Every week there is a new horrifying or gobsmacking event happening in the US. I try to write in ways that are relevant to current events and how to navigate them while tending to our inner world and the collective, but I don't have the capacity to respond to them every time. Now that my cued e-letters for Reiki training are up (we've postponed the start until we have more registrants, so let me know if you are interested!), I'm confronted again with what to write. 

I'm going to speak plainly today. 

If you haven't been paying attention, you need to now. 

If you listen to Fox News, it's time to find another source. They've been lying to you. 

It's time to find non-violent ways to respond, and repeat, ad nauseam. This is the necessity of these times. 

Minnesotans are brave. Resilient. Scared. Doing the thing anyway. In frigid, unsafe temperatures. I love them. I wish they didn't have to do this.

I know many of you have Minnesotans in your life. Check on them. Send them care packages. Protest in solidarity with them (there are many ICE Out protests going on around the country.) Let them know they aren't doing this alone.

Us Midwesterners are hearty folk. We've lived through the bitter cold and snow year after year. We care about our community, and that is showing in the unwillingness to submit to bullies who just want us to lay down and take it. Fuck that.

The macrocosm is the microcosm. Imagine (or remember) an abusive family system. The emotionally and physically abusive parent hurts one of the children. The other is the golden child (immune to the physical harm, but also steeped in the emotional harm in different ways). The child who is being hit says something, speaks out about the abuse. "How dare that child say anything?" thinks the abusive parent or enabler. They should just sit there and take it. The abusers thinks the child is making them hit them, because the child upset them. It would all just be better if they were quiet.

Well, that's the narrative for the US right now coming from those in positions of power.

Historians and political scientists have a world for it when it's a government: Totalitarianism.

From Britannica.com:
Totalitarianism is a form of government that attempts to assert total control over the lives of its citizens. It is characterized by strong central rule that attempts to control and direct all aspects of individual life through coercion and repression. It does not permit individual freedom. Traditional social institutions and organizations are discouraged and suppressed, making people more willing to be merged into a single unified movement. Totalitarian states typically pursue a special goal to the exclusion of all others, with all resources directed toward its attainment, regardless of the cost.

My work is all about healing and releasing trauma. This administration is generating so much trauma it brings me to tears. Sometimes I collapse on my floor, head in my hands, before I rally myself. 

Alex. Renee. A baby that stopped breathing from being teargassed. An autistic woman carried away as she was on the way to the doctor. A peaceful protestor blinded. Oglala Sioux Tribal members detained (they are the only ones who never immigrated! wtf?!?!). People of color (citizens and those here legally) profiled, harassed, detained because of how they look, how they speak, how they dress. I could go on and on.

All of these people, they need us. We need us. 

The Republican members of Congress have the power to stop this. There is still time to pressure them to rein in ICE. Congress: 202-224-3121. You don't have to have the perfect thing to say. You just need to call. Honestly, I find it rather cathartic hounding Ron Johnson. ;)

What I do believe in is the power of the people. You and me. There are more of us than there are of them. We are fed up, and this doesn't have to continue. We just have to be willing to do something about it. Stand in your power. Don't give it away to them in complacency or fear. We are stronger together. 

Voces de la Frontera has resources to support immigrants, and rally to protect them in Wisconsin. Donate, volunteer, get involved. We need to be ready.

Monarcha is the rapid response line in Minnesota. They need our support. 

Keep an eye on the 287g program, and speak up! This gives municipalities federal money for local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. Because they've been deputized in this way, essentially any police officers in participating counties are also effectively ICE agents. They often also have beds reserved in their jails for detainees. There are numerous counties in Wisconsin that are currently participating at the time of this writing: Brown, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marquette, Outagamie, Sauk, Sheboygan, Washington, Waukesha, Waushara, Winnebago, and Wood Counties Sheriffs' Offices, and the Palmyra Police Department. This is also reversible! So if you live in one of those counties, speak up and say you do not want your police department participating!

Know that I'm doing what I can to stand with you in this. I've been standing up to bullies since 1987. Standing up to these bullies has become my new hobby.

If you need help regulating your nervous system, or finding moments to recharge to keep doing the thing, I'm here. 

I'm also wanting to offer Reiki to immigrants and those being harmed by this administration. If you would like to donate funds to help sponsor folks, or donate your own Reiki skills to help, let me know. Hopefully, our little bits of effort will lessen some of the long lasting impacts of this harm. 

Keep showing up.

