Would I ever return to this magical place? I couldn’t stop my tears as the boat left the area. This part of my once-in-a-lifetime dive trip was slipping away.
Just then, a trio of dolphins arched out of the ocean, across the setting sun. This was my sign! My heart smiled, and I knew I’d be back.
The year was 1999 and the place was Darwin’s Arch, situated just off Darwin’s Island, the northernmost of the Galapagos Islands. This site and nearby Wolf Island are my dream scuba-diving destinations even though they’re no walk on the beach. The swift currents and limited visibility at these remote points on the equator aren’t for the faint of heart. But the sea life is amazing: huge schools of fish, marine iguanas, mola mola, morays, orcas, puffer fish, sea lions, sea turtles, stonefish, and layers of shimmering sharks—including hammerheads, Galapagos, white tips, and silkies.
Who knew I’d ever have such adventures? As an asthmatic kid who grew up in the desert of Western Colorado, I’d always been told I shouldn’t dive. But a vacation to Mexico in January 1994 changed all that. The locals told me they saw people with inhalers on the dive boats all the time. By April of that year, I was certified to dive, and by early May, I was back in Mexico exploring the ocean reefs. I was 33—a little young for a bucket list, but old enough to know that life is short. Since then, scuba diving has empowered my body, mind, and spirit. In 1996, I earned my instructor rating so I could help others live their dive dreams.
But, along the way, injuries and surgeries have kept me out of the water; ironically, the water is always my go-to place for rehab. As the years flow by, I’m all too often reminded that self-care—whether for the mind, body, or spirit—is a journey, not a destination. The experts in this issue are honest about their challenges as well. As you soak up these pages, you’ll understand that self-care requires that we put ourselves first. This initial lesson can be difficult for those of us who are caretakers and nurturers, but in order to be there for others, we have to become our own priority.
Sometimes I feel like such a rookie on my self-care journey. For me, it all begins with supporting my spirit, so this past January, I dived the Galapagos Islands for the fifth time. It’s still just as magical as it was in 1999. As I was leaving the northern reaches this time, the boat was surrounded by countless dancing dolphins. As the sun set, I held my breath as a pod of fin whales and their calves crossed the bow. Yes, I still had tears in my eyes, but now my spirit was content.
I hope we inspire you to be at your best so you can live your dreams; in return, you’ll be able to show your clients what authentic self-care looks like.
Leslie A. Young, PhD
Editor-in-Chief
leslie@abmp.com
Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals
Serving the massage therapy community since 1987 through practice support, ethical standards, legislative advocacy, and public education.