Why become a massage therapist?
Why do people become a massage therapist? What brings people to the profession?
Most come wanting/thinking they are just want to help others. Some may come because they got worked on by a massage therapist and got relief for some condition that they had for a long time. Some are looking for more freedom in their life/schedule and the ability to work where they want and when. The massage schools make becoming a massage therapist look glamorous with people getting this soothing massage at the spa or resort.
While helping others or having more meaningful connections with people seem to be a big part of it, helping has such a deep shadow part of it - a hidden side to helping. Helping is a very co-dependent response and really can bring up core beliefs about yourself. Helping hurts people more than it helps.
Oprah had a show last week that talked about this in a different way. They were talking about raising kids with high self esteem. The only way to do that is to have high self esteem yourself. Showing kids you have a life and that you come first shows them that they need to come first too in their life. Kids learn from watching what others do not really what they are told to do.
I think the same applies to creating a healing relationship. People will respect you more when you have boundaries around yourself and take care of yourself more than others.
My favorite article on this that I have referenced often is of course “In the Service of Life” by Rachel Remen.
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