She loved it. And so did I. It was 1966, our second Christmas in west Texas and my mother already heavily bitten with the modernity bug. This tree, this aluminum tree was her way of saying she knew the sixties had catapulted us into another era and maybe she wasn't keen on much of it, but looking back, I realize now she loved the change in fashion and movement.

My mother and me a year later.

Welcome to Realizing Reiki, my newest blog site and what a strange way to open it, yes? But as I grow in Reiki, I understand how important it is to go with one's intuition and it wants this little tree as the leader of the Reiki parade for this blog that I hope will inspire you, entertain, and educate you on the incredible source of love known as Reiki.

I became a Reiki I & II practitioner in the Fall of 2012. Trained by a dynamo Reiki Master, Kathie Lipinski, I left the two-day session with an exploding head, pounding heart, and fiery palms. It took me a week or so to clear all the unhealthy energy long packed in me. I felt so emotional, almost back fo the years of these photos. Reiki gets in there and dislodges the kyoki (unhealthy energy) and after the cleansing, there's this wide open expansiveness, this moment of "well?" and therein lies the direction of the path henceforth.

Me without make up and that 's how I feel after Reiki: clean.

What is Reiki? Here's the standard definition form the International Center for Reiki Training:

"Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by 'laying on hands' and is based on the idea that an unseen
'life force energy' flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's 'life force energy' is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy." - William Lee Rand, founder of ICRT. 


Reiki is like lying under a radiant lamp. Wherever the light needs to go, the lamp knows. It is between you and the lamp and the Reiki worker simply is the vessel. I like being such a participant in this grand way of helping each and every living being on this planet. As a writer, I can't think of a better complement to my life and I am down on my knees grateful.

Discovered by Usui Mikao in 1922, here are the Reiki principles as written by him:

The secret art of inviting happiness The miraculous medicine of all diseases Just for today, do not anger Do not worry and be filled with gratitude Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people. Every morning and evening, join your hands in prayer. Pray these words to your heart and chant these words with your mouth Usui Reiki Treatment fo the improvement of body and mind  -- Usui Mikao  I feel like my mother is on this journey with me, watching me since her transition in 2010. I am writing about our relationship and Reiki coming into my life right now is perfect. Clearing the old emotions that sabotaged and clobbered me, this book is finding life just as balanced and harmonious as I feel. All good ki from here. Thank you for joining me. If you have any questions or want to know more about Reiki, please get in touch with Sheela.. Leave a comment or go to Sheela Wolford, Reiki Practitioner or if you live in the NYC area and want to book a Reiki session with her, please do so at Body by Brooklyn or call 718-923-9400.  You can also email her at wolfordfindyourvoice@gmail.com.