As most of you know, when looking for kindred spirits to grace the corridors of my SunnyRoomStudio, I look for men and women with a wonderful message. Artistry, creativity, enlightenment. A depth of perspective. A willingness to connect in meaningful ways. People who offer us the inspiration of their beliefs, abilities, and courage.
So when I met Kathy Jordan, Dr. Kathy Jordan, to be precise, I knew we would all benefit from her amazing background. Definitely a “bright light” in the world at large, Kathy shares an extremely important message here — and a personal message related to an unexpected life event. Thank you so much for welcoming Kathy here.
In the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. ~Kahlil Gibran
But first a few things you should know
about my lovely guest!
Kathy Jordan holds a Ph.D. in counseling psychology, a M.Ed. in counseling, and is the co-author of a wonderful book: Becoming a Life Change Artist — 7 Creative Skills to Reinvent Yourself at Any Stage of Life.
Kathy is an innovative coach and Reiki energy healing teacher who integrates her expertise in creative skill-building and mind/body practices to help people create more meaningful and joyful lives. A certified Reiki master practitioner and teacher, Kathy travels annually to Europe to conduct research on women artists.
Also an avid birder, Kathy enjoys hiking, kayaking, painting, sketching, and keeps an art journal. She divides her time between Boston, Saint Augustine, and Colorado Springs.
In my estimation, creativity is her life theme and it is my obvious pleasure to give you, Dr. Kathy Jordan.
Out of the Blue
by Kathy Jordan, Ph.D.
A few months ago, Daisy Hickman, founder of SunnyRoomStudio, very kindly offered me an invitation to do a guest post on her glorious blog. We had settled on a topic about using Reiki energy healing with children. I have been thinking about this topic for quite awhile. Reiki is a mind/body healing practice that originated in Japan in the early 20th century. It usually involves placing hands gently on different parts of the body– either by a Reiki practitioner, or on one’s own–and allowing the flow of universal life energy to move through the body to wherever it’s needed for healing. Reiki has a good track record of reducing stress, lowering pain levels, and speeding healing. It is used in a lot of hospitals, especially on the two coasts.
Oprah’s favorite Doctor Oz welcomes Reiki practitioners into his operating room to support patients undergoing surgery. Over the years, it’s become my drug of choice, replacing Advil as my first line of defense against aches and pains.
I first shared Reiki energy (typically referred to as a “treatment”) with my little granddaughter when she was in utero. I felt the female energy pulsing from my daughter’s womb when everyone else was predicting she was carrying a boy. When my daughter asked me what I was sensing, I told her. Twelve weeks later, an ultrasound confirmed that it was a girl, thus launching my reputation for correctly predicting the sex of unborn babies.
I also used Reiki to help my daughter during early labor—until she asked me to stop. “Mom,” she said, “Reiki is keeping my contractions from hurting. I’m afraid I won’t know when to go to the hospital.” After my granddaughter was born, I used Reiki to help her settle down to sleep in those first few precious weeks of her life.
I’ve also met a number of children who are excellent
Reiki practitioners themselves.
Children seem to “get” Reiki in a way that skeptical adults often don’t. Young kids haven’t yet learned not to believe in all those things we cannot see or prove.
I’ve taught Reiki to a friend’s son who has Asperger’s syndrome. He uses it to help calm himself when he begins to feel anxious. In short, I believe Reiki is a wonderful asset to children, and the sooner they learn how to access and channel that life energy we all possess, the easier it will be for them to deal with the stresses of growing up, succeeding in school, or dealing with physical, emotional, or social challenges.
But, though I have a lot to say about Reiki and kids,
today I don’t have the heart to say it. Why?
I’m very distracted by some news I just got about my own health—out of the blue. So I’m going to use some of my time in the SunnyRoomStudio to reflect on how I’m using, and planning to use, Reiki to help me deal with a scary medical diagnosis.
When my endocrinologist called to tell me I had a thyroid tumor that was suspicious, I was shocked. I have quite a few thyroid nodules, and have had a number of biopsies over the years, all of which came back as benign. Even my doctor was surprised. And apparently the only way to tell definitively whether or not it is cancer is to remove most or all of my thyroid gland. So I’m facing surgery, and all the fears that go with the process and potential outcome.
As I emerged from the shock of the biopsy result, I started doing a Reiki self-treatment, placing my hands on my neck, and reciting a saying by Mikao Usui, Reiki’s founder: “Do not worry; fear is a distraction.” (For all of you who use affirmations, yes, I know that is not a positive statement. In Reiki terms, it is a “precept,” a reminder of the reality of one’s current experience and a guide to productive behavior.)
I felt myself gradually calm down. I can’t let fear
distract me, I thought. I have work to do.
And part of that work is to manage both the logistics of a looming surgery and the supportive (spiritual) healing work I need to do to try to stack the deck in my favor.
That means being more consistent in my spiritual practice, marshaling my own self-healing resources through Reiki and meditation, and asking for prayers and healing thoughts from my friends and family. I know that Reiki is no magic bullet. It does not “cure”, but it can “heal.”
Though this challenge hit me “out of the blue,” I have an opportunity, with the help of Reiki, to step inside the SunnyRoomStudio, and bask in the yellow light of hope and healing. Thank you, Daisy!
- Kathy, I am grateful for this opportunity to have your voice in this sunny space for kindred spirits. Together, we can draw in the sunlight of healing. I will offer these wise words in closing: We cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening our own (Ben Sweetland).
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