It's a cool thing when the ripple you have begun bounces back to bathe you in its rings. If you move through the world with the clear, simple, unselfish desire to try and do the right thing, you aren't even looking for the ripple's effect on you. If your heart is open and you truly want to help people have their best day, their best life, you send out ripples without even trying...they just flow. Just like when 'they' say, "When you stop looking for something, that's when it will show up"; if you give all you have inside to each person you interact with, the goodness rebounds and washes right back over little ol' you.
A key lesson I learned as a student in massage school is this; "It's not about the therapist." In other words, you are to greet each client with an open mind, meet them where they are, and provide them with the best experience possible, no matter what the purpose of their appointment is. You can always make suggestions based on what you've learned, but ultimately, it's about them, not you. There is no room for a therapist with a giant ego in a massage session, no matter how educated they may be. The humble therapist wipes the slate clean each and every session, even those sessions with clients they've seen month after month. The humble therapist, no matter his specialty, sends an immediate ripple of acceptance, love and safety toward his client.
It's no secret that I absolutely love my work as a licensed massage therapist. LOVE it! Most of the time I don't even have to say that out loud...it pretty much squeezes out from my pores like sunshine through a screen door. No matter how my day has begun or is progressing, whether I feel sad or sick or grouchy or frustrated, the minute I greet my client with a handshake, the ripple is cast. My silly personal dramas vanish and the focus shifts to the client. I feel awesome the minute my hands contact them. The ripples continue to spread.
As the session progresses, any number of scenarios unfold. However, the common denominator is that the client's stress melts away. That's why they come. Clients may be silent. They may speak only to guide you toward their discomfort or provide feedback on what's evolving for them relief-wise. They may spend a few minutes catching up with you if they are a regular visitor to your table. They may even spend the entire session talking. Sharing their stories, histories, concerns, experiences, discomforts. No matter the amount of conversation, the vibe is relaxing. More stress melts away.
This is where the ripples begin their reverb. If I have truly listened to my client, heard them well and interpreted clearly what they've asked for, and we have then spent the entire session talking, I have truly been blessed with return ripples of love and gratitude. Reminders over and over again of the many reasons I am so happy and fulfilled in my work. Getting to know a person while helping them to feel better, relax, recharge, restart, and go forward well...such a great thing!
As the session comes to a close, I thank my client for coming to my table. Often I will say something like this before I leave the room, "I enjoyed talking with you. It's not ever supposed to be about the therapist, but it's been my absolute pleasure to share some healing time with you today. I hope you continue to feel well, and that I'll see you again soon."
Once out of the room, I savor the ripples that have come back to me. I can happily bask in them, knowing I sent them out with the best possible intentions. I have received a gift from this client, a gift I treasure.
It's my pleasure, but more importantly my privilege, to give the gift of massage. To send a more mellow and peaceful person into the world means I shared a little of my sunshine, and got a ton of it right back.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Throw Your Own Stone!
A friend said to me the other day that she'd been thinking about the ripple and she wanted to ask me, "Do you think the ripple just keeps on going?" I said "I do. I believe that initial action sets several other actions in motion. From those several others, multiple actions occur. They go on forever." She said that she thinks her ripples have just stopped! After we cracked up about that, I told her, "Then throw something into the pond and start a new ripple all your own! See what happens!"
So much of the ripple effect, as I interpret it, is in the 'letting go'. However, this doesn't mean that you have no control over what happens to you. If you are in a place that doesn't fulfill you, makes no sense, is painful or sad, or you're in some kind of danger, by all means, toss something into the water and get your own ripples started, now!
Not only can this result in a lot of positive things coming your way, it also can stop negativity cold. If you start your own ripple, and reap positive rewards, you see and feel immediate changes. That in itself begets more ripples. For you and everyone around you.
It's easy to get comfortable in your dissatisfaction. Excuses are always readily available. Without a doubt, there are often things that are simply beyond your control. But when you find the things you can control and you shift your thoughts, feelings and focus toward those things, you are the beginner of the ripple. You feel empowered, which encourages you to create more ripples. You head out to the world with a new clarity. When you interact with others, wearing this renewed sense of purpose, the ripples glide over those people, combine with theirs and, as that old commercial says, "It just keeps going and going and going....." It has to begin somewhere. Why not with you?
Grab a stone! Chuck it into the pond! See what ripples you can set into motion, not just for yourself, but for all those you meet.
Thanks Hillary! xo
So much of the ripple effect, as I interpret it, is in the 'letting go'. However, this doesn't mean that you have no control over what happens to you. If you are in a place that doesn't fulfill you, makes no sense, is painful or sad, or you're in some kind of danger, by all means, toss something into the water and get your own ripples started, now!
Not only can this result in a lot of positive things coming your way, it also can stop negativity cold. If you start your own ripple, and reap positive rewards, you see and feel immediate changes. That in itself begets more ripples. For you and everyone around you.
