Tse - Sole guidance: ancient secrets of Chinese reflexology to heal the body, mind, heart, and spirit

Copyright 2016 by Holly Tse

Published and distributed in the United States by: Hay House, Inc.: www.hayhouse.com Published and distributed in Australia by: Hay House Australia Pty. Ltd.: www.hayhouse.com.au Published and distributed in the United Kingdom by: Hay House UK, Ltd.: www.hayhouse.co.uk Published and distributed in the Republic of South Africa by: Hay House SA (Pty), Ltd.: www.hayhouse.co.za Distributed in Canada by: Raincoast Books: www.raincoast.com Published in India by: Hay House Publishers India: www.hayhouse.co.in

Cover design: Michelle Polizzi Interior design: Pamela Homan
Illustrations by Holly Tse, www.ChineseFootReflexology.com

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording; nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise be copied for public or private useother than for fair use as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviewswithout prior written permission of the publisher.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

The stories that appear in this book are based on real experiences. Some of the stories are composites; individual names and identifying details have been changed.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Tse, Holly, date, author.

Title: Sole guidance : ancient secrets of Chinese reflexology to heal the body, mind, heart, and spirit / Holly Tse.

Description: 1st edition. | Carlsbad, California : Hay House, Inc., 2016.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016014318 | ISBN 9781401949273 (paperback)

Subjects: LCSH: Reflexotherapy. | Foot--Massage. | BISAC: HEALTH & FITNESS / Alternative Therapies. | HEALTH & FITNESS / Massage & Reflexotherapy. | BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Healing / Energy (Chi Kung, Reiki, Polarity).

Classification: LCC RM723.R43 T74 2016 | DDC 615.8/224--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016014318

ISBN: 978-1-4019-4927-3

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

1st edition, July 2016

Printed in the United States of America

CONTENTS

An Important Note

Within this book, I share information about how to locate and massage Chinese reflexology points. Please note that if you are pregnant, it is recommended that you do not practice reflexology as there are acupuncture points in the feet and near the ankles that are used to induce labor. In addition, if you have an acute heart condition, it is best to avoid practicing reflexology.

Please note that the recommendations may or may not be appropriate for you. Please check with your physician, health-care professional, or therapist prior to starting any new health regimen.

As a second generation Chinese Canadian, I was raised to do well in school and get a good job. I dutifully followed this program as best I could, even though I knew in my heart that I was meant to follow a different path.

When I was six years old, my teacher asked the class what we wanted to be when we grew up. The other kids said things like fireman, nurse, and astronaut. I wrote down that I wanted to be a loyer. I remember being very confused when Mrs. Smith gently corrected me and spelled the word out loud: L-A-W-Y-E-R. How could that be the right spelling for my chosen career?

When I was 13, it dawned on me that I had no idea what a lawyer was and that I really didnt want to be one. I was drawn to art and design, but never thought I could do what I loved for a living. My mom would tell me, Your cousin is good at art, but its a hobby. Thats why he is studying computers.

I thought a good compromise would be to get a business degree and work in marketing. My first job out of university lasted for six months before the boredom forced me to quit. I stayed at my second job for two and a half years, but I had an exit plan in place even before my first day of work. I always felt like I had to put in my time before I could do what I wanted to.

It became a pattern that I would start a new job and like it until I had mastered the tasks. After that, I would get bored and stick it out until I couldnt take it any longer. In between jobs, I gave myself permission to follow my heart and pursue interests I loved, but because my mind was so dominant, that didnt last very long. I always returned to the corporate world. I kept trying to change my circumstances within the confines of having a good job.

This went on for over 15 years. I would sit at my office desk, yet every cell in my body would be screaming at me to get up and walk out the door. I forced myself to stay because my mind was calling all the shots. I had a good job and was making good money in the glamorous field of web design. I worked on high-profile projects for some of the biggest consumer brands in the world.

By societys standards, I was highly successful. People aspired to have my career, so what right did I have to say it wasnt good enough for me? How could I walk away from a perfect career because I was unhappy and my life felt meaningless?

Over time, doing something I despised every day took a toll on my health and well-being. My body protested by breaking down, and my thoughts turned negative, filled with resentment, anger, and hopelessness. Outwardly, I seemed reasonably calm, but inside I was seething. I blamed incompetent co-workers for making my job more difficult. I blamed managers for failing to support me. I blamed my job for my unhappiness. Looking back, though, there was no reason to blame anyonenot even myself. All I had to do was simply walk away.

When you ignore your souls calling, the Universe steps in to help you along. At first, it lights a path for you to follow. The path may not be entirely clear at the beginning, but as long as you step forward, you continue to be guided. However, when you dismiss the signs, the Universe gets your attention in ways that you cant ignore.

For me, my work environment would always deteriorate. All sorts of drama and trauma would bubble up until I felt like I was forced to quit. However, I kept going back for more.

There was only one thing that made me pay attention, and that was when my body broke down and my health suffered. As a result, over the course of ten years, I experienced three major health crises. With each crisis, I discovered a catalyst to heal my body, and each catalyst was more powerful than the previous.

The third catalyst was so powerful that it not only restored my health, it enabled me to thrive. I felt stronger, healthier, happier, and more alive than I had in years. And there was an extra bonus that came with the third catalystI found my life purpose.

The First Catalyst

In my mid-20s, I was in a car accident that left me with chronic pain in my neck and shoulders. The car was struck from the side by another vehicle. Unfortunately, I was sitting on the side that took the brunt of the impact. I felt like my body was broken and I would be doomed to suffer for the rest of my life. Before the accident, Dan, my boyfriend at the time, and I had planned to do a cross-Canada bicycle trip. After the accident, I rarely rode my bike as it was too much of a strain on my upper body, and I was also afraid of injuring myself further.