My Job Is Awesome!

Something a friend said to me got me to thinkin'. I made the comment about going to work and being extremely excited about it and she asked me to send her some of my enthusiasm. My first thought was: everyone who works should have the same enthusiasm for their jobs as I do for mine. How horrible it would be to wake up every day not looking forward to the day ahead and not enjoying the work I do. Work shouldn't be a hassle nor should it be something you resent. It should be enjoyable and something you love doing. I love being a massage therapist. When I go to work I am excited and I never get bored--that's the way all jobs should be. For years I thought work had to be hard and zero fun, then I entered the massage field and realized how wrong I had been. Work can and should be fun, exciting, and fulfilling and that's what I get out of my job. I never thought anything I did in life could have such a positive affect on my life like body work has. School helped me grow as a person and every time I go to work I grow as a therapist. I take pride in what I do and I wish it was the same for everyone. I love the quote, "If you love what you do you will never have to work another day in your life." It's so true. Work to me isn't a paycheck anymore--it's more than that now. It's being able to help those in need, it's about serving others in the world and giving back. I get up and go to work because I love it, not because I have to. My job is awesome and the work I do is awesome! Every day I wake up I am grateful for UCMT for providing me with the amazing education which ultimately enabled me to be in a career I love and am truly passionate about.

Filbert!

I wonder how people have so many things to blog about. I never have much to say because nothing ever seems to happen. How do you do it? How do you come up with enough stuff to get on the computer and write it all down? Becasue nothing seems to happen coupled with my enjoyment of blogging I have no choice but to write a completely random blog about nothing in particular. This weeks topic--FILBERT!

Filbert...mighty mighty Filbert. He's the highlight of one of my boring weeks. A couple weeks ago I went and visited career services at my school to discuss finding me a job. I'm pretty sure I have the funniest career counselor at that school--Cherie. She's a riot! I enjoy visiting her--she's always good for a laugh. Well Cherie has this plant that sits on her desk--perfectly placed for optimal sunshine. Because of where the plant sits it tends to attack anyone who sits at Cherie's desk. I've been attacked by this plant before so one week I decided to embrace the plant and nip the attacking problem in the bud from the very get go. I didn't even give the plant a fighting chance. Before taking my seat at Cherie's desk I picked up the plant and set it on my lap where it stayed for the remainder of my visit. However, there was an instant bond between the two of us when the plant became incapacitated and was no longer able to attack my head. He kinda started to grow on me the longer I was there so eventually I had to name him! Filbert is his name and he's my little plant buddy. Any time I go visit career services I pick him up and craddle him in my arms. He's still a little out of control and if given the chance he will try and pollinate your head, and he may need to be rotated in the sun regularly but he's my Filbert and he's a keeper and a little bit of a cutie as far as a plant is concerned. Hahaha. My visits with Cheire are always enjoyable but with Filbert added to the mix one never knows what might just happen. You could end up wearing a fuzzy pink tiara on your head, with a banana sucker in your mouth, posing for a silly picture. It's totally unpredictable in that office I'm tellin' ya, but that's why I like it and keep going back.

My Life Plan

So I've had like a million and one people ask me what I'm going to do with my life since finishing school...well... I'm not sure. However, never wanting to disappoint anyone I asked my very wise buddy "Yoda" what my plan is and being the amazing person Yoda is, this is what they came up with. Sooo...until further notice this is my life folks! Yoda was persistent that I NEVER forget that last line either. As long as I remember that and believe it all is well.

Why is it...

What happens if you are the first person I think about when I wake up and the last person on my mind before I go to bed? Why is it that when my phone vibrates and makes that funny chirp I can’t help but smile and maybe even giggle a little because I know it’s you? Why is it that I hate to be touched with a deep fiery passion but the first thing I do when we’re walking side by side is reach for your hand? Why is it that when you touch me, I get goose bumps and all sorts of tinglies? (Yes, I did just say tinglies). Why is it I go out of my way to find reasons to hug you? ME!?! Hugging others. Preposterous. Why is it that when I rest my head on your shoulder it fits perfectly between your neck and chest--like it's meant to be there? Why is it that when I spend time with you the closest people in my life can tell just by the silly smirk on my face and demand to know where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing? Is it really that obvious that you make me that happy? How utterly disgusting. Why is it that when anyone mentions your name whether it’s in reference to you or not me eyes light up, I smile and go, “Awww…?” How is it that I could be having the worse day in all of America-- seriously on the verge of killing someone, and yet the moment I see you all those feelings leave me and I’m suddenly a calm happy camper? WHY must I be so damned happy?!? How can just one person have such an affect on another? How can just one person change the way I look at and feel towards certain things? How come I can go my whole life HATING hugs, doing all I can to avoid them and yet, the moment I see you I HAVE to wrap my arms around you? And if I don't? My day just sucks.

I don't know why this happens and I'm still not sure if I like what is happening, but if this is the cost of being with you I will do it--and most likely with a smile on my face.

Kimmy so help me god if you make fun of this I will beat you silly and kick you off my blog! Oh, and never ever ever speak to you again!

Da Best and Most Wisest Words Eva!

