masks

How many masks have you worn in this lifetime? I think about this quite often. Last year I went to see a counsellor for a number of sessions & one of the things we discussed was my perceived need to wear a mask. Throughout my life I have altered what I present to the world in an attempt to be accepted or to gain approval. My favourite is my "I've got my shit together" mask! I'm still working on letting that one go!

It's been a slow process to come back to myself. To find that authenticity, to be Josie as she's always been deep down. I think my reiki journey triggered my reconnection to self. I'd finished having babies. We'd stopped moving houses. I had time to consider who I was, what brought me joy & how I wanted to show up in the world.

As a kid I would always head to the esoteric section of the bookshop. I was the girl who knew everything about the star signs, I watched the birds & animals, I read all about the Greek & Roman Gods, I made my own tarot cards. But over time I assumed masks that hid all of this away. The 'fun' party girl, the flirt, the manager, the housewife, the mother. I disappeared.

With my reiki healing I realised I don't need permission to be that slightly kooky girl. It's been so freeing to put myself out there in truth. It requires so much less energy! I'm not afraid of people seeing my shadow side, the not so positive traits of me add abit of colour! Owning them takes away their power.

I want you all to get to know & to be, yourselves. To experience the freedom in that. To realise that you do not need external validation. And that by removing your masks it gives those around you permission to let theirs go too.

"I would rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not". Wayne Dyer.

The Power of Gratitude

So the other day, quite a few of my Instagram story posts were to do with gratitude (maybe subconsciously I was taking in the thanksgiving vibe). Is gratitude something that you've tried as a spiritual practice? Do you know how to use it as a tool for healing? Gratitude is a really powerful method of raising your vibration. And by that, I mean improving your state of mind & therefore your experience in the earthly realm. It has been proven that a daily gratitude practice can enhance mood. And... It's super simple! Just write down 3 things that you're really thankful for having or experiencing in your life, before you go to bed each night. You can tap it into your phone, write on a scrap piece of paper or in a special journal you have for this exact purpose. This can seem like a stretch at times if you're suffering with anxiety, depression, or if times are hard. It can be difficult to shift from a mentality of lack; not having enough, or why is this happening to me. But it doesn't have to be a big leap. Just a small step. Think of 3 little things that have brought you a bit of joy that day. A good cup of coffee, a proper cuddle from your child, fresh bedding! Other days you might be thankful for the bigger stuff, your home your family, your job, trees! . By focussing your mind on these positive glimmers each day you'll shift your mental state away from the mundane & magnify the good in your life. Gratitude is the state of being CONSCIOUSLY AWARE of the good in your life. So stop sleep walking through your days thinking everything is crappy. Everyday may not be good, but there is good in every day. Why not give gratitude journaling a try? It's time to vibrate higher!