Tuesday, November 10, 2009

To Soften

I offer a reprint of a post sent to me by a friend that was published on the Boulder College of Massage Therapy Website. Follow the link to see it on its original site: To Soften. I thought that the writing and the message were elegant in their simplicity and I wanted to share it.

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Soften: to make less harsh, strident or critical. To make calm and placid.

Soften is a word that I have heard so many times and in so many ways throughout my education in massage therapy. To soften my gaze, my shoulders, my heart, my hands and my presence. To soften in a way that increases acceptance and decreases judgment. To soften in a way that increases relaxation and decreases tension. To soften in a way that provides a safe and soothing environment. A softened approach that encourages healing and the emergence of health.

The way I see it, we all need to soften a bit. Our world could use much more softening and acceptance. If we all softened, even just a tiny bit, our world would be less troubled. If we all just softened, even just a tiny bit, our bodies and minds would feel less tense and more comfortable. Try it, just for a moment, soften, take a slow cleansing breath and then soften some more. Feel your ability to encourage healing, relaxation, acceptance and content.

-Jessica Gumkowski



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2 comments:

  1. I'm currently trying to practice softening. It seems to be working so far.

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  2. CLL- Me too. I have been practicing softening around pain. It has helped my wrist problem quite a bit. Anyway- as for you- You are a softy! Always so kind and caring- just make sure you treat yourself softly too. We always seem to be hardest on ourselves.

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