Note to self: When it takes two weeks to write 400 words on finding your quiet place, you’re not an expert! Ah, but who is these days? I recently read a piece in a flight magazine about how a lead monk in a monastery conceded to let his young pupils have smartphones. Otherwise, he and his staff are afraid they won’t have any recruits for their life of discipline, meditation, and solitude.
This dive photo of me inspires me to preserve whatever tranquility I can in my life and career. One glance and it takes me back to a serene couple of hours diving with schools of fish in the southern Caribbean. I showed it to a friend, and he immediately said, “Help me find my quiet place.” I wish I could. But that’s a journey, not a destination. And, it’s an individual journey.
Lately, I discovered my shortcomings when our Savvy Self-Care columnist submitted a piece about staying arm’s length from social media (p. 36). How dare she! That’s where clients and prospects are! That’s where the cutting-edge info from ABMP is! But the more I read her wisdom and analyzed my own online habits, I had to admit she has some solid points. More often than not, I’m too connected, too plugged in, and that oversaturation isn’t good for me—or those around me. Again, moderation in all things.
But I am not you. You help empower, heal, and support your clients—tough tasks. How do you do that and preserve your sense of self? When you close your eyes, can you find your quiet place? Sometimes I can; sometimes it escapes me. But, perhaps like you, I know that helping others, doing my job, and flourishing is essential to finding my quiet place. Have you thought about how you stay relevant, yet centered?
Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to escape, the noise follows us. It’s in that space that I realize I’m meant to manage the noise and chaos and politics. What about you? What do you do to find that balance? Some of the MTs I admire the most look forward to sessions because they’re then rejuvenated as much as their clients are. That’s beautiful—a kind of symbiotic therapy.
We want the pages of Massage & Bodywork to be a haven for you. A place where you can explore and engage, learn and thrive. So, enjoy. And best wishes as you find your quiet place.

Leslie A. Young, Editor-in-Chief
leslie@abmp.com