The Massage Pundit

Seen and heard this past week at the AMTA National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona:

MK Brennan, national president, giving a fabulous welcome speech, followed by a wonderful presentation by Judith Aston.  These two great ladies, who have both been in our business for more than thirty years, are the epitome of everything that is good about our profession and an example for the rest of us.

MK presenting a check on behalf of AMTA to the Massage Therapy Foundation for over 429,000.00 to further research and community service grants.  What an impressive gift!  I am proud to be part of an organization that puts their money where there’s a real need and opportunity to help others.

Lots of attendees cutting the National Certification Board’s name and logo off the badge holders they provided for the convention, and a few funny people covering it up with duct tape!  Apparently I’m not the only one they’ve ticked off here lately.

A gentleman named Eric, whose last name I failed to get, sharing that he works for the University of California, and that in the four years since they have implemented massage therapy as part of a wellness program for employees, that Worker’s Comp claims have gone from over 4 million dollars a year down to less than half a million. 

Carole Osborne receiving the Teacher of the Year award, a well-deserved honor for this pioneer in the field of pregnancy massage.

An Alaskan therapist sharing that massage is being used with the Native American population on the reservations there as a means to help diabetes and other problems, and how grateful the elders are for receiving the gift of touch.

Lucky Carter, sales rep for Lippincott in Arizona, telling me that my new book, One Year to a Successful Massage Therapy Practice, was one of the best sellers at the conference.

Debra Persinger from the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, sharing that 29 states have now joined the Federation, and reporting interest in joining from several other state boards who were present at the convention. 

Karen Menehan, editor of this magazine.  I passed her on the escalator and rode back down to thank her for giving me the opportunity to write this blog and contribute to this great magazine.

Ed Sansbury, president of the North Carolina Chapter of AMTA, telling me he had just received word that all of our practice act revisions passed unanimously through the Rules Review Commission, in spite of the efforts of the National Certification Board to interfere in our state governance.  I resisted the urge to go to their booth and stick my tongue out.

Friends, former students and acquaintances from all over the country that I was pleased to catch up with.  Great opportunities for continuing education.  Socializing with other educators and therapists from all over the world.  There is something totally awesome about just being in the presence of 1000 other people who do what you do.  If you’ve never attended a national convention, put it on your calender for next year.  It will be held September 23-26, in Orlando, FL, a fun destination.  I hope to see you there!

Peace & Prosperity,

Laura Allen

Just a few weeks ago I celebrated the five-year anniversary of my clinic.  This coming Thursday will be my fifteenth wedding anniversary, and on Friday, I’ll be turning 49. 

I’m grateful for all of this and I have to give a lot of the credit to my husband, Champ.  He’s my biggest fan and supporter.  Anyone in business for themselves knows that it’s a lot of hard work, going out on a limb financially, and persevering through good times and bad–a lot like being married.  You basically get up every morning and decide to do it another day.  What I’m grateful for is that I still look forward to it every day. 

I’m a big believer that thought is the most powerful thing in the universe, that what you think is what you’re going to manifest.  If you expect things to be good, they’ll be good, and if you expect them to be bad, they’ll be bad.  Of course that’s not true all the time; you can be the most upbeat person in the world and still have trials and tribulations, but it’s your attitude about those things that’s going to make the biggest difference to the outcome.  I try to be one of those people that can find the silver lining in every cloud. 

Don’t get me wrong; I’m as apt to worry as the next person.  I worry if we’ll have enough money when we retire (or if we’ll have enough money TO retire; sometimes I think we’ll be working on the way to the cemetery.)  But I try to follow the five-minute rule: don’t have any pity-parties that last longer than five minutes.

I’m grateful for the staff that we’ve assembled, and the fact that they’re all dedicated.  I’m grateful for the clients we have.  I’m grateful that we have a roof over our heads and enough to eat, and always mindful that a lot of people don’t have that.  I’m grateful that I’m blessed with good friends and family.  I’m grateful to be in reasonably good health. 

I’m grateful for the opportunities that the massage profession has afforded me.  In my former life as a chef and restaurant owner, I spent more than 20 years cooking for the public.  While it was always nice to be complimented for serving a good meal, I don’t think it changed anybody’s life.  I’m grateful to be part of a profession now that allows me to help make positive changes in the lives of the people I touch. 

I’m grateful for Massage Magazine and for the people reading this blog.  When I count my blessings, I count you.

Peace & Prosperity,

Laura Allen