Reiki Master

Several months after the Reiki II class, I attended the Master class. The class was fantastic. The energy of this group of students was different though. There were no familiar faces in this class, aside from our teacher. I didn't feel that they understood the sacredness of this experience. Reiki I is for the student to heal themselves, Reiki II is to heal others, and the Master class is about enlightenment. 

After some instruction, one by one, we went into a separate room for our final attunement from our Reiki Master teacher. Attunements clear energetic pathways to allow Reiki energy to flow through the recipient. This attunement invokes the Master symbol as well. When I received mine, and went back to the classroom, everyone was loud and talking across the room to each other. I hopped on a massage table to be quiet and integrate the attunement. As I closed my eyes, I suddenly felt hands on my shoulders. One of the students had come up behind me and started massaging my shoulder, head, and neck. I didn't ask for it, and I wasn't asked if I wanted it. Honestly, it was a great massage, but I really just wanted a quiet moment. Reiki teaches that you should always ask for permission before giving Reiki. Shouldn't this be the same for massage or anything else? I'm not angry about it, I know she did this with a good intention, it just seemed to go along with the general attitude of the class. Many of the students (it's a small group mind you, 8 students) were looking at their phones throughout the entire class. As I said, the energy didn't feel quite right for an energy healing class. But what I learned was immeasurable.

We learned the Master symbol and received all of the information to be able to attune others. Not only can I give Reiki to myself and others, I can also teach it now too!

We learned about crystals and how they can enhance a Reiki session. We learned chakra balancing using a pendulum and crystals. We also learned how to "stitch" up an aura after an aura cleansing. Aside from the attunement, the chakra balancing was my favorite part. When the chakras are balanced you can physically see the chakras spinning when the pendulum is dropped into the chakra vortexes. You can also see when they are imbalanced by the way the pendulum swings. 

I felt that I had learned everything I needed to do a proper Reiki session after this class. What a gift to be able to share with others! And to top it all off, the Reiki teacher ask me and my friend from the Reiki II class that I had been sharing Reiki with, to work as contractors for her on Saturdays! Within six months from my first Reiki class, I am working as a healing practitioner. I believe that one of the easiest ways to know if you are on the right path, is to notice how quickly the universe supports you. 

I am now offering distance healing for people and pets on my Suitable Gifts Reiki page. I am also working on a new site specifically devoted to energy healing called: Enlightened Healing Space. It's a work in progress, but should be completed soon!

My next blog will be about some of the experiences I have had giving reiki. It has been an amazing journey, and I thank you all for being supportive in reading my blog and for your kind comments.

Suitable Gifts Reiki Services: http://www.suitablegifts.com/Reiki.html
Enlightened Healing Space: https://enlightenedhealingspace.com/

In Love & Gratitude,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

Reiki II - Healing Others

So much has happened in the last several months. I earned my Reiki II certificate. The class was fantastic. It was all women in this group, a small class of eight. One of the women from my Reiki I class was there, so it was nice to see a familiar face. She was healing from addiction and breast cancer, and said that reiki lessened the affects of the cancer treatments she went through, and even helped her hair grow in faster. She looked fantastic, her skin was glowing. The other ladies had various reasons for taking the class. Some were massage therapists who wanted to learn more to enhance their massage practices and also earn continuing education credits. Others wanted to learn so they could heal themselves, friends, family and even begin their own practices. 

Along with being attuned to the power, harmony and distance symbols, I also learned how to send distance reiki using a surrogate. I sent reiki to my bestie 1,800 miles away during the class. It was only a 5 minute session, but it was great to learn how to do it so I could continue practicing at home. It is amazing that reiki can be sent anywhere in the world, to people, animals, places, and situations. This is such a loving modality, and it shows that we are all one and truly connected to each other. I learned how to heal things in the past, present and future, how to help in healing addictions, and more about working on others.

One at a time, as in the Reiki I class, we were individually attuned in a separate room. After the attunement, I came back into the classroom and hopped on a massage table to close my eyes and integrate this sacred experience for a moment. 

We practiced on each other in class and learned how to do an aura cleansing. For everyone, and especially empaths who pick up everyone else's energy, this is a great way to cleanse the residue of other people's anger, fear, hostility, etc off of your auric field. Ever walk in a room and pick up the vibe in the air? Well, that energy can get stuck in your aura. We used a selenite wand and palo santo and learned to feel the layers of the aura. Each layer is connected to one of the 7 chakras and has a connection to our body, emotions, and spirit. 

