Sandra Kelly - What lies within

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Dead Fish and Hot Rocks

July 23, 2015 By Sandra 26 Comments

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“My get up and go for life in general is tough at the moment but I’m pushing through. Think I need to go on one of those ‘airy fairy’ retreats somewhere near the seaside where a bunch of healers whack you with dead fish while chanting and dancing around the massage table wailing some sort of woo woo song all high on supposed sage smoke that smells rather suspiciously like dope!”

The above was my reply to a friend who emailed me early in the week offering me encouragement and congratulations on returning to giving hot stone massages twice a week after almost two years on from the end of my cancer treatment. She knows how tough physically and mentally this has been for me to do.  I’m content to say that it is now becoming quite do-able.

I found I was missing connecting with people on this healing and therapeutic level and so I decided it was time to push on and reconnect with a part of myself that felt neglected and absent. I really missed seeing people walk out the door in such a different frame of mind as to when they walked in for a treatment; aching muscles soothed and racing minds at rest. I’d forgotten just how much I get from giving, which is almost as much as people get from receiving.

Yes, it takes a bit out of me but it also calms me. I don’t want people to stop coming because they may read this and think it’s too much for me. It’s not; because I am pacing myself; I’m being sensible and only offering two appointments a week until my body adjusts again.

You would actually be helping me by coming along and allowing me to bliss you out until your eyes glaze over. If you have experienced one of my hot stone massages before have you ever noticed how glazed my eyes are after giving you a treatment? And no, it’s got nothing to do with anything questionable of the aromatic kind that may be filling your senses as you rejuvenate while soaking up the peaceful atmosphere and ambience! The giving of the treatment is actually quite tranquil for me too.

This is not supposed to sound like an advertisement, but hell, it’s not a bad backhanded unintentional attempt hey? This is about me appreciating how far I have come. This time last year returning to the helping field was not even on the horizon.

Earlier this year I wrote the following passage in a post (that you can read here)…

“I feel I have crossed another footbridge on my path of recovery. I’m starting to wonder how I’d like my future to look. I’m okay for now with just penciling in those pictures of my future into the landscape from where I sit beside the recently crossed footbridge… for I know the time is coming when I’ll splash them with colour and the vibrancy of their life shall continue to light my way and draw me forward.”

Late last year I had no idea how I wanted my future to look and now, not only have I pencilled in a sketch of my future, I’ve also begun adding small amounts of colour by way of thoughtful action. This is huge for me and I write to celebrate that splash of colour that is indeed helping to light my way and draw me a little further forward on my path.

I’m still a work in progress; there is no denying that. I still have tough days. However when I look back to this time last year I have certainly crossed a few more footbridges and I’m continuing to wind my way up that mountain of creating a new normal.

As for wanting to run away to a seaside retreat like I did at the beginning of this week? I know it won’t be the last time my thoughts wander off down that trail. And please be assured I do not resort to whacking you with dead fish during one of my treatments… there may, however, be the occasional muffled cry of an inaudible obscenity as a result of said very capable  therapist dropping the odd hot rock on her big toe but she disguises it well… ah, yeah, that may have actually happened.

So tell me – have you felt like celebrating any personal milestones lately?

What’s your favourite massage treatment?

Ever been whacked with a dead fish maybe?

Linking with the Weekend Rewind crew Bron’s blog (Maxabella Loves),  Kelly’s (at A Life Less Frantic ) and Sonia (at Life Love and Hiccups)

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Comments

  1. Kris Lance says

    July 24, 2015 at 4:30 am

    Connecting with people whilst working is the only thing at the moment that is keeping me going. It is so true that we have so many footbridges to cross, as we cross each one we get stronger and stronger.
    I loved reading your thoughts and am so proud of just how much you have achieved to come this far.
    Love always Kris Lance x

    Reply
    • Sandra says

      July 25, 2015 at 11:42 am

      Oh Kris, thank you so much for visiting and leaving your lovely comment. I’m touched. Connecting in what ever shape or form you are able is one key to keeping our heads above water when we’ve been dumped on I reckon. The people who receive your kindness and compassion EVERY day, not just on work days, are truly experiencing a blessing from above. Keep crossing those footbridges beautiful. Xx

      Reply
  2. Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says

    July 24, 2015 at 11:16 am

    I read this 12am this morning, couldn’t sleep and I’m so stoked you’re getting out there again, and that you have the confidence to. I’d be in like Flynn if we lived closer. Big love xx
    and not whacked by a big fish but sadly someone has thrown one at me.

    Reply
    • Sandra says

      July 25, 2015 at 11:51 am

      Thank you Em! I hope you are sleeping better? Go treat yourself to a massage my friend. Someome grabbed the back of my ankle one night while spotlighting knowing very well I’d think it was the sly dead fox sharing the back of the ute with us. Scream factor LOUD! PMSL factor on his behalf? He almost toppled out of the ute. Not funny Mal 🙁

      Reply
  3. Majella Laws says

    July 24, 2015 at 4:20 pm

    What do you mean what is your favourite massage treatment? You mean I have to decide? But I love it all! I must have been one of those petulant demanding women in a previous life, who had serfs to wait on me hand and foot – massage, oil baths, feathered fans … hmmm…
    Sooo good to hear you are using your lovely nurturing skills again, I think you have been missed … 🙂

    Reply
    • Sandra says

      July 25, 2015 at 11:52 am

      Thank you lovely Majella! I think I’d like to grow into one of those petulant demanding women in this life! Doesn’t sound half bad. 🙂 Xx

      Reply
  4. Emma @ Life, kids and a glass of red says

    July 24, 2015 at 6:04 pm

    I think every milestone should be celebrated, no matter how small it may seem. And the celebration can be something as simple as taking yourself out for a piece of cake and a coffee 🙂 I love a good remedial or hot stone massage, just bliss!

