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In Practice: How to Create a Successful Holistic Practice from Start to Success!
Laughter Is Good For The Soul
And The Holistic Professional
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by Shaun Brown |
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Dear Ones at the end of the last column I promised to talk to you about listening to your guidance. I have changed my mind and will address that topic later. But for now this story has been brought to the head of the list. This a personal experience that came in perfect time as they always do. I had reached a place in my craft where I was full of myself and fully in charge. I hope it brings a laugh and a reminder to keep it light!
HUMILITY
Research and Development
A True Story
One day, after I had been in business for about six years, I thought I had reached a level of confidence and competence. I was great and no one could touch the highly developed, superior skills that had transformed me into a Goddess! I had arrived! This was borderline arrogance, ok I was arrogant.
I greeted a new client, at my door, one afternoon that had been a referral. Everything was perfect, I had everything in place. She was a principle of a school and I wanted to really impress this true professional. As she arrived I welcomed her into the beginning of an experience that she would never forget. Another client had just left so I quickly escorted her into the living room, seated her on the couch, and gave her a medical form to complete while I cleaned her room. I never have a client begin this process in the living room, because I am usually ready for them. This time I happened to be running a little late and she had arrived pretty early. The stage for the pre-scenario was about to begin.
At this time my Queensland Healer, Hitchcock, was a pretty well mannered puppy but he had a penchant for chewing on things. Even though I halted some of his prolific activity by giving him lots of rawhide chews, at one year old, he had gone through three remotes, a series of footstools and some of the baseboards. He also claimed a couch I had purchased a few months ago. Hitchcock had pulled a chunk of the fabric and fluff out of the backrest of his couch and was sticking his nose in it at night as if it were his own personal nursing station. Ahhh, how sweet. My new, very pulled together, conservative client had just been escorted in to sit on this couch.
Once the room was ready, medical form in hand, I ushered her in to her experience of a lifetime. I had an eye shot into the living room and all was well. I closed the door and said goodbye to Hitchcock as he headed to his couch.
As my new client shared and explained some ailments that she had checked on her medical form she stopped and asserted, "My life is so boring, and I need a change." Not uncommon for someone to exclaim with their first contact and with that, we began the session.
About half way through the session, listening to the serene sounds coming from the CD player, the smell of lavender permeating the whole massage room, fans wafting a soft gentle breeze, the massage was going perfect. The new client had finally relaxed into a state of bliss. I was a Goddess and in perfect harmony with the Universe!
All of a sudden Hitchcock was at the door of the massage room trying to be as close to us as possible, his head was pressing against the door so that he could share in the cosmic experience of the massage session. He was chewing on something, which was perfectly natural as he had all the chews he wanted. This time the sound of the chewing seemed kind of unfamiliar, not the common crunch of a chew flip rawhide. So I quietly excused myself and peeked out the door. Much to my surprise I looked down at Hitch and he had the biggest treat, the most wonderful of chews in his mouth and he was smiling, reveling in his treasure and I knew he was thanking me for being such a good Mom. He had found the leather wallet that my client, in the expectation of her first massage, had forgotten on the couch.
As I looked from his mouth to the couch, there was a trail of non-important items to Hitchcock. Most of the items, except paper money, were shredded. Warped credit cards, notes, and a driver's license with a few punctures were all that was left from the original organized package.
The living room looked like a party had happened, as he struggled to separate all the non-important items from his prized genuine leather chew looking up at me in perfect joy and contentment. He was in heaven all of a sudden wasn't.
This dramatic scenario took place in real time in about 15 seconds. Can you imagine the words that wanted to come out of my mouth! Yes, that and more. In my head I immediately went from "Well I guess she gets her wish to have more excitement in her life to this will certainly be a complimentary session should I tell her now or continue to give her the most relaxing massage she has ever received?" I shut the door and continued the next half hour, pulling it together with all of the tools I had learned to stay calm and grounded. Part of me was envisioning the outcome of my demise; part of me was present and professional as I finished the session.
What would you have done? I stayed with the basics. I left the massage room and told her to take her time, I rushed out of the room and closed the door. Hitchcock had eaten most of her wallet. I gathered up all of the articles shredded or not, and put them into a straw basket. I placed the standard glass of water on the table and waited near the business area for her descent back into the real world.
As she came out of the room, I reluctantly stood by the table with the basket in my hand. At first she didn't notice me, she was so relaxed and had a smile of total relief and relaxation in and about her. She uttered, "Wow, that was the best massage I have ever had! I can't thank you enough!" My thoughts were focused on the basket and I knew she wouldn't be thanking me at all in about one minute. As I tried to breathe and stay as grounded as possible, I held the basket out in front of me like a beggar and said, "The dog ate your wallet." She looked up at me as if I had two heads and said, "What?" I repeated my statement and also added about as many "I'm sooooooo sorrys" as I could fit in about 15 seconds.
