Thursday, August 18, 2011

Today it begins



August is traditionally a sparse work month since many of my clients vamoose the District. This year, it's working for me. Having a light schedule means I can move more smoothly into the as yet unshaped routine of working at the chateau. Today I have just one client. I'm ok with that. I'll dip my toe into the feng shui of working here, probably that's just enough for the first day. That said I am so looking forward to a more fully fleshed out schedule (pardon the pun). I hate worrying about money!

And, too, it's not good for me to have too much time on my hands. We humans are working animals. Those of us who do not work are never as happy as those of us who do. Yes, work is about making a living, but it's also about living fully, it's about self-worth and satisfaction, earning the right to live on this beautiful planet. That said, people who work too much are as unhappy as those who sit around all the time. Balance is everything.

Everyone who knows anything about me understands I prefer satisfaction to happiness. Happiness is a fly-by sensation, a quick fluttering that never lasts very long. Happiness is something I chase after - forever, it seems - though I never quite catch up to it. It's a wild goose chase, pursuing happiness. Ask Thomas Jefferson if you doubt that this is true.

Satisfaction is a beautiful, cohesive sense of well being centered deep in the belly. It develops internally in response to work well done. I'm feeling satisfied today as I gaze at the new blog - it's just what I wanted it to be - or the configuration of the chateau (shifted drastically to make room for the massage studio).

A steady flow of clients in and out of the chateau will bring more satisfaction. I am counting the days till Labor Day. Everyone comes back to town after that, and everyone will need a massage. I am so looking forward to the end of this summer! Oh yeah!

12 comments:

glnroz said...

I always felt bad for Mick Jagger,, he never could "get no satisfaction",,,I agree with you,,:)

Cheryl Cato said...

Maybe in a month or two I'll be able to clean up the plot where the tomatoes grew. It is a weedy mess, but it is too hot to clear it out and to plump up the mint and herbs.

ellen abbott said...

Happy is fleeting, yes. Happy moments are good but I think satisfaction is better overall. And I too am waiting for summer to end and an end to these triple digit days. Were unwilling to start the kiln when it is this hot.

NanU said...

Me too I love working, and August is the dead month for this entire country. I get so many things done I haven't had time for the rest of the year. It's so quiet. And I could even knock off early (if I only knew what to do with myself if I did so...) So Hooray for August and taking things at our leisure!
If the stop sign is backwards, does that mean Go?

Reya Mellicker said...

Aww, poor Mick. Wait. Why am I feeling sorry for him??

Yes Nancy, it means GO!!

Reya Mellicker said...

Nancy - ha! Didn't even SEE the backwards stopsign in the pic till you pointed it out. Perfect!

Pauline said...

Yes indeed, work enjoyed and work well done are cause for great satisfaction. No doubt you will have plenty of happy moments working at the chateau. Now I'm off to read your other blog - brave you to have two. I find my second often languishes for months, not for lack of something to write about but for time to write it!

Reya Mellicker said...

The second blog is really my professional website. When I decided to use a blog instead of a traditional website I figured I wouldn't post that much, just something here and there to keep it alive. Mostly I wanted it to be about the tabs at the top, about the practice, my CV, etc. I expected it to be informational only.

Apparently I have a LOT to say about healing. The posts are already formed, standing in a long queue patiently waiting to be written. I feel I have a book in me of which this is a crude outline or beginning. So far it has not been a chore.

I'm not a professional writer though and I don't take time to polish blog posts - why bother? They'll be yesterday's news tomorrow.

Reya Mellicker said...

for which

steven said...

reya - please write the book - or let it write you! whichever comes first! blessings from me accompany both your work in your home and your bloggy outpouring. steven

Reya Mellicker said...

Steven I think the book is writing me! I've even moved my computer to a more suitable place in the house for writing. I'm kind of in awe, watching this new chapter take shape. Wow.

The Bug said...

Mike seems to struggle the most when class isn't in session. You'd think the break would be good for him. And it is, physically. But psychically he needs to work - it's better for his mental health.

And I'm discovering what I suspected - I also do better when I'm busy. Sure hope my doctor releases me to return to work on the 29th!

I'm really proud of you for taking this step in your professional life. I see it as a Very Good Thing!