Massage Therapy Journal Winter 2025

6 • Massage Therapy Journal

Letter from the

President

My AMTA Touchstones Hello my friends, I have found that along our journeys it is

years ago, the feelings of being included and valued stirred up by that recollection are as strong as they were then. While typing, wearing my AMTA-GA Chapter T-shirt, I pause to reach for my Tampa tea tumbler that I received at one of my first board meetings as a national director. It may be my imagination, but I swear my tea tastes better accompanied by the specific memory of camaraderie (chapter and board) and pirate boat fun (a story for another time). As I contemplate both my presidency and my time on the National Board winding down, childhood days of playing tag come to mind. There was always one predetermined place we called “home base.” It was essential home base be easy to reach, like a porch step or tree trunk. As long as some part of you was touching it, you could not be tagged. You were safe and could catch your breath before getting back in the game. It was our tag touchstone. This is what AMTA has been to me: A home base. A safe place of respite and renewal while in volunteer service to our association and profession. While my contribution may take on a new yet undetermined change, rest assure I won’t be far. With gratitude I will take my touchstones and leave my seat to the those who will come after. Rick Greely — AMTA National President Elect—“Tag you’re it!” I am because WE are! A safe place of respite and renewal while in volunteer service to our association and profession. This is what AMTA has been to me: A home base.

important to collect what I call “touchstones”. Different than the conventional definition, I use it to refer to those things that we can “touch”— either figuratively or literally—that call us to be present, make us feel comforted or safe and serve as a point of grounding. These things can also put us in “touch” with the associated feelings from the previous experiences. For me, touchstones can come in many different forms. They may hold spiritual, religious or cultural significance, like a crystal, cross or totem. They can also be a designation of something or someplace special, like traveling back to our childhood home, a trinket we keep nearby or maybe that small shell found on the beach. Perhaps it is a random item that just “speaks” to us. As I write this, my last President’s letter, despite having a few months left of my term, my mind is flooded with a myriad of memories from my year thus far, as well as my many years of volunteering. I am also surrounded by an array of physical reminders. These are my AMTA touchstones. Sustaining Memories and the Spirit of Community One of the most recent memories is the special moment at our 2025 convention in Dallas, when all of the attendees in the opening session raised and waved their arms to “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand.” Many even joined hands. It was one of the most heart-touching experiences of felt community and belonging that I recall having, and to this day continues to warm my heart and may even cause my eyes to leak. Another touchstone, though not as recent, is when I was first invited to volunteer with AMTA. Despite it being 23

ENGAGE WITH AMTA AMTA’S local chapters are a great place to start getting involved. Find yours at amtamassage.org/ chapters.

Cindy E. Farrar AMTA President

amtamassage.org/mtj