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I'm less than a week away from finishing the first portion, called "basic," part of my massage schooling! After I finish basic, I can (1) apply for state licensure (and hopefully put the magic letters ", LMT" after my name on business cards and -- ha! -- actually get paid to give massages), and (2) continue on with more concentrated training in medical and sports massage. I hope to start that program in mid- to late April. It's been a long, tiring 6 months, but I haven't regretted a minute of it.
Even if I decided later on that I didn't want to pursue massage as a career any more, I'll always be convinced going to school was worth the time and money. I've made some great (at the very least, interesting) new friends. And I've learned more about myself, physically and emotionally, than I ever did before. I've enjoyed learning about the human body, how it works, how it makes you what you are, and how things can go wrong and why. Massage school has opened my eyes to the importance of touch. We live in such an insular society, much more so here than in other cultures. It's uncomfortable for Americans to come in contact with one another. Our zone of "personal space" we imagine around ourselves is much larger than it is elsewhere. Perhaps it's because our country is so big in area, and our minds and bodies have adapted to how much space we have (if you're one to need personal space, try walking around Tokyo for a week). We've spread and stretched out, so much so that we've walled ourselves off from each other.
I'm still constantly amazed at how happy and polite the people are at school. Sure, there are the token rotten apples who are just there 'cause Mom didn't know what else to do with them or so they can find something other than a McJob. But those are few. Many others have jobs outside of school and work just as much as I do, and they still seem so happy. I'm convinced it's because they get massages regularly. For me, as someone who is terrible at expressing myself and has a very difficult time opening up to people, giving or receiving a massage is like soft, cool lotion on a sunburn. It feels good, is soothing and takes some of the uncomfortableness away. It helps me relax and not be so self-conscious. Knowing what I know now, I'm convinced this world would be a different place if everyone had the benefit of touch.
Current mood: Sleepy
Current music: Everybody Wants to Rule the World | Tears for Fears
Replies: 1 shoutout
Quid Pro Quo...
Now rub my back!
Posted by Stefan @ 03/16/2005 02:36 PM EST