I don't have much to complain about 2019. It's like a starting point after a few challenging years during my time making one of my dreams come true, pursuing my further study. Well, it's not perfect, not exactly the one I wished and strived for, but I am grateful to be given the opportunity to complete the study. And when I came back to my institution, I had a chance to move from my old department where I felt I was done with into a place where I work for now. The dynamic work environment and a handful of nice colleagues at my unit is something I cannot take for granted; it's a blessing. I cannot say that it's always easy and exciting but overall I enjoy working together with my mates. More importantly, I should say that the feeling of being useful is thrilling. I just feel that I am part of someting; it's nice, feels good and I am content :) 

A few days ago I went to a reflexology therapist to get some massages. This therapist is quite well-known around our city. He practices reflexology not only for relaxation as others might do, but also for treatment for various kinds of diseases from mild to severe ones. Many have proved and acknowledged his skill.

He is a retired government officer so he is an educated person. It was somewhat relieving to have a discussion with him while groaning once in a while during the massage.

I asked him whether there is a major of reflexology in medical science. He said it cannot go along with common medical knowledge.

“It is really contradictive since the reflexology principle is to clear the channels of blood to let the blood go smoothly from the brain to all parts of body while in medical practices the doctors or physicians prescribe medicines to kill the pain or to reduce the illness that leave the residue in the body, which eventually blocks the flow of blood itself.”

“Oh”, that was what I could only remarked.

“In reflexology, we stop the consumption of any medicine.” He added.

“Wow, sounds promising since we know the high sky price of medicine nowadays.”

And I continued with a little giggle.

“It would not only threaten modern medical world, but the pharmacy companies might oppose against this practice.”

“What about acupuncture? I learned that it’s a subject in medical school.”

“Oh, it’s different from acupuncture. The reflexology massage touches directly to the root of the disease. When you feel pain or pricking sensation in the spot being treated, it indicates that there is something wrong in that point or the blood flow might be blocked. So, you just have to withstand the pain for a while to let the pressure of this stick push the obstacles, hehehe.” He giggled or maybe grinned :D.

He pressed on the tip of my toe thumb and I groaned again.

“Ouch...what’s that?"

“It’s the point indicating headache.”

Ah, yeah I have been suffering from dizziness lately. Not too severe but come quite often especially when I have to over stay in front of my laptop working on my tasks.

“Ouch!” then he pressed the inner arch of my left foot.

“It’s your wrist, you are lack of water. Take enough drinking water. It is efficacious and can be economical cure.” I smiled and nodded in agreement to his suggestion.

From that short talk I came to a conclusion that reflexology can be used to treat some diseases by a skillful therapist (but such therapists seems rare), and to aid relaxation.

Since it is safe for self-massage, we can do it to our own feet in our free time while watching TV or sitting leisurely. Sooner or later we will get to know some spots indicating illness we are suffering from. No need to get aspirin for our headache, we may just have to press the tip of our toe thumb. 

Interested in experiencing such sweet pains? Have a reflexology stick and be the reflexologist yourself. I have two sticks at home by the way :D.

#I am not an expert at this area. It was just our small talk during my little pain. And I restrained myself from reading more about reflexology to avoid distracting the point I digested from the conversation. (Just a topic to practice my writing skill)

#I do not own the pictures I posted above, but borrowed them from several sites.

Have you ever met a person with a smiling face? The one who seemingly keeps smiling all the time even when he does not mean to, or when he is actually not in his best. How do you feel being close to such buddy? Feeling comfortable, right? Just fine with who you are without worrying to be an unintended one. He welcomes you, not demand you to become someone else who he would favour. And you would automatically do the same thing, being his good fellow who would not dare to hurt him.

This expression, the smiling face, may be a gift for a few people who were truly born with natural smiles on their faces. It may reflect the pureness of their hearts. But it doesn't mean that we can not stretch our lips to form such a beautiful expression.

A smile is like a stretchable arm which can be flexibly extended to gently touch the human’s very essential part, the soul. Let’s see what the smile can do.

1.  Warming

How do you feel when in the morning someone greet and smile at you? It seems that the whole day will be filled with good things. It could ease the feeling, make it lightened. Not only for the one who receives the smile but also for the person whose the smile himself. Then it will attract positive energy and attention around us and make us be attractive too. Isn't it great?

2.  Encouraging

Every person might have a very fragile part in his heart, no matter how tough he is, and how hard he tries to hide it. He could be very weak in some way, feel hopeless and desperate due to a failure or a loss. The smile can rest around one’s shoulder to give a hug to the frail soul and settle down the restless feeling. It could rekindle the spirit and brighten that almost faded life. 

3.  Reconciling

When there is a broken relationship that should be repaired, the sincere smile would do the best. It is like melting an ice block into a soluble liquid. It would reduce tension between the warring parties, and break layers dividing superiors and inferiors.

So, just smile without expecting any return because the smile is already rewarding in its own way. Do not care about the response you would get. That’s not the point. The matter is how you become a truly delightful and delighted person delivering your bright and unaffected smile to others.

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(It sounds too poetic, hahaha. Just a writing from my old achieve)