Playing Cupid

I've begun to notice that a lot of my single clients tend to meet people after beginning treatment with me. At first I thought I was some sort of magical love goddess, whose needles wielded the power to bring kindred souls together, much like Cupid's arrow. I began to fantasize about starting an acupuncture/dating service for those out there looking for love. How incredible, I thought, to have the power to both heal someone, and to help them fall in love!

After talking to a good friend of mine, I was brought back down to earth.

"It actually makes sense," she said thoughtfully, after patiently suffering through my delusions of grandeur. "It's a lot easier to meet someone when you are relaxed and calm and happy. And that's how you are after you leave an acupuncture session."

I have to admit, she has a point. I am far (far, far) too familiar with the world of dating: the expectations, the nervous small-talk, the numerous escapes through bathroom windows. Let's face it, dating can be tough. You're placed into a social situation which is designed for maximum discomfort ... and you are also supposed to be your "best self" in this scenario. Don't get me wrong; I actually enjoy dating. Sometimes. But even the best dates have a certain level of stress and fear involved -- that's what makes it exciting!   

Think about how you are when you are surrounded by your closest friends. You are probably a completely different person than when you are out on a first date. Why? Because the stress factor has been eliminated. You don't have all those endorphins pumping through your system, making your heart race and your armpits slowly dampen. You don't need to fill the empty spaces with idle nervous chitchat to get through the night. You probably don't drop things, stutter, babble mindlessly or shut down completely when you are around your friends. Those chemicals that are released when you are under stress simply aren't activated when you are comfortable.  

I have heard it said that relaxation is a state of absolute reality. When things are relaxed, they slowly take their course, unencumbered by obstacles. When people are relaxed, they are their truest selves, unstunted by fears and disguises. When you leave a session of acupuncture, you leave feeling not only relaxed, but content with who you are and completely at peace with yourself. Isn't this the ideal place to be in when meeting someone new? So be sure to schedule a session before that next date, and let my magical needles do their work. Who knows -- you could be my next romance success story!