MASSAGE DAY

I like a good massage. It is true. I have had plenty of them. But I recently had an experience with massage that I cannot explain. Keep reading and promise not to judge me. 

As I made my appointment, I asked for the therapist who could provide some pretty deep tissue work. The staff recommended Steve (or Scott...I don't really remember and it doesn't matter). This therapist massaged me in places I have never been massaged before. Not THOSE places, guys!! He basically only worked in my armpits, glutes, and pelvis/hip bone area. He worked these areas so deeply it took 1.5 hours. While he was doing it, it didn't feel comfortable and in my head I was saying I would never ask for those areas again, but as he finished the areas worked felt so much more relaxed. It was intense. While working my glutes, he told me people often hold emotions in this area. It was super tender for me. I asked, "Are you telling me I hold my emotions in my right buttcheek?!"

He replied, "Yes, I guess I am saying having feelings is a pain in the butt."

Well played, Mr. Massage Guy.

Once Scooter (I really can't remember his name) was finished, he politely walked me to the front desk to manage the payment. I was following him down the hall and started getting giggly. He turned to me and said they call that being "massage drunk." OK whatever. I was at the desk and I just started laughing. The receptionist girls began laughing with me which made me laugh even more. They told me not to be embarrassed and this sort of thing happens all the time. I told her, "Nothing is funny, but I can't stop laughing." One girl brought me a glass of water as I sat down to compose myself.

Feeling in control, I took a deep breath and stepped up to the front desk again. The receptionist started explaining some sort of membership she wanted me to join to get monthly massages. I honestly could not pay attention. She looked at me and I said, "I feel like I am going to cry." She offered to phone me later to speak about said membership and I walked out. I sat in my car and began to cry. Let me say, I feel like I am pretty good at understanding and controlling my emotions, but I have no idea what was happening.  This was the strangest experience with massage I have ever had.

So I googled crying after a massage. Turns out it happens to other people more than I knew. Apparently, we hold emotions inside and when certain areas are worked and opened up, toxins and emotions can come out and make themselves manifest. I believe in the power of touch. I believe massages can relax and release tensions inside our body. I still don't understand it, but I think I needed this time on the table. 

Three cheers to letting go of the toxins in our life that seem to be overwhelming us or holding us back.

Check out this article someone sent me to help me understand this experience a little better HERE.

DON'T JUDGE ME

First of all, I want to apologize for a previous post. I normally don't show much emotion on this blog. But I did the other day...so there you have it...I have emotions (don't tell anybody else). This car accident event was a little tough for me, but Dayz has been doing much better. Her happy attitude is showing through the stitches.

Here is Day-Z:

(She is very camera shy)

I have had several people offer kind words, giving support and letting me know things will be ok. One comment stood out the most saying she might LOOK different, but she will still BE the same dog and we'll LOVE each other just the same. I've realized this is true since her surgery medications have worn off and she is back to her super happy (sometimes stubborn) dog self.

After answering the door and having the UPS guy pet her and ask, "What happened? Did her eye get ripped out or something?" and a 7 year-old girl comment, "She's weirding me out. I'm not coming over any more because of her," I was a little nervous. I am aware Day-Z is a dog. She doesn't care who you are, she'll wag her tail and sniff your hand for a scratch behind the ear. I know that I love her and I think Day-Z is beautiful - inside and out. She is the sweetest, most gentle, funniest dog I have met. I just hope others can see that too.

Mother Teresa said, "If you judge people, you have no time to love them." That statement is so simple yet so profound. It is much easier to find the faults in others instead of looking inward and finding what it is that we are seeing in this person we are judging. We need to be fair. 

Those Depeche Mode guys sang (from the song People Are People):

So we're different colours

And we're different creeds

And different people have different needs.

It's obvious you hate me 

Though I've done nothing wrong.

I never even met you

So what could I have done.

I can't understand

What makes a man

Hate another man.

Help me understand.

At Powell's City of Books in Portland, there is a section where they ask you to actually judge the books by their ridiculously awesome covers, but I think most other times - especially with people *and pets* - I'd say we should keep the judging to a minimum. 

GETTING....BETTER

Day-Z has improved so much the last two days. If I look past the not being able to sleep at night because she hits me in the face with her cone, the fact that I have to put bologna in her water dish to trick her into drinking water so she stays hydrated (don't most dogs love to drink water?), and 30 minute wrestles to get her daily eye drop in her eye, I'd say she is closer to being back to her normal self. She longs to run outside and play with her neighborhood animal friends, to jump and play, and do her really big yawns. However, she needs to stay calm so she doesn't rip out her stitches and to avoid infection. She is great at giving kisses, cuddling, and just being her super happy dog self already.