Being grateful for the lifestyle we enjoy does not mean we have to be complacent with the undeniable crimes of social and environmental misconduct that are committed in order for us to consume and live leisurely. I am thankful for the way of life that is possible due to advanced technology, freedom, and hard work but that does not excuse me from my responsibility to reflect on the systems inequalities and work towards a world that is more just. I don't think it is natural instinct in all of us to be good to one another. I think some people are indifferent to how their choices maybe affect another, I think some are unaware of how their choices affect another and I think their are people who are passionate about correcting their actions to in order to promote a better quality of life for others. We all fall somewhere along the spectrum and unfortunately many leaders in industry and politics are making decisions that fall towards indifference. I challenge you to let the inequalities stir you and complicate your approach towards the culture of consumerism because if you sit on the sidelines only allowing yourself to be be grateful for what makes up your lifestyle, you are letting ignorance win and the hope for humanity loose. We have a voice in what is the acceptable way we treat one another and the land--and that is what I am most grateful for.
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I get to fall in love over and over and over again. Every time I give or receive a quality massage, I fall in love with the transformative art of body work. Their is a wide assortment of modalities that allow for creativity and healing. I am constantly being reminded how fragile yet resilient the human body is. As a practitioner I am humbled by how subtle touches can have such dramatic effect on the body and spirit. Time and time again I here people call massage, "the universal language." The body never lies and it speaks beyond what a human is a capable of speaking or thinking. Studying both massage therapy and nutrition has made me appreciate the interconnectedness of our body.
One of my favorite experiences thus far in regards to massaging was when I was in Peru this summer. I was on the Salakantay trek and after a long day of hiking, we arrived at our base camp that sat in a valley underneath epic glaciers. I took some time before sunset to give massages and teach the group some quality stretches. The combination of the long trek, the majestic backcountry, and the body work made for an elevated experience. Below is a snapshot of me massaging my lovely friend Annie. The post recently was shared on facebook and she commented on the photo, "I am forever indebted to you, Ash. this was the best moment of my entire life" but the truth is she owes nothing because this moment was just as special to me because massage is not only about the receiver, it can be transformative for the giver as well. If I can one day work in a field that allows me to do my bodywork + be in the wilderness + encourage others, I would be one happy lady. |
AshleyMusings about anything and everything. Archives
October 2015
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