I just came back from my morning walk with Bentley, my chocolate Labrador. We went by the lake where gentle waves rolled on the sand. The sound relaxes my mind and spirit. I thought about how different my life is today than thirteen years ago.
I used to be a busy executive working downtown Toronto with no extra energy for morning walks or time to care for a dog. For my parents, it was important I obtain a big professional title coupled with a big salary.
As an ambitious young professional, I often felt sick. The superficial personalities of my colleagues and the culture of my work environment drained my energy. When the weekend rolled around, I could take time to relax but would feel worse. I went to my family doctor who said nothing was wrong, so I started to go for Massage Therapy just to relax. One day the spa concierge suggested Shiatsu. I did not know what Shiatsu was. I pronounced it “Shih Tzu”, like the dog.