From a young age, I have always been fascinated with the Asian culture. My grandmother bought me a tea set with Chinese symbols on them and I cherished it. As I grew older I would add a small vase, a tapestry and chopsticks to my collection.
I’m sure you can imagine my surprise when I walked into a nail salon and the CUTEST Asian I have EVER seen asked ME if I was Asian.
Um…what?
I’m 5’10”, blonde hair and while I guess my round face and smaller brown eyes could potentially throw someone off, I didn’t think I would ever be considered Asian.
******
Fast forward through the years and I still love the delicate art they have. I love the beauty in the silks of the kimonos and the simplicity of their meals and precise penmanship they have with their characters.
While I would love to tell you I’m the reason my kids are in a Chinese Immersion School, unfortunately that decision was left to them. I asked them if they wanted to be in Spanish (which I took YEARS of in school) or Chinese and they based their decision on food.
Typical men…
They prefer sweet and sour chicken to tacos, and well, I can’t blame them.
But this story is not about my men, or Chinese (technically anyway).
******
For this post, I’ll ask you politely to get on board with my crazy.
I believe in a higher power and fate. I believe in the “everything happens for a reason” slogan but more to lead you to a path you should be pursuing. I believe there are signs aligned within your path and if you calm yourself down enough to listen or pay attention you will notice them.
For instance, If several people keep mentioning a book you MUST read, then you go to the library and see the book THEN you see it in a free library or in the dollar bin at a thrift store, well YOU NEED TO READ THE BOOK! There is some information in that book that is aligning with your energy!
I don’t specifically remember how Reiki ended up in my lap but it did. I remember looking through a community college pamphlet of courses they offered during the summer and I saw it, then I saw it again and again so of course I signed up. I had to cancel the class I was signed up for because of a work issue, but then ANOTHER opportunity arouse.
I decided to jump on it.
A little over two weeks ago, on a Saturday, I drove myself to a new studio and sat myself down in a circle of weirdos
Just.
Like.
Me.
Incase you’re a little unfamiliar with me, let me introduce myself.
Hi, my name is Jes and I am an INTROVERT. Public speaking – even if it is my name and one sentence about me – scares the shit out of me. I prefer to collect my thoughts and write as the best way to communicate. Although I am a yoga teacher, I still get nervous as FUCK when I’m in front of my peeps and most of the time, I can’t even look at them during the class because, lets face it…pretending people are in their underware hasn’t EVER worked for me.
This teacher dude, is sitting there telling us that not only are we going to have to go around the room and introduce ourselves, we’re also going to be performing Reiki on our peers.
What.
The.
Hell.
Did.
I.
Get.
Myself.
Into?
You’re familiar with the devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other meme, right? Well, I’m pretty sure my angel is Eleanor Roosevelt.
That BITCH is always telling me to do something that scares me. She’s probably part devil now that I think about it. But I always listen to her because growth comes when you have the courage to step outside of your comfort zone.
I participated in every aspect of the class, despite my nervousness. I was able to push through the uncomfort because no one in that class knew me or my dislike of speaking in front of a crowd and the end result was pretty beautiful.
I was able to stand in front of my fellow weirdos, through the light initiation and complete the reiki sessions with good success. My energy is aligned with this type of weirdness and as Katy Perry said after she kissed a girl, I liked it. In fact, I liked it so much, next week I learn level two.
*****
Maybe my whole life has been leading me to this type of practice. All of the symbols and the delicateness of the Chinese traditions have been the path I needed to follow to learn this type of healing. Perhaps I’m not learing this type of healing for myself, but for someone that comes along my path that needs it. I’m not sure, I do know that I’m enjoying it and when I’m learning it I feel like I’ve known it this whole time and that to me is WEIRD.
If something seeks you out or calls to you, allow yourself to be open to it, even if it seems out there. Who knows maybe you’re a natural at something and you don’t even know it yet.
Namaste,
Jes xoxo