It's only Monday and I am so ready for this week to be over with. Yesterday was particularly hard as my Dad came to town to go to church with us 'for one last time'. After church, we went for lunch and then said our good-byes on the front step of the restaurant. I was a blubbering idiot and he was trying to be so strong for me. I just remember him holding me, whispering..."It's gonna be okay, it's gonna be okay". And reflecting on this still makes me cry!
My biggest apprehension about this whole move is that I feel like I'm letting people down by leaving. My family, my friends, my clients and my "ministries" at church. I have felt a lot of love in this whole endeavor and it's a great thing! But it is particularly hard when I can feel how tightly people are holding on. It reminds me of Fall, the colors are beautiful and there is a slight change in the weather. With that, leaves start falling and temps drop...things start dying away and then winter comes. But THEN comes glorious spring! If it wasn't for this dying off, we wouldn't have this beautiful spring! Please let the "beautiful spring" in this adventure of my life start soon!
In two more days, I will close up my massage therapy studio and walk away from some pretty incredible people, my clients. In five days, I will move away from two of the most important people of my life, my niece and nephew. In a week and a half, I will voluntarily separate from my beloved spouse as he returns to Iowa for work until he finds something in New Mexico. Please Lord, let this "beautiful spring" start soon!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Reinventing Myself
In about 10 days and 20 some hours, I get to begin the journey of reinventing myself. On July 31st, Roger and I will pull out of hometown Iowa and head to a new life in Santa Fe, New Mexico. How many people have this opportunity to "start over"? I am simply thrilled!
Of course, this is a bittersweet re-invention. I am leaving behind family (particularly a beautiful niece and a loveable nephew); my clients, who have been so faithful to my massage business; my "church family" and many friends. This is the longest we have lived anywhere - and we've never had a network of people in our lives like we do here. So yes, it is bittersweet.
The possibilities are endless! And while I know there will be some limitations on my life due to being in school full-time, it still feels limitless. I can already feel my mind expanding both with the knowledge I will gain in classes but also just an openess of the spirituality of the place. On one of my trips to Santa Fe, a shuttle drive told me that the state motto is "The Land of Enchantment. But really it should be called the 'Land of Entrapment', because once you get here, you can't leave". I believe this to be true. There is something hallowed about that place - and I GET TO LIVE THERE! Bring on all the opportunities and possibilities I can stand - I AM READY!
Of course, this is a bittersweet re-invention. I am leaving behind family (particularly a beautiful niece and a loveable nephew); my clients, who have been so faithful to my massage business; my "church family" and many friends. This is the longest we have lived anywhere - and we've never had a network of people in our lives like we do here. So yes, it is bittersweet.
The possibilities are endless! And while I know there will be some limitations on my life due to being in school full-time, it still feels limitless. I can already feel my mind expanding both with the knowledge I will gain in classes but also just an openess of the spirituality of the place. On one of my trips to Santa Fe, a shuttle drive told me that the state motto is "The Land of Enchantment. But really it should be called the 'Land of Entrapment', because once you get here, you can't leave". I believe this to be true. There is something hallowed about that place - and I GET TO LIVE THERE! Bring on all the opportunities and possibilities I can stand - I AM READY!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Random Organizing
So how do you take 24 years of marriage and "stuff" from a 4 bedroom house and try to condense that down to fit into a 1 bedroom apartment. Well, believe me that's not easy. We sold our house on June 16th and had an auction the following day. I did not attend the auction as I just couldn't bear to see all my treasures go for pennies on the dollar.
Our stuff has been packed in containers and shipped off, yet I find I still have a bunch of items that I want to take with us. How will I ever fit all of this in the car??
Our stuff has been packed in containers and shipped off, yet I find I still have a bunch of items that I want to take with us. How will I ever fit all of this in the car??
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Shooting An Azimuth
In order to begin to make sense of this journey, I will have to go back to old journal entries and post these in order to determine the direction in which I am currently heading. I have been a licensed "healer" for a long time, working in the field of massage therapy...and truly I have always had a passion for helping others.
