What is energy work? Since language cannot adequately describe what energy work is, I would rather share a recent life experience. My husband, son, and I moved from North Carolina to Chicago for the culture, the food, the arts, and for new adventures.

My story starts on a blustery, cold January day in our new city. My 8-year-old son, Roman, and I were hungry so we headed into a local diner. The waitress sat us near an elderly couple who were the only other customers in the restaurant. We were separated by a lacquered wooden half-wall with fake plants on the ledge, so it felt kind of private. But not private enough.

Before we got the chance to order, we witnessed an onslaught of criticism, the kind of cruel words that is probably considered verbal abuse. The old man was tearing apart the moral character of his lady friend who looked to be in her late 90s. “You think you’re somethin’ special don’t you,” he quipped. Roman and I felt a dark, thick cloud of energy swell up in the room like an electrical storm. We looked at each other with sadness in our eyes out of sympathy for the old woman. I thought about getting up and leaving, but it was so cozy and warm in there, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

“Let’s send him some love, honey,” I whispered, wanting to shift the energy between the couple, and carve out a peaceful dinner for my son and I. So, with our intentions, and our feeling of knowingness that the energy of the room was completely under our own command, we experimented with shifting the situation right then and there. Roman nonchalantly shot them some energetic arrows of love, and I asked for universal love and light to flood the man’s heart, and soothe the heart of his fragile friend. It was all very subtle, quiet, and quick.

I still have the proof of the next event on my nightstand, and I show my friends to this day. What happened blew us away, and I will never forget the lesson I learned from the elderly couple in the restaurant. The man got up, walked over to our table, and out of shock I said something like, “Are you coming over here?” The old man replied, “Yep! These are for you,” and proceeded to give us seven mini Hershey bars with little red and pink hearts on them! Roman and I said thank you, and the man went back to his seat around the corner. “It worked!” my son said with amazement. We noticed that the old man was kind and happy for the remainder of our collective dining experience. As we left, Roman gave the old lady a lollipop and said, “Have a great night!”

Five months later Roman is still telling that story to friends, and I smile. I want him to know that we have the ability to co-create what we want in our environment, our relationships, and our dreams. When you give love, you receive love. This, to me, is a wonderful form of energy work.