After 44 years of living, you meet a lot of people along the way. I'm realizing I have met a lot of special people. People who have helped to shape my life and taught me lessons. There are over a dozen who I believe have made a significant impact upon me (besides my family). People who seem to have had specific purpose for a certain period in my life...who have shared in my "turning points". Maybe in my life for a few months, or several years, more of an acquaintance, or knit in my heart, one with very different or very similar views and beliefs. God uses all kinds of people to teach us and to move us to the places we need to be.

I've been reconnecting with others through Facebook lately. People I met years ago, but never kept in touch with. And just today, I got an email from one of my students in Japan. She was a highschool student when I met her, but now she has a fiance, lives in Tokyo and I hope I can see her when I'm there. It makes me feel like I want to be able to spend more time with everyone. I think in many ways, I give up trying to keep in touch and build relationships because it's so hard! Seems there's not enough time. I really do enjoy having friends =), but I don't live by most of them!

I was thinking about significant people in my life because I believe Suki is one of them. She was in Korea for 2 weeks and so we were emailing back and forth. As I spend time with her and get to know her, I recognize special qualities in her. One of her greatest impacts on me is how open her heart is to me and how being around her seems to be opening my own heart. I can honestly say that she is my first close friend here in Vegas...and I've been here 10 years! I've had friends to hang out with, but no one close. We may have some different views on a spiritual level, but I'm learning so much from her on an emotional level. She's more emotional and open about her feelings than I am (not a hard thing, actually!). I found myself missing her and I usually try to close myself off from those kinds of feelings. But since she always tells me how much she misses me, I guess I didn't try to suppress how I felt.

I want to be a more loving person. To be able to show others that they are valuable and loved. In my past reviews at work, I notice that one thing that seems to stand out to my supervisors is that I treat others with respect. It surprises me that people notice. I'm happy that it shows and it really does stem from the belief that we all have value in God's eyes. But I want to go a step further and treat others with love, compassion and the way Jesus would. I'm hopeful. I've learned to hide my feelings for so long, but I think God will help me to be more transparent and true.

I believe that massage is more than a luxury or relief for sore muscles. The intention of the therapist can be felt by the guest or client. It can open up healing on a deeper level. And since I want to be the best therapist possible, I want to be able to massage with the intention of love and compassion. To be sensitive to the person's needs, and not put my own agenda upon them. I think that's what makes Suki a talented therapist. Although she's only been out of school for a year, she's doing a great job.

I'm off to the gym, then I need to get some things done. I need to focus and get through a lot of stuff. Take care of returns, order oils, clean pond, driveway stains, get ready for trip, gather contact numbers, clean kitchen, forward pictures, etc. Just thinkin' outloud...