It's easy to get comfortable in your dissatisfaction. Excuses are always readily available. Without a doubt, there are often things that are simply beyond your control. But when you find the things you can control and you shift your thoughts, feelings and focus toward those things, you are the beginner of the ripple. You feel empowered, which encourages you to create more ripples. You head out to the world with a new clarity. When you interact with others, wearing this renewed sense of purpose, the ripples glide over those people, combine with theirs and, as that old commercial says, "It just keeps going and going and going....." It has to begin somewhere. Why not with you?
Grab a stone! Chuck it into the pond! See what ripples you can set into motion, not just for yourself, but for all those you meet.
Thanks Hillary! xo
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Meeting Rick
The year was 1997. Some big changes were in store for me and my family. Just how far-reaching those changes would be, I had no idea.
My daughter was entering kindergarten. I had been very fortunate to be a stay-at-home Mom while my kids were small, but now it was time for me to figure out what to do with myself. Not only to finally make a financial contribution, but to see what I was interested in doing. Not much income to being a homemaker.
I decided that I would look into a job at Pier 1 Imports. After all, who doesn't like Pier 1? On a whim, I called the store closest to me. A lady named Deb answered the phone. The ripple had begun.
She said, "This is so weird! I just had someone give their notice for the hours you can work. Can you come in and fill out an application?" We set up a time to meet.
A few days later, I went to the store. I felt no nervousness at all, even though it had been years since I had applied for a job. I met Deb and we hit it off right away. She is funny, edgy, strong and creative. I immediately felt at ease, comfortable in the atmosphere there. I knew I had found a fit. I filled out the application as we chatted, and she said she'd be in touch.
Long story short, I got the job. Deb told me when I called a few days later, "I think you're cool and I'm going to hire you." We became fast friends.
Fast-forward several years. Deb and I remained friends, even as she changed jobs and changed back again; even as I became separated and moved into an apartment of my own. As I was learning how to make my way alone in the world, Deb had taken a job at Wild Oats Market.
She called me one day to ask if I'd be interested in a position at Wild Oats. Right up my alley, more pay and once again working with my friend. It wasn't immediately attractive to me...long commute, lots of transition for me personally. But that Deb, she's persuasive! I applied and got the job as 'Mercantile Goddess'.
The move to this new position came draped in turmoil. I was overwhelmed with all the change in my life, and extremely concerned about my brand-new nephew, Evan, born very prematurely. I went into a tailspin. Almost 3 weeks of blank nothingness followed. My Mom was worried and thought maybe I'd bitten off more than I could chew with the new job. I gave it some thought but ultimately soldiered through and stayed at Wild Oats. To catch the next wave of ripples, I can see now. Since, having beat my struggles and hung in there, I met Rick.
Deb introduced us, naturally. Being that I am pretty good at customer service, I had helped Rick at the store. He often had breakfast or lunch there and we'd occasionally greet one another. Eventually, I began doing my paperwork with him as he ate his breakfast. We became friends, and of course, so much more. In October, 2004, we began dating.
Today is our 3rd wedding anniversary. Rick and I were married late in the afternoon on the beach in Connecticut. My kids and my parents were there. We are as much in love today as we were then, even more so. And we owe so much of it to the ripples that Deb put into play.
Had she not seen something in me and hired me, had we not shared so much fun and creativity together, had we lost touch when she left Pier 1 for another job, had we drifted when I was learning how to live alone, had I backed out of the Mercantile Goddess position when I fell into that depression, had Deb not encouraged me to start eating and smiling again, had I been a Yankee fan and uninterested in 'the Red Sox guy', had any of these things changed...well, who knows?
My daughter was entering kindergarten. I had been very fortunate to be a stay-at-home Mom while my kids were small, but now it was time for me to figure out what to do with myself. Not only to finally make a financial contribution, but to see what I was interested in doing. Not much income to being a homemaker.
I decided that I would look into a job at Pier 1 Imports. After all, who doesn't like Pier 1? On a whim, I called the store closest to me. A lady named Deb answered the phone. The ripple had begun.
She said, "This is so weird! I just had someone give their notice for the hours you can work. Can you come in and fill out an application?" We set up a time to meet.
A few days later, I went to the store. I felt no nervousness at all, even though it had been years since I had applied for a job. I met Deb and we hit it off right away. She is funny, edgy, strong and creative. I immediately felt at ease, comfortable in the atmosphere there. I knew I had found a fit. I filled out the application as we chatted, and she said she'd be in touch.
Long story short, I got the job. Deb told me when I called a few days later, "I think you're cool and I'm going to hire you." We became fast friends.
Fast-forward several years. Deb and I remained friends, even as she changed jobs and changed back again; even as I became separated and moved into an apartment of my own. As I was learning how to make my way alone in the world, Deb had taken a job at Wild Oats Market.
She called me one day to ask if I'd be interested in a position at Wild Oats. Right up my alley, more pay and once again working with my friend. It wasn't immediately attractive to me...long commute, lots of transition for me personally. But that Deb, she's persuasive! I applied and got the job as 'Mercantile Goddess'.
