Following my passion The need to write & create, and what happens when it doesn’t happen. Some of you know I have a holistic business that is still growing and evolving. My bread and butter, so to speak. I genuinely enjoy it. And yet, it is not enough to fulfil the needs of my Soul. There are various paths a soul can follow. Many want to walk the path of Truth, but not many do—me included. The path of service is the most common and still a challenge to embody. And the path to create. There are many more, but this will do for now. The path to be of service and, at the same time, that of the creator. That is the path I am navigating. What happens when I am not walking the narrow path when I am mainly writing content? I feel unwell, slightly off-kilter, irritated and somewhat impatient when I ignore the early warning signs. The trick is to find the right balance between what needs to be done – like writing course material and writing purely for the love of it. When I ignore the need to create art, I get depressed. Every day, I put the need to paint on the back burner, and my mood gets low. That is what happens to me when I am getting out of balance. Feeling moody and snappy – not very Zen at all. How do I balance what needs to be done and what my heart desires? I make a list—what must be done and what can wait a moment—and I create a plan. I have so many hours free today, and I allocate time to everything I either have to do or want to do. Don’t get me wrong; I enjoy writing content, too. Why not use AI for content writing? Well, since you have asked. Everything is energy. The words I write are an extension of me; my content comes from me and will carry my signature energy. AI can’t replicate that. It may mimic emotional responses, but it has no soul. No energy nor an essence. That is why it is a valuable tool, but it will not replace human writing. As I said, everything is energy and carries a unique vibration, and let me tell you – you feel it. You feel whether an AI wrote the book or a human did. Well, that is my opinion. Feel free to disagree. The need to write and create is real for me. My energy is high, I feel great, and I am in my vibe. I enjoy writing. I enjoy creating art. I enjoy healing. I enjoy teaching. I enjoy shooting the breeze and doing nothing at all. I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences related to these musings and ponderings of a curious mind. Your insights are valuable to me. Much love to you all. Anja xx

Reiki and your Space Usually, people are called to learn about Reiki because they want to make changes in their lives or want to help others change and heal. Basically, what happens through the help of Reiki is a huge, needed shift in energy in the individual’s life. The old, heavy, negative energy leaves while the new loving energy comes in and soothes and heals—the 21-day cleansing process. What is often overlooked and causes a surprise block of varying levels is how clean your space is. This includes your home environment, your work office, and your vehicle. Clutter of any kind, boxes, pictures with less than positive memories attached, old clothes, rubbish, old paperwork, broken appliances, unused furniture, disorganization and mess of any kind pull in dark, stagnant energy. This stagnant energy combats the healing work you are doing with Reiki and puts a damper on how far Reiki can really take you. Thankfully, there's a simple solution to this unexpected Reiki block. Clean your space! And I don't mean just a quick vacuum. I’m talking about a deep cleanse, a purge of anything that doesn't actively contribute to your space's positivity. This applies to your home, car, workplace, and any other place you frequent. It's a straightforward yet powerful step that can alleviate the unexpected barriers to your Reiki practice. Creating a high-vibration space: Take a look around your space. Is it light, free-flowing and open? Or are there things you keep telling yourself you must hang onto that are actually creating blocks? Create three piles in the middle of your space: 1=Items to Keep. 2=Charity Shop. 3=Bin. Get honest with yourself. If you need a friend to help, don’t feel bad. Positive support from someone is always good. This cleansing experience is going to change your life and your vibration. Get rid of anything in your space that is not being used and/or actively adding positivity daily. Let everything go. Once your space is clean, send Reiki to it. Sit in the middle of the space. Picture a large white ball of healing, loving, cleansing energy. Make a large Master or Power Symbol over the ball. Imagine that it grows larger and larger until it pushes all that is negative out of the space, leaving nothing but love and light. Ground yourself and give thanks. Your space is now ready to take you to higher levels than ever before! Getting real and clearing out your space allows the Reiki energy to show you how full of light and powerful it is. With no hidden blocks or negative energy in your environment, your Reiki work can really take off and reach higher levels than you ever thought possible. Give it a try!

