So a few weeks ago I made the leap and decided to start up my body work business.
Originally, I was going to wait on a few things, including being completely healed physically, getting my massage certificate (makes sense, right?), and having enough money to rent a space to practice in. I, being a human (AND somewhat of a perfectionist), wanted to get my ducks all in row before embarking on this new journey! But the Powers-That-Be weren't about to make this a neat little process that I have control over. Why would they when it was utter chaos that got me switch careers in the first place?
SO I made a facebook invite announcing that I was starting my business, stating that I was super cheap since I'm not quite official yet and am working out of my home. And business hasn't been too bad so far! I've been seeing about 1 to 3 people a week, which feels like a good start while I'm still getting the hang of everything . . .
And it's so fun!! I can't believe I'm getting paid to touch people! Sometimes I feel like a little kid playing "business." Why are intake forms and writing receipts so fun to me? :)
I've mostly been doing a combo of massage and CranioSacral. I might just want to do strictly CranioSacral Therapy someday. But for now, massage has been a good way to introduce people to CST, and it's exciting to hear people's reactions to it when we debrief after the session . . . "What WAS that? . . .I was feeling this and this when you were . . ." And then I get to tell them about the amazing world of CST!
Next week I start only working with Nanner two days a week, so I'll have the rest of the week to finish up classes and see clients . . .AHH!!! Here I go!!!
Monday, May 30, 2011
constant communion and inner space
I’m reading a daily devotional book called “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. In the intro, Sarah talks about receiving the devotions while listening in God’s presence, and each devotion is written in first person from Jesus’ point of view. (I think it’s also worth noting that the themes and language that “Jesus” uses in this book is extremely similar to the “Jesus” that Apostle Anne from Ireland channels in her monthtly e-mails! www.directionforourtimes.com)
Anyway, I’m really enjoying the daily reflections and receiving a lot of insight from meditating on them each morning. Here is one that has really stuck with me:
The part about to-do lists directing our lives instead of the Spirit is very relevant to me, as it probably is with most people in modern society. But also, the earlier part about yearning for a simplified lifestyle and needing to let go of the fantasy of an uncluttered world really struck a chord with me. My monkey mind is always saying, “Oh! If only I lived in the country. . . if only there wasn’t so much technology in the world . . . if only I was rich and didn’t have work. . . . THEN I would devote my life to listening to the Spirit and living in the present moment!”
But for now, I am not called to live the life of the monk in the middle of nowhere so this thinking gets me nowhere. Actually I’m starting to think that thinking in general gets me nowhere! Eckhart Tolle in “A New Earth” explains, “Thinking cuts reality up into lifeless fragments,” and he writes about trying to notice "the gaps" and leaving room for "inner space."
Doesn't this sound nice?
Okay, I’m going to stop thinking. Starting NOW!
-
Anyway, I’m really enjoying the daily reflections and receiving a lot of insight from meditating on them each morning. Here is one that has really stuck with me:
“I am calling you to a life a constant communion with Me. Basic training includes learning to live above your circumstances, even while interacting on that cluttered plane of life. You yearn for a simplified lifestyle, so that your communication with Me can be uninterrupted. But I challenge you to relinquish the fantasy of an uncluttered world. Accept each day as it comes, and find Me in the midst of it all.
Talk with me about every aspect of your day, including your feelings. Remember that your ultimate goal is not to control or fix everything around you; it is to keep communing with Me. A successful day is one in which you have stayed in touch with Me, even if things remain undone at the end of the day. Don’t let your to-do list (written or mental) become an idol directing your life. Instead, ask My Spirit to guide you moment by moment. He will keep you close to Me.”
The part about to-do lists directing our lives instead of the Spirit is very relevant to me, as it probably is with most people in modern society. But also, the earlier part about yearning for a simplified lifestyle and needing to let go of the fantasy of an uncluttered world really struck a chord with me. My monkey mind is always saying, “Oh! If only I lived in the country. . . if only there wasn’t so much technology in the world . . . if only I was rich and didn’t have work. . . . THEN I would devote my life to listening to the Spirit and living in the present moment!”
