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Short East River

September 29, 2013 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: 70s, nice again

Comments:
Last day of the class. 8AM start again. Pretty good morning, working on the foot/ankle and lower leg. The rest of the day was spent on the thorax and neck, so I got to see Tiffany in a bikini top, which was a special treat!

What's very common at these classes is that we're all - to some degree - a little broken. That's why so many of us are in the profession! On Friday night, Tiffany was having pretty significant back pain, but chose to "gut it out", even though it was nothing but practicing techniques. Not a good idea, like ever. I had to tell the instructors to have her not do stuff. She was doing much better once Dean treated her, but that was an important lesson.

I've been doing some reading on the idea of "Missions", and how, if we find ours and align our goals, actions and roles to that mission, then everything we do in life will be worthwhile, as it will be directed toward that overall mission.

I feel like my "mission" is to help people, to teach and nurture, and to be a giver. Previously, my attempts to build rapport with others has always felt like I was *taking*; as such, I've struggled mightily with trying to forge those relationships.

But having thought about that mission realignment, now it makes sense: if I frame all my interactions with people (including women), with my mission, then it will be win-win: I will feel good about what I'm doing (no conflict) and I will be genuinely working toward my mission.

I felt like I connected with Tiffany, and I felt like part of my mission with her is to A.) nurture, and B.) challenge. So at the end of class, I did two things:

1.) I showed her this sweet new self-mob for the lumbar spine, since she has the same back issue as I do (except worse); she was very grateful.

2.) I sat down with her and told her, with great sincerity, that I felt that she is tremendously talented, and that she's going to be a phenomenal therapist some day: she's smart and committed (coldn't imagine taking these post-professional courses will STILL in PT school!!!), but she's also "familiar with pain" and extremely passionate, having been a professional performer. BUT: I told her that she has to take care of herself, and her own body. And if she does not, then not only will she be hypocritical to patients, but won't last long in the profession before she breaks down.

I felt like I did something positive: being nurturing (physically, professionally, personally), and challenging her in a positive way. That directly aligns with my mission. BUT, at the same time, in a personal sense, I felt like I connected with her as a person (demonstrated my value, established an emotional connection), which is critical for any/all relationships. So win-win!

Lastly, I gave her a filled-out form for her school, regarding my clinic hosting Hunter College PT students for internships. OF COURSE I'd fucking love to have her there for selfish reasons, but I didn't say that at all. In fact, I outright discouraged her from coming ("...this would be a GREAT internship, but you wouldn't want to do it, because you're married..."), which is a classic "Game" move. The reality is, I would love to have IPA-experienced students in the clinic (again, aligned with my mission), so either way. But she was CLEARLY interested. :-p

So we hugged and parted ways, and I caught up with Ryan at his apt. Walked and subway'd solo back to his place on this beautiful NYC Sunday afternoon.

My pelvis still felt off, so I asked Ryan to work on it. He did, and it felt a ton better. Grateful! We spent the evening hanging out two of Ryan's lady friends, and later his Lady Friend - had a great dinner, but I was exhausted!

Ryan's girl came back to his apt with us to watch a movie. I was sleeping on the floor out there and, without hesitation, simply passed out then and there!

Great end to a long weekend!