Why I struggle identifying as an Empath

Can I be real with you right now?

I've always struggled with identifying as an Empath.

You see, when we're learning that we're empathic beings one of the first bonding experiences is connecting over the hurts and negative aspects of being an Empath.

👉 Overwhelm & confusion
👉 Exhausted & depleted
👉 Anxiety & depression

🙋🏻‍♀️ Wanting to be the change in the world
🙋🏻‍♀️ Continually attracting narcissists
🙋🏻‍♀️ Repeatedly being told, "you're too sensitive"

It's a way to finally be able to identify that's what is going on, which is fantastic.

But the problem is that all too often it is common practice that we end up accepting that as our 'fate' and our 'end all be all'

It's status quo to collect a few tools on how to cope and deal with this place of constant overwhelm.

You see, this didn't sit well with me as a solution-based, 'what's the lesson in this,' all about empowerment type of person.

Then I realized why... It's a form of trauma-bonding.
It keeps us stuck, sick, disempowered and victimized.

Instead we can use that information to move in to a solution of empowerment and learn how to navigate our world with knowing these truths.

Lately we've seen a rise in the collective consciousness with energies:
🌙 Meditation, Yoga, Mindfulness,
🌙 Law of Attraction
🌙 Astrology - more people know about Mercury Retrograde, the Moon cycles and that there's more to your natal chart than your sun sign.

It's a beautiful time!

It's a time of the Empaths, Sensitives and Intuitives rising and aligning with their divine power.

When we are done being bogged down, anxiety-ridden and devastated over the state of our world, and ready for a real change within - because we're aware we can't change the world, then we're ready!

🌟 We're ready to step in to our power.
🌟 We're ready to know how these empathic experiences are here to serve us (and therefore the world).
🌟 We're ready to learn how to navigate our daily life as an empowered empathic being

During my journey as an Empath / Sensitive / Intuitive I've been blessed with teachers and mentors who have showed up and shared with me these truths that resonated with my soul:

🤯 We CAN learn how to separate our energy from other people's and know what's ours and what isn't,
🤯 We CAN discover why we're continually getting thrown off kilter and how to stay centered, and
🤯 We CAN be energized and no longer be drained or overwhelmed!

Do you resonate with this?? Does your soul desire this, also?

The past 10 years I've been on a mission to support the Empaths / Sensitives / Invuitives of the world who are at this tipping point and are READY.

And let me tell you... it's been AMAZING!!!
It's not for everyone and I honor that.
But when it is, woweeee do I LOVE getting to do this work and see people experience the liberation and transformation!

If this resonates with you, the doors to my program, Align & Thrive™ are now open.
And let me tell you, this group is like no other.

Here's to empowerment for the Empaths!
Here's to aligning with our soul and thriving!
And most of all, here's to you!

ashley koe

10 Days of Reiki - Day 7

Intention

As a deeply caring person who is able to sense energies it has always been a struggle to know boundaries. Even though I would always want to do good, doing the work of identifying that my intentions might not be…. not in ill-intentioned ways, but more from places of empathic/energy overwhelm and trying to lessen the suffering of others.
And in social justice work we know that our intentions may not always align with our impact.

So, here’s what Reiki has taught me with intention:

1) Always set the intention for whatever is in the Highest Good
This gets my ego and my will out of the way and allows me to be open to what is actually coming through. Which to be honest, is usually super magical.
I continue to set this intention with all of my work: private sessions, group coaching and even in the business aspect. It’s also become and embodied practice for me in approaching life.

2) Ethics as an empath are vital
Reiki emphasizes that we must have consent from the recipient. This again gets us clear on our intentions that we’re not imposing our will or what we think that person needs.
If we are trying to rescue, then we could be creating karmic chaos and could be contributing to karmic debt - which means that on some level that person won’t feel like they can accept the healing energy.
Being in a position to channel healing energy is a powerful one that comes with great responsibility.

After all, energy is powerful, yet subtle; and everything is energy. Which we’ll get into more tomorrow. 🙂

Okay, luv, how did that one sit with you?
I’ve noticed over the years that this can be a little bit more challenging on to address.
Let me know in the comments below. Or send me an email. I’d love to read from you.

In joy, gratitude and Reiki goodness,

ashley koe

10 Days of Reiki - Day 5

Be a Channel; not a filter

As an empath and someone who is able to sense energies it’s become a survival skill for many of us to filter or transmute the energies in the name of ‘helping’ or ‘using our gifts’ or ‘being of service’ or even just because we don’t want to feel the negative or overwhelming energies that we’re picking up on.

So trying to filter or transmute them is a quick way for us to not have to feel that way any more.

But what happens when we don’t stay in our own lane is that we start to feel burned out, exhausted and even resentful because we’re doing all this work! (This work that no one intended for us to be doing!)