You can use palo santo or sage whenever you want to cleanse your aura yourself, you don't need a reiki attunement to do that. Just light the palo or sage, blow it out so you have smoke.  Gently wave the stick over your head, down your body, over your hands and under your feet. Make sure to completely distinguish the stick. I usually put mine in a small glass. 

Our reiki teacher offered that we could come in after our class and use her tables to practice with each other. After the class she sent us all a follow up email, and I responded to let everyone in the class know that I would love to practice with any of them. I heard from one of the ladies in the class, and I was so psyched to be able to swap reiki with someone in a professional setting. 

We scheduled a time to meet up after work one weekday. I packed up my reiki toolkit including quartz crystals, chakra stones, a selenite wand, water, and some palo santo. Quartz crystals go around the head of the one receiving reiki to amplify the energy. The chakra stones go next to or on the chakras. Just being near the stones alone can activate the chakras. As previously mentioned, the selenite wand and palo santo sticks are used to cleanse the aura. I arrived first and took the time to sit quietly and connect to reiki. When she arrived, it was apparent she had a challenging day at work, so I offered to give her reiki first.  Then she gave me reiki and I felt sensational after! We both left the healing center on a cloud. We met once a month after that, and each time felt great. It was wonderful to have a reiki friend to learn with, share what we were experiencing during the sessions, and practice, practice, practice. 

I practiced long distance reiki on friends and family. I felt as time went on, I got better at it, and started feeling more confident in connecting and sending. There is a level of focus and intent that built up over time by consistently practicing. I developed an ease in using the symbols and hand positions. I also continued to get reiki and acupuncture during this time and practiced self reiki for 21 days after my attunement, as recommended. Self care is as important for the healer as it is for the one being healed.

I am truly grateful to my friends and family at home and at a distance who allowed me to be a conduit of reiki energy for them. I am also grateful to my teacher, my reiki friend, and reiki itself. Having this gift of reiki to share with others is a blessing beyond measure.

My next blog will be about my Reiki Master class, stay tuned!

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

Healing Hands

After my Reiki I certification, I went through 21 days of Reiki. Every morning before I got out of bed, I did Reiki on myself along with chakra balancing. It was a great way to practice and to experience Reiki fully. I found that things that normally would have annoyed me didn't. This included the salsa jar I opened that exploded all over myself, the kitchen counter, the walls, and the towels. It made me laugh instead of scream! 

I noticed synchronicities and lessons became more vivid and obvious. I am one who notices the signs the universe is providing us with, and Reiki helped them be more clear, and sometimes just so over the top. It was wonderful!

Reiki does wonders for anxiety, as does meditation. It has become a beautiful addition to my daily self care. It helps on so many levels of healing, but I have been so grateful for how much it calms me. 

I spent the two months in between my Reiki I and Reiki II classes healing myself, giving Reiki to my houseplants, and my sweet cat Scar. I really wasn't feeling confident yet to work on other people, I wanted the Reiki II class before I started that, as I knew I would be learning more about healing, symbols, and would have another attunement. But I did find one person to at least practice a little bit on. They were helping me as a kindness, wasn't a believer in this form of healing at all. But I appreciated the help because at least I could practice and feel better about working on people in the Reiki II class. 

When I worked on this person I felt nervous at first honestly. But as I continued up her body, I felt more and more relaxed. It seemed like she was too! When I got up to her head and finished, I started to remove my hands. With her eyes still closed, she waved her hands repeatedly towards her head and asked me to put them back! She kept saying "I need to get back, I need to get back." I was stunned. Reiki doesn't make you psychic, so it's not that I can tell what the person is feeling or thinking. I can feel heat in my hands, tingling, and I'm sure as I continue to use Reiki, my intuition and senses will become more pronounced and active. I could tell something was happening, but I didn't know what. 