A glimpse into the seven-chakra system Chakras and why they need balancing The appropriate crystals can be placed on the chakra and around the body, affecting the chakras and, by default, the Aura. That is the basic explanation. Now imagine the transformative power of balancing the chakras and cleansing the Aura afterwards. It's a journey of self-discovery and healing. There is more to it; you only discover that when you have a treatment. How do you know when your chakra requires a boost, cleanse and balancing? When one chakra is out of kilter, it has a knock-on effect. But only an experienced practitioner can identify what is happening within you, providing you with the confidence that you're in good hands. This blog covers the seven chakra systems, the same one used in Yoga. The Root Chakra is located at the end of your spine, near the perineum, and is associated with red. Keywords: Survival, health, abundance, passion, endings and new beginnings, connection to Mother Earth/Gaia, security. Signs that the Root/Base Chakra requires TLC: • Chronic lower back pain • Feeling of insecurity • Immune disorders • Sciatica • Water retention To name a few signs that the Base Chakra is not aligned. Crystals used with the Root Chakra are Bloodstone, Smoky Quartz, Tiger's Eye, Red Jasper, Hematite and Snowflake Obsidian. The Sacral Chakra is associated with orange and sits halfway below the navel and pubic bone. Keywords: creativity, energy, relationships, innocence, sex, fertility, independence, joy, happiness, self-employment. Signs the Sacral Chakra requires some TLC: • Chronic lower back pain • Lack of confidence • Sexual impotence • Menstrual cycle issues • Unbalanced emotions These are just a few signs that the flow of energy is constricted. The crystals used with the Sacral Chakra are Carnelian, Copper, Orange Calcite, Moonstone, Citrine, and Rutilated Quartz. The Solar Plexus Chakra is Yellow, located above the navel and below the diaphragm. This is the powerhouse where all our emotions reside. Most energy cords are attached here and may benefit from cutting, which is done during the session if appropriate. Keywords: Courage, strength, emotions, logic, taking responsibility, self-esteem, learning, fight/fly respond, confidence. Signs that this chakra needs a helping hand are: • Difficulties to concentrate • Eating disorder • Skin issues due to stress • Insomnia • Digestive issues These are just a few signs indicating a reduced flow of energy. Crystals used for the Solar Plexus Chakra are Citrine, Ametrine, Helidor, Sulfur, Golden Calcite, Amber and Sunstone. The Heart Chakra is located behind the sternum in the middle of your chest. The associated colour is Emerald Green with soft Pink interwoven at the edge. This is the centre of unconditional love and the soul's seat. Keywords: Love, safety, trust, harmony, beauty, kindness, sleep, gentleness, hope, seeing beauty everywhere, no judgement, relationships. Signs that this chakra requires some TLC: • Emotional confused • Narrow mindedness • Judgemental • Heart disease • Lung disease, asthma, chronic colds and influence symptoms • Relationship breakdown These are just a few signs that the flow is not flowing freely. Crystals suited to the heart chakra are Amazonite, Malachite, Green Aventurine, Watermelon Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Larimer, Rhodochrosite, Morganite and Garnet. The Throat Chakra is located above the collarbone in the middle of the neck. The associated colour is sky blue; this chakra is the centre of communication and expression of creativity. It is also the gateway between the Heavenly and Earthly energy, which flows through all that exists. Keywords: communication, creativity, freedom, choice, following dream, responsibility, speaking your truth. Signs that this chakra requires some TLC: • A weak or bad back • Fear of speaking your mind • Skin rashes • Anxiety • IBS or Crohn's disease • Feelings of unease • Difficulties in staying focused These are just a few indications that this chakra is unbalanced. Crystals that work well with this chakra are Blue Lace Agate, Aqua Aura, Blue Fluorite, Angelite and Aquamarine. The Brow Chakra is also known as the Third Eye. This chakra is located in the middle of the forehead above the eyebrows. The colour associated with it is Indigo. This chakra is the centre of intuition, where creativity and inspiration combine. Psychic abilities and gifts are also focused here. Keywords: ideas, honesty, psychic gifts, dreams, truth, teaching. Signs that this chakra needs some TLC: • Headaches and migraines (no medical reason) • Sinusitis • Eye conditions • Lack of ambition • Personality disorder • Lack of inspiration and creativity The above can indicate that the energy flow is not as free as it could be. Crystals that work well with this chakra are Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite, Moldavite, Celestine, and Apophyllite. The Crown Chakra is located at the top of the head. The colour associated with the chakra is violet or white. It is the centre of spirituality, enlightenment and the connection to the Divine Consciousness. Trauma can lead to a sudden opening – or closing down. Emotional trauma can have the same impact. Keywords: awareness, trust in life, invention, spirituality, devotion, selflessness, values, fulfilment. Signs that this chakra needs some TLC: • Depression • Vanity • Dementia • Skin conditions • Nervous system disorder • Disconnection to the Divine • Feeling pessimistic These can all indicate that this chakra needs balancing. Crystals which work well to balance this chakra are Amethyst, Howlite Sugilite, Charoite, Herkimer Diamond and Selenite. Remember, your health is a priority. Please seek medical advice before working with crystals. This blog is only the tip of the iceberg, and your well-being is paramount. If you would like to learn more about crystals and chakras, please attend my next crystal workshop.