It’s actually not our job to filter the energies.

Just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should. 😳

Let energy be energy and let it go thru you.

“Go thru me?! But what if that negative energy attaches itself to my energy!?”

As long as you’ve done the work to ground and fill your energy field, there won’t be any spaces available for those energies to attach themselves to yours. Just let it flow. As in, let it flow THRU you; and remember, it’s not your job to filter it or transmute it.

Also, when we try to filter, transmute or change the energies in any way, we’re usually doing so for our own selfish reasons: discomfort, and imposing our will on the situation.

Think of it as ‘holding space’ in the energy realm.
You’re not here to fix or solve the other person’s problem.
We have to be open to being okay with sitting with the uncomfortable feelings energetically just like what we’ve been learning to do emotionally.

Okay, luv, that was a big one.
How’s it sitting with you?
What emotions are coming up?
Fears? Resistance?
Share in the comments below. 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

In joy, gratitude and Reiki goodness,

ashley koe

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Announcement

More has been revealed!

Private Sessions as have known them for the past 10 years are coming to an end.
I am intentionally curating my life and honoring my energy. Aligning with that means that it is with sadness and complete gratitude that I share with you that Private Sessions as we have known them are officially coming to an end.

I will be focusing all of my efforts on group coaching through Align & Thrive™ and the Self Paced Online Reiki Course. I am not sure if there will be another option on how to work with me coming to fruition, but know that it has truly been an honor to be of service in this capacity to you all. The beautiful souls that I’ve gotten to meet along the way, supporting them on their healing journey, sharing tools, ‘homework’ and various reframes and perspectives have been such an incredible experience. I’ve had the honor of channeling people’s loved ones, their Spirit Guides, messages from ancestors and their Highest Selves.
And the places that I’ve traveled and gotten to do sessions… both in person (from DC to Miami to Hawai’i to Rocky mountains, beaches, conferences, and more) and online with people from all over the world in so many different countries.

I will continue to mentor and coach those who are wanting to be healers (or self healers) through Align & Thrive™ and the Self Paced Online Reiki Course. If you feel called to do this healing work, I encourage you to get on the wait list for Align & Thrive™ (doors open in early 2021), and check out the Self Paced Online Reiki Course (as it’s always open for enrollment).

Since I can’t (and don’t want to) quite cold turkey, it’s not an abrupt ending… for my current community, to help with this transition I will still be honoring all of the Packages and Gift Certificates purchased and Private Sessions and VIP Days booked by Monday, December 21st, 2020 at 11:59pm PST.
Remember that all Packages and Gift Certificates are good for 6 months from the date of purchase. All Private Sessions can be booked up to 90 days in advance and VIP Days can be booked up to 6 months in advance.
Starting 12/22/20 Private Sessions, VIP Days and Gift Certificates and Packages will all be taken down off my website.
Important note: All Sliding Scale rates will continue to be offered thru 12/21/20 at 11:59pm PST.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me in, trusting me with your healing and referring your friends, family and coworkers to me all of these years. It has been such an honor…and quite the adventure.

In joy and deep gratitude,

ashley koe

10 days of Reiki - Day 3

Empowered

This one goes in a couple of different directions: 
feeling empowered on a spiritual level - as a spiritual being having a human experience, and 
on a human level - feeling empowered as an empathic change agent who can sense energies. 

Reiki has brought me this level of feeling empowered that I’ve never felt before. 

Of course it has continued to evolve over the years. 
But when I first started out I wanted to change the world. 
Now I know that what I can only change is myself and do what I am guided to do. 

Not only do I know this but I live my life according to this. 
I no longer feel powerless in tragic situations. 
Which in turn ends my desire to want to ‘help’ and fix. 

I now get to approach each person I work with as a soul that is powerful beyond measure. 

Secondly, I feel empowered when it comes to energies!

No longer feeling overwhelmed. 

Able to know if it’s mine or theirs. Or if there is something else contributing to it - hello solar eclipse today! 😁

These are HUGE as someone who is able to sense energies. After all, everything is energy.

To finally turn that ability into a superpower. And the cool part is - anyone can do it! It’s not for the special few. 

I believe we are all able to develop that ability for our benefit, empowerment and healing. We’re not meant to be hindered, overwhelmed or bogged down by it. 

I’ve learned to honor my own energy, trust the energetic impressions that I get, decipher mine from others, and make all decisions confidently by trusting my intuition. 

Tell me, luv, how would your life change if you were able to confidently trust your intuition? 

How would things be different if you could no longer be overwhelmed by energies? Either other people’s or the world’s energies. 

Let me know in the comments below 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

In joy, gratitude and love,

ashley koe