This week’s prompt for the Toastmasters speech was “tell us about a meaningful word that starts with the letter R or C.” I have had trouble with every prompt so far and have contemplated quitting the group for the entire 5 weeks. I don’t really know if it’s more my aphasia or my mental state that is making this a hard task for me. I only know that this week I had even more angst and up until a half hour before the start of the session I was sure I wasn‘t going to show up. It took a lot of convincing myself that I would be fine and that I really would have been upset with myself if I skipped it. The funniest part about is that ultimately I decided to risk doing my speech that day because I wanted to get the prompt for next week. (The facilitator sends the reminder of the prompt on Sunday and knew that would be too late for me to do all the work that I need to do in order to be ready for Wednesday when the group meets.) I don’t want to be a quitter.
The prompt for this week was even more open ended than the others. I’ve struggled with each one, always having a hard time coming up with and deciding upon a topic. This week I came up with 4 words- recovery, children, Cheryl, and crisis. I decided on the word “crisis“ and did an entire draft copy. But then second guessed the decision and started over again on Monday morning after I told my mental health counselor all about it. That is when I thought that the word “Reiki” was more interesting to talk about. I had spent a lot of time .giving myself Reiki in order to relax and prepare for my upcoming Covid vaccine last Sunday. So it made sense that was on my mind.
Well, here’s what I wrote:
This week’s goal is record and analyze mistakes
Today I’ll like to tell you about Reiki.
Reiki is a method of stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. Reiki is a Japanese form of alternative therapy commonly referred to as healing energy. Healing energy has been used for centuries in various forms. The word Reiki comes from 2 Japanese words; rei (universal or spiritual) and ki (life energy). It is not associated with any religion. Reiki is the life energy that flows through all living things. In order to give reiki a person has to be trained or attuned. There are three levels of practitioner, 1st, 2nd, and master.
Reiki is a technique that transmits healing energy through the hands to the various chakras or energy centers of the body. The practitioner either puts their hands gently on the person or has their hands right over the body. Reiki takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. It’s a very calming, relaxing experience.
I first learned about Reiki 16 years ago when I experienced pain from two car accidents. At the time I had lots of traditional physical therapy, went to a chiropractor and had cranial sacral therapy. I found that long term, doing reiki not only relaxed me but promoted healing. I was able to reduce my headaches and return to work. I participated in level1 Reiki training which enables me to Give Reiki to myself and to people I’m close to.
I haven’t always been consistent in my Reiki practice. But since the stroke, I have made a conscious effort to include Reiki in my daily routine. I listen to Reiki meditation tapes every night before I go to sleep. I know I should be more aware to use Reiki during the day to relax myself as I’ve been told time and time again that I need to relax more and that could help my speech.
The Reiki principle is Just for today…. I will not worry, I will not be angry, I will do my work honestly, I will give thanks for my many blessings, I will be kind to every living thing.
Since the beginning of this year, I have started every day stating one thing I’m grateful for and setting two intentions, things I will do today. One for me and one for another person. I write these down in my planner. This keeps me focused. It’s been hard for me to not think about the past and worry about the future. Just like the principle says, I only have to think about today. It is more manageable and keeps me in the present.
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