Going through Reiki training as a nurse is quite an experience. It is my belief that Reiki and nursing should go hand-in-hand. Reiki has opened me up to feelings of calm induced by less reactivity to situations; less anger as I find myself letting go of the need to control; and greater peace as I allow for and embrace beauty in my life.

But I wasn’t always this way. I used to be negative, controlling, reactive, anxious, angry, and unhappy. I also realize I was always trying to prove something, looking for acceptance and recognition. I wonder- are many nurses that way? Is our ‘giving nature’ stemming from an internal need to feel embraced?

What are we trying to prove?!?

This month we’ve talked all about receptivity and I’d like to close with encouraging you to balance your giving and receiving.

Giving is a wonderful thing. Giving is a kind thing, a generous thing, a loving thing- it is something to be upheld and respected. I love to give. I actually LOVE being the hostess. I love entertaining, having people over, and creating comfortable ambiance for my guests.

But imagine I had a party every single weekend. Or I entertained every single night. How long could that be sustained? How long could I stand on my feet with a smile on my face before I started to resent my guests?

Have you ever resented your patients? Do you quietly resent your work, hoping no one will know? Do you feel guilty about these feelings of resentment?

Guess what! If you’re resenting your work- and you are giving of yourself in a non-stop way- these feelings are totally NORMAL. You are not alone.

Instead of beating yourself up and feeling guilty for your resentment why don’t you take a break and even things out a bit?

Try balancing your giving nature with receiving a bit. And if this is hard for you, why don’t you look at it this way: you like giving right? Why not give to yourself? (Then it isn’t technically ‘receiving’ and you can’t feel bad about it).

There is no way on earth I could have people over every single night of the week. And there is no way on earth you can give to your patients all day long, days on end, week after week, for years in a row- and feel good about it.

You’ve got to give to them AND to you! So start today. What’s one thing you will give to yourself today? How will you receive?

I’d love to hear from you! Go ahead and leave a comment below on how you will give to you today. Thank you in advance for all of your comments. Have a healthy day!!