Afterwards, the person told me that she could see a valley and in the middle was a blue light shaped like an hourglass. She just wanted to get to the light to see what it was. I could feel it was a spiritual experience, and this was when I truly felt the power of Reiki. I have healing hands! I don't mean this from an egoic level. Reiki is flowing through me, I'm not doing the healing, Reiki is. I'm a conduit for healing, a grateful conduit. My teacher Kim told us that even if someone doesn't believe in Reiki, it works anyway. And this certainly proved it! And it was something I needed as much as she did. I really needed to know if Reiki would flow through me. It was a gift for both of us, and I am grateful to my friend who let me practice, to Reiki, and to my teacher Kim.

Reiki can heal on all levels, emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally. There doesn't need to be a dramatic event such as my friend had. As a matter of fact, some people don't feel anything at all during Reiki, but it still is healing. It does not replace a doctor, a needed surgery, or medication, but it can certainly compliment them. It is tapping into universal life force energy that is available and is in all of us. and all around us. It is love.

I am so grateful that my spiritual journey has led me to this path of healing. I'll be sharing my Reiki II experience in my next blog. I am grateful to you all for sharing this with me too.

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

From Getting Reiki To Giving It

It's been awhile since I've written, so I'm going to begin where I left off and then next week I'll give an update of the last few weeks. It's been a fun adventure!

I began taking the herbs that my acupuncturist gave me. To be quite honest, my first night was spent in the bathroom eliminating any bit of excess water in me. After that, it seemed to keep my systems regular and it has lessened bloating. 


I received the Job's Tears tea I ordered in the mail. The acupuncturist recommended it in addition to the herbs to help with weight loss. It's powder packs. I heated some water (you can use warm milk too), added a pack and stirred. It's not bad, it's creamier than tea and has a nutty flavor (since there's nuts in it!) This definitely makes me go to the bathroom more, but it feels like along with the herbs, it's getting my body back in balance.

Job's Tears Tea

I went to see Kim Krost at the Integrated Healing Institute for Reiki, chakra balancing, reflexology, and an amazing foot massage on both feet, that was very needed. This self care has been the kindest thing I have ever done for myself, and I highly recommend finding something that makes you feel good and feel taken care of. Nurture yourself.

"You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, 

deserve your love and affection." 

- Buddha

Reiki I class was on Saturday. I just loved it! It was a small class, 8 of us and Kim was the teacher.  I learned the history of Reiki, and the basics so I can use it on myself, plants, animals, food, and others. Kim suggested we use it for 21 days on ourselves and journal about it. I will definitely do this, I love journaling and the daily Reiki is a great addition to my spiritual practice of prayer, meditation, and gratitude journaling. Everyone was in the class for different reasons. One lady was recovering from cancer and was also a recovering addict and wanting to learn Reiki to help in her healing. A gentleman was ex-military who did tai chi and and quigong and thought this would be a natural fit. Another woman was taking the class as part of the continuing education credits she needed as a massage therapist, and two sisters came together because one was interested in Reiki and the other wanted to check it out. I wanted to learn it to help others. We have a neighbor who's son has epilepsy, and I would love to be able to give him and his mom some relief, calm, and peace. Kim noted that it's important that we make sure that we are taking care of ourselves first, and I took that in completely and will make sure I am healed and healthy before I work on others.


After the history lesson, it was time for our attunement. One at a time we went to Kim's regular therapy room and we were each given a download of Reiki. It felt very sacred, and it was a short but beautiful ceremony. She told us we could go back to the classroom after and lay down for a moment on one of the three massage tables if we wanted to, and soak it all in for a few minutes. I was the only one to do so. 

While waiting for everyone to finish their attunement, we read from the binders she gave us and had tea, gluten free muffins, almonds, and celery with dip. We stayed quiet so were weren't disturbing whoever was getting their attunement in the next room. We did collectively laugh when the first of us crunched into a celery stalk in the very quiet room.

Next Kim showed us how to work on each other. She asked for a volunteer and the tai chi guy hopped up on one of the tables. We all surrounded him and she showed us how to ground ourselves, ground the client, feel their energy flow, and how and where to touch to provide Reiki. After the lesson, she had us partner up and practice on each other.  I first worked with the massage therapist and a woman that seemed to not have much confidence in her abilities. I know that after reading and learning all that I have, it's easier for me to picture something that I can't see, as opposed to someone who is trying this for the first time. When I could see she was faltering, I told her to imagine what Kim was describing, and that she was doing well. I am sure much of it seemed way out there, but after experiencing Reiki first-hand, I have felt the energy in my body that Kim has transmitted. I feel so much more relaxed and at peace after it. I wish everyone in that room had that experience prior to class, only two others besides myself had.

