Reiki and Shifting Attitudes Around Cancer

When I was diagnosed with cancer 9 years ago, what I first noticed was the fear that is associated with it. Totally understandable. The fear in the doctor’s voice when she told me over the phone. The fear I felt in my gut when I heard the news. The look on my husband’s face when I hung up the phone.

What if we could approach it right from the beginning with a sense of positivity? Some of you may shake your heads or think it depends……I have seen the power of this attitude work on people with stage 4 cancer. The whole family can be involved and those who surround them.

Where does this start? At the doctor’s office. I speak from experience when I say the first order of business is the doctor preparing the patient for the worst case scenario. This is how they prepared me: “Expect pain, hair loss, loss of appetite, nausea, lack of energy, possible job loss if too many days/months are required to recuperate.” Basically, they were telling me, “Expect hell to take over your body and live with the uncertainty that once we remove it, there is no promise that it will not return.”

What if I said, excuse my language, “Fuck that!”? What if we all said that when doctors give some sort of death sentence or negative, hopeless outlook? What if the whole family said it??? And what if doctors did some research and were able to provide their patients with options, alternative therapies, alternative attitudes for that matter?

I’ll tell you what would happen. Hope, Empowerment, Faith, Trust, Courage, LIFE! Life would happen people. There are many choices out there that can shift the outcome, that can even put a positive spin on such an experience. And not only for the patient but for EVERYONE involved. Family, caretakers, counselors, nurses, and yes, even doctors.

What I chose, after doing my own research that first week of diagnosis, was a complementary medicine, meaning a therapy that aids any other form of treatment, was Reiki. This is a Japanese form of gentle hands-on healing that simply relaxes the stressed out, anxious body and mind. This allows the receiver of Reiki to take a break from the energy of fear and sorrow and hopelessness that surrounds cancer. Result of being able to relax? The body can do what it needs to in order to begin healing itself. Reiki can also be used to calm those who are supporting the patient. This is very important when establishing a healing community.

Reiki is for absolutely everyone. It does not have to be someone with cancer. Any illness, any reason for someone needing to relax, to feel better, to help with emotional pain. Reiki is simple and gentle. The hands-on aspect creates a nurturing, comforting sensation many need during such shocking life changes. Reiki prepares the body physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

So, rather than just focusing on the sickness, loss, and pain from the traditional form of  ‘treatments’, I call for the patient to become her own advocate, her own source of hope and motivation. Begin with a positive, brave attitude and order some Reiki! Now, that would be a prescription that would really benefit the masses.

If you would like to learn more about how Reiki and I can assist you with your healing, and facing the journey ahead of you, please visit me at www.InsyncEnergy.com. We can chat for a free 20 minute consultation or you can schedule a Reiki session and test it out for yourself.

What I want people to understand is that there are options. It doesn’t have to be JUST preparing for the worst. Research and find what resonates with you. Let’s do our homework and share with our doctors. Let’s bring to their attention that they can help turn this game around, too.

Reiki is also for animals experiencing pain, illness, stress, or life changes.

Blessings to you and may you find peace and support in all of your life’s experiences.

 

Love, Darlene

Always 13 When Visiting Home

As many of us experience, sometimes visiting family can be quite shocking to the system-energetically and emotionally. Even if it is just because there is a change in our normal routine, the whole body can be sent out of wack, spiraling downward into a puddle of mush on the floor. That is where I found myself this morning. 

With each return after a visit home as an adult, it is taking a shorter amount of time for me to readjust back to ‘normalcy’. We grow and change and sometimes our family likes things the way they are, well, were. I decided to stop trying to make them change, to see things my way. I love them how they are and I recognize offering health or wellness advice creates much anxiety for them. Rather than making it a battle trying to convince them of all I learned during and after cancer, I must just be there and just BE when I visit.

It isn’t easy though. But I have stopped trying to prove anything or force my opinions on them. And no matter how much I’ve grown, or how I behave when I am 3,000 miles away, there is something about being with family, those who knew me as I was, that makes me revert right back to childhood behaviors. The lack of confidence bubbles back up to the surface, the fears and doubts of my adult choices rush back into my head and gut.