But for now, I am not called to live the life of the monk in the middle of nowhere so this thinking gets me nowhere. Actually I’m starting to think that thinking in general gets me nowhere! Eckhart Tolle in “A New Earth” explains, “Thinking cuts reality up into lifeless fragments,” and he writes about trying to notice "the gaps" and leaving room for "inner space."
"In the first moment of seeing something or hearing a sound--and more so if it is unfamiliar-- before the mind names or interprets what you see or hear, there is usually a gap of alert attention in which the perception occurs. That is the inner space. . . The frequency and duration of those spaces determine your ability to enjoy life, to feel an interconnectedness with other human beings as well as nature. When you become conscious of these brief spaces as they happen naturally, they will lengthen, and as they do, you will experience with increasing frequency the joy of perceiving with little or no interference of thinking. The world around you then feels fresh, new and alive."
Doesn't this sound nice?
Okay, I’m going to stop thinking. Starting NOW!
-
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
growth spurt
hey blog-
it's been an interesting year so far. I feel like I've been on a little growth spurt, since I made all those intentions around my birthday. Like I've said before, be careful what you wish/intend/pray for!
My body has been doing some "reorganizing." That's what they call it at the network chiropractic cult that I'm a part of. Quite literally I had a growth spurt the other night. Network chiropractic teaches our body to allow a spontaneous wave through the spine and it often will adjust (crack) itself in several places. After a particularly productive "unwinding" the other night, I felt like I had stretched so much, I had Dan measure me and I was 3/4 of an inch taller than what it says on my license!
And on the spiritual and mental side of things, I'm trying to continue to integrate new patterns of thinking and ways of being:
-still trying to live moment by moment, lead by the Spirit, my spirit, and/or body.
-trying not to be a slave to my to-do list, the one in my mind, not just the one written down.
-DOING things, sometimes I'll spend so much time making lists and plans but I won't execute them! It's time to DO!
-refusing to spend time worrying
-surrendering to the ebb and flow of life (oldie, but a goodie)
-playing around with the Law of Attraction (might as well!)
-trying to be my "soulself". that's what I've been calling it. trying to listen to what my soul wants to do instead of this crazy To-Doer. this mostly includes dancing and moving, singing, being loud!!, and being around nature.
-letting go, falling back into my body instead of trying to rush forward. mantras have helped me with this lately.
AND
-taking my power back. not sure from who. probably my monkey mind!
it's been an interesting year so far. I feel like I've been on a little growth spurt, since I made all those intentions around my birthday. Like I've said before, be careful what you wish/intend/pray for!
My body has been doing some "reorganizing." That's what they call it at the network chiropractic cult that I'm a part of. Quite literally I had a growth spurt the other night. Network chiropractic teaches our body to allow a spontaneous wave through the spine and it often will adjust (crack) itself in several places. After a particularly productive "unwinding" the other night, I felt like I had stretched so much, I had Dan measure me and I was 3/4 of an inch taller than what it says on my license!
And on the spiritual and mental side of things, I'm trying to continue to integrate new patterns of thinking and ways of being:
-still trying to live moment by moment, lead by the Spirit, my spirit, and/or body.
-trying not to be a slave to my to-do list, the one in my mind, not just the one written down.
-DOING things, sometimes I'll spend so much time making lists and plans but I won't execute them! It's time to DO!
-refusing to spend time worrying
-surrendering to the ebb and flow of life (oldie, but a goodie)
-playing around with the Law of Attraction (might as well!)
-trying to be my "soulself". that's what I've been calling it. trying to listen to what my soul wants to do instead of this crazy To-Doer. this mostly includes dancing and moving, singing, being loud!!, and being around nature.
-letting go, falling back into my body instead of trying to rush forward. mantras have helped me with this lately.
AND
-taking my power back. not sure from who. probably my monkey mind!
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