Hardworking Restaurant Boss Suddenly Quits After A Book Mysteriously Falls On Her Shoulder, Pointing Her Towards A Radical New Wellness Calling.
Finding Happiness By Helping Others Find Theirs
I worked in restaurant management through my 20s, helping oversee various aspects of restaurant operations. While many parts of my positions were fulfilling, like mentoring staff, building business, streamlining systems, and delighting guests, much of my time was consumed by repetitive administrative tasks – paperwork, controlling costs, and budget reviews.
My work left me longing for deeper meaning.
Moving Away From Restaurant Management
While taking a group of Franchisees on a cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver, I came across a quote: “The test of a vocation is the love of the drudgery it involves.“ Restaurant management brought no such love. That quote stuck in my head, and I knew I needed to discover what I loved doing. My job should not feel like work; I should love even the “drudgery it involves.”
A Clear Mind Comes From Stepping Back
With that in mind, I decided to spend a few additional days in Vancouver to think about what I really wanted in life. I was a workaholic and had not taken any time off in ten years. I hoped that by spending some time alone, I would discover where I was supposed to be.
Asking for Insight
The next day, I awoke and ventured out, hoping to find the answers. I found myself walking along a cobblestone road. There, I saw a bookstore. Walking through the doors, I asked God, “If I need something here, please bring it to me.”
Drawn to a Path
I was drawn to going down a staircase to the “Self-Help” books. As one of five children, I was raised to touch only something in a store if I would buy it. So I stood back from the bookshelves, bending over and turning sideways to read the titles.
Life Taps Me on the Shoulder
Suddenly, I felt something hit me on the shoulder, and it fell to the floor. Yes, a book physically fell off the shelf and hit me on the shoulder. I looked down and picked up the book. It was Deepak Chopra’s book Perfect Health.
Open to New Ideas
I had never heard about Deepak Chopra and knew nothing about Ayurveda, yet I knew I was supposed to read that book. I purchased it and intensely read it over the next three days.
As I read the book, I wasn’t even sure if I was pronouncing the words correctly: Ayurveda, Doshas, Vata, Pitta, Kapha. All of this was so new to me.
Learning Who I Am
In the book, I took the quiz to identify my mind-body type: thin, restless Vata; enterprising, efficient Pitta; tranquil, steady Kapha; or any combination of these three. I came out as a Vata-Pitta. I was surprised by how accurately it described me, my personality, and my traits.
Up, Up and Away
Flying home, I wanted to learn more; I called the Chopra Center and enrolled in the next available class. The class was called “Synchrodestiny.” It changed my life and my way of thinking. I hope to share more about that with you in the future.
Discovering My Higher Calling: Holistic Wellbeing
Returning home, I quit my job, moved to another state, and decided to follow my heart into the spa industry so I could touch other’s lives the way the Chopra Center touched mine. I started in the restaurant industry at the bottom and knew I would have to learn the spa industry from the bottom up, too.
Flight of Fate
Fate once again stepped in as I was flying to the state I was moving to. The woman sitting next to me on the flight was a recruiter for the spa industry. When I told her, I was making a career change. She recommended a massage school for me to go to.
Starting Over
I enrolled, and I became a licensed massage therapist and a licensed aesthetician. In addition, I pursued advanced training in life coaching, Ayurveda, reiki, crystal therapies, and every modality I could. While attending school, I worked as a spa receptionist to learn the business’s front end.
New Learning Experiences
Wanting to learn how to open a spa, I worked as a Spa Manager and Massage therapist at a new spa; then I moved over to a newly open resort spa as a therapist and subsequently became the Spa Director.
Lovingly Touch Lives Mentally and Physically
Moving forward, I opened and owned three spa locations, where I saw clients for massage, facial, and body treatments and developed unique original treatments to assist my guests with their bodies and mind. Through treatments, I compassionately counsel on graceful aging, overcoming loss, and managing stress.
Welcoming the Dirty Work
Paperwork, cleaning rooms, and doing laundry seem meaningful, knowing I’m creating a safe, healing space. Especially during the pandemic, developing protocols for the safety of the staff and guests were critical.
Safety and Sanitation
I gave guests hand sanitizer and sanitation wipes to take home every day. One of my regulars, who was so worried about traveling to see her son in another state, was so filled with fear.
She could not find sanitizer or hand wipes anywhere. I went into my storage area and came out with both for her. She burst into tears and said, “It is like you just gave me a million dollars.”
Positively Make a Difference
Making a difference in people’s lives, being a part of the sunshine, and giving each guest bespoke treatments customized just for them, never nickel and diming for “add-ons, but giving each guest what they needed that day.
Connecting Through Our Stories
Sharing stories and lives with people gives us a new perspective on our own lives. We see in others that which we deny in ourselves. We learn from others, and they learn from us. At work, we have an opportunity to make unique connections.
This is why “The test of a vocation is the love of the drudgery it involves.“ When you love your work and the importance of the smallest detail, like cleaning laundry, you no longer look at that as drudgery work. You look at it as the very meaning of your life’s work.
How Sharing Builds Bridges
My own stories remind guests that no one’s journey is perfect. But shared challenges connect us, and doors open when we seek hope. Sometimes, it just means asking for help or assistance. None of us has to go it alone.
My Wish For You
I hope you can look into yourself and see where your loves are, know the importance of the little steps, and take the time to review your life stories. You will see that it gives you deep happiness – guiding others to realize what’s truly important.
Do you love what you do? Do you appreciate everything you do and how it positively impacts others?
If Not, perhaps it is time for a change. The change starts with you.