You Asked, I'm Answering (Over Tea, Of Course)

Inspired by one of my dear friends and fellow bloggers, my post last Friday invited you to ask me anything. And I'm so glad you did.

Today, I'm telling it like it is!
​

Using Canva's AI Tool

Doug Zarvie asked about my experiences with Canva's AI tool, sharing that he'd tried using it to create a Zoom background, but hadn't been satisfied with the results. I've never tried to create a Zoom background, but have used Canva's AI to create lots of images.

But at first, I didn't realize that there were some issues.

For example, sometimes the people had three legs. Or six fingers. Or arms that were a lot smaller than the rest of them.

When they turn out okay, though, they can be breathtaking!
​

Learning Reiki

I love the sweet story of what led me to Reiki. That was Nadya King's question.

​It happened almost 30 years ago.

My boyfriend at the time had a stomach ache, I started rubbing his stomach and he said there was warmth coming from my hands. So I left them there where it was hurting the most, and the pain almost went away completely. He said he thought I might be a healer.

The more I thought about it, the more it felt like it might be a calling. And then I found out about Reiki I class being held about 20 minutes from where I lived. I still remember how magical it felt to be learning about healing!

Reiki energy was so gentle and soothing, I kept going until I was a Reiki Master/Teacher. And then I discovered a lot of different varieties of Reiki. Intuitive Reiki, Karuna Ki Reiki, Faery Reiki, Mermaid Reiki and a lot more.

​These days, I don’t really practice Reiki in the formal sense. I still use some of the hand positions sometimes, but my focus has shifted to working directly with my own light, the light that connects each of us to the divine.

It’s still gentle, loving energy, just expressed more personally now. The energy of my own light, that was always within me, waiting to be reclaimed.

Can You Make a Living as a Lightworker?

Tamara Gerber expressed concern about me and wondered if there was a way for me to make a living doing the work I do. And Tamara, I so appreciate your concern.

My answer: not yet — but I’m working on it.

I’ve poured my heart into rituals, books, tools, and community-building for years, and I think they’re beginning to move forward. And I believe if you do this work from love, integrity, and real value, you can build a sustainable livelihood.

It takes time, though, as would any online business, along with persistence, clarity about what you offer and the clarity to show up exactly as you are.

I haven't always done that last one. I chased perfection for a long, long time! But I am getting better at showing up as me. :)

Once Upon a Time

Danwil Reyes wanted me to elaborate on the work I do and share where and from whom I draw inspiration...

​Come and sit with me by the fire. There’s a pot of tea waiting for us, and I have a story to tell.

I want to tell you a story about a village that lived in shadow.

Somewhere outside the village, there were great dark clouds dispensing misery and sorrow. The villagers didn’t realize that the heaviness and sadness they felt wasn’t normal, and for them, life went on as usual.

From time to time, the darkness chose certain villagers to serve its purposes.

It slipped little bits of its energy into their hearts and filled their dreams with fear. Those who carried the dark energy often spoke the loudest, convincing others to see only limits, loss, and despair.

But here and there, dots of light began to appear. At first, there were just a few.

Someone remembered how to love, even after a past filled with cruelty. Another villager refused to stop hoping, even when that hope seemed dim.

Little points of light began to flicker on and each light was empowered and inspired by the others until, one night, the entire landscape was dotted with twinkles of light. Villagers began to feel better and they realized that life didn't have to continue the way it was in the past.

Yes, those clouds still existed, but they no longer ruled the village. The light had spread like wildfire.

And that’s where I come in.

I am one of those dots of light. I tend that fire, and it’s stories like this that inspire the work I do. Everything I create comes from that inspiration.

If you’d like to know more about my work, you can begin with my new book, How to Become Your Higher Self.

My Favorite Colors

Do you have a sense of what my favorite colors might be?

Martha DeMeo wanted to know if they were still the same. 

And they are! I love burnt oranges, rusts, olive greens, other warm greens, ivory and cream.

Not only do I use them here on the website and social media, I also wear them all the time. It's been a twenty-year love affair!

(Ugh! These pics do not capture the full colors of these outfits. I tried to fix that but it's still not 100%)

See you next time!

Love, Jeanine
​