Earth Day is Every Day

I sit here sipping my fair trade coffee wishing I could say I was wearing organic hemp clothing but, that isn’t true. As much as I hope more of us (not just Massage Therapists) would like to be kinder to the Earth, that we want to create a sustainable, organic lifestyle, it is a challenge.

Too often when Massage Therapists think of “greening their practice” it creates a list of too many things to buy and not enough things to actually do. This itself is a fiscal issue, however, it is more than that. You really cannot just buy your way to what you believe to be green. So, today in honor of Earth Day, I am going to share with you my perspective how we can all be a bit greener. 

Christopher and I are not just Massage Therapists. Christopher was an Oklahoma Master Gardener and I was and Oklahoma  Master Naturalist. We completed our training through the Oklahoma State University Extension Service. I grew up on a farm in Oklahoma. We always wish we had more time to garden and grow things, more animals and more land. We strive to utilize principles  of understanding responsible environmental stewardship not just in our garden, but in our practice and our life. One of my favorite movies is “Being There” with Peter Sellers, which creates profound analogies of gardening and life.

I often wonder why, when people want to become more organic or greener they don’t think to start at the beginning?The beginning is the seed. The seed of desire planted in your heart to do or become or achieve something. That seed itself must be unadulterated. That seed then germinates in the soil of your brain. Which also should be clean, free of distractions and focused on the future you imagine. This is where you research and plan to facilitate your dream becoming reality. And finally, through your hands, as you perform the actions, each time, with each person, your dream and desire are sprouting into reality and thriving.

So her are a few of our own tips for a kinder, greener lifestyle.

• Brutally honest self evaluation is almost always valid. If you find yourself making plans or changes that do not benefit the environment, your community, or the people you serve but, are for the purpose of making more money or achieving more power, think again. You may succeed but, you may have lost some of your greenery to the greed.

• Meet each person where they are. Joyfully listen and discover who they are and what is going on with them.Do not judge. Do not assume people are all stereotypes. You may miss out on the vibrancy of someone or more importantly not be able to fully engage and serve them, which is your purpose.

• Start small. You do not have to have a full closet of all natural products today. Nor to do you need a full spa menu of organic, green sessions with essential oils and products. Evaluate what products you have and research other products you may want to use in the future.

• Read the labels, google the ingredients, find out how they are made and how they may impact the environment. Do you know what they are?  How many are there? Can you pronounce them? I am not creating a list of links for you. Utilizing your knowledge and investing your time on this is part of the organic process. 

• Be authentic. You do not have to be seventh level vegan that eats nothing with a shadow or a have a dedicated daily yoga practice to feel you have accomplished something organic. Stretch, take a walk or bike ride, have nice long bath, try some vegetarian or healthier foods. Have a cup of tea and time for yourself. Please just do something active and/or nurturing each day for yourself. Every little thing you do matters and is progress.

• Be present. Please do not just go through the motions. Focus on the person you should be honored to be working with. Understand what you are doing and why you are doing this. Every time a client lays on your table it is a different person and you are  different person. Even if you are following a specific spa menu item or prescribed medical treatment it shouldn’t be mechanical.

• Do not litter your session with distractions of thinking of your grocery list or telling the client about your life’s challenges. In those moments, no matter how long the session, the session time is the client’s time they paid for. Let it be just about them. 

• Communicate integrity. If your sessions are 50 minutes please, do not call it an hour. Listen to the client. Create a functional therapeutic relationship, even if it is one short session. Work with people not on them. Do not rush them – that isn’t relaxing or respectful.

• Do not believe that you have to have your own completely organic practice. Many Massage Therapists work with others and for other larger companies. Becoming part of your community and being a conscious member of that community is what is more important. Many larger companies are becoming greener. Sometimes, that is because someone that works for them, made a suggestion, or offered a solution.

• Keep learning. Do not be afraid to be wrong. Be daring enough to change, try something new, take the time to consider every opportunity. You never know when one is going to hit you hard, right in your heart and manifest a whole way of practicing, a new dream, or change your life.

• Create balance. We have to bring peace to ourselves before we can bring peace to others. You may be surprised that focusing on creating balance in your own life will manifest during massage sessions and make you not only a better practitioner but, truly give those you serve more value.

• Give back. While it is nice to be able to click a link and donate to cause it is also nice to volunteer. Look at what you can do to benefit your community and our world. Ask the questions, follow the money, find out what your donation or participation is investing in.

Enjoy Earth Day Every Day. May we all spend more time in verdant abundance and gratitude.

Thank You!

Xerlan Deery, LMT

Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.   ~Shirley Anita Chisholm