Often when its time to tighten up purse strings, we look at trimming the luxury items from our budget….things that are fun, not really necessary, but that make us feel happy.  Activities such as movies at the theater,  eating out, and recreational shopping are three things that come to mind immediately when looking where to cut spending.  Others may look at their regular massage sessions and think that this is also a luxury item that can be tabled for the moment while balancing the checkbook.

Some believe that massage is something you do to pamper yourself while you are on vacation, or on your birthday or some other special occasion.  Each time you receive one, you always feel so good, and swear that you are going to schedule one more often.  But, the regular routine sets in again, and all of a sudden a year has gone by since your last massage.

Many people recognize that massage is not a luxury, but a necessity.  Receiving regular massage, whether once or twice a month,  or every other month,  helps to keep stress at a manageable level, and keep muscles from getting too tense and knotted.  Some believe that regular massage helps keep them healthy, and look at massage as a form of healthcare.

    When you feel good, it is much easier to face the things that come your way. 

It is important to recognize that your health is a necessity, not a luxury.  Studies have shown that massage can help reduce blood pressure and improve your immune system.  The stress-reducing factor alone helps improve sleep, balances out stress hormones, and improves overall energy levels. Your thinking is clearer and your moods are stable.   When you are taking care of yourself, you make a better parent, spouse, employee or employer.

 With all the ways you can benefit from receiving massage at regular intervals, there’s no way you can consider it anything but necessary!

Don’t feel like you can justify budgeting money for a massage?  One idea is to start a massage fund. Get a good old fashioned piggy-bank or a jar.  Put all your loose change in it on a daily basis. Throw in a dollar bill every few days.  Skip that cup of coffee, or rent a movie instead of going to the theater, and put the money in your massage bank instead.  In no time, you’ll have enough to pay for something that lasts a lot longer, and is better for you all around.

Remember, your health is the ultimate way to pamper yourself.

During these stressful times, it is often beneficial to look deeper within ourselves to find true healing, which makes it easier to handle the stresses and strains of day-to-day living.  As I understand it, healing the deep wounds allows us to clearly see what is occurring in our lives, and helps us discover the best path to follow.  When we truly work on our selves, we respond authentically, which contributes to our personal growth and the healing of the planet.

Amy Pierce, a friend and colleague of mine leads a  five-part series of conversations, or interactive workshops,  which she calls Conversations About Authentic Self.  The five conversations are:  ~Authentic Self:  The Story Big Enough to Live In    ~New Wine or Old Wine Skins:  Symptom, Illness, and the Emotional Body     ~The Other Trinity:  Inner Child/Re-parenting work   ~As A Man Thinketh in His Heart:  The Deeper Meaning of the Law of Attraction   ~Is it About What We Expect of Life or What Life Expects of Us?

The next series is taking place on March 14 and 28, April 11 and 25, and May 7.  The fee for each conversation is on a sliding scale  of $10-$20. If you speak with the facilitator, Amy, an additional savings is available if you wish to pay in advance for the entire series.  Ideally, you would attend all five meetings ofthe workshop, but if you can only attend a portion of them, you will still benefit from the knowledge that Amy will share.

If you would like more information  on the series, or to sign up for a workshop,  go to http://www.meetup.com/WFC-SacredRealms/calendar/9791474/

 For more information on Any Pierce, go to http://www.authenticself.us