Hell-happy-O!!!! 

Its Thursday, June 26, 2025. Living in NC these last few days has been NOT FUN. It's been in the upper 90's low 100's with heat indexes that make it feel 10-15 hotter. Slightly humid...but I will admit nice to have AC. As it makes it way more tolerable (inside that is). 

I've had the opportunity to swim in my pool, or as Jason calls it "the hot tub". Currently the temperature has been sitting at 93 degrees fahrenheit. Its tolerable, especially if there is a breeze. 

Today, I had three massages scheduled, the first tried to reschedule to later in the day, but then ended up getting a last minute important meeting. So she paid me for today, without batting an eye! These are my type of clients.... 

Anyway, hopefully both my clients tomorrow show, and then on monday I have three. Looking forward to my schedule filling up back to what I was used to in WA. 

I drove up to Chesapeake, VA today. Had to get my fingerprints done for their background check so that I can get my Massage License there. My hope is to be able to fill in for a chiropractic office as well get back into doing massages for Touring bands. I am really now starting to see the importance of the Impact laws that many states either have adopted or are trying to adopt....as there are too many hoops to jump through getting licenses in multiple states. Not to mention the monies it costs. 

On another note, I'm trying to decide whether or not to "publish" my story...of my life. Thinking of doing it on Tiktok...or take time to make notes and write a book. Someone said once that I should write my story, if anything to share with others who may have had to deal with something similar and let them know they are not alone. Still pondering that. 

If you read this little bit....please let me know. otherwise it's just a note floating in space....and that's okay too! 

I'll end with this phrase that I shared on my FB account several years ago...

"just for today...I will let go of anger. Just for today... I will let go of worry. Today, I will give thanks for my many blessings. Today, I will do my work honestly. Today, I will be generous to someone. Just for today....."

 Been a long time....yet here I still am. 

Today is Tuesday June 10th, 2025....and here I am. Sitting in my office, running in circles, chasing squirrels and rabbits down long long dark and lost holes in the ground somewhere. 

I said last night that one of my "goals" for today would be to research network marketing. So far, I've come across a website called "meet up" as well resorted back to the tried and true "BNI". No BNI chapters within a 15 mile radius of me. One side of the brain says "start a group" the other says, the one in Chesapeake is online....but deep down I feel like that wouldn't be genuine. As for meet up....I didn't stay to long in that hole....my brain started talking (aka distracting me)....so I left their website. 

Earlier today I ran into town to get some genetic testing done, regarding cancer. The gal there told me I was a good candidate for that, bc of my "rich" family history of cancer. Three generations on my maternal side have had it, so that increases my risk factors. She even said that I would be a good candidate for not only getting a mammogram every year, but also an MRI.... honestly the only noise I could hear was the sound of the cash register "cha-ching, cha-ching" and my wallet being so empty the only sounds was a puff of air.

So many things running through my mind at the moment...you have not even 1/2 a clue as to a single percentage point the amount. 

I miss my daughter and son(his wife) and my grandbabies so deeply. I miss my daily interactions with some of the greatest people on the planet. My circle. My battery rechargers. My......everythings. 

Was talking with my husband about it all this weekend....He came up with a pretty accurate analogy. What was once a great, mighty and very fruitful lemon tree....has now become a meek and very fragile off shoot that is trying to set down roots and grow in a pretty major storm.  

So here I sit. Unsure of where to go first, what the next step is, where to stretch out my roots for oxygen and nourishment so that I can begin to grow again. 

I think I will start here....journaling, being with my thoughts, putting them out in the great unknown....may visit them again, may not. Who knows....

I will leave this poem...I wrote on February 2, 2022 at 6:55pm....

"Once there were waves that crashed along the shore. I had no idea of their power and type of motion. Fresh air, birds soaring all while I'm frozen with fear, as I walk about the water's edge. Deep sense of peace overflows, as my toes (bare) walk in the sand. Will you hold my hand? Please be with me-be slow to anger and do not leave. I hope time soon passes so I can begin to grieve. What once was strong, full of joy and bold needs time and space so she can return to Gold" Rebecca Shirley

Cancer and Massage Therapy....go hand in hand

In early August, I attended a two-day workshop and became certified to offer Oncology Massage. What does this mean? Oncology Massage is more of an understanding of the disease (Cancer) and knowledge on how to treat people who have either been diagnosed, are going through treatment, and/or have gone through and have completed treatments. Working with in their limits, while helping them feel relaxed, pain free and whole again. 

Some of the potential Massage Benefits while someone is going through treatment of cancer: 

* Decrease in pain, nausea and anxiety. 
* Bring greater awareness to the body. 
* Create a sense of empowerment. 
* Moisturizing the skin contributes to its suppleness and helps it stay intact. 

