I am trying to simplify my life and how I keep up my internet presence; so check out my website with my new blog location!
Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored. – Earl Nightingale
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
Quitting?!?!? .... You CAN'T QUIT!!!!! ... Are you REALLY quitting?
I have 2 answers to this.... YES and NO ;-)
There has been a lot of freak out lately with the news that I am hoping to one day scale back on massage. So, let me start with, I am completely humbled and honored that I am loved by so many, and that I have been able to help so many through my touch.
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The short answer is NO, I am not quitting massage - or at least not completely. There is a part of me that enjoys it and realizes that I am good at it, and the ability to help others is what allows me to continue to do it.
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BUT - THE TRUTH is: Just because someone is really good at something, does not mean its their passion. You never know, they may have something even better to offer!
(check out my blog on how I got into massage)
(check out my blog on how I got into massage)
MY PASSION is: to help others feel better mentally, emotionally, and physically! From pain management to diet to stress to auto-immune diseases to life skills, and beyond.
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The long answer is SORT OF! I have known for several years now, that my body and hands will not be able to pull the amount of hours and hard work that I put into most of my days. I am currently 11 yrs in and am very fortunate to not have done any damage to my body so far.
About the same time I came to this realization, I was starting to learn more about different types of complementary services and a holistic way of living. I went to school for nutrition, reflexology, aromatherapy, and a few other odd and in trainings; and the more I learned, the more I realized how much I could help others outside the scope of massage. My idea for my future is that massage will become a tool IN the tool box and no longer be THE toolbox.
About the same time I came to this realization, I was starting to learn more about different types of complementary services and a holistic way of living. I went to school for nutrition, reflexology, aromatherapy, and a few other odd and in trainings; and the more I learned, the more I realized how much I could help others outside the scope of massage. My idea for my future is that massage will become a tool IN the tool box and no longer be THE toolbox.
MY BETTER OFFER: A year ago, I started back to school to work on my B.S. in Natural Health, and I introduced a new service - Interpretive Wellness Coaching. This is my current toolbox! Through all my different trainings, including current trainings, and personal life experiences, I have the tools available to help my clients live a healthier and more enjoyable life. During a long and detailed consultation, I go through my clients medical and personal history, and confirm the reasons in which they are seeking my assistance. From there I can take everything into consideration and put together the best course of action with my current services (including massage) and knowledge. Check out my website for more information on all the things I can currently assist you with - caution: your mind may be blown when you realize I do more than massage ;-)
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The FUTURE: of course only time can tell, its the future! But again, the idea is that massage will be a part of the toolbox and not the toolbox. We DO have a great plan in store Natural Gifts though, and only in time will we be able to reveal all the details. As I continue my education and work towards my PHd in Natural Medicine, and who knows what else, I will be able to do much more with the Interpretive Wellness Coaching and at that point it may become something new and better. So keep an eye out, you don't want to miss it.
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I am very touched by all the freak outs, but I hope you can understand where I am trying to go and where my passion truly is! I LOVE to help people, and I want to / and can help people on more levels than just massage. As our staff at Natural Gifts continues to grow and we have more service options, I hope you will allow me to follow my passion with the Interpretive Wellness Coaching Sessions, and let massage be a tool in which I (or one of our other therapist) can help you along the way.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
My Journey as a Massage Therapist.... How I Got Started!
Because I started working as a therapist at a young age, it is automatically assumed by many that it is something I always wanted to do. Well, not exactly! Massage was actually a back up plan that became a full time plan...
Since a very young age and as far back as I can remember, I always felt the calling to work with kids with special needs. I full heartily felt this was my purpose in life! Three out of four of my high school years, I even helped out in my schools special needs class, Life Skills. Throughout the years, I got really close with the teachers and got a good look at what working with kids would be like. I was all in, ready to go, and still felt the pull. - - One day, one of the teachers sat me down and told me the hard truth, that even though the job was rewarding, many people burn out over time because it is a lot of repetition and you don't always feel the rewarding part. She strongly suggested having a back-up plan. Although, I wasn't so sure about her suggestion, I kept it in the back of my mind.
.....
