Do You Look Ahead and Wonder?

Image by Jean MacDougall-Tattan

Where will you be in five or ten years? What will you be doing? I think about that a lot, and I like to plan ahead to be ready for what I’ve envisioned. Of course, we never know what the future holds. You know what they say about the best laid plans…

A former colleague told me that he came out of retirement because he and idle time didn’t get along. I understood that because I hate feeling stagnant. Maybe someday I’ll figure out what I’m running from or what drives me, but until then, I plan to forge ahead and enjoy the ride.

What will the future look like?
Well, I know I’ll continue to write, but what about the rest? After retiring from Corporate America, I grew my massage and energy healing practice to full-time. I’ve reached that sweet spot where I’ve pretty much closed the practice to any new clients. I work exactly the number of hours I want, and I enjoy every single hour because my clients are fabulous. Every. Single. One.

But there will come a day when my hands will no longer want to do my signature deep tissue massage that helps people manage pain. After eighteen years in practice, I feel it in my hands, especially my thumbs. So, then what? Really retire? Nope. Not until there is no breath left in me. So, I have to add to my offerings to remain viable. But what would be easier on my body yet still help people heal?

The answer might be right in front of you.
I have attended sound baths and reaped the benefits of sound healing for decades, so it’s a natural progression to include it. Since the day I opened my practice, I agonized over my playlist because the right sounds and vibrations relax and heal. I have a deep love for crystal singing bowls and thought they were the only instruments I wanted to play until I attended my first Sound Healing Practitioner Training in the fall. There, we learned the science behind sound healing, its history, and theories. We learned how to choreograph and execute beautiful sound healing sessions as individuals and as part of a team. We were introduced to so many instruments that I felt like a kid in a candy store. A whole new world opened up. I left with a list of instruments I intended to buy after the first of the year, and they have started to arrive.

How will you incorporate change?
For me, with each client’s permission, I’d like to incorporate sound healing a little at a time into regular massages, Reiki sessions, and chakra energy work. When I’m more familiar and comfortable, I’ll offer group sound healing sessions, perhaps in conjunction with another sound healer, because during training, I loved how seamless it was to be part of a team, synchronizing movement from one instrument to the next, without disturbing the flow. Sound healiing might even provide an opportunity for me to work with my daughter, a yoga instructor with a passion for teaching Yin Yoga. And I have a sneaking suspicion that somewhere along the line, my beautiful little granddaughter will become part of the mix.

So, what drives you? Where would you like to be in five or ten years? Do you have a plan?

Until next time,

Jean

AKA The Strategic Chicken - Making life’s journey one strategic step at a time.