Myofascial Release

 Greetings,

      I wanted to share some thoughts and insights regarding inspiration and commitment.  In order to be successful and to reach all of your goals and aspirations, one must be committed to the task at hand.   Inspiration must be coupled with commitment to last and evolve to an even higher level.  I would like to share a quote from the profound German scientist, poet, and philosopher, Goethe.

 ”Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and endless plans:  THAT THE MOMENT ONE DEFINITELY COMMITS ONESELF, THEN PROVIDENCE MOVES TOO.  All sorts of things occur to help one, that would never otherwise have occurred.  A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no person could have dreamed would come their way.  Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.  Begin it now!”

      Commitment coupled with vision, the image of what you want, keeps you from being distracted and veering from your path or your mission.  As a therapeutic “artist”, I suggest you read, “The Agony and the Ecstasy”, by Irving Stone.  This is a story of the world’s greatest artist, Michelangelo and the trials and tribulations that he overcame.

    The huge blocks of marble that he so beautifully sculpted didn’t just miraculously appear in front of him.  He had to climb mountains over 10,000 feet high, scale steep, almost vertical ravines to find the most pure marble that could only be found at the top. He and a group of very tough men, at great danger to themselves,  chiseled out the massive stone blocks from the mountain.  They then attached ropes to these multi-ton slabs of marble and navigated them down thousands of feet of sheer cliffs.  What incredible strength and courage these men had in order to take on such a task!

      Over 500 years ago there were no roads leading to the sea.  He and his men had to cut roads out of the forests and mountainsides.  They had to construct wooden cradles, harness the marble on them with chains, and use a 20 mule team to laboriously drag the precious cargo down to the sea.  This took over ten months, with many injuries, many storms, and hardly any food. Exhausted and beat up they finally arrived at the seaport and had to construct a barge.   When the marble was loaded on the barge, it sank!  

      As they stood there looking at their sunken treasure, a messenger arrived on horseback telling Michelangelo that the Pope had cancelled his funding of the project due to the political turmoil in Rome.  As Michelangelo stood there stunned, the messenger also told him he was under great criticism by some because they thought “it was taking too long”!

      Always remember, that no matter how hard you may work or successful you may become, there will always be those whose only talent seems to be ridicule and criticism. 

      Speaking without experience is foolish.  For those that stoop to judgment and criticism without experience, I would like to quote the world renowned teacher, Professor Joseph Campbell: “It seems to me a great mistake to suppose that an accumulation of factual information constitutes wisdom.”

      Therapists that desperately cling to the old obsolete ways of therapy do not have the courage or intelligence to understand or admit that traditional techniques only produce temporary results for 2 hours to 2 days!   If Myofascial Release feels right to you in your heart, commit to it, so that you don’t waiver from your path. 

      Michelangelo’s commitment never faltered.  He eventually secured the funds he needed, built a new sturdier barge, and set off on his next adventure at sea.  And what an adventure it was! In route they were hit with three ferocious storms and almost drowned.  And you think you have problems.

      Whenever you are going through a rough time, or are challenged by adversity, remember Michelangelo’s tenacity.  No matter what the obstacle, there is always a way.  Never give up!

      Michelangelo finally arrived in Rome with his prized marble.  He couldn’t wait to put his hands on the marble.  He would quiet himself and feel deeply into the stone to determine its inner flow to ascertain where weakness may lie.  If he hit the marble with his chisel at the wrong angle it would ruin his whole piece.   He would stand back, soften his visual focus, and center himself, which enabled him to see in his “mind’s eye” the inner shape.  He then chipped away the extraneous stone.  He caressed the marble with his chisel to allow the inner beauty to emerge.  He loved what he did and had a passion for life, becoming the world’s greatest artist.

      Your hard earned skills, the precious ability to “center” yourself coupled with tenacity, and commitment are your natural born strengths that will help you achieve what is meaningful to you. 

      Myofascial Release is the ultimate “therapeutic art”!  Love what you do.  Have a passion for Myofascial Release and you will become a master. 

     What is your purpose in life?  What is your mission?

            Love,

                        John