Sunday, September 14, 2014

We all know that old adage, Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained. I tend to use it in my approach to life. Especially when faced with different or unique opportunities; things I have not experienced before. It is what has led me to many of my holistic practices. Having had my share of health challenges and unfortunately not responding well to a lot of conventional approaches, alternative options were best for me. Between adverse reactions to medications and not responding to treatments, I was often left feeling abandoned and angry. I felt like I had slipped through the cracks somehow. So I turned to other healing modalities. In most cases, it certainly couldn’t hurt, so I had nothing to lose. It is how I found Reiki.

Several years ago I was suffering from excruciating neck pain and migraines. My then doctor had said that it was merely stress and tension. She gave me exercises to do and said I would be better soon if I just kept at it. The exercises, in fact, did not help. The pain was exacerbated. On one particularly bad pain night, I went to an open house of alternative thinkers. In attendance was an energy healer. She could see I was in pain and offered me a brief energy healing session. This one was not Reiki, but similar. I was in so much pain I figured, nothing ventured. As the woman approached me, I kept thinking, there is NO way this is going to work! Those spinal migraines took me down for days at a time. I knew she wouldn’t be able to help. But as I said, I knew it couldn’t hurt to try. I mean, what if it DID help? It is funny though. I have always prided myself on being a free thinker, an open minded individual, and here I was thinking that this was some pretty ‘out there’ stuff that most likely wouldn’t help. Not a proud moment. The entire time I was receiving the energy work, I was trying to keep an open mind. But doubt certainly did nag. “What are you doing?!” rang loudly in my mind. But I was also curious. And eventually my curiosity got the better of me and I sat quietly, observing and taking it all in. I allowed myself to be completely in the moment.

When the session was done, I thanked the woman. I was still in pain, but I always appreciate someone’s effort. She didn’t have to offer. She didn’t have to take the time to try to help me. She owed me nothing. To graciously try was very kind indeed. As I headed home from the session my thoughts turned to the events of the day, energy work, and other nonsense. When I finally reached my home, my son asked me how it went. I sat and explained the energy work that she had done for me. It wasn’t until he said, “Did you like it?” that I realized my pain had lessened. It had actually gone down to a tolerable level. I was floored and relieved. It was at that moment that I made the decision to learn and become an energy worker as well. I signed up for Reiki classes, and the rest is history.

It is very easy to judge something we don’t understand. It is easy to be fearful of something new. We can even be resistant to it. If you choose to get out of your comfort zone, be open with the practitioner, healer, etc. State your expectations ahead of time. Ask as many questions as you need to. The professionals won’t mind your inquiries, but rather welcome them. If you are concerned that the practice might be based in a belief system that isn’t yours, ask. If you worry that the practitioner might do something you are not comfortable with, ask. If you are concerned with cost, ask; the most they can say is, “no”. We are all new to something and have to start someplace. If you go in with a nothing ventured mindset, you just might find that it helps. Now get on out there and explore! 🙂

Enjoy!
Posted by Stepping Stones Holistic Health at 7:40 PM