Mark Gerard's Therapeutic Massage

I’ve been thinking a lot about the “massage spirit” this season. It just seems to be flowing through me! I’m not talking about some ghostly or godly presence that’s there with me as I’m working. Rather, I think I’m talking about the simple fact that I feel 100% connected to what I do.

For me, that’s part of my overall health and wellness. Certainly, physical health is crucial to a fulfilling life. And pursuing what makes you happy – what brings you joy – is equally important, whether it’s a career, hobby, or friendship in your life.

Think about it. Where do we get our energy from? If you’re like me, it’s from the sense that I am doing and being exactly what I want to do and who I want to be. It’s from the feeling I get when the only expectations I’m trying to fulfill are my own. It’s from embracing my true self even when I’m navigating a difficult situation – conflict, loss, frustration, or whatever.

The other side of pursuing that things that bring you joy, of course, is shedding the things that take it from you. Maybe it’s an unkind friend or relative, the color of your walls, habits that don’t serve you well. When you keep elements in your life that sap positivity from you, you’re not honoring your true self.

I think that’s the key to tapping into that spirit. The way I figure it, if you’re holding on to negativity in your life, you’re keeping your full spirit at bay. It’s only when you honor your true self that you open yourself up, shine through 100%, and feel the spirit within you.