Everything happens for a reason...

Everything happens for a reason.... 

How many times have you heard that before?!  I often repeat that mantra, maybe not always wholeheartedly buying into it at the time but deep down I do believe it completely.  All the catastrophes and challenges in my life have led me to this place and without them I would not be the person I am right now, and I am very happy to be the person I am right now!

However, I digress.  Yesterday I sat down to write my blog for February.  TBH I was weary after a hectic week, unfocussed and striving rather than inspired, but being the thrawn (one of my favourite Scots words!) person that I am, continued to pull words from the depths of my being until I had a fairly (?!) interesting, but, in my humble opinion, uninspiring blog.  As I went to 'publish' it, the text disappeared! Internet here is not very reliable, so I am usually very canny about saving as I go, but in my autopilot state I had not done this.  After a momentary reaction of disappointment, I quickly appreciated that fate had played its hand well yet again.  Maybe there wouldn't be a blog in February and that was ok. 

Fast forward to this morning.  This morning is the beginning of me having AndBreathe appointments at my studio just outside Insch, on the first Saturday of every month.  My first client was a Reiki client.  I value all my clients and prepare for each one in a different way. However, there is something about the preparation for my Reiki clients that encourages me to take more time and more care.  I take more time to look after me.  I also take more time preparing the room and by the time the client walks through the door, I know we are completely where we are meant to be.  All clients place trust in me when they mae that appointment.  I never take that granted.  I have been invited into the most private corners of their lives, sharing thoughts and emotions that have often never been shared before and the bravery it takes, is not missed by me.  May they know that I will never  break that trust.  To be there with 'Love', 'Hope' and 'Faith' in all their forms creates a very special, unique opportunity to support someone on their lifelong journey.   

Part of my preparation for this morning was to draw my guideline for the day.  Today's card was 'Forgiveness'.  Forgiveness is a card that appears only now and again but when it does, I always have a sense of apprehension and intrigue. I often feel like the child about to be guided to 'do the right thing'!  How was forgiveness going to encourage me to think and approach the day differently?   Best thing was to read about how the 16 Guidelines perceives 'Forgiveness': 

"Forgiveness is the capacity to reclaim our peace of mind when something has happened to disturb us. As we go through life it is inevitable that we are going to hurt one another. In fact, as our world becomes more complex and interconnected, the opportunities for conflict increase. We have the choice whether to respond to these hurts and conflicts with anger and bitterness, or with forgiveness.
Forgiving is not the same as forgetting. It does not mean that we gloss over the harm that has taken place, or pretend that it never happened. What it does is to allow us to let go of the destructive attitudes towards the past that imprison us and the person who harmed us in a cycle of recrimination and guilt. When our desire for reconciliation and peace is stronger than our anger, disappointment or pain, then forgiveness offers the opportunity to make a new start.
Forgiveness can seem insurmountable, and has vast consequences, but in essence it is nothing more than a shift of mind. The motivation to forgive has to come from a genuine wish deep inside to relieve the pain and discomfort of ourselves and of others. It cannot be forced. Does everyone have the capacity to forgive? Can everything be forgiven? Is forgiveness something we can learn?"
I will leave 'Forgiveness' with you to ponder over the next few days.  Each of us will take something different from the text and at another point in our lives, it will be different again.   For me, it has given me a wonderful opportunity to contemplate several current situations in my life and with the framework of 16 Guidelines I feel safer, as I do so.   

Every blessing to you for the month of February!