Healing by Reflection

Healing by Acknowledging the Emotions Within Me

I recently returned from an amazing trip to Ireland, where we celebrated my youngest daughter’s high school graduation. The scenery was magical, and the people were incredibly welcoming.

However, on day two of our sixteen-day journey, I came down with shingles—a painful eruption of blisters that typically appears on one side of the body. Shingles tell a story: angry, painful wounds rising from beneath the skin. It is something hidden deep within that decides it must finally rise to the surface to be seen and felt.

Because I choose not to take prescription medications, I knew I needed to address the emotional issues and suppressed feelings that may have manifested as shingles in order to prevent it from spreading or derailing our trip. This begged the question: What was “bubbling up” inside me?

Shingles are so painful that they demand immediate and focused attention. They force you to stop what you are doing and care for yourself. This rash was signaling the strained relationship I was having with myself.

In the two weeks leading up to the trip, I ran myself ragged preparing to leave the country for an extended period of time. I coordinated dog sitters, lawn care, business responsibilities, household needs, and travel preparations—all while driving down to Florida to help bring my daughter home for the summer. To be honest, I forgot about myself. I ignored my needs. My self-care slipped away, and the stress left me irritable and easily annoyed with those around me.

To begin healing, I had to reflect on three key themes:

1. Suppressed Emotions
   The angry, painful blisters symbolized frustration or resentment erupting outward because they could no longer remain hidden.

2. The Need to Slow Down
   Shingles often appear during periods of extreme stress or burnout. In this way, they felt like a spiritual nudge—an urgent reminder to rest, reflect, and reevaluate my boundaries.

3. Unresolved Trauma
   In some spiritual traditions, skin conditions are viewed as reactions to crossed personal boundaries or indicators that unresolved trauma is being triggered. It can also reflect living in a state of waiting for “the other shoe to drop.”

The location of the rash invited even deeper reflection. My shingles appeared on my left shoulder, scapula, and neck. Energetically, the left shoulder is often associated with the heart and can symbolize heartbreak—new or old—that has been activated. The concentration on my scapula, located on my back, suggested something rooted in the past or something long carried. The involvement of my neck pointed to difficulty expressing my thoughts or needs regarding the situation.

When emotions like these are triggered, we can feel ourselves drop on the vibrational scale. Our bodies often mirror that state. When our energy aligns with stress, overwhelm, or resentment, physical discomfort and dis-ease can follow.

So how did I work to raise my vibration?

Each evening, I practiced Reiki on myself to open my chakras and send healing energy wherever it was needed. I also asked for help—something that can be surprisingly difficult, yet deeply powerful. Both of my daughters are skilled Reiki practitioners, and I invited them to work on me as well. After one of our sessions, I had the best night’s sleep of the entire trip.

I prayed and communicated with my angels, spirit guides, and Source for healing and support. Salt baths are essential for me; they signal my body to relax and release. I also travel with Young Living® Thieves and lavender oils. Each night, I applied Thieves to the bottoms of my feet and used lavender to draw a heart over my chest, intentionally sending love to myself before bed.

Castor oil is another staple in my routine. It supports the skin, eases discomfort, and promotes healing. While I typically apply it around my belly button at night, during this time I used it directly on the blisters morning and evening to soothe the pain and minimize scarring. I also found a local health store and purchased arnica cream to ease discomfort during our sightseeing adventures.

In the end, this experience came down to releasing control, surrendering to the flow of life, and—most importantly—loving myself exactly as I am.

During times of healing, our thoughts matter deeply. I listened daily to the words of Abraham Hicks throughout the trip, and they became a steady anchor for me:

“Where I am is enough. Chill out. Let it go. Let go of control. Chill out. Let it be. Trust. Know you have done the work. Know that it is working out the way it should. Know that the contrast is serving you. Know that Source is on it. Know that the Law of Attraction is consistent. Know that your guidance system works. Feeling good is the work. See yourself through the eyes of Source. There is great love here for you.”

And in that remembering, I found my healing.

If this resonates with you and you have a disease or area of pain that you would further like to explore its emotional undertones, sign-up for your report and consultation by clicking here.