Why do I write? Perhaps it is time to tell you why. You may or may not believe me when I tell you the why. It’s a long story that leans heavily into the esoteric and mystical realm. It is not fact-based but faith-based. As I've shared before, my journey with writing has been a struggle. I faced challenges in school, needing extra lessons in spelling and writing. Unfortunately, these efforts only reinforced the belief that I was incapable of writing anything of value. My struggle with writing led me to avoid it at all costs. It became a daunting task that I steered clear of like the plague. Then, I was embarking on becoming a Reiki Master Teacher. To reach a wider audience, I had to use social media and write to create content for posts, newsletters, and my website. Eventually, I wrote my own manuals for crystal healing and the Reiki levels I was teaching. All okay, and I did this all. I started working with spirit guides and angels, which led me to write poetry, not to share with the world but with family and friends. It was greeted with a lukewarm welcome. Alas, nothing happened for a few years. Until the day I was listening to one of William Whitecloud's meditations. This one was "The Land of Plenty." And here was Grace's first nudge. At the beginning of the meditation, 30 seconds into it, you receive a gift from Spirit. Mine was a massive snow-white quill with a golden tip/nip, and I heard the word “Scribe.” When I received this gift, I was taken aback. It was so random, so unexpected, that I knew it couldn't have come from my ego mind. I had to Google the word 'Scribe' to understand its significance. (If the gift had been an artist's paintbrush or a crystal, that would have been expected). But what to do? My land of plenty was abundant and beautiful – but there was no road map to show me the way. So here I was, armed with a quill, a word and no direction! Life went on, and so did my life. You know, the ups and downs. I worked in my business instead of working more on the business. Who knew that these were two different things, the on more important than the in? I can't tell you more; I just about get my head around it. Last year, I found Beth Kemptom from Soul-stack via Facebook and felt a deep connection to her. The way she teaches and her books resonate with me, and I found the courage to write due to her way of being and to get myself a Substack page, Which I recently renamed. It went from Musings of an aspiring writer to Bliss and Lemons. I started to fall in love with writing. Poetry is something I now enjoy writing and reading. Newsletters and notes, I enjoy all of it. And yet, I still wasn’t sure about this all. Still dabbling instead of being it. Holding back. Now, we go back to last June. I saw a spiritual life coach I trusted and knew. He walks his talk and tells you how it is, but in a constructive way, with kindness and compassion. We were coming to the end of the session, and the energy in the room was changing and intensifying. Grace was present, and here it was getting interesting. I was saying in my mind that all I wanted to do was write and paint. I felt a push from behind me, and the room was brighter. It was as if Grace had said, "Go for it. You are finally listening." But as it often is with Grace or Spirit, I didn’t get anything else. What am I going to do with this? A quill with a golden nip, the word scribe, and go for it? What am I supposed to do with this? Where is the map to show me the way? Did I misread the whole event? I write because I trust that this is how Grace wants me to be of service. I hope my blogs, letters and notes are useful for others, uplifting and encouraging the reader when the going gets tough. Perhaps this is my time in the desert – to trust, have faith, and surrender to Grace's power. I don’t know, and that is okay. In the deepest moments of despair and fear rises up to take control. I remember the two moments when Grace was holding my hand and whispered, "I got you; you keep on going." Here you have it. This is why I write. And sometimes paint. Thank you for reading my reasons for writing. Thank you for your patience and curiosity, which led you to the end of this confession. Much love Anja xx

