Just for Today

As many of you know I am a Reiki Master.

It’s kind of funny to write “I am a Reiki Master” because I find labels of this kind, of any kind really, to be somehow limiting and limited. I mean, Reiki is so many different things to different people that I can’t help wondering what kind of associations come to mind when I wrote that I am a Reiki Master. Reiki is a spiritual practice to some, a healing modality to others, a way to channel Universal Energy, a relaxation technique, a form of meditation, a way to recharge and energise, a source for inspiration and creativity…

Regardless of what Reiki become through your experience of it, there is something every Reiki student learn pretty early on that I find has a power of its own: The Reiki Principles.

Originally expressed in Japanese by Dr Usui, the father of Reiki, they are interpreted in a few different ways, but generally translate in their simplest form as follows:

              Just for today, don’t get angry   

              Just for today, don’t worry

              Just for today, be grateful

              Just for today, do your best

              Just for today, be kind to everyone

When I first read the Principles, about 20 years ago, I remember I kept of going back to the first part of each one of them, the “Just for today” bit. I mean, I knew it was wise to not anger or worry and important to be grateful and kind and to always do my best. Those were concept I had already encountered on the path of personal development.

But I thought that “just for today”, was simply genius.

For me, “just for today” reframes everything – especially challenges and difficulties. It breaks anything down to a manageable form that I can handle, at least for today 😊

It helps manage a sense of overwhelm and deal with the unknown, because if it is” just for today”, I know I can do it. And it became a habit so, depending on the situation, it may sound like this:

Just for today, I will be gentle with myself

Just for today, I won’t think about that issue that only drains my energy

Just for today, I will be super productive and won’t be on social media

Just for today, I will only notice what makes me laugh

Just for today, I will let myself grieve

Just for today, I will work on (insert project)

So while we get ready to close gently the door of 2020 – or to slam it, up to you! – and to walk into 2021 I invite you to try it too, to see if “just for today” you can ….

Happy Solstice everyone.