Each visit I believe I can avoid returning to my 13 year old self. But by day 3, there she is, shy, frightened, doubtful 13 year old Dar. I cry, yell, and wave my hands around when my perspective is overlooked. I grow impatient and frustrated and short tempered. And then it happens. Mom cries. And reminds me how she only gets to see me twice a year and she never knows when will be the last time because I live so far away and……. I didn’t give her grandchildren. Then the Jewish guilt rolls in like a tsunami! 

I spend the evenings repeating in my head that I am the best daughter I can be while I live the life that is best for me. If I lived the life my mom wanted me to (which I actually did try to do!), I would live right around the corner from her in a town that is really for senior citizens, have a kid or 2, and would probably still be a teacher. In other words, I would be miserable living the life she dreams for me (for her). Healthy for absolutely no one. Which is why I cannot do exactly what she wants. Which is why, during each visit, I succumb to Jewish guilt, not being the daughter my mom was for her mom. I accept it now but still feel her disappointment.

I come home to my husband and dogs carrying a boulder on my back. Returning to my life usually takes a long time and literally feels like stepping out of a black hole all discombobulated and living the lives of the childhood Dar and the adult healthier Darlene. Day one or 2 is the big release, about an hour of crying and letting it all out. I pay tribute to the child who continues to reappear, asking for healing and unconditional love. She was always loved, just so overprotected that she was taught and learned to be fearful of everything and anything. I teach her that it’s ok to step out of what everyone else is doing but she does get reprimanded by her mom. I continue to role model for her, regardless of what her family tells her. And I certainly keep making mistakes. But I can tell her that’s ok to do. That’s experiencing life. That’s stepping out so that each time she does, it is less and less scary and more and more exciting. That’s where learning takes place. 

Now, my biggest lesson was having cancer. If it had been up to my mom, obviously, it wouldn’t have happened. However, if it hadn’t, I would not have discovered my life’s purpose, my intuitive gifts, my abilities to help others heal and laugh and grow and find their life’s purpose. I can’t imagine not having had that experience 8 years ago, who I would be right now, not having the life or friends I have or the most important knowledge and wisdom that came from what happened. I take that perspective when I start feeling guilty about not being able to do what mom says would make her happy. Sometimes we have to go through uncomfortable circumstances to learn and grow and also be able to relate to the rest of the world.

I am happy for the good, bad, and ugly. I am thankful for going home and having that child resurface so I can heal her and grow stronger as an adult. I love my family and understand each visit will be an opportunity for hopefully all of us to learn and grow. I am lucky for people who love me so much, who want me close by, who want to hold me and never let me go. My mom is a Jewish mother angel who I know is and will always be there for me no matter what, even if I didn’t give her grandchildren ;-).

TIPS FOR VISITING FAMILY:

BREATHE

USE YOUR TIME IN THE BATHROOM AS YOUR QUIET SANCTUARY (ALTHOUGH MY MOM TALKS THROUGH DOORS)

COUNT TO 10. OR 20 IF YOU HAVE TO

LAUGH!

LEARN REIKI SO YOU CAN DE-STRESS UNDER ANY SITUATION! http://www.insyncenergy.com/Reiki-Training.html

 

 

Your Voice, Your Brave

Finding your voice and the confidence to speak up and out is where my series on Unleash Your Brave continues as does the Get Your Brave On! Challenge event. This event is an opportunity to heal AND win a Energetic Reboot Healing session (you can join the event by going to https://www.facebook.com/events/398956176906475/ ).

A voice. Your voice. When I work with women, what comes up time and time again, is the throat chakra having been suppressed, unused, surrounded by rope and chains. I say this because this is what I am being shown as an intuitive. My clients’ guides and angels are always asking me to remove these blocks. It is time that we all find and exclaim our voice, declare our freedom from the past, from fears, from centuries of abuse, control, and misuse of power over us. Whether this is referring to YOUR ancestry and past lives, or a collective  consciousness that has been overrun by religion, government, and society, there is a call right NOW to release that connection to suppression.

It isn’t AS visible in our culture as it is in others but it is definitely still there, this silencing of our own truth. In the west, there has been a measurable increase in thyroid cancer, the area of the body where our truth would be suppressed. “This year, an estimated 60,220 adults (14,910 men and 45,310 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women. The incidence rates of thyroid cancer in both women and men have been increasing in recent years, and researchers are working to figure out why.” You can read more about this by clicking here.