Words, the unparalleled power they bestow upon us, transcending all else. Words, the tools of our communication. Yet, it's the intent behind them, the true meaning, that holds significance. And the space between the lines. The unsaid, the unspoken, carries a message of its own. Take me, for example. Here I am, spilling words onto the page, and I can hardly keep up with the speed at which they flood in. As you know, I write Bliss and Lemons and describe myself as a budding poet. What can I say – I have fallen in love with words. And yet, there are times when words do not come. It is hard to speak out loud about what is sitting in my tummy, like two tons of bricks weighing me down. Sometimes, what I say is not well received on the other end, or it gets twisted along the way. Or what I said did not land as expected; it got lost somewhere along the line. Words have the power to hurt us deeply. Silence—the absence of words—can also hurt. The ability to speak the truth with kindness and compassion seems out of fashion. The accusing and blaming leave nothing but hurt feelings and bruised egos. Words could be the medicine the other person desperately needs, but they get suppressed or lost in time and space due to the business of life. I am fortunate that I have the time to write and share anecdotes of my life. I am walking the narrow path to my truth. For how long I can do that, I do not know. I love words; the more obscure and made-up, the better. Roald Dahl was a master of doing just that. The way he played with words. BFG, I love you. Or take JJR Tolkien – I was there in Middle Earth. Or the stories we read to our children. Kipper and Angelina Ballerina, Rubert Bear – “Pleased to make your acquaintance” Words we use to write a song, a poem, a letter written with love. Words documenting present news will be tomorrow's history—a warning letter, impending divorce, and points on the license. Words said in anger, out of spite, venomous, cutting, and cruel. Or words of love, compassion, kindness and encouragement. What I try to do before I open my mouth is to ask this: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Words give us the power to communicate. But would it not be great if we took the time to listen truly? to listen to hear—not listen to reply. To take the time to think about what and how to say something. Here is where writing words comes in. I have the time to feel the words and what I want to say, coming from a place of love—from the heart. A heartfelt letter, note, or one-line message – that is powerful. And you feel it; it stays with you for a long time. When someone leaves a relationship without saying a word or discussing it, it hurts. It hurts more than being told what is going on and that this is the end—words of silence – cutting deep and leaving scars. Words – use them wisely. Not as a weapon set out to silence the other party. Words to keep communication flowing. Words to heal a hurt. Thank you for reading my ponderings. I hope you enjoyed reading. Much love Anja xx

Welcome to February, Imbolc, also known as Candlemas, heralds the beginning of Spring and marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. It's a time to light a white or green candle and pray, trusting your intuition as your heart guides your words. This unique spiritual insight of February connects us to the natural world and our inner selves. Then we have St. Valentine’s Day, a day to show love and affection. But did you know this was not always so? Understanding the historical context of this day can deepen our appreciation for its modern celebration. Wednesday the 12th is the Snow Moon (Full Moon); this moon symbolises endurance and resilience, which makes sense. The symbolism of the Snow Moon can inspire us to face our challenges with strength and determination. The crystals for February are Amethyst and Jasper, representing the higher and lower chakras and balancing the chakra system. I am hosting my crystal workshop on Sunday, February 16th. And our Tranquil Mind Community Events are online now. Starting on Monday the 3rd with Reiki Crystal Singing Bowl Bath. And it is also the day of Imbolc (Candelmass, and the Irish Goddes Brighed). https://tranquilmindcommunity.com/live-events

While I have been busy honing my poetry writing skills, my letters and essays have not received the attention they deserve. There is so much to do, and not enough time to get it all done! Or so it seems. The drive to write is present. It is a need, something I have to do. Currently, I am participating in a writing exercise called “Tinywinterpoem.” The rules are simple: you have 10 minutes to write a poem, and no editing is allowed. It's a great way to challenge yourself and let your creativity flow. For 15 days, you get one word, usually in the morning. The word “Pudding” was a challenge. I couldn’t do it, and it was on Monday. However, inspiration struck the following day while I was preparing to shower. Never mind the shower – I have to write. That is being in the flow, and you have to do it. “Pudding” went live yesterday, followed by “Trinkets” a short while later. “Trinkets” was the current day, and it just flowed. The same this morning. The word “Shut” wrote itself. I post them all for the world to read and, hopefully, to enjoy. What I am experiencing is a strong motivation to create. It can be anything, really. And when it comes to feeling like there's not enough time, it's all about planning and prioritising. What is important to me? What do I have to take care of today? Where would I spend time if I were treating time as a currency? What is necessary