“So often we become so focused on the finish line, that we fail to enjoy the journey.” –Dieter F. Uchtdorf

This has been coming up for me a lot lately.

In a world where we’re always striving to be someone or get somewhere, when I take a moment to appreciate my surroundings, and notice all my senses — how I’m feeling, what thoughts are swirling around me, and whether they’re serving me or not — I can consciously make a choice to react differently, because I care how I feel in this moment.

I go within because that’s where I find my creative spark. The divine light within me is where true wisdom is reached.

When I slow my thoughts, I’m able to feel stillness and peace, which are always accessible to me.

I’ve come to this state of being through yoga, meditation, and different forms of energy healing.

Learning about, and becoming attuned to the energy of Reiki, has changed my life. I’ve learned that when I’m present in this moment, I’m clear and I’m able to ground myself more easily, and if my emotions are stirred by someone or something, I’m more easily able to see why, and then I can take the necessary steps to release old thought patterns.

For instance, last week I was having a rough day. I was holding on to feelings of insecurity, and sadness, anger and frustration. I was mad at what someone had said.

I let someone’s opinion dictate my feelings of self-worth, and it felt like I was back in high school again, I was kind of lost in the negative momentum.

It’s interesting because I was trying to rid myself of the anger and sadness, and the more I tried, the worse I felt. I decided to go to a yoga class that evening that a friend of mine was teaching.

I settled on my mat and started to pay attention to my breath, The room was open and full of warmth and sunshine. The space was quiet and beautiful, and I felt safe to just be.

It was like someone had turned on a faucet, and the tears came pouring out. There was something really special in accepting the softness of that moment.

After the class, my yoga teacher and I had a chat. He listened with genuine care and shared his knowledge of what has worked for him in the past.

He told me “Don’t try to get rid of your demons, make friends with them.”

My anger had nothing to do with what that person had said, it was an old pattern that I was holding on to from my past.,

I was upset because I felt like I hadn’t spoken up for myself.

I now realize that I always have that choice, and I choose to show up for myself while respecting the people around me.

Our feelings are here for a reason. If we can observe the feeling, and let it be what it is, we’re creating space around it so that we can learn from it.

When I’m present, I’m allowing life to just be.

I’ve found that in the past, holding on to ideas and outcomes and willing things to be different than they were never served me, and it didn’t feel good either.

I’m not saying that having goals and dreams are wrong. I feel that kind of creative thinking is what makes this life amazing!

I’m saying that when I’m able to observe my emotions and thoughts without judgment, I feel more connected to my inner wisdom, and I’m able to take the necessary steps toward my goals with a clear intention.

So I’m sitting in this coffee shop, listening to the chatter of the people surrounding me.

Catching the eyes of a smiling stranger, and enjoying the smell of coffee and pastries, and the sound of music in the background.

When I’m here in this moment, I’m in appreciation and feeling gratitude.

Right now is what’s real.

Our lives are always unfolding in this very moment, and that’s how I’m going to enjoy my journey.

 

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Melissa Adams is a Reiki Practitioner at LunaHolistic. She is dedicated to helping others on their healing journey.

Read her full bio or book a session here!