I always think that massaging is very difficult. It needs special talent and a wide knowledge of human anatomy. Just like cooking, I deeply believe that not everybody has chemistry with the kitchen. Can you imagine, knowing how much salt or vinegar you should put into a bowl of veggies, it is just not a simple thing to do. Recipes tell a lot, but how does the book of cook know how big your fingers are, how much "some" means for you and for my mom. That is why I appreciate cook books with more specific details on the ingredients, such as 1 spoonful of vanilla essence, or 1/4 cup of olive oil. They help an amateur like me a lot. Back to the massaging thing ... This is even more difficult, even to follow instructions. How on earth I could possibly know the place I should press gently? A point between the third and forth neck bone or somewhere between upper and middle waist; it is like no where in a world map. Not to mention the direct reaction from the person I am massaging. Most of the time, massage gives only two result to the recipient: relaxing and hurting; never in the middle. And it destroys my self concept when my recipient screams for my massage. So far I have only massaged my kids and their reactions always boost my confidence. My hands can cover their body and I don't need to use too much energy ... I just do it spontaneously like bathing them or preparing them dinner. I massage them lightly, wholeheartedly, chat with them and listen where they want me to put my hand. So far, there is no complaint, and they keep ask me to massage them after an exhausted swimming session or long road trip. Then I realize, I don't need the 'skills' to be able to be a massager for my kids. I need only my capability to love. My love guides my hands to go all over their body, make them relax, and keep away their tiredness. And most likely, it is not my expertise in massaging that relax their tired muscles, it is my love. They feel my love running through my palm and fingers. They don't care which point at their back or their thighs that actually need to be pressed. They just enjoy the touch and the moment. The same thing works for my husband. I have always failed massaging him because I think (this is my mind speaking) that I don't have enough strength to relax his tight muscles. My mind keeps saying that I can't press the point strong enough, that the real massager will help him better (meaning that my husband needs to wait until the day after), while maybe what he needs is my willingness to make him feel better. Again, the universe shows me different ways to love ...