So today was the day that I finally knocked a pestering monkey off of my back...one that's been looming over my head for the past year: I crushed my NCETMB exam! Thankfully on the first try. And while "crushed" is a slight overstatement, it does feel as if I made that exam my bitch! 
(Nanananana!!)
Ever since I had graduated from school in February 2012, I chose to avoid taking the test mainly because it wasn't a requirement to have licencing in order to practice massage within my state. I figured why go through the hassle if I'd be taking the test just to meet the goals of others' expectations, or to put unnecessary pressure on myself so early out of school. Truthfully, hearing stories from fellow and former classmates about the degree of difficulty of the exam got me spooked. I figured I would rather ignore achieving the accomplishment of state licencing if it meant bypassing the bad news that a failure would incur.
But as the months flew by, I eventually stopped lying to myself about not being petrified at the thought of failing. In addition to letting so many supporters down, ranging from family to friends to former instructors, I was most of all denying myself the opportunity to reach the brass ring of my profession. I wanted to declare that I've worked hard at never being called a masseuse/masseur. This licence validates my vocation as a body worker, that I'm there to help people and not just collect a paycheck.
So today I decided that I couldn't hide anymore from the test. And you know what? I have to say it wasn't nearly as daunting as I anticipated, or as intimidating as I created it to be. Don't get me wrong, that sucker knocked a few heavy gusts of wind into my sails, but I weathered the storm towards a passing grade. My hands were visibly shaking upon the successful completion. I can't remember being so happy and shocked and nerve wrecked all at the same time.
Just knowing that if you put your fears behind you, pass or fail, you end surprising yourself at how much you truly can accomplish. I hope everyone out there lives with no regrets, no fears. This is easier said than done, but overcoming your fears leaves the greatest sigh of relief lingering in your breath...
(Nanananana!!)Ever since I had graduated from school in February 2012, I chose to avoid taking the test mainly because it wasn't a requirement to have licencing in order to practice massage within my state. I figured why go through the hassle if I'd be taking the test just to meet the goals of others' expectations, or to put unnecessary pressure on myself so early out of school. Truthfully, hearing stories from fellow and former classmates about the degree of difficulty of the exam got me spooked. I figured I would rather ignore achieving the accomplishment of state licencing if it meant bypassing the bad news that a failure would incur.
But as the months flew by, I eventually stopped lying to myself about not being petrified at the thought of failing. In addition to letting so many supporters down, ranging from family to friends to former instructors, I was most of all denying myself the opportunity to reach the brass ring of my profession. I wanted to declare that I've worked hard at never being called a masseuse/masseur. This licence validates my vocation as a body worker, that I'm there to help people and not just collect a paycheck.
So today I decided that I couldn't hide anymore from the test. And you know what? I have to say it wasn't nearly as daunting as I anticipated, or as intimidating as I created it to be. Don't get me wrong, that sucker knocked a few heavy gusts of wind into my sails, but I weathered the storm towards a passing grade. My hands were visibly shaking upon the successful completion. I can't remember being so happy and shocked and nerve wrecked all at the same time.
Just knowing that if you put your fears behind you, pass or fail, you end surprising yourself at how much you truly can accomplish. I hope everyone out there lives with no regrets, no fears. This is easier said than done, but overcoming your fears leaves the greatest sigh of relief lingering in your breath...
kaicito:
Somehow a mere "congrats" seems inadequate, but there it is.And don't I know that feeling... you create behemoths in your mind that turn out to be just moths after all ;-)
nebuchadnezzar:
I'll just ditto what kaicito said. Cangrats may seem inadequate but congratulations anyways. 