Not long before I graduated High School, I was hanging out at a friends house and we were just casually rubbing each others backs, when out of no-where he says, "you should go to school for massage". So, after about 2 seconds of thought on the subject, never having had a professional massage, and doing no research on the subject, I decided - OK, I will do it (how hard could rubbing bodies be?!), and that will be my back up plan.
I practically grew up in a hair salon, so telling my mom that I wanted to immediately go to trade school vs. college, was no big deal. We looked into it within a couple days and was already for me to start school by the time I graduated. My new plan was to go to school for massage, work as a therapist while I went to college, finish college and work with kids, and either never see massage again or have it on the back burner as a back up plan.
.....
I actually graduated High School and Massage School in the same year and was well on my way. I got a job working as a therapist and started college. However, it wasn't long into college that I realized the timing just wasn't right for me. I was in a slumber and a little depressed and just flat out quit going to classes. At the time I wasn't overly worried about it and figured I would pick it back up soon.
I quit working at the massage place, due to me not liking the management style, and went back to retail for a while. Massage was on the middle burner, not out of sight but not on the front of the brain either. I was happy working a full time job, a part-time job, and doing a massage here and there.
One day I was working the late shift at my part time job and a gentleman wearing a Massage Envy shirt came through my line. We got to talking and come to find out he owned a store front in the spring area. He told me if I was serious about getting back in it, to come see him tomorrow. After a short interview, I was set up to start work.
It was at M.E. that I realized I might actually have a chance at a career and wasn't that bad of a therapist. Growing up in a salon, I realized very quickly, that if I was going to stick with this, then I was going to do it on my own. So, in 2007 at 21 yrs old and with 2 credit cards, I opened the doors to Massage Therapy by Zada.
....
Thanks to many classes, many hours of massage clients, having an open mind, and the will power to be the best - I am the therapist that I am today....
My once back up plan became my full time plan.
Since a very young age and as far back as I can remember, I always felt the calling to work with kids with special needs. I full heartily felt this was my purpose in life! Three out of four of my high school years, I even helped out in my schools special needs class, Life Skills. Throughout the years, I got really close with the teachers and got a good look at what working with kids would be like. I was all in, ready to go, and still felt the pull. - - One day, one of the teachers sat me down and told me the hard truth, that even though the job was rewarding, many people burn out over time because it is a lot of repetition and you don't always feel the rewarding part. She strongly suggested having a back-up plan. Although, I wasn't so sure about her suggestion, I kept it in the back of my mind.
.....
Not long before I graduated High School, I was hanging out at a friends house and we were just casually rubbing each others backs, when out of no-where he says, "you should go to school for massage". So, after about 2 seconds of thought on the subject, never having had a professional massage, and doing no research on the subject, I decided - OK, I will do it (how hard could rubbing bodies be?!), and that will be my back up plan.
I practically grew up in a hair salon, so telling my mom that I wanted to immediately go to trade school vs. college, was no big deal. We looked into it within a couple days and was already for me to start school by the time I graduated. My new plan was to go to school for massage, work as a therapist while I went to college, finish college and work with kids, and either never see massage again or have it on the back burner as a back up plan.
.....
I actually graduated High School and Massage School in the same year and was well on my way. I got a job working as a therapist and started college. However, it wasn't long into college that I realized the timing just wasn't right for me. I was in a slumber and a little depressed and just flat out quit going to classes. At the time I wasn't overly worried about it and figured I would pick it back up soon.
I quit working at the massage place, due to me not liking the management style, and went back to retail for a while. Massage was on the middle burner, not out of sight but not on the front of the brain either. I was happy working a full time job, a part-time job, and doing a massage here and there.
One day I was working the late shift at my part time job and a gentleman wearing a Massage Envy shirt came through my line. We got to talking and come to find out he owned a store front in the spring area. He told me if I was serious about getting back in it, to come see him tomorrow. After a short interview, I was set up to start work.
It was at M.E. that I realized I might actually have a chance at a career and wasn't that bad of a therapist. Growing up in a salon, I realized very quickly, that if I was going to stick with this, then I was going to do it on my own. So, in 2007 at 21 yrs old and with 2 credit cards, I opened the doors to Massage Therapy by Zada.
....
Thanks to many classes, many hours of massage clients, having an open mind, and the will power to be the best - I am the therapist that I am today....
My once back up plan became my full time plan.
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