Honestly, I was nervous too. As we worked on the massage therapist, I was more worried about breathing and pulling up life force energy into my hands than actually feeling what was going on in the person I was trying to help. I did the best I could, but I wasn't sure if I was remembering where to place my hands, and then what exactly I should do with them. Some of it was easy, but it was only my first try. Then we were told to switch so I hopped on the table. Oh my goodness, the massage therapist was awesome! The lady who was more unsure caught the attention of Kim and she tried to help her a bit. It is a different way to look at healing, and it really takes some letting go of typical beliefs. She really did well though, even if she didn't realize it.

Next Kim had us practice on each other sitting down. We were supposed to pretend we were at work and noticed someone who seemed in need (like having a headache or some sort of pain). I worked with the woman recovering from cancer and she told me when she worked on my head, her whole body was moving from it. I worked on her head too. She was super nice and we exchanged emails and signed up for the next Reiki class together afterwards.  

The final person I worked with was the tai chi guy. We were to work on a hand or arm or something while seated. I worked on his hand. 3 minutes is a looooong time to work on a hand! He told me I had a gentle touch. He worked on my hand and arm. 

There were times when I felt light headed and had tingles down my arms when we were working on each other. It was a pretty amazing experience. A few of the students were coming back on Sunday for the Reiki II class, but I couldn't go because it was my last day at my Sunday job. I was a little bummed because I really liked the group, but I was glad I would have some time to practice the basics before the next class.

At the end of class we received our certificates. Kim said to keep aware of how we were feeling in the days that follow. She said magic would happen. I'll definitely keep an eye out and journal about it. I will also be doing Reiki every morning before I get up. 

I signed up for Reiki II in January, the Reiki Master class in April and bought some more herbs so I can take them for a month (1 bottle only lasts 10 days). I am excited to see what magic transpires over the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

Belly Cupping, Herbs and the Tears of Job

As I continue my healing journey, I kicked up the exercise routine again. Four mornings this week I went at six in the morning before work. I also took one lunch hour to go back to the gym and sit in the sauna for twenty minutes. I know the sauna is good to relax the muscles and detox. My foot hurts after the gym still, so I've been icing it and using the massager. It is definitely better after the six week rest I gave it, but there is still the inside of my foot above my flattened arch that still aches. The good thing is though, with some ice, the massager, and a short amount of rest, it feels better.

This week I went to my second acupuncture appointment. After a short talk about how I was feeling, Elizabeth put the acupuncture needles on my head, ear, hands, belly, legs and foot to help with my foot pain and weight. She left me this time for 30 minutes to relax. It was comfortable and peaceful. I listened to the soothing music and closed my eyes. After she returned and gently removed the needles, she did cupping on my abdomen for help with my weight issues. They weren't hot, and while she moved them around, I could feel a light suction. There was no pain, and no marks. 

I also asked Elizabeth about herbs for weight loss. She gave me a bottle of Chinese herbs called Poria 15 Formula. I'm to take two tablets 3 times a day. She also gave me a list of foods to try that will help resolve dampness in the body as well as excess water. I find it so fascinating to learn about how different modalities approach how to heal the body. Frog is one of the items to help resolve water. I think I'll go with celery instead! The herbs she gave me is supposed to improve digestion, increase elimination, aid in lipid metabolism, reduce serum cholesterol, phlegm, and water excess in overweight people. It helps with "damp accumulation in the lower and middle burner." Now isn't that a much nicer way to look at being overweight? I have damp accumulation! I love it, it feels like something that can be solved instead of judging myself over it. My body is not in alignment, but I can get it there!

Elizabeth also suggested I try Job's Tears tea for weight loss too. I left the session feeling pain free, relaxed, yet excited about adding the herbs, tea, and the various foods to my healing plan (minus the frog).

Job's Tears Tea

The next day I was signed up for a college tour with my son, so I didn't try the herbs yet, not knowing how they would affect me (especially the "increase elimination" part). After over an hour of walking and standing, my foot was in so much pain. The Motrin I took beforehand didn't help at all.  When we returned home I rested my foot but it was still sore the next day.

