This afternoon, my ducklings graduated. This class of students started massage school the same term that I started teaching. A number of them didn't make it through, and at least one of those still breaks my heart a little. (I will always wonder what more I could have done for her.)
But, today was a celebration. Their designated class speaker said a few words to and about every teacher they had. About me she said, "you inspire us." Here at home, hours later, I finally feel the humbling impact of those words. To inspire. To give breath. To infuse with spirit and life.
I try to give every client I touch something beyond a focused, knowledgeable treatment. Similarly, I try to give every student I teach something beyond the material in the syllabus. Call it energy, call it presence, call it compassion. I call it space and time, open to be filled with whatever a client or student needs to grow.
I never really know how well I do this, especially with students. With clients, I can see the changes in breath and posture that go along with an infusion of hope and optimism. With students, aside from the occasional satisfying "aha" moment, I don't know how deeply they take in what I am offering.
Today I found out --at least for these few new massage therapists. I am remembering moments with them when we were learning together, focused intently on ourselves and the questions at hand. I am remembering those moments of flow, where I could feel them pulling just the right words out of me -- the words that made it all come together. Their class speaker said I inspired them, but the truth is that any breath I gave them came from their own lungs.
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