OUR CALLING

We all have callings. We all have our hobbies and personal joys, and some of us are lucky enough to make a living doing something we love. We come from different walks of life, and this career offers so much. There is such a variety of modalities and specialties on which to focus. Some would say that you are born with the skill of a nurturing touch, but I believe that it is the intent behind the touch. If you have the desire to help, it can be felt in your touch. And this is a gift to share. So don't think you have to be born with this healing touch, because it is all about your intention. If you have love in your heart to share, people will feel this through your work.

In this line of work, we set our stage with our presence. Presence is a conscious effort and intent in being available. This is where it all begins. In this crazy world, we can get caught up in life and feel alone and helpless. There truly isn't anything more healing than a reminder that people are there for you, to be that gentle hand that rests on your shoulder to say that it's OK. It's OK to let go. You are safe in this space. We can rush and rush in our busy lives, but when those hands rest upon us, we can finally take a deep breath and remember to let go of all the ridiculousness and allow in what truly matters. We can allow our minds to slow down and our bodies to soften. We can put the brakes on our daily stresses, routines, and on life in general, to just stop for a moment and be present in our body.

The beauty of this profession is that it's open to all: man or woman, creative or intellectual, young or old. You don't have to spend four years in college and create a lifetime of debt to become a massage therapist or a bodyworker. There are so many massage and bodywork schools across the globe. They can offer flexible schedules and affordable tuition. And once you obtain that education, there are so many directions that massage therapy can take you.

It always starts with the basics. You get set up with the proper tools and move on to find your special touch. Then you eventually learn about different modalities. You discover the essence of essential oils or tap into Chinese medicine. Or maybe you choose an avenue of spa treatments to learn and have an interest in the healing properties of other cultures and worldly teachings. It's only a matter of time before you find your niche. Or you can continuously up your game and add more specialties into your toolbox of modalities. That's the thrill of this profession. You can enjoy the ride and just gather skills along the way.

New modalities are always developing in this field. This specialized occupation is constantly progressing and expanding. The sky is not the limit when it comes to specific modalities and skills in bodywork or your opportunities. The more you integrate and add to your menu of skills, the more people you can help and build onto your business. It is such a blessing that continuing education is required for all of us to keep our certifications and licenses in good standings. How fun is it that we can continue to learn new things and expand our skills as a requirement? Being required to take more classes helps break up our routines and teaches us something new. We are learning and growing together, and there are always new concepts and therapies to add to our toolbox.

You may be one of those people who is a good listener, or are you one of those people whose second nature is to be a nurturer? Are you always looking to help any way you can? Maybe you don't even know how you can help in a particular situation but just feel a deep desire to be of assistance and have a concern for all involved. Massage therapists and bodyworkers are a breed of these little helpers trying to makes this earth an even more harmonious place to live. Some have been called to this profession but are not sure why. But along the road of their journey, they have learned so many lessons, and they cannot deny they were on this path for a reason.

Bodyworkers are a breed of nurturers. We care about others' comfort. We are always doing what we can to help someone feel at ease, even outside of work. We are just those extra hospitable people. If you are or want to be part of this industry, be mindful of others who like to take advantage of people like us. You are a loving and caring being, and sometimes people will leach onto your kindness. Be conscious of this possibility. You can always be loving and kind, but don't go above and beyond your capabilities and hurt yourself. Don't let an employer overwork you. Don't let clients cancel on you consistently without penalty. Be a professional. It's always good practice to set up boundaries. Try your best to surround yourself with people who have good intentions and want to celebrate who you are and who appreciate who you are. Avoid the ones that thrive on your joy and want to absorb your lovable energy. You will know this type by how exhausted you are after spending time with them. Be good to yourself. There is no need to hide your love; just don't let others take your sunshine.

We are all beings of love. Love is our true nature as human beings. It is just our desire and true essence as massage therapists and bodyworkers to offer love and care to others in need of it. You may be on your own journey, but there will always be help along that road. And this is what we provide as massage therapist and bodyworkers. A space of healing, at a sacred and safe time, for another to unwind. Our work is all for them to have their own peace for a moment. What a blessing it is to be there for another at this time.

I always try to put myself in another's situation in order to get a feeling for what they may need. I did this in my life prior to becoming a therapist, and it has helped me connect more with my clients. If I had a friend that was dealing with grief or sadness, I would think to myself, "What would I like someone to do for me?" I think this idea of thinking about others drew me to this profession. Yes, this is a subjective point of view, but it also allows us to gain more perspective. For instance, if I have pain and tension in my lower back, I will press my fists right into my SI joint, and I will feel relief. I could try this on another person because it has worked for me before. Or it may not work for another, but it's trial and error and how we learn. Think about what you would like and figure out what could bring ease to that body in discomfort.

Have you ever noticed how much a hug made a difference in your day? Or notice how different you felt after that hug? What about a simple phone call, email, or text message from someone saying "hi" and wishing you well? That kind of simple love and attention can feel so good. So can you imagine how much of an impact our nurturing touch and care is felt by a client? We are that presence and attention for that time being. You never know what another person may be going through. They could have stress on their mind or pain in their...