Along with healing my body, I'm also working on my mind and the spiritual, soulful aspects of my life. I am working on bringing more joy and purpose into my life. I'm creating the life I really want. Several years ago I was let go from a job and it left me fearful of being in that situation again. I worked awhile at another job not as an employee, but in a contractor position. When I was later hired by a wonderful company at a great salary, I was afraid to let go of the other job completely. So I still worked every Sunday at it telling myself it was a good thing, what was I doing on Sunday's anyway, and it was paying off my car.

Well the truth was, I was keeping the job out of fear, it was keeping me from working on my writing and my small businesses, and it was keeping me from spending more time with my family, relaxing, and having fun. Was it worth a car payment that my full time job could afford? Well I decided to let go of fear, and make some space in my life. I know when you let go of what no longer serves you, doors open. So I let go. I was originally planning on leaving at the end of the year, but the more days went by thinking about it, the more I wanted to go! So I gave two weeks notice, and admittedly, I still feel some fear, but I'm doing it anyway!

Til next week...

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

Week 6: Walking A New Path

This pause in my life wasn't about a foot injury. It was to help me reawaken my creativity. It was to help me do what I came here to share with others. I don't believe our purpose necessarily needs to be tied with a job or career. Sonia Choquette told me I am a messenger, and I have thought about that. I started a clutter clearing certification course and the beginning is a deep dive into your ancestry and personal history. I answered questions on my childhood and what I wanted to be at that time. I thought back to what I did when I was younger. I was always writing, drawing, and pretending I was a teacher. When I was a teenager I was writing, and drawing. What I was meant to do, I always knew (we all do), but somehow along the way I didn't recognize that I could do something I loved for a living. Even going to an art school for college, I still didn't believe I could do it.

I have been writing more and with ease, and working on my businesses more. This six week hold on my life has brought more joy that I could have imagined. There is a blessing when something happens to stop us in our tracks, so we can reflect on our lives and immerse ourselves in the things that make us happy. Even taking a break for self care is so vital. Resting, rejuvenating, and refreshing yourself can be a lifesaver.

I started writing a children's book over this six week rest. It was something I have been holding for eight years. Yes, for eight years I couldn't give myself the time to work on this! I knew I had some notes I had written, and some sketches. I searched around my office but couldn't find them. Through Sonia Choquette's Ask Your Guides course, she teaches about all of the guides around us. I completed this course in 2016, and have used this wisdom ever since. We have "runner guides" who help us. This may sound way out there, but that's me! If you need a parking space, ask the runner guides to find one for you before you reach the store, or if you need an easier spot in line, ask (and always remember to say thank you after!). Since I couldn't find my notes, I asked for help. Within less than a minute, I had a thought to check a drawer to see if I had filed it. I found a page! I thought again to recheck that drawer, and I found a folder marketed "Writing" with pages of notes and sketches! 

What would you do if all of the things you say you "have to do" weren't in your way? I see now that I put them there. I was stopping myself from doing what I really wanted to do. It is more than ok to put yourself on your to-do list. It is vital. Don't ever leave yourself out. I certainly won't make that mistake again.

I went back to the Integrative Healing Institute on Saturday for more healing therapy. I didn't lose weight this week and I talked to Kim about my self sabotage. She treated my foot with more reflexology, which felt fantastic, as well as lymphatic drainage on my legs and chakra clearing with Reiki. When she was working at my crown chakra, I felt a wave of energy flow down my body. It really is such an exhilarating, yet completely relaxing experience! The next day my weight was down a pound and a half, too. 

I mentioned last week about Mona Lisa Schultz's book Intuitive Advisor and how it suggested seeing an acupuncturist and a Chinese herbalist. Kim brought up acupuncture during our session so I asked if they offered it, and she told me Elizabeth at the front desk is an acupuncturist and I should also ask her about herbs too! I set up an appointment for next week and I can't wait for this new experience in holistic therapy.

My foot feels so much better. It's not perfect, there's still a little bit of pain, but certainly nothing I would get six surgeries for. I'm still grateful for that visit to the podiatrist though. He got me off my feet for awhile, showed me that I am the best determiner of what to do about my health, and propelled me into a much more exciting and fulfilling future. There is something good in every experience.

