Healthy Touch

One of the first things my teacher Nancy said when we started school was to "Never underestimate the power of touch". I strongly believe that as a culture we've minimized the importance of touch and it was one of the main reasons I was attracted to Massage Therapy in the first place.

During the first week or two of class I decided to conduct an experiment. For one week, I kept track of how often I was touched [not including class time where we were practicing strokes] even the most absentminded pat on the shoulder. I was shocked when by the end of the week I had only been touched 4 times. I know I'm single and busy and for the most part my family isn't particularly touchy, but this strikes me as abnormal.

After moving home from Africa where straight men freely hold hands and space bubbles don't exist, it was a glaring cultural difference I noticed right away. We sit alone in our cubicles, need 5ft of personal space at all times with strangers and we wonder why depression and suicide is so prevalent in our society? And often, because we are either desperate or have never been taught any better we use unhealthy touch as a poor substitute.

We know that without touch babies can literally die, but for some reason it's okay to minimize the need as an adult?

These are just some rambling thoughts, but do I believe that we are a touch starved nation and I am so excited to play a small part in changing that.

Summer Photos

These are my favorite summer pictures so far!

[Maybe not the best of photos, but I love how goofy my brothers are]






[This is about as close to the fireworks as I could get]

My Freak Out

Since the beginning of this year, I've been stressing out about my 25th birthday. The idea of turning 25 really hit hard and for the longest time I couldn't figure out why. Like sooo many people have felt the need to tell me, I'm still young and it's not like I'm approaching old age yet or anything. I really do know that.

The fact that it was bothering me so much really bothered me! I'm not someone who's ever worried about aging, but this past week when the day finally came I figured it out.

My mom says that when I was a little girl I would tell her that when I grew up I was going to move right next door and marry a man just like my dad. All through my childhood years and into high school my dream was to get married and have a family. That was literally all I wanted. I was going to be the most amazing mom ever.

Now I just turned 25 and I realized a while ago that life rarely goes according to plan and even though I loved Africa and I love Massage Therapy, I have to fight against a feeling of disappointment.

It is so frustratingly human to always want what you don't have, but I guess I just have to settle for being cliche and hope God continues to work on my heart and teaching me to be content with him.

I continue to be a work in progress.

Finding My Bliss

Every Tuesday I have a 4hr class on Deep Tissue/Structural Integration. The subject is fascinating and I love slowly deepening my understanding of the human body and how everything is interdependent and connected . . . but that topic is for another time. The man that teaches this class is amazing. He has a deep, abiding passion for both bodywork and teaching and it comes across in his every gesture and word.

He inspires me to look at things from a different angle and to explore my own motivations and preconceived notions and while he has said lots of inspiring things one in particular sticks out to me.

"Find your bliss"

I believe we've all been given gifts and talents in different and unique areas. I've always been one of those people who drifted and played at many things, but never one thing in particular. I love kids, but lack the patience to be a teacher. I can write, but I'm not especially motivated. I can take a pretty picture, but nothing all that spectacular. Crafting is good fun, but I refuse to follow silly things like patterns so everything is slightly 'off'. I love people so the non-profit angle seemed to fit and that was good and right for awhile, but my heart moved on.

I prayed and prayed. I hated that feeling of restlessness and wondering 'is this really it??' I felt a little cheated to be honest. But of course, He always knows best and I never fail to forget that and so I found Massage or God gave me Massage and I've finally found my bliss.

It's like slipping into your favorite pair of jeans that are worn from so many washings and wearings that there are holes in both knees and in the butt, but it doesn't matter because it's like coming home and this whole time I've been homesick for something I didn't even know I was missing.

So now I'm in a place of awe and thankfulness towards God. His sense of timing while puzzling and often downright frustrating is impeccable nonetheless.

TBC . . .

End of a Long Pause

I obviously haven't been blogging much lately which is weird because I feel like I have so much to share! Life has become crazy busy, but I love it because I love what I'm doing and every time I say or think that I'm slightly shocked.

I never thought I'd find something I am as passionate about as massage. I thought I would be one of those people that survived on some meaningless job to pay the bills until retirement, but I am so grateful that that's not my story anymore.

Anyway, I have so much to tell you, but it really is too much for one post so you'll be seeing some more activity on here at last! I love blogging and it's a creative outlet that I definitely need!

Visiting Friends

It's kind of a dream come true to have my friends/family from South Africa come and visit me in my hometown, first Keri Dodge and just this last week Zach and Anneke Price! We talked and laughed and had amazing food and talked some more. Its was superb.

Though the visit was a short one, it was a huge blessing to be with some of my favorite people on the planet. Thanks Zach and Anneke for taking the time to come and see me and my family. I love you both and miss you more than I can say!

Oregon Fun

Yes, once again Hayley and I made our way to Portland for a weekend of fun and the joy of being together! I love these times. We always make a list of activities we want to do, but at the same time hold everything loosely as we both know the true purpose of meeting up is to simply be together.

Here are some random pics from the weekend!

I miss Hayley everyday and we always have such a good time catching up. Saying goodbye this time was harder than normal and I cried for a good hour on the drive home, but I'm so grateful for these times and I can't wait for our next adventure!