The Teacher Becomes The Student

Despite the scorching 90-degree weather in the NJ/NYC tri-state area, summer has officially come to an end for many of us. Congratulations and good luck to all of you who have recently sent your children back to school or will be doing so later this week. May the 2023-2024 school year bring you a peaceful and fulfilling experience.

I would like to share something I have rediscovered as summer drew to a close.

There are times when I find myself overwhelmed and fail to practice what I preach. Last spring, I had a vision and a plan for a summer filled with fun and flexibility, where I would have control over how things unfolded. However, the Universe had a different agenda for me.

During the summers of '20, '21, and '22, I spent a significant amount of time in the store, interacting more with customers than with clients. It was one of the reasons I decided to close the storefront last autumn. I needed to focus on my clients, and once the store was closed, I became fully engaged in my Reiki practice.

After diving into clients full-time, I found myself becoming increasingly exhausted by late spring. The relentless pace of work since the start of the pandemic had taken its toll, and I desperately needed a break.

Typically, my Reiki schedule eases up during the summer months. However, due to the demands of running the store over the past three years, I hadn't noticed this pattern. As the summer of 2023 approached, I failed to recognize that my Reiki calendar would likely be significantly lighter, at least 40% less busy, compared to the rest of the year.

Despite this miscalculation, I anticipated maintaining a similar workload by strategically blocking out a few days here and there for rest and rejuvenation.

Well... My schedule turned out to be more than 40% lighter. It seemed like everyone else had the same idea. The pandemic truly took a toll on everyone, and it felt like a collective need for a reset. As a result, I found myself with a lot more free time but also a significantly reduced income. This was an incredibly uncomfortable situation for me because I'm accustomed to being a hard worker. Since I was 14 years old, I've been constantly hustling, and this was the first summer in many years where free time was forced upon me rather than being something I structured for myself on my own terms.

"Rejection is redirection."

This is something I repeat over and over again to myself and my clients. If something has been taken away from us or if we have hoped, wished, manifested, or prayed for something that hasn't materialized, there is a reason behind it. The Universe will never withhold what is meant for us; it will come to us in divine timing and provide the experiences we are meant to have.

"Rejection is God's or the Universe's protection."

Perhaps in the moment, it may not be evident, but there is always an underlying reason for why certain things are happening or not happening in our lives.

During such times, we often become consumed by worries and fixate on what we lack, causing us to overlook and neglect the blessings that surround us. It can be challenging to remain present when things aren't going according to our desires, as we tend to feel uncomfortable and fearful of the unknown.

Finally, I managed to go on my long-awaited honeymoon. We embarked on a week-long family vacation at the Jersey Shore. Additionally, this summer provided me with the opportunity to take my children to the beach frequently, a freedom we hadn't enjoyed since before the pandemic. The beach holds a special place in our hearts. Moreover, I had ample time to simply "be" and confront some personal challenges that I have been navigating throughout this past year.

In the end, although I had to dip into my savings, I managed to pay my bills. Now that summer is over, my schedule is rapidly filling up, and everything turned out fine. I had the chance to enjoy meaningful moments with my family and friends, and the Universe compelled me to take a much-needed and well-deserved break.

Throughout this period, I made a conscious effort to listen to my intuition. Whenever worries arose, a reassuring voice echoed in my thoughts, saying, "It's going to be okay. Your bills will be taken care of. Your business is not crumbling. The worst-case scenario won't happen." Each time fear threatened to overwhelm me, I held onto those words and took the necessary steps to prevent my fear from spiraling out of control. It was undoubtedly challenging, and I encountered numerous triggers along the way. However, drawing from past experiences, I know that every time we stumble, the next moment presents an opportunity to start anew and rise above.

Reflecting on the past, I harbor a twinge of regret for allowing a substantial chunk of my summer to be dominated by worry. I've come to realize that the true essence of intuition, intention, and action lies not in their independent existence, but in the faith that, regardless of the outcome, it's precisely what's required for us at that moment. The act of worrying only serves to rob us of the pure elation of life. 

While it's a part of our human nature to succumb to worry and fear, there's always a gentle, reassuring voice that whispers in our ear, asserting the certainty that everything will turn out just fine. It's crucial to lend an ear to this voice. If you find your ego and fears overpowering these soothing undertones, take a moment to pause and breathe. 

Direct your focus towards positive redirection.

Immerse yourself in the tranquil solitude of closed eyes.

Take a soothing walk to clear your mind.

Indulge in the revitalizing embrace of a shower.

Reach out to a friend for comfort.

Engage in whatever form of self-care that resonates with you, and steer yourself towards it. Remember, it's in your power to transform moments of anxiety into ones of tranquility.

Each of these strategies served as stepping stones guiding me out of the abyss of self-doubt and trepidation. Pay heed to those uplifting whispers and exercise patience. With time, the scattered pieces will coalesce, forming a picture that makes perfect sense, and when that moment arrives, you'll find yourself in a position similar to mine. 

Yes, there's a smidgen of regret, an inevitable byproduct of our human nature, but alongside it, there's a profound epiphany. It's a transformative "A-HA" moment that serves as a powerful wake-up call, propelling me toward personal growth and development. It doesn't just nudge me forward; it delivers a kick that thrusts me toward an enhanced understanding of myself and my journey.