I ordered some good shoes (Brooks Ariel '18) for flat  feet, plantar fascitis and other foot issues, along with exercise bands (TheraBands) to help rehabilitate my foot. I found some exercises online to help with posterior tibial tendonitis and to make my feet stronger.

Getting back into my life again, everything is changed for the better. I am not doing for others unless I have taken care of myself first. I'm not talking about emergency situations and I don't mean this at all in a selfish way, I mean it in a way that I am not using that as an excuse not to follow my dreams. 

So even though these six weeks are finished, this is only the beginning of this new path, and I will be continuing to share my journey with you.  Thank you for walking along with me.




In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

Week Two: It's All About Balancing (Chakras, That Is)

In my second week of healing my foot (and my soul), I'm working on a combination of inner and outer work.  I have been Googling so much about my injury that a massager advertisement appeared in my Instagram feed to help with my issue. It looked really good, like a deep tissue massage, and it was something I could do myself.  I ordered it for same-day Amazon delivery. That just amazes me that I get get something in one day, but I did!

It works great, and has all of these accessories that you can massage your whole body, even a facial massage, which is perfect for my TMJ (from years of teeth grinding from anxiety & stress). So I use it daily on both feet and calves and they feel great! I also have been using the facial massager tip with lotion and my face feels wonderful!

I found some exercises for Posterior Tibial Tendonitis and have been doing the ones that don't put any stress on my foot. I'll do the weight-bearing exercises after 6 weeks to strengthen my calf, ankle, and arch. I'm still debating cancelling that 3 week foot doctor appointment and maybe going in after 6 weeks. I'll figure that out next.

For the first time in a really long time I feel rested. I have been well taken care of and it feels really nurturing. It also feels wonderful not to feel so responsible for everything. I know I have been divinely forced into this situation by knocking my feet right out from under me so I could see this. I don't need to do so much. Everything will be fine. Everything is fine. I could feel myself heading towards all of this, but I kept pushing myself. Now I hope that this rest is enough, because I really don't want surgery. I mean I REALLY don't want surgery at all.

I am still meditating and it feels fantastic to be back in that flow. It was another thing I often gave up because I didn't have the time. I pushed the things I needed to do for myself to the back of the line because of that feeling that I wasn't doing enough for everyone else, that everyone else's needs were more important than mine.  I knew better, I just couldn't do what I needed to for myself until I was forced into it by this foot injury. I am grateful for it, I know it was necessary. I'm grateful that what took me out wasn't more serious.

After lamenting the prospect of surgery, someone dear suggested I try holistic methods since that's what I gravitate towards. Honestly, I gravitate, but I've never tried it for a health issue before. But of course I should try it! So I once again Googled like a maniac and found holistic health practitioners in my area. I found this incredible integrative medicine center nearby called the Integrative Healing Institute, and I was like a kid in a candy store (well, I was actually like ME in a candy store) browsing through their online menu of services. I picked out two to start with: a reflexology massage and chakra balancing (to work on that third chakra). The reflexology description mentioned that it was great for foot pain and plantar fascitis, so this seemed like a great place to start. I booked them back to back and looked forward to the appointments. Although I had some butterflies in my stomach, I had a very good feeling about this place and the healing it would provide, and I know that is important to the outcome. When I had the remote intuitive healer pull the inflammation out of my foot, I know part of the reason it worked, was because I was visualizing along with her that the healing was occurring. It is law of attraction at work. Expect what you want the outcome to be and feel the feeling of what you want. We can create our outcomes, that's why the placebo effect works. If we think something is helping us, it will.

So a few days later hubby brought me to my appointment. The waiting area was a spiritual paradise with crystals, essential oils, jewelry, holistic creams and more. There were cozy chairs and a couch, relaxing music piped in and friendly staff at the desk. After I filled out a few forms, I hobbled around a bit to check out the crystal tables. I eyed a set of chakra discs that looked great. I placed them down, hoping the other woman looking at the crystals wouldn't buy it before I came back from my session. But I didn't want to be impulsive, if it was meant for me, it would be there an hour from now.

