"After a short stint at Montgomery College, I realized quite quickly that I had no idea what I wanted to be. So many of my classmates had claimed majors and I just stared at the list, unsure of what was the right path for me.  Shortly thereafter, I began working as a physical therapy assistant for Greater Washington Orthopedic Group in Maryland. I was happy, but wasn’t sure if I could afford going back to school. I was twenty-two years old, and so wet behind the ears that water streamed down my neck.  I had no clue where to go next, until a friend and I received our very first massages. The experience was absolutely incredible and I left wanting more. My friend and I applied for massage school the very next day, and the rest is history.

 

I was one of the youngest in my class at Potomac Massage Training Institute. I learned in the first week that every single person in the room was starting over. Some of my classmates were former mortgage bankers, teachers, homemakers and lawyers. Each one had found themselves unhappy with life or their career, and more importantly, unhappy with themselves. Many were finished raising their children and needed something to do—something positive that would teach them about who they were, and give them greater purpose in life.

 

It was a bumpy start for me, but I am very proud to say to you today, that I am a healer, one of many.  Sometimes you have to heal yourself before you can help others.

 

--- an excerpt from my contribution to DC Aligned. Read the blog in its entirety here.