My journey started with nature

I was in my mid-twenties when someone planted the idea that I should become a professional massage therapist. I was on the production staff at a journal publisher in New York City. My colleauges were other twenty-somethings, overworked, overstressed, underpaid and unappreciated.

I don't remember exactly when I started doling out the massages, but gradually I gained a reputation as the go-to person for a quick shoulder rub. If I stepped out for a cocktail at the local bar, my coworkers would literally line up for quick neck rub. Then it went beyond the crew I worked with - soon editors, VPs and HR people would wander over to my cubicle to see if I was busy. There was a day that they had a health fair in the conference room... free blood pressure screenings, flu shots and the like. There was a massage therapist too, with his chair and only charging $1 a minute. He didn't get much business that day because everyone knew they could come to me for free. "You should do this professionally," people would say. "Maybe later," I always thought.

Eventually I moved onto a non-profit organization that paid better, but with less a familial culture. I didn't offer shoulder rubs anymore. I did send for some information from the Swedish Institute, and even attended one of their open houses, but I mentally filed the idea away as something I could always do later in life.

September 11th was a sharp reminder that right now was all we have. My career wasn't all that rewarding, in fact, I was severely stressed out from it all the time. My husband and I moved to northern New Jersey in October. By January, I was enrolled at the Healing Hands Institute part-time while continuing to work my day job.

To be continued...

New moms, newborns need privacy

When family and friends get word that a new baby has arrived, what do they usually do? They all rush down to the hospital to congratulate the new family and see the baby! Of course, this is done out of love and support. However, constant interruptions may have an adverse effect on breastfeeding. Here's an article of interest from USA Today:
New moms and newborns need privacy, study shows

Blogging

I've decided to start a blog to chronicle my journey into becoming a massage therapist and doula. I am currently in the middle of fall semster finals, so updates will be sparse for the moment, but I hope to be able to update weekly at the very least. I will also post articles of interest from time to time.