Has this always been your favorite colour?

What does it look like? When do we need it? And most interestingly, why do we resist it? Many of us fall into the trap of toxic productivity, chasing the feeling of being useful, even when it doesn’t really serve us. With so much noise, so much stimulation, and so many 'shoulds', it can feel uncomfortable to do nothing. Yet rest is not 'nothing'. It’s giving ourselves the luxury of time. Giving the mind, body and spirit time and space to digest and process. Simply by being instead of doing. On the slightly nerdy side, I love puzzle books, I just bought myself a few new ones. They draw me into a present, calm state where time seems to loosen. I also find guidance in the seasons, which I'm excited about being back in Europe! Autumn — soon knocking on the door — invites us to slow down, soften, and turn inward. So I’m curious: What does rest look like for you? Do you notice yourself resisting it in favor of productivity?

As I mostly do reiki on myself every day, I find that my mind wonders a lot and I don't focus on reiki. It is easier to " be present " when I give reiki to someone else. Does my wondering mind affect the effect of reiki? Thank you ☺️

❤️

A few weeks ago, I found myself in an unexpected and difficult conversation with a friend about Reiki. I had always seen her as open-minded and free-spirited, so I was caught off guard when she began linking Reiki to a Japanese mythological demon. She insisted that the word itself signified this origin and that Reiki carried that meaning regardless of what I shared about its true history. I did my best to explain what I know, but the energy of the conversation felt unsettling. She then asked how someone could practice Reiki if they themselves were not okay. She pointed to my ongoing grief since my mom’s passing last year, and it hit me hard. I couldn’t help but feel she was suggesting I might pass negative energy onto those I worked with. That was painful, since Reiki is something I love deeply and practice daily. I explained that Reiki doesn’t come from me…it comes from Source. I am only a vessel, and Reiki is highly intelligent, flowing exactly where it is needed. When my intentions are rooted in love, light, and healing, the energy not only supports others but also helps me. I also reminded her that I practice self-Reiki often, and I ground and clear myself before working with anyone. If I ever feel unwell, I take time away until I feel balanced again. I know myself well enough to recognize when I need to step back. Even after the talk, I wasn’t sure what she truly meant, but it left me reflecting. Who can practice Reiki? Can we continue our practice while moving through our own life challenges? I believe we can. Life will always bring ups and downs, and as practitioners, what matters is our awareness, our intentions, and our commitment to self-care. Grief and hardship are part of being human, but they don’t have to stop us from sharing the healing arts. So I’ll post a poll below:Can Reiki practitioners still practice while going through their own life challenges, like grief? Curious to know what everyone else thinks!