Over the years, I have shared my story many times. I have been open and transparent about my personal and professional journeys, how I got to where I am now, and how the unique, ancient treasure I bring to the world fits into the modern landscape. Still, occasionally I encounter someone who doesn’t understand and whose energy opposes my own. In the 20 years I have been crafting my career, there have been two individuals, in different cities, who have been so negative towards my practice that they have reported me to their respective boards of authority. I have had the pleasure of meeting the official who was assigned to investigate the complaint and being completely cleared as doing the work within my scope of practice which is legal, safe, and what I have been educated and qualified to do. A handful of times, I have frustratingly had to deal with the less direct but more malicious persons who use gossip and misinformation to try to diminish what I do. I’ve experienced that through people directly, as well as online from those “keyboard warriors” who invest energy into tearing others down when they are insufficient at building themselves up. People tend to attack what they don’t understand. I am doing karmic work of healing and growing good in the world, so of course I am going to encounter people with contrary and pessimistic energy trying to block the flow of the positive.

One thing that is common among all the negative people; they are relatively uneducated and use their ignorance as a weapon of misinformation. So, the thing I can do to counter that is to speak the truth, educate those who are paying attention, and help people understand both my credentials and my heart. Generally, when I see people being bullies aimed at me, I don’t give it any energy. However, there can be innocent others caught up in the drama, not knowing what to believe. That is why I choose to share my backstory and explain things, for the ones who actually care and deserve to know.

I am of the belief that gifting matters most. We are born with a purpose and get to cultivate a passion in this life. Anything you want to do with your body, your mind, and your energy has multiple potential pathways to success. Some dreams are best served through expanding education, others by way of being taught or trained by seasoned experts, and some by just being you. I am so proud to say that I have all of those experiences in my career development. Truth be told, I am over-educated and broadly trained far beyond what would be considered necessary by most. I once struggled with that fact as it felt like time and money wasted. I wished I had used my natural gifts more and not relied so much on what others thought I should do. At this point, I don’t see it as waste, at least not entirely. Everything I have been through has been for my growth and gain, even if some of it I no longer use directly. Almost nobody questions my spiritual guidance, or my energy work. Sometimes I get curious questions about life coaching and counseling, and rarely I run into a well brainwashed social worker who can’t see any other path but their own. The area I have ever been outright attacked is over massage. Interesting, considering how powerful touch is in human connection. A lot of people want to gatekeep that gift.

Upcoming: Part 2- on counseling & Part 3- on massage.