and what is not? Time is an artificial concept – and so ingrained into everything and anything. To some extent, we have been enslaved to the “Master of Time” – or the “Thief of Time”. Chaos would ensue if all clocks and timepieces suddenly went up in flames. By adhering to society's schedule, we often lose touch with our inner clock, our body's natural rhythm, and the beauty of nature and the changing seasons. We may celebrate the progress of technical inventions, AI, etc., but we risk losing sight of our true selves and our connection to the natural world. We lose more of who we are, why we are here, and what life is all about, and we are less and less connected to nature. Would you believe I have met people who have never seen sheep or cows grazing in a field or how a horse drinks water? No, it does not drink like a dog or a cat. Or to recognise the difference between an Oak Tree and a Beech Tree. This is not to blame anyone; it is what it is. My point is that with each passing generation, our connection to the Earth and our core, our true nature, is disappearing. We can’t stop time and throw it out the window, but being aware of where we spend our precious time and with whom is in our control. Going out for a day and climbing a mountain instead of scrolling social media or binge-watching TV. If only for ten minutes, spend some time doing something you love. Every day, I count my blessings for having discovered what truly brings me joy: the act of writing and the process of creating art. It's far from perfect, but it's all mine. I do it for the sheer love of it. Far from perfect, but all mine. I do it for the love of it. My advice to you is to find something that resonates with your soul, something that brings you joy, and do it as often as you can. This is not just a hobby; it's a form of self-care and self-love that brings a sense of wholeness and harmony to your entire being. Create because that is who you are. Under all the layers and false beliefs – YOU ARE A CREATOR! I hope you have enjoyed my musings and ponderings. Thank you for reading. Much love Anja xx

A quick and easy method to ground your energy: Once a proponent of grounding by sending our energy into the Earth, I now advocate a simpler approach-grounding through our own bodies. It's as easy as coming home to our bodies and returning to the present moment. This straightforward method ensures we are grounded in the Earth without bypassing our physical bodies. Rushing, worry, fear, anger and regret drain our spirit energy and prevent us from being fully present in our lives and bodies. You may have noticed that when you are in these states, you feel slightly “ahead of yourself” or “stuck in the past”. You may find yourself ruminating over something that was said and “can’t let it go.” You feel like time is “getting away from you”. We have all these figures of speech because, in these states, our energy is shifting away from our bodies and the present time. The ego mind has taken over, ungrounding us and taking us away from the now. Our energy is mostly elsewhere while we are trying to carry on a life in the present. We function best, are stronger, and feel better when our energy is fully present in our bodies. When you’re grounded in your body, you will no longer feel scattered, lurching forward trying to get to the next moment or reaching backwards with your thoughts into the past. You are instantaneously brought into the present moment. You are with your physical self and fully in your life. One of the easiest ways to ground your thoughts/energy into the body is to place your hand on your chest. This quickly brings you back to yourself and a feeling of comfort, centeredness, and presence. By placing your hand on your chest, you sense your heartbeat. You quickly begin to feel present with your precious self in this body and this life. You feel your breath moving in and out of your body naturally. Through the visceral sense of these things within our bodies and the tactile sense through our hands, we recognise our aliveness and presence in a very real way. We also feel it through our mental focus on these sensations. We are automatically grounded by returning to the current moment and to our bodies. Whenever you find yourself rushing, worrying, or reacting hastily to life situations, take a moment and place your hand on your chest and sense your breath; sense your heartbeat. In just a minute, you can feel the comfort and presence that this simple act brings. It's an instant reset that can be done anytime, anywhere, and the benefits are immediate. Remember, this grounding technique is not limited to specific times or activities. It's an excellent way to ground anytime, whether it's before and after Reiki sessions, while doing errands, or first thing after waking in the morning. Its versatility makes it a powerful tool for maintaining presence and well-being in your daily life.

