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met people who become scared when they discover a silver lining in the storm cloud, thinking that the goodness will disappear. But when the cause of a problem originates in abuse, the search for positivity can seem to deny the evil. As an example of the latter comment, I had a client who had been an insomniac for much of her life. Every day, she struggled to get out of bed, take care of her children, and hold down a job. Her health was deplorable. She was continually ill, stricken with arthritis, and depressed. As we worked together, she confi ded in me that the symptoms stemmed from being sexually abused by a stepbrother for years. She underwent therapy but it didn't seem to help. She was at her wit's end and couldn't see a reason to keep going, despite the fact that she loved her husband and children. She didn't think her life would ever improve. How was I to help this woman? She was closed off, for good reason. To even suggest there was a pearl to pull from the abuse was patronizing. Instead, I asked a simple question: What kept you going? She sat silently for several minutes, then started crying. "I guess I must have loved myself," she admitted. "And one day, I hoped I'd have children and make sure that they were never mistreated." My client thought her life had been determined by the abuse she had suffered. Certainly, the abuse had encaged her mentally, emotionally, and physically. But it had not been more powerful than the love of self and children that had prompted her to continue living. As soon as my client realized that her ultimate motive for life—and principle—was love, she began to heal. Slowly. It took several years before the insomnia actually disappeared, and with it, many of her body's painful symptoms. But gradually, the quality of love that she'd held within her soul transformed her life. The subtle energy of truth—the meaning of her life—that was lodged within, simply needed to be unlocked. UNLOCKING LOVE How can you help a client embrace the ultimate energy of healing—love? It's not terribly complicated. Remember, people create what they pay attention to, but they might need help broadening their perspective or awareness so as to fi nd what is meaningful. With this in mind, ponder the following steps: Affi rm a client's current awareness. There are reasons your struggling client is suffering or stuck. 94 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k m a y / j u n e 2 0 1 7 1-800-364-5722 | www.IntegrativeHealthcare.org Integrative Healthcare Studies InStItute for tm 100% satisfaction GUaRantEE ENDS: 6/30/2017 CaNNot bE CombiNED with othEr offErS. hErE'S a SampliNg of our CourSES! 1 Cupping for Massage Therapists Save 25 % 1 Diversity: Cultural Competence Save 25 % 1 Headaches, Facial Pain & Massage Save 25 % 1 Low Back Pain Save 25 % 3 Build Your Massage Practice Save 25 % 3 Ethics: Therapeutic Relationships Save 25 % 3 Research Save 25 % 3 Staying Well – Naturally Save 25 % 4 Stress Reduction Through Bodywork Save 25 % 5 Chronic Pain Management Save 25 % 6 Ayurvedic Massage Fundamentals Save 25 % 6 Ethics: From the Dalai Lama Save 25 % 6 Massage for Lower Back & Pelvic Pain Save 25 % 7 Applied Kinesiology Save 25 % 10 Aromatherapy: Restoring Emotional Balance Save 25 % 10 Trigger Point Therapy Save 25 % 12 Comfort Touch® Save 25 % 12 Deep Tissue Massage Save 25 % 12 Forearm Massage – Auth Method® Save 25 % 13 Fascia: The Endless Web Save 25 % 14 Advanced Prenatal Massage Save 25 % 15 Cranial-Sacral Fundamentals Save 25 % 17 Lymphatic Drainage Massage Save 25 % 17 Reflexology Save 25 % 18 Advanced Anatomy & Pathology Save 25 % cE Hours SalE! Spring Savings for ABMP Members Members Choose from 160+ Home Study Massage CE Courses! Our COurSES arE availablE witH SHippEd Or OnlinE MatErialS. SAVE 25 % SITEWIDE! 1-800-364-5722 www.IntegrativeHealthcare.org use Code mb1706 to SaVE 25 % on all 160+ CE courses!