Through all these life experiences, I am headed on a truly incredible adventure. But first, let's start at the start:
Journal Entry: 25 April 2008, My class starts today and I'm excited to see what new concepts we will be introduced to. I'm also happy to be in Gayle and Sandy's presence. They help me be the "kinder, gentler" Malinda.
Today I received som news that saddened my heart. At lunch, Sandy was talking about one of her patients, Christinie (who was my first oncology massage patient in Santa Fe). Christine passed away due to her cancer last year. She was such a dear, gentle soul - and I am honored to have been part of her journey. This training is changing my very core - all for the better.
The changes I see in myself amaze me. It seems I am less guarded with my heart. Still protective, but not as guarded. The desire/need to "Be" is strong, yet sometimes takes a lot of convincing todo! I am on a spiritual journey - and don't know where it's taking me or exactly what it even means. I have a need to "simplify" - which means getting rid of a bunch of stuff. I can't wait to dig into the closets.
Through all these life experiences, I am headed on a truly incredible adventure. But first, let's start at the start:
Journal Entry: 25 April 2008, My class starts today and I'm excited to see what new concepts we will be introduced to. I'm also happy to be in Gayle and Sandy's presence. They help me be the "kinder, gentler" Malinda.
Today I received som news that saddened my heart. At lunch, Sandy was talking about one of her patients, Christinie (who was my first oncology massage patient in Santa Fe). Christine passed away due to her cancer last year. She was such a dear, gentle soul - and I am honored to have been part of her journey. This training is changing my very core - all for the better.
The changes I see in myself amaze me. It seems I am less guarded with my heart. Still protective, but not as guarded. The desire/need to "Be" is strong, yet sometimes takes a lot of convincing todo! I am on a spiritual journey - and don't know where it's taking me or exactly what it even means. I have a need to "simplify" - which means getting rid of a bunch of stuff. I can't wait to dig into the closets.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Bigger Transitions!
I have been out here on my own, doing massage since October 2007. I am busier now, than ever before. Last February, I moved into a fabulous new facility - that has done nothing but help me build my business. I have lots and lots to be thankful for!
And now, I have been accepted into Acupuncture School which is a big thrill for me! The difficulty will be in having to pick up and move to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Not that this will be a tough place to live, just that I worry about saying good bye (to my clientele, my friends and mostly my family).
And now, I have been accepted into Acupuncture School which is a big thrill for me! The difficulty will be in having to pick up and move to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Not that this will be a tough place to live, just that I worry about saying good bye (to my clientele, my friends and mostly my family).
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Big Transitions
On October 3, 2007, after many years of dreaming about it...I have finally made the transition to working as a massage therapist full-time! My hope is that my concentration will be working with clients that are living with cancer. Massage Therapy is so beneficial for these individuals in reducing pain, easing nausea and helping them feel more complete. It is also a wonderful experience for the therapist to walk down this path with the cancer patient.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Therapist is Published in National Magazine!
It has been my honor to recently work with the Publisher of the womens magazine, "Woman International". I met her while working in San Francisco several years ago as a web-based computer application trainer. She became familiar with my work as a massage therapist and recently contacted me about writing a piece on my involvement with Oncology Massage.
In May of 2006, I embarked on a journey to become certified in Oncology Massage Therapy. This is such rewarding work and so needed with the increased number of patients seeking cancer treatment every year. My article focuses on the feelings of dread many therapists face when first learning that their client has had cancer. See...when I was in Massage School many years ago, we were told "NEVER touch a cancer patient". The old belief was that by increasing circulation, we could move cancer cells around. This is simply not true and cancer patients are some of the most deserving for touch therapy!
Check out the most recent issue of "Woman International" for more information about massage therapy and how it can be incorporated into a cancer treatment regime.
In May of 2006, I embarked on a journey to become certified in Oncology Massage Therapy. This is such rewarding work and so needed with the increased number of patients seeking cancer treatment every year. My article focuses on the feelings of dread many therapists face when first learning that their client has had cancer. See...when I was in Massage School many years ago, we were told "NEVER touch a cancer patient". The old belief was that by increasing circulation, we could move cancer cells around. This is simply not true and cancer patients are some of the most deserving for touch therapy!
Check out the most recent issue of "Woman International" for more information about massage therapy and how it can be incorporated into a cancer treatment regime.
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