We stop and think twice about speaking our peace, announcing our perspective. That’s ok if it is to organize our thoughts. But it is more likely we’re thinking about a possible consequence or that it would drastically change someone’s opinion of us. What really matters to you? How others perceive your truth or how good it feels to finally be honest and truthful with YOURSELF?

This is by no means a rant about religion or government. It is a call from your soul to go deep within and find your OWN voice, not your family’s or what you’ve been told throughout your life. What is your honest to God voice? What is it you want to shout from the roof top? What awaits in your throat, your heart, your soul, to be expressed and heard? The act of finding and releasing this will bring about a shift in your being, a shiver from head to toe, a healing that will unravel that which blocks your freedom from stepping forward into your truth, your happiness.

Consider what you’ve been wanting to say and to whom. Sometimes it is who we want to communicate with that stops us. Often we care more about offending THEM or not wanting them to dislike us or afraid of what they will do. In the long run, what matters more to you? (If it is fear for your safety, find community and support, my love. There is always help. If you don’t see this, ask God and your angels to show you where and how. This I know because I’ve been there, too.)

Are you ready to loosen and release what suppresses your voice? I have exercises for your throat chakra to practice so that you can work on clearing and keeping this communication center cleansed. Why the throat chakra?  The 5th chakra, or Throat Chakra, the vishuddha, is the center that governs our speech and creative expression in the world. It’s balance will determine how honest you are, and how well you can express yourself with the people around you. It is through this chakra that we speak our mind and heartfelt thoughts.

1. Chant the word ‘ham’ (the a is spoken as ah) and really focus on the vibration of this sound in your throat

2. Writing to express your thoughts, ideas, feelings

3. Imagine the color blue, either a blue ball spinning by your throat or a blue light shining directly on your throat area like a heat lamp

4. Neck rolling, actual physical movements to open the area in your throat (the physical and energy bodies work as one to function optimally)

5. Positive affirmation: I speak clearly and confidently. It is safe for me to express myself (or create one that feels right to you).

6. Simply sing, my dears! Sing beautiful songs that make you want to dance and laugh and express yourself in all ways

These exercises can bring you closer to confidently feeling your brave! Voice your words, express your ideas and your love. Now, the next exercise for the next 3 days, as part of the Get Your Brave On! Challenge, is deciding what you have been holding back, what do you want the world to know about you, and to whom you would like to express this. Imagine they are there with you and practice. You can also practice by sharing below in the comments section of the blog or send me a contact form for privacy. Any way you choose, it is a healing and another step in as you release your BRAVE! Get Your Brave On today! Your community supports and listens to you. If you are new to the Challenge, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/398956176906475/

For more information about clearing ALL of your chakras and hearing what each one has to say, you can read about the work I offer on my website www.InsyncEnergy.com.

Love and Many Blessings,

Darlene

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When I first began this healing journey, I had know idea what was in store for me (and frankly, for those around me!).

Cancer triggered my new goal in life, to heal and to stop the frustration of feeling that I am not what or who I thought I would be by now. What I discovered immediately was that cancer was only the tip of the iceberg. And that healing is an ongoing process, every day, almost of every minute of the day.

Sometimes I wonder with a sigh if living blindly would have been easier. Of course, in the long run, it would not have been, but I do admit it can be exhausting at times. Like yesterday when I considered throwing in the old smelly dish towel.

This is how I usually feel after visiting and spending a long time with family. We often work through issues that come up and feel and believe they have been addressed, “fixed” to some degree. Well, it feels great especially if family, or what triggers us, lives far away and not part of our daily routine. Out of sight, out of mind can sometimes feel resolved. Family is here to remind us that we are not done with that issue yet! Thank you family. No, truly, I mean it.

Family brings up emotions we thought were taken care of, healed, but come to realize have only been suppressed. Serious stuff like the ability to develop healthy relationships, self esteem, money issues, the chance to really find happiness without guilt and shame. Each time I visit home, I am reminded of this. Distance and avoidance can play serious tricks on the heart. I can pretend, I can run, I can live 3000 miles away from home. But when I return, so too does: the guilt of not having grandchildren for my mother, choosing to live so far away from her even though she would never have left her mother, sibling battles, self esteem issues involving past and present decisions, sibling insults we throw at each other stemming from old childhood pain, and most important, the idea that there is financial lack and hardship and money is stressful and secretive and worth fighting about…..Augh, I thought we took care of all of this shit!

