Just for today…
Just for today do not worry
Just for today do not be angry
These are two of the five Reiki principles.
Since learning them I have found great comfort in repeating them. I return to them and allow these principles to guide me especially when I have noticed myself starting to spiral down an anxious or negative self talk rabbit hole.
My Teacher Annamarie shared the Reiki principles and expanded on their teachings.
Just for today - Do not anger, she says we say “just for today” as a recognition of the impermanence of our perceived world. As the world is impermanent there is little point in the emotion of anger because in itself anger achieves nothing positive. It only serves to increase one’s internal stress. We can of course channel anger into a positive action, to rid us of its negative qualities.
Just for today - Do not worry - once again we reaffirm the impermanence of the world and realise that worry is also a valueless emotion. What do we achieve by worrying? Absolutely nothing - what is, is and all the worrying in the world will not change it. It is better to take direct action to modify a given situation.
As someone who worries a lot and I’m trying to notice without judgement my negative self talk in an attempt to correct it. These principles are good to repeat as a way to be mindful of our thoughts and return us back to the present moment where we can choose again - picking a different thought entirely.
Additionally, in the book The Reiki Way - the author Bridgitte writes “just for today is not a promise, it’s a practice. The principles aren't a vow we take for life, they are just for today. We don’t need to worry about tomorrow or get angry about yesterday. Our entire existence and the only thing we can ever manage is all happening in this current day. The first step of getting free is realising that we only have this moment. If we enter it the way we enter a room, we can take in everything the new space holds for us (page 69).”
I think there is something really comforting in this and I hope it has helped you too,
With love,
Talesha x