Windows of opportunities are not always in the plain site. By holding on to how I think my life should be and visiting the past too many times throughout the day, I may miss when a new opportunity presents itself. I am discovering that my past experiences and the imprinted beliefs of others are still present in my way of being and doing. Part of me thinks, how can that be? After so many years of inner work, I still have programs running in the background that are holding me back. What happened was that I was managing my pain, shame, and regrets. I only scratched the iceberg of this enormous pile of s…. Toke the edge off if you like. But not digging enough deep to transcend it all. And it seems that now the time has come to face it, truly see it, and accept it— so it moves. This acceptance brings a sense of relief, a lightness that I hadn't felt in a long time. How do I know that I was still holding onto the pain? The trigger was my illness. It forced me to rest, sleep a lot, and do nothing but visit the past. I turned to meditation once I was feeling a bit better. It became my anchor, guiding me through the storm of emotions and memories. And that helped to transcend all of it. This is also known as doing the shadow work. Embracing the duality of my true nature. Accepting all that I am, the good and not so great (labels and judgement of good and bad) is the way to freedom. When I revisit the past, I sense emotions/energy moving. This shows that I am emotionally and mentally attached to what happened. I sat with the emotion, and it started to move. No label, no judgement, just feeling the sensation within of me, the movement of energy. How do you know that you are no longer attached? When the past is just a story, it no longer triggers an energy moving about. What do I mean by energy moving? I'm referring to the fact that emotions are essentially energy in motion. When we experience an emotion, we feel the energy of that emotion moving within us. As an example: most of us are familiar with the Butterflies in the belly? The racing heart beat? The feeling as if the rug was pulled from our feet. That is energy in motion. Thoughts can create an emotional response. An email can create a storm of energy moving – the mind is very quick in putting a name to it. On a retreat a few years ago this question was put in front of us. What came first: The energy moving followed by the thought/label? Or was energy moving followed by the thought? The labels we attach to emotions are often inherited from our families and cultures. These labels can shape how we experience and express our emotions, and they can also influence how we perceive the emotions of others. When you are entirely in the presence of the Divine – you feel it. Deeply. And you will cry – tears of joy, bliss and deep love. By 'the Divine ', I'm referring to a sense of spiritual connection and transcendence that can bring profound emotional experiences. But tears and crying get labelled: "Don’t cry, don’t feel sad. I know it hurts—let me kiss it better." "Have a sweet and watch some TV." As parents, most of us have done that. Well, I did. We don’t like tears, pain, or discomfort. And yet, if we could allow it just to be. (I am not talking about severe pain or life-threatening wounds; I mean the odd mild headache, the coughing and sneezing, and the little bump on the head) Developing a curious mind means just watching when the foot suddenly hurts without any reason. It's about being fully present in the moment, without letting the past or future cloud your experience. Our society has conditions us to compare, judge, and work very hard. The apple I am eating now is so much nicer than the apple I had yesterday. And yet, if I am mindful while I am eating the apple, it is a different experience. Which leads me to experience. Every situation gets a label and gets compared. I do that as well. My former house was so much bigger compared to this one. It was in a much nicer area compared to this one. Getting hung up on what was. Instead of what is. Yes, it is much smaller, making it snug and cosy. It's not as lovely an area, but I can walk down the street to get a pint of milk. Is the glass half full or half empty? Accepting that every situation is temporary, that life itself is impermanent. I am letting go of how my life should be and being open to seeing what unfolds. What new opportunities are coming in? Now that the old has gone, making for the new to come in. One last thing I have learned. Never give up on the dream; but be open to how it comes about. I am dedicated to my dream, and I show up at my desk every day now. I will no longer do it later or tomorrow. I am doing it now. Thank you for reading my musings, ponderings and wonderings about life and the challenges to presents us with. Much love Anja xx