No, I'm not impersonating Fozzy Bear. Waka is a form of Japanese poetry in a 5-7-5-7-7 meter. More popular is the haiku which is 5-7-5, but I found out about waka through Reiki. During Mikao Usui's lifetime the Meiji Emperor ruled over Japan and was also a notable waka poet. Usui sensei used the Meiji Emperor's poems as a part of his Reiki Association meetings. Some of them have been translated and you can find them in the appendix of the book The Spirit of Reiki (Lubeck, Petter, Rand).

Here are a few examples:

If you are walking
On the right path
No danger
Of this world
Will affect you


Even though the world
Is not quiet, but noisy
The student should not stray
From the path of learning
With a quiet heart


Work hard
Accomplish a skill
And become independent in the world
This way the skill
Becomes your treasure

You might be thinking, "Wait a second, those don't follow the 5-7-5-7-7 format?" When reading the English translation you are correct. The originals written in Japanese, however, do.

Here is one I wrote in English that follows the correct format.

Break away from news
Have a look at what's around
Not just with your eyes
Feel inside your heart/mind space
Find a way to make it smile


If you need something to keep you busy and away from the crazy news cycle, practice writing some waka or haiku. It can be a form of meditation to keep you focused on something of your choosing.

Be well. Be safe. Smile more. Complain less.