A Day of Remembrance

I was in the 7th grade on September 11th, 2001. My mother woke me up at 6:30am and quietly asked me to come watch TV in the living room. This was unusual. I knew something was wrong. 

Two planes had struck the twin towers in New York. I asked my mother with confusion, “Don’t pilots have lots of training? How could two of them had made this mistake?” She calmly explained that this was not an accident. She told me there were people in the world who wished to do evil deeds to others for no reason besides deep hatred. At 11, I knew people did bad things but this idea of terrorism had never occurred. How could someone intentionally want to cause this kind of immense, lasting pain to an entire country?

18 years later, I’m riding in a fire engine with the Chico Fire Department. I’m doing a civilian ride along and we’re heading to a city wide 9/11 memorial service. I’m spending the day with these brave men and women to see what they see, to experience what they experience. As a civilian, it’s not easy but it’s essential to understand and appreciate. 

Almost 3,000 people lost their lives that day in a cruel display of senseless hatred. 343 firefighters, 23 New York City Police Officers, 37 Port Authority Police Officers were killed evacuating the World Trade Center when it collapsed. 

These first responders run toward danger as we run away, defying every natural inclination of human self-preservation. On 9/11, as tens of thousands ran from the World Trade Center, they ran toward it. We flee while they stand and fight with the Herculean strength of a warrior. It’s something for which I will never be able to fully express my gratitude. I am humbled to be support this brotherhood, this family of brave men and women who risk their lives, without a second thought to protect our lives and our freedoms. Thank you all for doing the work that you do. 

Take a few moments to reflect today. Reflect on the things for which you are grateful, reflect on the people you love and have lost. Enjoy the breaths you breathe. Any day could be our last. Don’t take any of them for granted.

A note on gratitude

A note on gratitude. 

I run along from one residential area to the next. Through downtown, past the transit plaza, around the perimeter of campus. And back.

I run alone. No music, no cellphone, just me and my breath.

I pass many people on this Monday morning. I do not judge. I only observe. What right do I have to judge someone when all I know about them is what my two eyes take in as I jog on?

I see a woman muttering to herself about the end of days. I am grateful for my sound mind.

I see a man having difficulty navigating the curbs with his prosthetic leg. I am grateful for my sound body. 

I see someone pushing a shopping cart containing all his worldly possessions. I am grateful for my home and that I don’t have to carry all that I own with me each day.

I see someone throw his sleeping off as the morning heat grows. I am grateful for my cool linens and the comfort of my bed. 

I could look at all of these situations with pity or disgust. 

But I choose to see compassionately. 

I know nothing of the struggle of these people, the stories they could tell if someone would give them the opportunity. 

Judging is easy. Our minds seek to do it by nature. We like to make assumptions and label things. It’s more comfortable that way. It takes effort to notice your mind making these judgements. It takes effort to witness life objectively. 

Cupping Therapy

Despite recent popularization during the 2016 Olympic Games, cupping therapy in an ancient and unique practice. Some of the earliest recorded references to cupping as a medical practice are in the Ebers Papyrus written in 1550 B.C. in Egypt. References to cupping are also made in ancient Greek medical texts with depictions of cupping illustrated.

Depiction of cupping in Greek medical text, referred to as Hijama.

Cupping is unique to most other massage techniques because rather than compressing the tissue toward the bone, cupping lifts the tissue away from bone. This lift frees restrictions and adhesions by pulling blood and lymph to the skin, increasing oxygenation to muscles. I offer a unique style of cupping that is dynamic in nature, moving the cups along the muscle fibers during the session. This style incorporates soft tissue mobilization techniques with cupping therapy. Cupping is suitable as a stand alone treatment or as an adjunct to massage therapy. Cups can be added easily to your massage