I’ve lived in 14 different homes (and counting) since the day I was born.

In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy says, “There is no place like home.” This quote summarizes what home means for all of us, a place we associate with love, safety and a place of origin.

Apartments, houses, balconies, porches, backyards, and no yards- life has provided me with many opportunities to define the meaning of “Home.” Atlanta became home in 2001, then New York in 2016, and this week, Atlanta became home again. Israel, my birthplace, has always been my real home.

I think of my life like a mosaic, with pieces from Israel, Germany, and America coming together to make “home” in my heart.

Whenever I think it’s time to put down roots in one place, life guides me to keep moving and changing. Beacons of Change makes sense as my brand, doesn’t it? Perhaps it is part of my mission-the Beacons of Change mission-to raise the consciousness in the world, one woman at a time, in different places.

My husband and I totally stepped out of our comfort zone when we first moved to New York. Everyone asked, “How long will you stay here?” and our answer was always, “We will have to see.” We live in the moment, which has brought us back to Atlanta. We believe in having a relationship with something greater than us to light up our path.

Life, existence, the universe, source, whatever you want to call it-this is the power greater than us that we call upon for guidance.

During my morning Reiki and meditation, I often ask “How can I serve better?” I listened when the message emerged that it was time for us to move.

During the pandemic, we could only teach virtually. While it was amazing to connect with Beacons all over the world, my soul craved bringing women together in person. Magic happens when we hug, look into each other’s eyes, and see each other’s hearts. Atlanta is warm and welcoming, and it gives me that sense of home that my soul has been missing. Somehow, my heart’s desire matched my husband’s, and we knew that it was time to return.

Moving is a huge step. It’s a new beginning, full of excitement and fear of the unknown.

It also offers a chance to start again. However, moving will not cure or fix the feelings of brokenness you may carry inside. The only way to heal inside is to do the inner work, not rely on changing your environment to fix things. The story of the unhappy dog I shared in my previous blog explains this more.

When we left New York last week, I asked my husband to give me a few minutes alone in our old home so I could say goodbye.

I closed my eyes and stood in the middle of our living room. After taking a few deep breaths, I drew the Reiki symbols on the walls and said the mantras with gratitude. I asked Reiki to take back the life-force energy that belongs to me and release what no longer serves me. A chapter had been closed.

I did a blessing ritual when we arrived at our new home in Atlanta two days later. Once the movers unloaded the last box, I asked Reiki to fill the space with love, light, and joy.

One of the many gifts Reiki has brought to my life since I found it in 1996 (or, really, it found me) is the ability to clear my energy and the energy of my space. Whether at home, in a hotel, on a plane, train, bus, or any other place, I use Reiki to clear my space. My practice allows me to align with the universal energy to reset and reenergize myself daily. Reiki can help you cleanse your energy and space too. It’s easy. Learn Reiki with me, and I’ll teach you how.

Every time you move, you write a new chapter in the book of your life. Like any story, some chapters make you cry. Other chapters are filled with joy.

The last time our daughter – who lives 6000 miles away – visited us, I welcomed her with this note on the door: “It’s good to have you home again. I’ve prepared your favorite dish: Unconditional love.”

I can’t say that our home is perfect, but I can say that it is filled with love. Love is at the core of my relationship with my children. It is love that sustains my husband and me during hard times. Love is the anchor that brings us back home every time we shift away from it. Our homes tell our life stories.

What story does your current home tell? How is it different from the home you grew up in?

Maybe you grew up with trauma in your childhood. I’ve known women who have carried a lot of pain, but once they healed, they were able to see the full picture of their homes of origin. They saw not only the painful memories but also the positive ones that were buried underneath. If you’re reading this and think, “There is nothing positive, only pain I remember from my childhood,” I’m offering you a virtual hug right now.

It’s possible to build a home with a different story than the home you grew up in. You can find compassion for your loved ones while reflecting on your past, but more importantly, compassion for yourself and your lived experience.

Walk into your home today like it’s the first time. What story does it tell?

What kind of energy does it hold?

Is it time to change something in your home, so it tells a new story?

Give your home love and attention. You are its author, and you get to write the story it tells.