Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Donna McDine. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Donna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about the best advice you’ve ever given to a client? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)
As I facilitate Reiki, the exhilaration of the benefits to the individual astound me each and every time. One of the most memorable times was and continues to be the on-going client/practitioner relationship with my client, Stephanie (name changed to protect client). When Stephanie first connected with me for her first ever Reiki session the sense of low self-esteem was apparent from the onset. As it is always my approach, I sit and chat with my client along with breathing exercises before the session so they may have the chance to roll off the day.
Stephanie was filled with jubilant emotion as to how the pent up energy released from her body with ease and she was excited to come back for another session in a month’s time. As Stephanie’s sessions continued I shared with her upon the conclusion of each session the sensations I felt and provided tips to keep her energy moving along with personal positive mantras. And in Stephanie’s case, “I am worthy of all the goodness the Universe has to offer.” Over time with consistency of Reiki sessions and the encouragement to stay in contact in between sessions to ask questions or to share experiences, Stephanie’s self-esteem began to soar and she had the courage to leave a job that left her with no fulfillment and into a career where she is able to give back to others with positivity. As her monthly sessions proceeded Stephanie shared with me that through the sessions and contact in between she has been able to create her life to her expectations and not of others expectations.
To sum it up, this is why I do what I do with facilitating and teaching Reiki. For the more we raise one another’s vibration it’s better for the collective whole.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Over 30 years ago, I was working at the Nanuet Mall Management Office and my co-worker was a Reiki Practitioner and she would offer up 15-minute sessions during lunch break. I immediately became one of her clients. Unfortunately, when the company sold many years later we lost touch and more unfortunate I placed Reiki on the backburner for way too long. My ah-ha moment to embark on my Reiki certification journey was the day I met a co-worker at my current day job and we hit it off and when I learned she taught Reiki and I immediately signed up Reiki Level I to help me with my chronic migraines. At the time I never thought I would follow the path of Practitioner and eventual Reiki Master Teacher and when I saw the benefits of self-Reiki I embraced the full Reiki energy healing modality.
I facilitate and teach Reiki in Tappan, NY for in-person sessions as well as via Zoom for distance sessions. Reiki is a form of energy healing where it assists the recipient in quieting the mind and opening themselves up to the wonders of the Universe Source healing energy by removing stagnate energy from the body and replacing it with positive moving energy. The energy is not from the facilitator and is from the higher power that resonates with the recipient. An open mind to the process is all that is needed.
During a session the recipient may feel a warm or cooling sensation along with tingling. They may also feel a twinge of their feet, hands, legs, and or arm’s as energy begins to move more freely throughout their body.
Upon a client’s arrival I chat with the client as to their interest in Reiki and brought them to me. We converse a bit before the client gets comfortable on the Reiki table and I then facilitate the session. Upon conclusion of the session, I share with the client the sensations I felt during the session and if I receive messages from Spirit during the session I share with the client as well, with their permission. I also provide tips on how to keep their energy moving and encourage them to be in touch within a few days to ask follow-up questions and to share their experiences. My approach is no session is one and one. I am most proud of the fact that the majority of my Reiki clients and students are referrals. It makes my heart soar that clients and students share their experience with me and encourage those in their life to connect with me for their energy-healing journey.
Beyond the Reiki sessions, I have personally created Reiki infused products such as:
Healers Elevation Ointment Roller and Sprays: Experience the wonders of Reiki through my specially created Reiki Infused Healer Elevation Ointment or Sprays. Now you too may keep the healing action of Reiki at your fingertips with Energy of Serenity’s unique product. The ointment is not just for healers. The ointment benefits both healers within their holistic practice and for individuals for their own use. Created with the healing benefits of Reiki: each Reiki Infused Healers Elevation Ointment is individually created for the customer and infused with specific Reiki healing intentions.
Crystals for Your Office or Home Desk:
Crystals respond well to your intention. When you place a crystal on your desk with a clear intention, i.e. to support yourself in being optimistic and productive. Not only will the crystal placed on your desk support you in manifesting that intention to stay positive and productive by holding those energetic frequencies itself, but by setting an intention in conjunction with your stone, your crystal will also then, serve as a visual reminder for you to stay positive and productive too!
Kit includes: Selenite, Shungite, Black Tourmaline, Fluorite, Amethyst, Clear Quartz, Citrine, and Lapis Lazuli, and crystals description and tips brochure. Each crystal is specifically chosen for the customer and are infused with Reiki healing energy.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
My empathy for others and that no two journeys are the same regardless of background and experiences. My Energy of Serenity sanctuary is one of love and non-judgment. It is a safe place for clients to disengage from their daily stresses and to invoke self-care for the mind, body, soul, and aura.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
We’ve heard it, “Listen to your body for it knows what to tell you.” Do we take pause and actual listen? For me yes and no. From the simplest of knowing when to sleep. Yes, we listen. But what about those times when a physical sensation pops up that is unusual for you? Do we ignore it and push through because we feel the task at hand is more important than our physical wellbeing? I know I have done that on many occasions. Often ending up exhausted and mentally frustrated.