Breathe. Relax shoulders. Think love. And the gift of Reiki. Yes, the answer to all of life, good and difficult. The memories and pictures of last week’s visit flood my mind and fill me with those unpleasant feelings of anxiety, sadness, guilt, shame….. Overly dramatic, perhaps, but my body’s way of telling me these issues are not yet resolved and may hold me back. Childhood experiences, adult experiences with the old family beliefs, affect my choices and perpetuate my fears.
This is where Reiki saves my life, again.

I call in the healing energy, hold it to my heart, and ask for gentle, soothing comfort. I ask to replace the uncovered pain with love and healing energy. This does not make it disappear. It adds new perspective to old wounds. It transforms my view from victim to observer. Painful triggers and memories are easier to look at as an observer-it is more likely to watch or replay in this role as fewer emotions will arise. What was learned? What can be done to change it for next time? What was I needing and not getting? What was the other person needing and feeling?

Reiki balances emotions so that any issue can be viewed from a less traumatic lens. Thinking of family while using Reiki is a tool like no other. My relapses after visiting home are shorter since I have adopted my Reiki practice. And I do believe that while with family, I am able to stay grounded and centered more often than not by calling in Reiki during stressful moments.

Every family has stressful moments. Reiki can give us freedom from the cords that bind us. Feel free to contact me if you have questions about how Reiki can help you break away from the old ways of how you work with your family. http://www.insyncenergy.com. Distance healings are always available.You may discover a whole new world that can include loving and spending time with even the toughest of family members. Family is a big part of life. We can find ways to enjoy all family has to offer us. As I am reminded often, without family, we wouldn’t be here 😉

Self, Health, and Matters of Family

As a practitioner who assists others with healing on an energetic level, I practice and commit to being an open channel to the Divine. It is then that I am able to receive guidance so I know what to do and how I can be of service to clients, friends, and loved ones. Intuition and trusting myself to receive this sacred information for others is the key when facilitating healing.

Sometimes I forget that the same ‘rules’ apply to me, too. When I am not feeling well, experiencing physical or emotional symptoms of some sort, it is essential that I tune into the Divine and trust my intuition so that I can help myself.

When I have so much information about myself, it is often difficult to set aside old beliefs and see my own situation clearly. However, last night, I was proud that I was able to tune into guidance— for me. I am visiting family for a week and tend to wander away from healthy choices I have made as an adult concerning physical and emotional well-being. To make things easier, I eat what my mom has in the house and eat the special foods she enjoys making for me. I’ve gone through several years of explaining to her why I no longer eat certain foods. We usually go straight from the airport to the grocery store because food is a priority for mom, wanting to make sure I have what I need while I am here. The prices of the gluten free foods and organic fruits and vegetables I eat cause her great stress and angst. This time, as she has not been feeling well, I chose not to go down that road, so we skipped the trip to the grocery store.

I am discovering that while I am trying to save my mom from the stress related grocery store incident, my body is telling me that what I am putting in it is more important. Last night, I kept dreaming that I could not breathe. Several times I woke up in the middle of the night gasping for air. I realized that my throat was closing, as if I was experiencing an allergic reaction to something I ate. Well, the only allergies I have are to antibiotics and occasionally funny reactions to peanuts. Rather than getting scared, I decided to tune into my body and angels and intuitive guidance. I immediately heard, “It was the chicken I ate for dinner. It was not organic. Think of what is used while raising the animals for food that is not organic. Aaaaaah! Hormones and antibiotics!” Bingo! I took a benedryl, prayed that my airways cleared for safe breathing, gave myself Reiki, and fell asleep for the rest of the night.

Lessons learned:

#1 My health and well-being is more important than trying to control someone else’s level of stress-which has nothing to do with me in the first place. I love my mom but I also love being able to breathe. Even though it is only a week, food and emotional choices are a priority. So glad it is raining today so we can go to the grocery store for some healthy choices without missing outdoor time :).

#2 We love our family, try to protect them. I know. I also know that the wisdom to understand that some things cannot be changed or controlled, the serenity prayer, was written in regards to navigating family relationships.

Here’s to health, self, and the Serenity Prayer!