By Marc Shaffer
Our health is one of the most important things we have in life. It is vital for our ability to live – not to just be alive, but to actually LIVE.
There are many ways in which our health and wellness needs can be met, and the route you choose may be a mix of traditional and alternative medicines, exercises and practices.
Several studies have looked into the emotional and physical benefits of touch. How important is physical touch to you? In our isolated world, we might not realize how important physical touch is until we’ve been without it for some time. In fact, physical touch is designated as one of the five “Love Languages.”
Perhaps you utilize acupuncture, massage, physical therapy or chiropractic appointments to meet some of those needs. You may also find daily ways to fill this need, such as hugs from friends or family, high fives with teammates, or pats on the back for appreciation and acknowledgement.
One of the options I had the chance to try out recently was reiki. Have you ever tried reiki? If you know what I’m talking about when I talk about reiki, you likely feel strongly about it. Reiki goes beyond simple, physical touch and incorporates energy healing.
Maybe you describe it as the life-changing saving grace to your arthritis, or maybe you’re certain it’s not something for you. For me, as someone who is open to new experiences, my experience with reiki is something I won’t soon forget.
To give you more background, Reiki is an energy healing practice that originated in Japan in the early 20th century and is built on the belief that the body is innately able to heal itself. The word “reiki” loosely translates to “universal life energy” — an energy which practitioners believe exists within, and surrounds, each body — and the practice involves transmitting or balancing that energy, through the specific placement of hands on or above a recipient’s (fully clothed) body.
Most commonly, reiki is used to ease pain, anxiety, fatigue, and depression, but since, at its core is the conviction that the body in its natural state can heal any ailment, the applications, theoretically, are endless. However, the few, small studies on the practice have yet to yield much evidence of its efficacy (though the research has also found that it doesn’t appear to be harmful).
My impression about my hour-long session was that it was meditation that guided me into a space where time didn’t matter and I could focus more clearly on my thoughts, my issues and my future. It had a way of connecting my past to my present and the guidance along the way helped greatly as I’ve struggled with meditation in the past due to racing thoughts and priorities of other things I needed to get done. Although it wasn’t exactly life changing, it was something I hope to do again in the future.
I can see how it might be very helpful for someone at a crossroads in their life to assist in pointing them in the right direction. For me, at this time, I’m in a good place with many positives but it reminded me that too much of any one thing can be dangerous. I left the session understanding that I needed to stay well connected to family and to look for more opportunities to help those less fortunate. More than anything, it reminded me that life is short and health is so much more valuable than wealth. Without health, you cannot build wealth, nor can you enjoy it. I continue my 30-day challenge with 30 minutes of exercising daily but am looking forward to adding a healthier diet in the near future.
Reiki helped me realize that everything I do today has an impact on my future. I want to be around for a family, to realize my potential as a father, and to enjoy retirement. Life is short, but it is worth living regardless of your method of being reminded not to take it for granted. If you’re interested in learning how Reiki might be beneficial for you, please let me know.
I’ll leave you with the long quote by Steve Jobs regarding his life. It really makes you think about the “real“ priorities, as reiki also did for me:
“I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world. In others’ eyes, my life is an epitome of success. However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to.
At this moment, lying on the sick bed and recalling my whole life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in, have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death.
In the darkness, I look at the green lights from the life supporting machines and hear the humming mechanical sounds, I can feel the breath of god of death drawing closer…
Now I know, when we have accumulated sufficient wealth to last our lifetime, we should pursue other matters that are unrelated to wealth…
Should be something that is more important: Perhaps relationships, perhaps art, perhaps a dream from younger days …
Non-stop pursuing of wealth will only turn a person into a twisted being, just like me.
God gave us the senses to let us feel the love in everyone’s heart, not the illusions brought about by wealth. The wealth I have won in my life I cannot bring with me. What I can bring is only the memories precipitated by love.
That’s the true riches which will follow you, accompany you, giving you strength and light to go on. Love can travel a thousand miles. Life has no limit. Go where you want to go. Reach the height you want to reach. It is all in your heart and in your hands.
What is the most expensive bed in the world? – “Sick bed” … You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you but you cannot have someone to bear the sickness for you.
Material things lost can be found. But there is one thing that can never be found when it is lost – “Life”.
When a person goes into the operating room, he will realize that there is one book that he has yet to finish reading – “Book of Healthy Life”.
Whichever stage in life we are at right now, with time, we will face the day when the curtain comes down.
Treasure Love for your family, love for your spouse, love for your friends…
Cherish others.” – Steve Jobs
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Published for the blog on June 23, 2021 by Searcy Financial Services, your Overland Park, Kansas Fee-Only Financial Planner and Investment Manager.
