I opened my eyes to a pastel-pink sunrise. 

It was cold outside but warm inside my sanctuary (what I like to call my bedroom). I felt cozy and protected underneath my duvet, watching nature waking up through my window.

Even though I had a good night’s sleep, my heart was heavy. 

It felt like a cloud was over my chest, making my breathing hard. I racked my brain for the reason why as I thought about the women I’ve been mentoring.

• Did I take on the heartbreak of the woman who is about to file for divorce?
• Did I absorb the pain of the woman healing her childhood trauma?
• Did I over-empathize with the woman grieving losing her husband to cancer?

Despite their suffering, these women are dedicated to connecting with their inner strength to feel, heal, and find the light in the darkness. 

I’ve had the honor of helping them bring purpose to their pain, find hope and give themselves permission to bring back the joy they’ve been missing into their lives.

The sunrise through my window reminded me of the duality of life. 

The city lights shone from the right while nature began a new day on the left.

Light needs darkness.
Courage needs fear.
Calm needs chaos.

This is yin and yang. The reality of opposites making a whole. 

After taking some deep breaths, I meditated and treated myself with Reiki, as I have done every morning since 1996 (when Reiki “found” me).

Aligning with life force energy, the universe, divine love-whatever you want to call it-helps me reset. My morning practice is my sanctuary. 

Self-Reiki feels different every time. That particular morning, I felt held and carried. I asked for a higher perspective on how to lighten my heavy heart.

I received three words: Move your body. 

When you routinely raise your vibration, asking for and receiving guidance from a higher consciousness comes naturally. (By the way, if you’d like to learn a simple practice to reset and connect with life force energy, learn Reiki with me).

“Move your body” was the message. So, I listened, no questions asked. 

I crawled out from under the duvet and put on my newest favorite song. That week, a cover of Rihanna’s song “Lift Me Up” by Israeli singer Raviv Kaner was at the top of my list. I’ve always been deeply moved by music and the feeling it evokes.

Closing my eyes, I danced like no one was watching. 

I allowed my body to move freely, the song on repeat. I let my muscles move however they wanted to in the moment. Then, I pressed pause, placed my hands over my heart, and became still.

Observing my breath. Experiencing the present without judgment, just love. Embodying the lightness vibrating through my body. Simply being. 

The relief I felt was immediate. My heart felt lighter, and the heavy cloud I’d felt when I woke up was no longer there. 

Let’s reflect on the process that helped me lighten my heavy heart…

1. Awareness
   I recognized that my heart felt heavy and was calling for attention.
2. Connection
   I treated myself with Reiki, connecting with life force energy and divine wisdom.
3.  Asking for Guidance
   I asked Reiki for a higher perspective to ease my heavy heart.
4. Receiving Guidance
   I received a clear message in the form of 3 words: “Move your body.”

This isn’t my usual approach to shifting my energy.

I normally do the “inner work” first, with myself and with the women I mentor. I investigate why they might have a heavy heart, uncover the source, break through their energy blocks and shift the ways they’re showing up in life.

I’ve learned that it’s not always necessary to overthink the source of your suffering to feel better.

Moving your body, dancing, singing, or doing anything else that opens your heart can shift your energy and bring you comfort. Doing the “inner work” is valuable. However, sometimes, you simply need to help yourself feel better without analyzing “why” you feel bad.

Divine love and your inner wisdom are always there to offer guidance-all you have to do is ask.

And in case you’re wondering, the gentle energy healing technique I used to lighten my heart in this blog is called Reiki.

If you’d like to learn how to tap into divine guidance and return to balance, I’d love to teach you. Learn more about the Reiki class here.

And “just for today” (like the Reiki principles say), I hope you remember to find just a few minutes to lighten your heart and dance like no one is watching.