I realise the security of any Cloud based storage isn’t completely secure so I don’t use Dropbox for anything confidential.

Social Media – Facebook and Twitter are my two main SM apps although I also like to browse Instagram.  I don’t find the Facebook Pages app that useful as I’d like to share other Pages information from my IPhone as I can on my PC.  Hopefully, that will be in a future release.

MyFitnessPal – used daily to track my calorie intake and expenditure. 

Met Office – also used daily to check what the weather is going to be like in the coming 5 days. 

Oops, it’s only when you start documenting your favourite apps you realise how long the list could be.  Therefore, part 2 (and possibly even part 3) coming in a fortnight. 

  

As always, thanks for reading and if you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you below.

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