As she held the basket full of shredded articles, the haze of her very professional, relaxing massage was starting to wear off, I could see the veils lifting, and her ethereal experience had shifted to "OH MY GOD!" I was waiting for the wave of shame or at best a great chiding to overcome me. But, she came back with "…that is the most hilarious thing I have ever had happen to me, wait until I share this in a staff meeting!" WOW, I got to learn the lesson of non-expectations and humility all in one mini class! And she got her wish!
Of course, by that time my arrogance was a distant memory and I had been transformed into a VERY humble and blessed massage professional. It could have gone really bad. Her session was a complimentary one obviously, and I paid for the very expensive wallet.
She continued to be a great client and the experience served to show me who was really in charge of me and everyone else. The Universe answers all wishes, but not necessarily in the format we expect. This woman continued to show a better sense of humor, she kept the drivers license with the punctured holes, showing it off for any reason to tell this story, and of course, she bonded with Hitchcock on a very deep and sweet level.
This story is about letting go of expectations, trusting that the Universe Knows what you are doing and staying as far away from taking the superior high road as you can when you really get proficient at your craft.
Stay Connected
We all have a fear of losing control. Our lack of trust in the Universe and the ability to experience the wonderful path that could be ours can get lost when we let our egos go unchecked. The reason professionals fry out, hit a wall, or give up is that they have developed no INNER discipline or at best do not listen to it. They have not established a way to connect their Life Force with THE Life Force. The connection can be any personal emotional work, but I suggest that you start with daily Meditation and Prayer. It is the Intent to connect and check what's going on inside with you daily.
Even though I do meditate daily this was a lesson that taught me to remember that I am a worker bee among worker bees and we are all working for the collective Universal Consciousness to help bring healing to the Planet. It is better to remain anonymous than let your ego make you think you are a superstar-there in lies your disconnection from Guidance. All it took for me was a nudge from my little four legged and I was back into the reality of what my work is about and why I am called to do it in the first place.
What it comes down to is Self-love, checking your true motives, boundaries, praying for courage to change, getting in touch and doing something about the Inner guidance you are given in every instance. You must trust that every day in every way the Universe is guiding and teaching you all of the lessons that create a better and stronger Holistic Professional. That's why I say if this arena is really a passion, the passion will push you on. Trust that you will be taken care of by the Universe. Money is a good thing and so is Inner Peace. Also- a good sense of humor is PRICELESS.
As a sidebar, when you find yourself getting cranky, tired and out of sorts, it is probably that you are not having fun. We forget the most important person in the giving quotient-you. A client once asked me, "What are your hobbies?" I replied, "Getting a massage and watching movies." I have many more interests, I don't want you to think I am a total couch potato, but in my busy world, just like yours, it doesn't have to be anything extravagant Make sure the first person that you give to is you. And make sure you receive from others too. Giving=Self-Care. Give your Soul meditation, give your heart emotions, give your head a good movie every once in a while, and give your body a good dance or massage!
In the next issue entitled "Boo," we will dig up some dirt on Vampires and bury the myth that Betrayal is a bad thing. Maybe you have some thoughts and ideas that you would like to share? Please feel free to email me at shaun@BeWellPublications.com. Also the most exciting news for the holistic professional-visit/ENROLL on-line at BeWellVirtualCollege.com, business courseware for the successful holistic professional!
Until then my Dear Ones,
BeWell,
Make a living; make a difference, stay in balance.
shaun
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Shaun Brown,
Holistic Therapist,
Author and Consultant
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Shaun Brown has been self employed most of her adult life. She has an AA degree in General Business and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from University of California, Sacramento, in Communications. Her main focus of education is in advertising, promotion and production. Ms. Brown attended the Health Awareness Academy, in Fair Oaks, California, has practiced bodywork therapy since 1993 and has taught holistic related classes since 1994.
Ms. Brown works, with a team of professionals, including physicians and other health care providers, as well as volunteering her time to work at Mercy Hospice. Her focus is the care of people working in high stress environments, and those suffering from injuries due to a variety of causes.
She is the best selling author of “How To Create A Successful Holistic Practice,” and her newest current release is titled, “Intentional Success-A Workbook For The Holistic Therapist.” Ms. Brown currently has a successful holistic practice in Orangevale, California, is an author, speaker, columnist and consultant. To read a chapter/purchase her books/schedule a workshop visit
www.BeWellPublications.
com
BeWell!
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