Wellness In-Sight: What’s New?

CINDY E. FARRAR

This year is a state license renewal year for massage therapists in the State of Georgia. State law requires massage therapists must take a minimum of twenty-four hours of continuing education within the two-year renewal cycle. For me, after twenty-five years in practice, it can be difficult to keep it interesting, not to let taking classes simply be perfunctory. Early on in my career, I made a commitment that I would vary the classes taken so I would be challenged in my knowledge, perspectives, and overall proficiencies.

In the approximately 900 hours of continuing education classes taken thus far, there have been many classes that enhanced what I was already doing. On rare occasions, there have been classes that introduced different approaches though didn’t quite resonate with me beyond the class itself. Some classes have set my way of practicing on end and revolutionized my entire approach to working with my clients. And other classes have led me to obtain further credentials in additional bodywork modalities like Foot Reflexology as well as non-bodywork areas such as Life Coaching and teaching Tai Chi Qi Gong.

The pervasive attitude to strive to remain curious, seeking opportunities to learn something new, is also my intention for life in general. Some years ago, when my oldest granddaughter, Bria, was around 11 years old, she asked me about how something worked. I shared with her what I knew about it.

She paused and then asked me, “Nana, how do you know everything?” I smiled greatly at her misguided innocence and replied, “Oh sweetie, Nana does not know everything.” She looked disbelievingly. I continued, “It may seem I know about a lot of different things. That is because I make a point to learn something new in every situation I am in and with everyone I meet.”

She seemed to accept my explanation, at least at the time. Though she has revisited the subject over the years.

In life, it can be too easy to allow it to become mundane. We frequently get stuck in the routine of living: the day-to-day activities, performing our obligatory tasks, often seeking only the information needed for our jobs or careers, personal needs, or interests. Our challenge is to prevent life from becoming stale and make the effort to keep it fresh.

One of the positive things to come out of the 2020 shutdown was all the new things people were trying that they wouldn’t have otherwise. And as the first signs of Spring begin to be visible, this time of year serves as a reminder for us that growth takes breaking out of our shell and stretching ourselves. In addition, we are called to seek the unexpected and find something new in our daily interactions. At the end of the day, when checking in with our family, friends, children, and ourselves, rather than asking “How was your day,” say instead, “Tell me something new you learned today.”

CINDY E. FARRAR, LMT, BCTMB, CLC is a licensed massage therapist, certified life coach and the owner of Massage Associates of Atlanta, LLC (Lavista Road in Tucker). In addition, she is a certified Qi Gong instructor and a nationally approved continuing education provider for massage therapy and bodywork. Cindy enjoys sharing insights on wellness and personal and community development as a speaker and writer.