Soon Kim Krost appeared and introduced herself (I found out later that she is the owner of the healing center). She was friendly and kind, and I knew I would be in good hands. I left my husband amongst the crystals and sleep inducing sounds and was led to her room. It was a calm, dark, heated room with gentle music playing. The room was small but it fit a couch where I sat, a desk and chair, as well as a massage table in the center of the room. We talked for a bit about my issues. Obviously she knew my foot needed help with the giant boot I was wearing. I told her I was trying to avoid surgery and she spoke of the various clients she has seen with foot issues. It felt reassuring that she has dealt with this before. I told her I also was trying to lose weight so if she had any thoughts or could work some reflexology magic, I would appreciate it. She talked about juicing, and eliminating gluten from my diet and the impact it has had on some of her clients. I appreciated her help.

Next I took my left shoe off and my right boot and gently hopped up on the table and lay down face up. A wedge was under my lower legs. Kim decided to do the chakra balancing first. She placed the same type of chakra discs I spied in the waiting area around and on me. The lower chakra discs were placed towards the right of me on the table. She said as long as the crystals are near the chakras, they help activate them. She placed the heart, throat and third eye chakra discs on me and the crown chakra disc behind my head. She also placed two clear quartz crystals on either side of my head under the pillow I was resting on. She took the sheet underneath me and pulled it to cover my arms. I was cocooned and ready! She was very descriptive about what she was doing and told me she would be employing Reiki in the session. Reiki is an energy healing I have wanted to learn myself and I have thought of getting certified. It so happens she also teaches Reiki! 

Kim told me that the energy that flows through the body starts in the right foot and flows up through the body and down through the left foot. So this aching foot could be a part of a block. She showed me with a pendulum as it swayed back and forth that my chakras were closed. She worked her way up with her hands, applying very light pressure. When she was at my knees, it felt like a current was flowing down my legs a few times. When she got to my third chakra, I felt uncomfortable. I was scared for a moment thinking I was having a panic attack. I was thirsty, maybe it was too warm in there. This is going to sound odd, but here goes. It felt like my chest was a solid thin piece of bone instead of ribs. I'm not sure why that popped into my head, but that was what it felt like. It felt like I had a pressure on this solid piece of bone. I knew this would be good for me, so I said nothing. Most of the time I kept my eyes closed, but I watched her work on my third chakra, and when she was finished, the pressure was totally gone. She moved up to the remaining chakras and then finished by circling around my body with some hand motions. I asked her about it all after and she explained some of the symbolism behind opening and balancing the chakras, as well as the "stitching" she was doing of my aura at the end. It all felt like a beautiful ceremony. I felt very relaxed. She used the pendulum again across my chakras and it spun in circles as it is supposed to when they are functioning properly. We spent quite a bit of my appointment time on the chakra balancing, but I know I needed it. 

The reflexology massage was wonderful too. It was very gentle as she applied pressure to specific points on my foot and calf. I felt no pain, and my foot felt great after. She also did a lymphatic drainage on my right leg. This would help with inflammation. It was also very gentle and pain free. It was one of the options I was considering when booking the appointment, because it detoxed the body and can help with weight loss. She told me it usually helps more with inches but she actually had a client who lost 7 pounds in a day from it. She applied some Kinesio tape and said next time she'd tape up my whole foot to help align my foot better. She told me to use a soft roller under my foot at home to loosen the fascia.

 Kim told me she would email me some information about gluten free bread and flour, steps on keeping my chakras balanced, and some other info (which she did right after I left). She walked me to the waiting area and I felt nothing short of euphoric. My entire body was calm, I didn't have a care in the world and I was pain free. I seriously felt spectacular.

Kim gave me some lymphatic cream to try and I found the chakra discs waiting patiently on the table I left them at. My sweet husband managed to keep himself from being lulled to sleep by the music, and headed outside to swing the car around so I wouldn't have to walk far. 

I thanked Kim for her help and set up an appointment for two weeks from now for another reflexology massage and the lymphatic drainage. I can't wait! The next day Kim responded to my email response and mentioned the Reiki classes again. I signed up to get my Reiki 1 certification in November. 

The journey continues next week...

For more information:
Integrative Healing Institute: Click here
Chakra stone set: Click here
Body Massager: Click here


In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

Week One: Mellow Yellow

The first night for me to rest my aching foot and take care of myself, my oldest son came into my bedroom. His dad had collapsed and was in the emergency room. Fortunately he was OK, but he was dehydrated and needed to spend the night at the hospital. My son needed to go visit him and pick up his car. I asked him to ask his step-dad to take him since I couldn't drive. I couldn't believe I actually said that. Normally I would forgo my health and needs for everyone else, especially my family.  I was surprised that came out first, and of course afterwards I had regrets. 

