Sunday, December 20, 2009

Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary

Today is my 40th birthday! It's also the second anniversary of the day I began this blog. It is a good day for some reflection on how things have changed in the past year or two, and I'm filled with gratitude for so many things in my life.

Here is where I was one year ago today.

Here is my first post, two years ago today.

Since last year, I've begun teaching Reiki locally in two different wellness centers here in the Cleveland area, in addition to launching my website, and connecting with many new friends and students on Twitter and Facebook. I was interviewed about Reiki on four different radio shows. I've started writing about Reiki for OwningPink.com and PaganPages.org. I've had the blessing of teaching at least 150 more students in the past year as well. Reiki teaching is becoming a more central focus in my life, and it feels really right. It's wonderful to feel that things are moving in this direction and I look forward to what will be developing in the year to come.

I'm so grateful for the opportunities that have been opening for me, for those who have connected with me to learn and receive Reiki, and for the awesome support of my husband and family, which is continuous. I am filled with love and gratitude within and feel it surrounding me. It's a great way to begin this milestone year of my life.

Thank you for reading my blog, and for commenting. All of you are appreciated and I send love and light to you all.

Peace,
Alice

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Inspiration from Angels


Something new I've done recently is to write for a new book called One Page Wisdom: Book One - Inspirational One-Page Writings from 111 People Worldwide. I have a story in there, as one of the 111 authors. The book is now published, in paperback, and it's available here as well as Amazon, etc. What I like about it is that you can turn to any page in the book and it feels like you are reading a message meant for you right at this very moment. Lots of people wrote about what inspires them, and there are themes of spirituality, faith, miracles, blessings, gratitude, love, and more. I'm really happy to be a part of it. I think the book makes a good gift too, and I plan to get some to give out as holiday presents this year.

It got me thinking about sources of inspiration. I've read that one can receive messages from angels in various forms - snippets of music on the radio or suddenly going through your head, words on a bumper sticker of the car in front of you, an animal crossing your path or showing up in your yard, or turning to a page in a book and finding that the words say just what you needed to hear. Is this real, or is it our attempt to make meaning from seemingly random events? Hard to say concretely, but those who believe and take the messages to heart certainly feel inspired.

I will admit that I've had some events like this happen to me. The coincidences seem to be perfectly timed, you know? (The response is: there are no coincidences. Right.) For instance, one day I was driving and I was feeling rather confused wondering about my own intuitive development. I asked the angels to please show me a sign that I'm on the right path, that they really are with me. Two minutes later, a car was driving in front of me with a bumper sticker that had small lettering. Curious, I pulled up closer. It said "Believe."

Another time, I was sitting at my computer, feeling the same sort of way, doubting myself, feeling frustrated, wondering what to do. I asked the angels to show me a sign that I was doing what I should be, and an email popped up in my inbox right at that moment. It said "Healing Angels has requested you as a friend on Facebook." I cried, feeling overwhelmed.

Are these things really signs? Well, they could be. Angel experts like Doreen Virtue say that this is how angels communicate with us. I'm open to the idea that messages for me could be there waiting for me to notice, offering guidance, reassurance and love. It's a comforting thought, and I also think that taking the leap of faith required to receive and accept these messages could be a good thing. It makes one open to receiving more, and that's part of intuitive development growth.

As I write this, I feel tingles on my face. That's the sensation that I associate with angels and guidance with me when I'm sending Reiki or giving attunements. When I ask for angelic assistance, I feel tingles and light sensations on my face. It's like a light caress saying, "We're here helping you." I've come to believe this is another way I receive validation that the angels are with me. As a sentient person (one who experiences energy through sensations), this is important to me. I've learned to interpret various nuances in tingles in my hands and face while sending Reiki as indicators of places where the recipient needs more energy, or has certain physical issues such as pain. When I ask for angelic assistance, I often feel this sensation on my face in response.

So I've decided to be open to angelic guidance in all forms, and leave doubts in the background. Why not see what will happen? It couldn't hurt, and it could open me to receiving more of what I'm looking for - intuitive growth, connection with inspiration and guidance.

I invite comments on your intuitive experiences with receiving guidance.