The move to this new position came draped in turmoil. I was overwhelmed with all the change in my life, and extremely concerned about my brand-new nephew, Evan, born very prematurely. I went into a tailspin. Almost 3 weeks of blank nothingness followed. My Mom was worried and thought maybe I'd bitten off more than I could chew with the new job. I gave it some thought but ultimately soldiered through and stayed at Wild Oats. To catch the next wave of ripples, I can see now. Since, having beat my struggles and hung in there, I met Rick.
Deb introduced us, naturally. Being that I am pretty good at customer service, I had helped Rick at the store. He often had breakfast or lunch there and we'd occasionally greet one another. Eventually, I began doing my paperwork with him as he ate his breakfast. We became friends, and of course, so much more. In October, 2004, we began dating.
Today is our 3rd wedding anniversary. Rick and I were married late in the afternoon on the beach in Connecticut. My kids and my parents were there. We are as much in love today as we were then, even more so. And we owe so much of it to the ripples that Deb put into play.
Had she not seen something in me and hired me, had we not shared so much fun and creativity together, had we lost touch when she left Pier 1 for another job, had we drifted when I was learning how to live alone, had I backed out of the Mercantile Goddess position when I fell into that depression, had Deb not encouraged me to start eating and smiling again, had I been a Yankee fan and uninterested in 'the Red Sox guy', had any of these things changed...well, who knows?
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Inspiration
Sometimes when you least expect it, and maybe when you aren't even looking for it, inspiration comes from the most wondrous places. So much in the world inspires me in small but vivid ways. A ripple of sharing is what has inspired me today.
My daughter Natalie is a talented and gifted photographer. No parental bias...well, maybe a little. Seriously, she has a perspective and an eye that just amaze me. The simplest items or actions, caught in a split-second, gain life and meaning when she views them through her lens. The beauty that we know exists in each and every human being glows and vibrates through her lens. The world gains little shooting stars when her photos are displayed. Just remarkable.
My husband Rick, a man of many talents and gifts himself, has added blogger to his long list of accomplishments. His work is a thought-provoking melting pot of art and knowledge, science and beauty. As he has gathered art for his blog, he has reached out to Natalie, who has been contributing her brilliant photographs to Rick's blog posts. It has been a wonderful partnership; warms my heart for sure.
By reaching out to Natalie, including her art in his blog and opening new eyes to Natalie's work as well as his own, he has reminded Natalie of her passion for creating her art. Today as I visited Facebook, I saw that Natalie has a new blog called eyes open. I, not one to enjoy being called a follower, became the first to follow...if I actually did it right!
As I completed this process, I was directly reminded that I myself began a blog quite awhile ago, called The Ripple. Until now, I had not posted. At all.
THAT'S the ripple. THAT'S how things go. They start with one little motion, and they grow. One action begets another. As those two motions break off, they intersect with others. Until the people I love reached out to one another in collaboration, setting off ripples in many directions, I was not inspired to post. But the ripples Rick and Natalie set into motion reached me and my eyes were opened! I LOVE this stuff!
The next time you are inspired, take a few minutes and see if you can trace back the ripples. You never know where your inspiration may come from. You never know how your actions may inspire someone else. And if that someone is someone you love, well, it doesn't get better than that.
My daughter Natalie is a talented and gifted photographer. No parental bias...well, maybe a little. Seriously, she has a perspective and an eye that just amaze me. The simplest items or actions, caught in a split-second, gain life and meaning when she views them through her lens. The beauty that we know exists in each and every human being glows and vibrates through her lens. The world gains little shooting stars when her photos are displayed. Just remarkable.
My husband Rick, a man of many talents and gifts himself, has added blogger to his long list of accomplishments. His work is a thought-provoking melting pot of art and knowledge, science and beauty. As he has gathered art for his blog, he has reached out to Natalie, who has been contributing her brilliant photographs to Rick's blog posts. It has been a wonderful partnership; warms my heart for sure.
By reaching out to Natalie, including her art in his blog and opening new eyes to Natalie's work as well as his own, he has reminded Natalie of her passion for creating her art. Today as I visited Facebook, I saw that Natalie has a new blog called eyes open. I, not one to enjoy being called a follower, became the first to follow...if I actually did it right!
As I completed this process, I was directly reminded that I myself began a blog quite awhile ago, called The Ripple. Until now, I had not posted. At all.
THAT'S the ripple. THAT'S how things go. They start with one little motion, and they grow. One action begets another. As those two motions break off, they intersect with others. Until the people I love reached out to one another in collaboration, setting off ripples in many directions, I was not inspired to post. But the ripples Rick and Natalie set into motion reached me and my eyes were opened! I LOVE this stuff!
The next time you are inspired, take a few minutes and see if you can trace back the ripples. You never know where your inspiration may come from. You never know how your actions may inspire someone else. And if that someone is someone you love, well, it doesn't get better than that.
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