It was not an issue at all for my husband to take him downtown to the hospital. The problem was me. I felt like I wasn't being a good mom. I felt like I was letting my son down and making him feel like he wasn't important enough.  I think that's why I tend to go overboard on everything, because I want the ones I love to know I love them. I always feel like whatever I do is never enough. But feeling all of this, I didn't jump in to save the day, because I knew deep inside I didn't need to. I knew this was a test to see if I would really take care of myself. Everything would be taken care of without me.

And that was another thing to deal with. Everything would be taken care of without me. Everything could have always been taken care of without me. I just never wanted to give up control. As I was sitting on the bed listening to them get ready to head outside (and fighting the urge to hobble down the stairs and hop in the car with them), I thought about what control and trying to do it all meant to me. I felt that if I wasn't doing everything, what meaning did I have? 

Several months ago I spoke to a medical intuitive. We were talking about my weight gain and hormones. Towards the end of the conversation she told me that I was the poster child for third chakra issues. I can tell you with 100 percent certainty, I didn't discuss anything personal other than weight gain and hormones. I gave her no reason to say what comes next. But, she's an intuitive. She said I feel like I have to constantly be doing for others and I need to find another way. This describes me to a T. Third chakra synchronicities have been coming at me left and right for a long time, and I know when that happens, I need to pay attention. I didn't realize that I was being given so many signs until I spoke to the intuitive. 

When I bought my car two years ago, I wanted to name her. This was the first time I ever named a car I owned. I picked the name Jophiel for Archangel Jophiel. This was not an Archangel I was really familiar with but I wanted my car to feel joyful. I just found out through Tara LaDue's Came to Believe book that Archangel Jophiel's color frequency is yellow. 

About a year ago, I was absolutely craving the color yellow in my home. I was never a fan of yellow, but I suddenly needed that color. And I have never craved a color before! I picked up yellow pillows for our couch, a bright yellow tablecloth for the dining room table, yellow candles for the fireplace, and I felt better. I never thought about the third chakra when I had that yellow craving, but now I understand it. I was intuitively trying to heal myself. 

I started searching for the spiritual meaning of foot pain, and when I found a chart of where the chakras fall on the foot, the third chakra is the arch, right where I'm hurting.

The third chakra (Manipura), obviously represented by the color yellow, is about self esteem, personal power, confidence, digestion, and metabolism. It gets weakened by shame, embarrassment and self-consciousness. It supports your liver, pancreas, gallbladder, stomach and spleen. 

I've been thinking about the spiritual reasons behind foot pain so that I can heal this from the inside out. Reasons can include: 

• Connection with Mother Nature (not being grounded)
• Pushing too hard mentally, emotionally, and physically
• Soul is seeking a different foundation or way to step out into the world
• Needing to stand on my own two feet
• Our feet "relate the energies of grounding and manifestation of our life purposes" "they also retain the memories of the many paths our soul has trailed on earth and beyond through our previous life-times."
• Being stepped on
• Not wanting to move forward
• Can't move forward
• Can't put my right foot forward
• I need to take the right steps
• Taking a stand
• Being a support system for everyone else
• Feeling responsible for holding everything together
• Needing support

I seem to qualify for quite a few of those reasons. I am back to meditating more consistently now, so I know I will find the answer. 

A few days later I had another test. My youngest son was sick and needed to go to the doctor. Do you think there has ever been a doctors appointment I've missed for my sons? Of course not. So here we go again with guilt and letting go of control. Not easy, but I did it and my son was well taken care of and feeling better within hours of taking the medicine he needed. So I know part of this is feeling like I need to be the one holding everything together. Now I need to know that I don't, and be OK with that. 

I have been going to the gym to help with my weight loss goals, but other than that, it's been working at my desk and sedentary activities while everyone else in my household helps so I can rest my foot. I am grateful for the help because I am already feeling less drained, and my foot feels better. I also have had time now to read, blog, draw, paint, and take care of myself again. I need to find balance when the physical healing is done so I can be a healthy and happy participant in my family instead of depleting myself. I need to retrain my way of thinking and change old patterns that really weren't helping anyone.

Until next week...

In Love & Gratitude,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com