For those that are connected to me…
know I have dealt with migraines for most of my life. Once considered a chronic migraine sufferer I finally broke the cycle through Reiki, exercise, meditation, clean eating, and hydration. Thankfully I only experience 2-3 migraines a year, up until four months ago where the tingling was no longer on the left side of my body, rather all my extremities and face. At first, I accepted this as a different type of migraine for me. At the encouragement of my longtime dearest friend Mary, I made an appointment with my neurologist. After discussing my new symptoms and what I felt was an honest and open conversation (at least on my part), it was not on my neurologist’s part. I was immediately dismissed with the neurologist saying, “two-three times a month is not a big deal.” —- as the poster on the wall read “if you sufferer from 16 or more migraines a month you may be a Botox candidate.” Seriously 16 or more migraines month!! I don’t care what type of migraine you experience; how can one leave their house and function?
No way, No How…
The neurologist went on to say, “You need to accept your migraines, once a migraine sufferer, always a migraine sufferer.” Years ago, I made a concerted effort not to believe this and now more than ever through my Energy of Serenity Reiki healing practice I remain steadfast that we can calm and change our energy and wellbeing.
I was disgusted and disappointed by this doctor’s blanket statement. I ended my appointment and left. As I sat in my car while parked, I grabbed my steering wheel and sobbed out of frustration and called my husband. He consoled me the best he could via the phone and said, “You know your body listen to it. We will go a different way to find you relief.” Like so many of us, I pulled up my big girl panties, brushed away my tears, and headed back to work. That evening my husband and I decided I would wait for my regular physical checkup in two weeks’ time and discuss my symptoms with my primary care physician. In the exam room I wanted to shout out with glee, finally a doctor who sat with me intently listening and asking their questions. As part of the routine physical I was sent for blood work and those results were discussed with me. Not being an alarmist, my primary doctor suggested we have the blood work redone without fasting, because my red blood cell counts, hemoglobin and hematocrit were all elevated to concerning levels. After the second round of blood results were received, I discussed the results via a tele-visit with my primary doctor. All three counts were elevated further and now my white blood cell counts were dropping. I was referred to a hematologist oncologist within days. Mind you never in my thought process did I ever expect to be someone walking into a hematologist office let alone an oncologist office. Honestly, I don’t think any of us expect that.
A Breath of Fresh Air…
From the onset of walking into the hematologist oncologist office, the staff were exemplary in their capacity to truly listen and instilled a true level of compassion. From the receptionist, scheduler, nurses, and doctor. What a breath of fresh air. The nurse and doctor individually sat intently listening to my symptoms and reading over the previous blood results. The doctor was adamant that my new symptoms were not migraines and were directly related to what he believed would be my eventual diagnosis of polycythemia vera. They then drew blood and had the results developed during the appointment. Unfortunately, yet again the results were higher in the red blood cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit and the white blood cell count was lower again. The hematologist oncologist doctor original thought of polycythemia vera was confirmed. As the doctor shared this shocking news, he assured me that “they’ve got this,” and it was caught early on and this is NOT cancer. He went on to stress… “This is why it is so important that people go for their yearly physicals with blood work.” My treatment plan was discussed, and it was determined not to combat it with medicine, since I’m a relatively healthy 55-year-old that is only on a daily multi-vitamin and the occasional migraine medicine. Something I’ve always prided myself in. The treatment plan currently is phlebotomy and monthly blood test monitoring. As results are received, adjustments to my treatment plan will be made. The hematologist oncologist encouraged me to keep a daily journal of my symptoms, food intake, hydration, and exercise to share at each visit.
Pay Attention and Listen to the Signs from Your Body…
I know in my intellectual mind that doctor’s have a place in our lives, and we should have our yearly physicals and follow through. However, the importance of listening to our bodies and our gut instincts that something is not right within our bodies is imperative. If I dismissed my body’s warning signs and went with what my former neurologist said, I would be suffering through what was perceived as a new type of migraine. My hematologist oncologist has clearly stated, “he and his practice listen to their patients for they know their bodies best.” and “if you had waited another year, we would be having a very different conversation.” Please know I am NOT saying for you fellow migraine sufferers that you too have polycythemia vera. What I am saying is we MUST listen to our bodies and the signals it provides.
I’ve Got This…
My life’s journey has changed dramatically and not to a path I ever conceived it would be going. I am determined now educated with the correct diagnosis and the course of treatment I know “I too have GOT this along with my doctor and his team.”
Contact Info:
- Website: energyofserenity.com
- Instagram: energy_of_serenity_reiki
- Facebook: Personel: DonnaMcDine / Business: EnergyofSerenity
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/donnamcdine
- Twitter: energy_serenity
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dmcdine
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/energy-of-serenity-tappan
- Other: Google Business Page: https://maps.app.goo.gl/G6JAzpQTkwirsXmP9