We're not going to mess up our lives doing what other people think is right. You've thought of me, your father, almost everyone else--alright. But what about you? What do you want? -Jim Craig- (The Man From Snowy River)

The only person who can make you happy is you. You have to decide if you want to be happy. -Kristi Belliston-

Amy, don't be afraid of being yourself. Respect yourself enough to live true. -??-

Obstacles are put in your way so you know what's really worth fighting for and for you to see just how strong you really are. -Connie Nelson-

It doesn't matter and I still love you. -Tami Beach-

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time you fall. -Confucius-

If you are a single woman traveling through Bali and somebody asks you, "Are you married?" the best possible answer is: "Not Yet." This is a polite way of saying "No," while indicating your optimistic intentions to get that taken care of just as soon as you can. Even if you are eighty years old, or a lesbian, or a strident feminist, or a nun, or an eighty year-old strident feminist lesbian nun who has never been married and never intends to get married, the politest possible answer is still: "Not yet." -Elizabeth Gilbert- (Eat, Pray, Love)

Just dance around naked--you'll feel better. -Raquel Cook-

If life's a game, I wanna know who came up with all these rules! -Courtney VandeMerwe-

Let me tell you something, girlfriend, I'm constantly asking myself if I'm doing the right thing. That's just a part of life. No situation is ever going to be ideal 24/7. There will always be ups and downs. The down's are what make the ups so great. Stick it out; keep the option open, and keep exploring. I'm only 36 and already I've been a computer programmer, a travel agent, a hobo, a corporate banker, a newspaper editor, a radio show host, and a teacher. I shudder at the thought of doing the same thing for the rest of my life. Just have fun. Life is FUN!! Hard as crap, but fun. -Raquel Cook-

Life is about avoiding embarrassing situations, and when they can't be avoided... getting out of them gracefully. -Shan'tel Nelson-

Chicken, cheese, and Jamba Juice is all you really need to be happy. -Paige Ferguson Hone-

Be who you are and say what you feel. Those who matter won't mind and those who mind don't matter. -Dr. Suess-

Chill and eat a Cheeto. -Tami Beach-
　
　

Massage School

Certain people have walked into my life recently and have shown up in many different ways. Some good and some not so good, but good none-the-less. I believe every person who walks into your life is there for a reason. They have something to teach you and you also have something to teach them. The people I am referring to are the instructors and staff members at massage school. When I began school there I thought all I was going to learn was how to give a killer massage (which I do just F.Y.I), but it turns out it has taught me more than that. School has definitely pushed me to the limits--nearly to the brink. I have had ups and I have had downs, but I have yet to regret my decision to go to massage school. I can’t help but look back on these last seven months and be completely astonished by how far I have come and the lessons I have learned. Although the lessons learned haven’t always been pleasant ones, they all have allowed me to grow, move on, become more confidant, decisive, better, stronger, and faster than ever--well maybe not faster part. Hehe.

Alisha- Taught regardless of how wild, outlandish, irrational your dream or vision you have for yourself and the life you want to lead you should always strive to obtain that dream. If there is ever anything you want from or out of life you will always find a way to get it. Even when it seems impossible you should never give up on your dreams--by giving up on your dreams you are giving up on yourself. Be strong, be brave, and become the person you’ve always wanted to be.

Cat- Has taught me there are still good people in the world--people who do genuinely care about others. By her believing in me and never giving up on me I have learned how to not give up on myself. Thurgood Marshall said, “None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody - a parent, a teacher, an ivy league crony or a few nuns --bent down and helped us pick up our boots.” In the beginning it was Cat who was pulling me up by my bootstraps, but now I have the strength to pull myself up and Cat is just there to remind me that I need to put on my boots. I am grateful that Cat refused to let me leave school because had she, I wouldn’t have stayed long enough to learn these lessons that have and will continue to shape my life.

Char- Taught me to believe in myself. She taught me that with a good attitude
and a stubborn streak as big as mine nothing is impossible. She taught me that I DO have what it takes to make it in the massage industry. Instead of saying “I can’t” she taught me the words “I can and I will.” Oh, and “I rock the kaz-baw.” Haha.

Darin- Showed me that it is okay to get excited about the human body and the way it works--it doesn’t mean you’re a dork. It’s okay to be excited when learning about something new and cool like Serratus Anterior and Piriformis. Haha.

Jake- Has taught me the importance of listening. Don’t assume you know everything and have the answer to questions that have yet to been asked. You might just surprise yourself of what you are able of accomplishing if you just try. Jake has also taught me how to make light of a stressful situation and to let go and laugh at those moments that make you want to cry.

Kathy- Has shown me how far generosity can go. Generosity has the capacity to touch the heart and lift the human spirit. Her willingness to help me one-on-one showed me how dedicated she was to have me succeed--she wanted me to be good. No, she wanted me to be great! Both Kathy and Char are able to see the truth, the potential I have, the drive I have to exceed all that is expected of me. Although I may not see all that they do, bit by bit piece by piece they uncover that part of me through their guidance, time, example, patience, dedication and generosity.

Nicolle- Has shown me the joy that comes from body work. She has shared with me the skills needed to help change and heal the human body. Being able to help people with my bare hands is a powerful gift and is an amazing privilege. Helping heal those in need has brought me great joy and a feeling of gratitude I have never before felt.

Rachel- Is just amazing. She showed me that if you love your job and you love what you do you will never have to work another day in your life. I hope that I am able to find a job that I love and am as passionate about as Rachel is of hers.