Where They Are Now – Lisa Smyth

It has been nearly six months since I moved back to Zimbabwe, so I thought I would let you know how I am getting along. I have found an upmarket shop which sells vitamin supplements and health foods. They rent two adjacent rooms out, and I share the rooms with a variety of Osteopaths, Physiotherapists, and Neuromuscular therapists. What a great environment for someone newly qualified to work in, as I can take my numerous and varied queries to seasoned practitioners.

My Swedish Massage is most in demand, and I work in conjunction with the Osteopath, treating clients before she sees them. This is an intensive way to build up my remedial knowledge on treatment of injuries and skeletal problems. Reflexology and Aromatherapy I find are less well known, and a description of a Hot Stone Massage has raised a few eyebrows, but word is spreading. I have been approached by a variety of businesses looking to do ‘package deals’, and thank goodness for the skills that the Business Course taught me, I have avoided a few hard lessons.

Not a day goes by that I don’t look back at my clients and thank the heavens for the commonsense approach you taught all of us at Omni, as I have had a few ‘real life’ experiences with all different sorts of people. I have also managed to maintain my poise through the challenges of working in a Third World country – no electricity for weeks on end, no water, no telephones. My college learning has stood me in great stead, as I calmly make another plan, whether its kindling a fire to heat my hot stones, or taking my massage couch into the garden to counter the lack of lighting inside.

I also volunteer my services at our town’s Cancer Centre – a humbling experience as I work with a class of people who would never have been able to afford a treatment on their own. Consumables are very very limited as they rely on nearly non-existent donations – our aromatherapy kit consists of two sticky bottle of lavender oil. I work closely with the doctors and counsellors, learning about cancer treatments and how I can complement their radiation, chemotherapy or surgical procedures.

All in all although I have had to work very hard and have been frustrated and irritated, I am so glad I threw in my corporate job and took up what I truly feel is my life’s calling. I end my days tired and satisfied that I have done some good to someone. We have just found out we are pregnant, and to be able to adjust my schedule to suit my energy levels and abilities has been invaluable.

Thank you Carolyne, for a solid grounding that ensured I would succeed at earning my living from Holistic Therapies.