I returned from Australia in August, and dove straight into work. I started my new position at Arizona School of Massage Therapy (ASMT) as a "T.A." (Teaching Assistant to you lay-folk), and I love it. It's not the dream job in terms of income, but it's a dream to be teaching others a craft I fell in love with. It's been almost two years since I first step foot in that building, searching for a new career. It was symbolic of the fresh start I was looking for after my divorce. I had divorced not just my husband, but also a previous career that was inevitably toxic for me.
A few months of turmoil had been passing by, and I woke up one day, literally inspired to research the field of Massage. It had been something I was interested in for years. I had an old friend who attended the same school, but in Utah. After finishing the program, She came home to Arizona and moved in with my roommates and I for a month or so, until she could find a place of her own. During this short time, she shared with me what she had learned in the program. Free massages notwithstanding, I was fascinated. The variety of knowledge learned was astounding to me, just to be a MASSAGE THERAPIST??? Practical techniques, Eastern and Western philosophies, Anatomy and Physiology, Professional Development and Business practices, Thai-Chi, and many more subjects. I was especially interested in the fact that this friend of mine had so many options available to her. She could work in world-class spas, cruise lines, wellness/healthcare clinics, work with sports teams, or more interesting to me, own her own private practice. I was impressed by her motivation, and somewhat envious of the interesting things she had learned.
I did not however, decide that was my path at that time. I had already begun my journey to attain my Bachelors degree in Art History, and I was very determined to get that....so I continued on.
Anyhow, that was over 15 years ago, my introduction to Massage Therapy. Now, I am almost a full year into my Massage Career, and it's been a great ride. I feel empowered. I love the ability to market my skills as a Therapist however I please. I've been working part-time at The Healing Joint, working with an awesome Chiropractor, and high caliber Massage Therapists. I've learned many things, and have enjoyed a career that is fulfilling, helps others, and has a minimal stress level at best...(very important to me.) AND, as mentioned above, I began working at ASMT last August. It's an honor to me, to have been selected to assist in educating many others who walk into that building for the same or similar reasons I did. SEEKERS OF CHANGE and growth. I don't know where my career with ASMT will take me, but I do know for a certainty I am headed in the right direction.
As I write this, I happened to open my desk drawer for a pen, and caught a glimpse of a letter. This letter, I will always keep. In many ways it means more to me than my ASMT Massage Certificate.
Our class had been asked by our Professional Development instructor (The wonderful Mr. John Sanders---a plug to the man!) to write letters to ourselves, to be returned to us at the end of the program. I want to share it here....
9.23.09
Dear Amy,
CONGRATULATIONS! You made it. YAAAY!
It's been a long seven months, and an even longer year and a half. You've made some tough choices---some good, and some bad. Now, you are exactly where you want to be. How exciting is it, that now you have a purpose and a direction?!
Going to massage school is one of the best choices you've made. You followed your heart and intuition. You made INCREDIBLE friends---some who will forever remain in your life, and others who will drift off onto their own path.
You persevered, you pushed through. There were moments that were tough, times you thought you'd failed---but you learned how to calm yourself and tell yourself to step back and look at the bigger picture.
You reached out to others, and made yourself available to help where needed. You stepped out of your comfort zone---and went after a job you weren't even yet qualified for.
You came to know and understand yourself better...and as a result have a greater respect for yourself.
You helped yourself heal and learned how to forgive yourself.
You've become a better mother, friend, lover, and business owner...BECAUSE you've learned to respect yourself.
AMY---you CAN do it. You CAN succeed. You KNOW how to push through. You WILL go forward. You will be successful AND you will live your life with JOY.
Love yourself.
Be kind to yourself.
BE YOU.
Love,
Me. L.M.T.
:)
ps. You ROCK!
Always have.
Always will.
