Now How Did You Get Into This??

Reiki. What image does that create in your mind? Before working with Reiki Energy, I visualized a hippie in a VW van traveling across the country without care or responsibility. After learning and teaching Reiki, the picture in my mind is much different.

I am frequently asked, "How did I get into Reiki?" After all, I was a classroom teacher. How could I walk away from a thirty+ year career? My answer may surprise you. I left for the same reasons I began my career. I followed my heart. That doesn't mean I didn't love my students because that would be a lie. I loved my students very much, and I loved teaching very much too. The truth is, teaching public school no longer loved me.

Following my heart means dropping my consciousness into my heart space to evaluate my feelings about an issue. Then I wait and listen for the answer. Sometimes I hear the answer in a whisper and an energetic nudge. Other times it is an intuitive pull in my solar plexus or a quick heartbeat in anticipation. Here was my final nudge.

I was having a rough day in the classroom. I entered the office and asked sarcastically, "Is it Friday yet?" The principal then responded, "If I didn't like being a teacher, I could always be a Greeter at Walmart." I have nothing against Greeters at Walmart, but my years of experience and training qualified me for something more. I am a National Board Teacher (1 of 318 in my state), have a Masters in Technology, and have years of classroom experience. Unfortunately, his remarks reflect how little teachers are respected within their own field. I asked him, "Do you think those are the only two things I am qualified to do, teach and greet people?"

It was then that he made his biggest mistake. He said, "What would be your dream job?" Teaching in public school had been my dream job all those years ago when I followed my heart. I loved everything about teaching; students, fellow teachers, the challenges of each new day, and the challenges of each unique student. But at that moment, it felt that I loved teaching far more than it loved me.

So I answered him truthfully. I started to make a list. "I want a job where I can help others. I could use the bathroom when I needed to go; I could have time to sit and eat lunch; I could work barefooted; I wanted a place where people were happy to see me, I could teach without interruption, and my students wanted to learn; where I could decide my hours and not feel guilty when I spend time with my family. Whatever my next dream job will be, it will not include writing sub plans and my time dictated by bells ringing.

What he didn't know was Reiki had found me. Reiki has a way of helping you see what is in your heart, what you have outgrown, what needs to be released, and what needs to happen to reconnect with your soul. This exchange was my final nudge to start my next dream job.

In 2009, I started my journey with Reiki. I am a curious soul by nature. I first heard about Reiki from a documentary. It had been about nurses in the UK using Reiki to help with the recovery process for postop patients in a hospital. I thought, "How cool if that worked." Little did I realize that the seed was planted and began to grow. After learning and training in the first level of Reiki, I wanted to know more. This pull continued even after becoming a Reiki Master Teacher.

During my training, I volunteered to work with people in hospice, abused and neglected animals, and even those just curious about what Reiki can do for them. I began to see changes in myself during this process. I began to sleep better and longer. Consistently sleeping was a new feat since I was a 20+ year insomniac. Three hours of sleep on medication was a good night for me. I didn't get angry as quickly if I got angry, and I had more patience when dealing with daily challenges. I knew I needed to share this with others.

I created Reiki Renewal in 2013 after receiving support and encouragement from those who had experienced Reiki through me. Reiki Renewal has grown since those first days. I continue to receive training in different Reiki traditions and new healing modalities. I now teach adults of all ages who want to learn; I often work barefooted, eat lunch and take breaks when needed. I also get to spend more time with my family without feeling guilty. I am thankful I listened for the nudges, the encouragement, and the courage I have received to live my second dream. And, of course, I do not have to write sub plans.