| There are a few things in life I believe everyone | | | | harassment are prevalent, but at the same time |
| should be able to do and I find it a little | | | | it has added to the message that physical |
| disconcerting when I find even young people | | | | proximity is not ok. |
| outsourcing their life with anything from their | | | | So when I say everyone should learn how to give |
| breakfast, that comes home-delivered to their | | | | a great massage I am talking about reviving the |
| laundry that's dropped off in the morning and | | | | ability to relieve pain and provide comfort in way |
| picked up in the evening, to calling the "super" to | | | | that does not invade a person's personal space. It |
| replace a light bulb. | | | | is a service that is unconditional and does not |
| I could go on and on but you know what I mean! | | | | require the receiver to reciprocate in any way, |
| Believe me I think it's great that I can be more | | | | shape or form. |
| effective at what I do because I can delegate | | | | Being able to give a great massage is about |
| chores and needs that others do better or for | | | | uncovering that inherent skill that resides in every |
| less, leaving me more time to do what I like and | | | | one of us, and reminding our self what it means |
| can do best - but it is a choice, not a necessity. | | | | to be of unconditional service. The strokes and |
| Most of the things are simple but we have made | | | | movements applied even during a "professional" |
| them into a mystery and some are intent on | | | | massage are secondary and can be learned with |
| keeping them mysterious as well as making them | | | | ease once inspired by the deeper understanding |
| accessible so as to maintain their business. | | | | of service. |
| I am sure everyone can add to this list and | | | | Since no exchange on a personal level is |
| maybe it depends on where you live, but for | | | | expected, there is no agenda. The fact that a |
| what it's worth, here are my top ten positions | | | | professional massage therapist is paid for their |
| (not in any particular order):o Learn how to create | | | | service should not interfere with this balance as |
| a budget, balance a checkbook and manage your | | | | the exchange occurs on different levels. The |
| moneyo Learn how to ride a bicycleo Learn how | | | | therapist is paid for their time, not for their care. |
| to find your way home if you're lost in nature (or | | | | Between friends and family giving a massage to |
| in the city jungle)o Learn CPR and first aido Learn | | | | sooth, relieve pain, to comfort or balance does |
| how to drive a stick shifto Learn how to iron a | | | | not include any expectation to receive any favor |
| shirt, sew on a button and hem a skirto Learn | | | | in exchange. It is just a pure giving. |
| about cars - change a tire, jumpstart, change | | | | When massage is given with no expectations |
| your oil or replace a fuseo Learn about electrical | | | | including an outcome of any kind, there is no |
| work - change a light bulb, replace a switch and a | | | | agenda Since there is no agenda, the one who |
| fuseo Learn how to shop and cook meals from | | | | gives can be completely present in the moment |
| scratch for yourself and otherso Learn how to | | | | and need not strategize or project ones own |
| give a great massageo Learn basic html and build | | | | beliefs onto the other. This in itself is the core of |
| a simple website | | | | all healing. |
| Let me pick massage as an example, because it's | | | | The basic necessary massage techniques (the |
| something I know well. I believe that everyone | | | | "strokes") can be learned in under 100 hours of |
| has the inherent knowledge of how to touch with | | | | classroom time. Achieving the necessary |
| skill and awareness. We are born with it and when | | | | underlying state of mind and heart is not always |
| challenged we know how to comfort as well as | | | | facilitated, as this is something that cannot be |
| rub, hold, caress, stroke and rock ourselves and | | | | learned but rather needs to be understood. And |
| others when there is pain or discomfort. No | | | | of course to comply with governing law, there |
| teacher necessary. | | | | are other subjects that need to be studied before |
| But it seems that over time we reduce this | | | | licensing can occur and the student may practice |
| activity to the occurrence of emergencies, acute | | | | on the general public. |
| pain and then extend it only to immediate family, | | | | But for me the most important element of this |
| to ourselves or ultimately drop it altogether as we | | | | process is uncovering and understanding the |
| lose the connection to our bodies in a culture that | | | | principles of being in the moment with no agenda |
| celebrates the visual but denies the physical. This | | | | and letting a deeper insight guide the process. |
| has developed to an extent that touching has | | | | Massage as basic life skill inspires the way we deal |
| become a taboo and is regulated in policies and | | | | with other people and inspires us to be present in |
| laws, especially in the workplace. Not that it has | | | | our day-to-day lives. And essential element of |
| not become necessary, since clearly abuse and | | | | leading a rewarding life. |