While taking necessary precautions (lighter touch, considering treatment sights due to ports, and/or radiation areas, etc), a "normal" massage session can be offered. 


Please consider working with me, if you or someone you know is going through cancer treatments or has a history of cancer. You can schedule online-or contact the office for more information. www.masag4u.com 360-627-9241 

*note: While you can schedule a normal session online, I will contact you to set up a consultation. It will be necessary to make sure you receive the most benefit from your sessions. Please also plan on treatment being down over a period of time (4+ sessions). However, flexibility is a requirement. Please note that sessions will vary in length, as it will depend on your body and response to each massage. 


When "i" is replaced by "we"....Even "Illness" can become "Wellness". 

Be Blessed,
Rebecca Shirley

Summer time, sunshine and ..... the dreaded "Sunburn"

-Hello Everyone,

My first massage of the morning....gave me a great idea for today's blog. Sunburns. This last weekends weather in Bremerton WA, was the first of many warm sunny days. As my female client walks in to the office,  instantly I could tell that she had spent plenty of time in the sun. I asked her how her skin felt, her response (as she was slapping herself on the shoulders) "I'm good, not sore at all". 

So, I looked up Sunburns in my Pathology book. Not only where sunburns discussed, but there are many forms of burns. From heat, to chemical, to water/vapor to electrical or radiation. 

What follows, is what the book said how to handle burns and massage therapy. 

Burns are graded in three levels of depth:

First Degree:  is some times quite painful but relatively mild irritation of the superficial epidermis characterized by redness but no blistering.  Mild sunburn is perhaps the most common example of a first-degree burn. 

Second-degree: is damage that involves all layers of the epidermis and possible some of the dermis too. Symptoms include redness, blisters that appear instantly, edema and pain. 

Third-degree: goes through the dermis or beyond, destroying hair shafts, sebaceous glans, erector pilae muscles, sweat glands and even nerve endings, which paradoxically make third-degree burns less painful than second-degree burns. 

So, can you get a massage? Sure, however the only kind of burn that is appropriate for hands-on massage in the acute stage is a very mild sunburn, and of course even then one must work within pain tolerance of the client. 

The next question is, how do you prevent a sunburn? Limit your time/exposure to the sun. Where a high SPF and apply to the skin approx 30 minutes. Be careful too, if you are on medication, check the label. It might put you at a higher risk of skin damage. 

If you do find yourself with a sunburn and either have a massage scheduled or need to schedule one, please call and ask. I would rather be safe than sorry. 

Thank you for reading, and have a blessed day. 

Rebecca Shirley, LMT

www.masag4u.com

360-627-9241

rebecca@masag4u.com

References from: A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology, fourth edition. pgs 74-76

New Begginings

13 June 2018

Thank you for coming by for a read. I am looking at regenerating this blog. I welcome you to follow me.

My plan for this blog is to share new and exciting things regarding the business and world of massage. There are many health benefits to receiving regular massage therapy treatments. Whether you were injured in an automobile collision, injured at work, or are just getting old and your joints need more movement.....here is the place you can learn how to get better.

I hope to have weekly blogs uploaded. If at anytime you are interested in scheduling a massage, feel free to visit my website www.masag4u.com or call my office (360) 627-9241.

News things are on the horizon. This past May I took a continuing education class on Secrets of Deep Tissue Massage. This coming August,  I will be attending a conference, where I will learn about Cancer Treatments and how Massage can help.

I enjoy every day and very massage given. I look forward to working with you.

Regards,
Rebecca

www.masag4u.com
360-627-9241
rebecca@masag4u.com

T-Minus 2 days

Well, here I am, 2 days of school left! I am so excited....but sad all at the same time. This year started and has almost come to an end in a blink of an eye. I have made many new friends, met some pretty "interesting" people and will be moving on from the adventure with some crazy memories.

A new chapter in life will start for me.....I will be working a few days a week with a Chiropractor and a couple of days a week out of a spa. It will be a nice change of pace from the days of ole'.

Bring on the good times!

Almost done

A quick update on my and my progress with school. I continue to be on the Honor Roll (loving the 4.0 grades!) and hold my roll as a student Ambassador. I have only 8 weeks of school left and am praying very hard that the state will expedite my license application. :-)

I currently am running through ALL of my options once I am finished with school and my license is approved. I really want to start working with a chiropractor and or homeopathic medicine. My more long term goals are to do sports massage and continue clinical work. But ya gotta start somewhere.... :-)

I have a few leads...that I'm hoping will work out....if you know anyone who is looking for a massage therapist who is focused and passionate about bringing health through massage....tell them about me! :-)

Cheers,

Rebecca