Love ya'll and stay safe out there,

Sarah

Do you have animal companions in your life? If so, and you are anything like me, you probably treat them as family, and would do everything you can for them. When our friends need a little extra support, it's helpful to know about Reiki for animals.

As an animal lover, I've given Reiki to all of my pets, to many friend's and clients' pets, and even injured wildlife. They, too, have an energy body, and can benefit from coming into greater balance when they need it. Reiki can support them when they've had an injury or surgery, or an ongoing health condition. It can help them deal with aches and pains as they get older. Energy healing can support them with behavioral challenges (often a result from stress or previous trauma). It can also help in their end of life transition. In short, if humans can get Reiki for something, so can our animal loves.

Every animal is a little different, and has their own comfort level. Of the pets I've had, namely cats and dogs, they've all had their own unique way of relating with Reiki.

When I was first starting my Reiki practice, I was still living with my parents and giving sessions to friends and family in my room. Every time the Reiki was flowing, their kitties Jazzy and Sophie insisted on being in the room with us, pawing at the door until I let them in. Then they would hang out peacefully in the room just soaking in the good vibes.

I had one kitty Wuya who would often come over and lay on my hands when I was giving Reiki to myself. I took that to mean she was looking for some Reiki, and would give her a treatment too. She would lean her body into my hands, and move periodically so the spots that needed attention were resting in my palms. When she was done, she'd get up, shake herself off and scamper away.

Sometimes, when my other kitties Orangie and JoJo are in my lap and I'm petting them, my Reiki will turn on of its own accord. I take this as a sign that they need a little extra attention, and I work on them until they feel done or the energy shifts. They also like to photo bomb when I'm giving Zoom sessions, so some of you may have already met these two. I find they like to hold space with me and provide extra moral support for the clients I'm working on at times. Animals can be amazing energetic guardians, and emotional support, as many of us know!

I had one dog Bleu who couldn't handle hands on Reiki. Anytime I would turn my Reiki on for her and get close to her, she'd run out of the room. However, I could give her distant Reiki and support her when she was going through bladder cancer and other issues.

Another dog I had Fluffy was very receptive to Reiki. She was a rescue that had a past of abuse and neglect. Due to these experiences, she had anxiety, PTSD, and neuromuscular issues. She was my sweet special needs dog. Fluffy was very receptive to Reiki. She loved it, and it often soothed her anxiety. Slowly but surely (along with other measures) the Reiki was helping with her neuromuscular challenges. I also did some remote shamanic work on her to dissolve some of the trauma she experienced before we adopted her, and observed notable shifts. When the time came that she was no longer doing well, and needed to be compassionately euthanized, I was able to send her distant Reiki to bring her ease, hold her in love and help her peacefully cross over.

I've also offered Reiki to clients' pets after surgery, when dealing with a health issue, or to help with the dying process. When I've gotten energetic permission, I've also sent Reiki to injured wildlife that I've come across to support them too. This has included cats, dogs, horses, birds, geese, raccoons, opossums, and more!

How this looks in action when a client asks for Reiki for their animal friend:

Schedule a remote session with me. In most cases, to help animals feel at ease, it is best to let them receive Reiki while relaxing in the comfort of their home. This also minimizes any logistical challenges of transporting our animal friend, and them being comfortable somewhere else. Also, every animal is different about their openness to receive touch (especially from a stranger). Remote work allows us to dive into the energy more efficiently and focus on the issue present rather than trying to help get the animal comfortable in order to do the work.

We would decide if we connect over Zoom, phone, or email. This would be the way that I would have the conversation with you about your animal friend. All methods are equally effective and do not impact the flow of the Reiki. If you are able, it is helpful for me to have a picture of your pet, their name, and where they are. This helps me hone in on their energy.

During the session time, we would start with a conversation about what your animal is needing support with so I can focus my intentions. You can be present with them at the time or not. It will depend on the circumstances you are currently dealing with. Reiki is flexible and we can make most things work. Once we've done the check in, I would send the Reiki to your animal focusing in on the concerns you have. After I send the Reiki, I share my observations, and you can let me know anything you may have observed about your animal friend.

Animals are often very receptive to Reiki. If you ever find one of your animal friends needs support, I'm happy to help! Email to set up a session, or book online and leave a note about your concerns.

Have your animals ever received Reiki? Maybe you're a Reiki practitioner that's given Reiki to animals. If so, comment below to share with others what your experience was like.

Blessings,
Sarah