    Reply
    • Sandra says

      July 25, 2015 at 12:00 pm

      So true Emma. We tend to only celebrate the big things in life when every milestone, no matter the magnitude, should be acknowldged to encourage our self worth and self confidence. Taking yourself out for cake and coffee sounds just perfect to me. Thanks for stopping by 🙂 Xx

      Reply
  5. Lisa Conn says

    July 25, 2015 at 12:04 am

    Again what a great read Sandra, I always take something useful from your reflections. So glad to hear you are able to return to doing sonething that you enjoy and get pleasure out of. I think i may have to come over soon and see you for a treatment and one of your special hugs! Just so long as you don’t hit me with a dead fish! Lol xx

    Reply
    • Sandra says

      July 25, 2015 at 12:15 pm

      Lisa I love that you visit my little internet home! You’re welcome to come over anytime and I promise the only thing I’ll whack you with is a big sloppy kiss, a squishy bear hug and a lot of warm and fuzzy love. And possibly a mouth full of cheek from Dougie, but you know I have no control over him unless I unplug his batteries! Thanks for stopping by beautiful. 🙂 Xx

      Reply
  6. Lydia C. Lee says

    July 25, 2015 at 7:52 am

    Good for you – I think keeping it in perspective (that it’s the small success that lead to change, rather than an instant overall) is hard,and you sound like you’re doing it fabulously.

    Reply
    • Sandra says

      July 25, 2015 at 12:21 pm

      Wise words Lydia. “It’s the small success that lead to change”. Very wise words. Thank you so much for stopping by 🙂 Xx

      Reply
  7. Bron from Flat Bum Mum says

    July 25, 2015 at 11:39 am

    This post had me all tranquil and relaxed just reading it. Glad to hear you are enjoying your treatments again. Hope that rock didn’t do any damage to your toe! Bron x

    Reply
    • Sandra says

      July 25, 2015 at 12:40 pm

      Glad you blissed out for a moment or two Bron! Poor toes – thank fully I don’t do that to myself very often. Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂 Xx

      Reply
  8. Melissa says

    July 25, 2015 at 2:22 pm

    First up, I have NOT been whacked with a dead fish recently. BUT I do LOVE a great massage! I love how you write, its so descriptive. Thanks for sharing. http://www.yummomummo.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Sandra says

      July 25, 2015 at 8:16 pm

      If I could have a massage every week what a blissed out Mumma I’d be. Thanks so much for your lovely comment and for stopping by Melissa! 🙂 Xx

      Reply
  9. Sarah @ Tomfo says

    July 26, 2015 at 10:53 pm

    I’m a fan of Bowen treatment, has helped me in many ways.
    A massage is one of my favourite things to do,, although I don’t have them often enough.
    Just reading this, makes me want to book one. I love your beautiful comments on my site. Thank you lovely lady, here’s to more massages in both our lives xx

    Reply
    • Sandra says

      July 28, 2015 at 11:05 am

      Oh I second that motion – “More massages in both our lives”. Thanks so much for stopping by Sarah 🙂 Xx

      Reply
  10. Shauna Round the Corner says

    July 30, 2015 at 10:18 pm

    I’ve never had a hot rock massage! I am thinking that I should. My life is hectic at the moment. Really hectic. I feel I am about to explode. But I have my health. Touch wood. And I am so very grateful for that. But now having read this I feel that I need to have a hot rock massage and I need to have one now! Lol. I love to read your posts. I think it’s the honesty. Lovely to read that you’ve reached a milestone. Keep going! x

    Reply
    • Shauna Round the Corner says

      July 30, 2015 at 10:20 pm

      Stone lol! Not rock! Gee wiz Shauna get with the lingo!

      Reply
      • Sandra says

        July 31, 2015 at 8:48 pm

        Stone/Rock, they both cause the same pain when you drop one on your toe! 😉

        Reply
    • Sandra says

      July 31, 2015 at 8:52 pm

      Thanks for your kind words Shauna! Sounds like you need to play hookey and treat yourself to nice relax massage. Congrats on your success with your blog lately too. Keep at it Shauna.

      Thanks for stopping by 🙂 Xx

      Reply
  11. Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says

    August 1, 2015 at 6:06 am

    When it comes to milestones, size doesn’t matter, every one is a reason to be cheerful. I am so pleased that you’re finding you’re groove again and doing something that makes you feel good. When it comes to massages, I don’t think I’ve ever had a massage I didn’t like, although having said that, I think most of mine have been of the bog standard variety. If I lived nearer, I’d be at your place with a hop, skip and a jump and a plate of cake, you can bet your hot stones on it!

    Reply
  12. Robyna says

    August 2, 2015 at 8:20 am

    That’s amazing – and well done. My sister does massage and I know that it is quite a physical and emotionally draining (although rewarding) thing when done well. I don’t feel like I am achieving any big milestones right now, but lots of little achievements, paving the way to somewhere that feels good.

    Reply
  13. Maxabella says

    August 3, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    I think this is a HUGE achievement because I see it as you being well enough to nurture others. Well done, Sandra. x

    PS – I remember seeing a quote somewhere that said, “my get up and go has got up and left” and I feel just like that sometimes!!

    Reply
  14. Sonia Life Love Hiccups says

    August 3, 2015 at 10:12 pm

    Oh hun – I am so happy reading this. If I could I would so be there lining up to be treated by you. I can only imagine how your healing will continue as you help others through massage. There can only be winners all around. As for my fave treatment – oh that is easy. Reiki and head massages. I’ll take those anytime thank you very much. Keep on moving forward beautiful, this is one mighty big stride you have just taken xx

    Reply

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Hi there, I'm Sandra.
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