by Pallas Hutchison

Words have the power to hurt, especially the words of those we care about. Those closest to us have a knack of hitting the deepest targets. The damage can last when the core of our being, the central beliefs about who and what we are, unintentionally or deliberately gets called into question. I want to share an activity that helps me flip the words and preserve my sense of self.

You will need a piece of paper, something to write with and a thesaurus.

Divide the paper into two columns; label them “You are” and “I am.”

Here is the hard part. List the words that have hurt you under the first column. Now, cross off any words that are juvenile name calling. The one thing these words have in common is their negativity.

When that is done, get out the thesaurus and find a synonym that positively resonates for each word. Write these words in the second column. If two resonate, write down both of them. I couldn't find words to cancel out all of the hurtful things I have been called but I did cancel out most of them.

Cut or tear the paper in half, dividing the columns. Discard the “You are” column in whatever manner seems fitting; burn it, bury it, throw it in the trash.

Hopefully that takes the sting out of some words. Did you know you were all of those things?

by Pallas Hutchison

The barter system has been around for a long time and can be a useful way to build networks within a community. However, if terms are not clearly defined beforehand, it can sour long-standing relationships. This is something I learned the hard way. I have been on both sides of a bad bartering agreement. I will share some of my experiences as well as a few things to consider before offering to barter with someone.

Know the parties involved. How many people are involved in the bartering agreement? Are you bartering with a business or with an individual? Overall, it's easier to barter with an individual. When bartering on behalf of my business, there are more variables to consider and less flexibility in the terms I can offer. I had a friend provide services to my business while I was providing massage services to them. Additionally, they had received services from my then-boyfriend's business as well. The friend's assumption of a barter between the three businesses made settling the bills awkward and unpleasant for everyone involved. The friendship took a long time to repair. To avoid this problem in the future, my business no longer accepts barter as a form of payment.

Bartering as an individuals is simpler and can be a lot of fun. One simply decides whether or not they want what you are offering in exchange for the service/product you would like to receive. As a massage therapist, I have a highly desired skill that not everyone is willing (or able) to pay for with money. However, there are plenty of things people have offered me in lieu of financial payment. Some of the ones I have accepted include fresh lobsters and shellfish from a fisherman, lawn mowing, babysitting, and horseback riding lessons. These massage services are usually provided outside of my business hours and using my massage table at home instead of my business's.

Know the terms of the agreement. Make sure the terms are discussed and agreed upon before anything services are provided or products change hands. Are you bartering cash value for cash value or time for time?  Different services have different prices even though the time elapsed remains the same. For example, the cost of a yoga class is less per person because a yoga teacher provides a service to multiple people at once; a massage therapist provides a service to one person at a time, which increases the cost per person per hour.

I used to barter services with my hairdresser but because we didn't clearly define the terms, the service I received varied each time while the service I provided remained constant. Because of this inconsistency, sometimes I felt like I received a fair trade and other times I felt that I gave more than I got or visa versa. I'm sure it evened out in the end. While I still use the same hairdresser, we're both happier when we pay each other outright for services received.

Martial arts has become difficult for me to fit into my current budget. My sensei has offered to barter my classes in exchange for massages for his wife. The cost of martial arts classes per month is $65, which is the equivalent of the massage program offered by my business. However, she would receive one 60-min massage per month and I would be receiving two 60-minute classes per week. The time does not equal out although the money does. Is this worth risking the relationships I have with my sensei and his wife? Transparency in the agreement will reduce the risk of fall out.

Despite the complications involved, bartering can be a lot of fun. It can be a great way to pack in experiences without sinking the budget. Figure out what you have to offer and what you'd like to try. Discuss terms openly and enjoy!

​By Amanda Coleman


We're very pleased to announce that we've added a new member to the team here at Oasis Massage and we're very excited to now be able to offer Reflexology to our clients. Annie Francis, a Certified Practitioner of Reflexology and Master Level Reiki Practitioner, will be starting with us this June. I've put together a two part blog to share with you a little bit about what reflexology is, how it can help your body, and what to expect at your first session. Annie will be available on Tuesday for appointments, so be sure to book yours now!

Reflexology is a style of alternative medicine that is predicated on the thought that the feet, hands, and ears have corresponding points to the rest of the body. Using various hand techniques to stimulate these points promotes health and energy flow in these areas, which then encourages the body's own balance and healing. The potential benefits of reflexology include:

• reduce stress
• reduce pain
• stimulate nerve function
• improve energy levels
• improve circulation
• reduce severity of migraines and headaches

Though there are many similar concepts to reflexology found throughout parts of history, reflexology as it's practiced today was developed in 1917 from the work of William H. Fitzgerald, M.D. His book, Zone Therapy, began the theory of the body being broken into 10 vertical zones running the length of the body. Joe Shelby Riley, M.D. then expanded this theory to include horizontal zones and was the first to draw maps of the reflex points on the hands and feet. In 1938, Eunice Ingham, a physical therapist working in the office of Dr. Riley, published the first book on foot reflexology, “Stories the Feet Can Tell” and made foot reflexology classes popular throughout the country.

In our next segment we'll talk about how to prepare for and what to expect from your first reflexology session. Don't forget to schedule your appointment with Annie, available by appointment on Tuesdays! Call 508-280-4242 or book your appointment online!



Sources:

• https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/other/benefits-of-reflexology.html
  
• http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00546/Reflexology-Dr-Weil-Wellness-Therapies.html
  
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflexology​
  
• http://www.americanacademyofreflexology.com/historyof/