The 3 Secret Questions Revealed You Must Ask to Choose the Best Massage Therapy School for You!

Before I tell you more, let's talk about you!

People have told you that you're good with your hands!
You love making people feel good and you would love making
money while you do!

So now you say to yourself, "I need to find the right
school for me."

You start calling schools and every single school tells
you they are the best school and each school claims that
when you graduate you'll have all the skills you need to
start your exciting new career. Wow! An exciting new
career awaits you!

But whoa! Stop! Hold your horses! Which school do you
pick? They all say they're the best! Can they all be? Can
they all be the best for you?

How do you choose the school that will give you the
highest level of training so you'll be one of the most
sought after massage therapists in the field?

How will you know the difference between a school that
offers you an exceptional education and a school that
offers you a slick marketing campaign but gives you a
mediocre education?

Well, I've got a secret. I've worked on the inside as an
"Admissions Director" in a number of schools from big
corporate schools to small schools and I know what they
do to try
to "convince you" to go to their school regardless of the
quality of education you'll receive and regardless of what
would be best for you!

They don't want you to know the inside secrets which I'm
about to share with you.

Now, don't get me wrong, there a number of exceptional
massage therapy schools throughout the country and the 3
powerful questions you'll receive momentarily will help
you find those diamonds amongst the glass!

Here's more of the secret! All massage therapy schools
are a business. Well, nothings wrong with that, but the
problem comes when a school cares more about the bottom
line than the success of their students.

So what do some schools do? Sometimes they invest more
money in their marketing than they do in the quality of
your education. Why would any school do that? It's a whole
lot easier to create slick marketing ads than it is to
create an exceptional curriculum and education!

A number of schools pay big bucks to giant marketing
companies to spin their school so you will enroll! What
are most people impressed by? Pretty, shiny brochures,
with pretty shiny people in it and polished sales
presentations.

Now there's nothing wrong with all that, but will any of
those marketing devices really let you know the true
quality of education you'll actually receive?

No, but people usually base their decision to enroll in a
school based on the sales pitch they are given and if they
"like" the "admissions advisor". Now some of you may know
this already, but the titles; "admissions rep" or
admissions advisor are simply fancy names for trained
sales people that have big quotas to meet and in some
schools you are simply a number to help them meet that
quota! I should know, I used to train them!

Now even though your "admissions rep" may be a really
wonderful person, how can you possibly know the quality of
the education you'll receive from a person telling you
what they want you to hear.

This brings us to the 3 powerful, secret questions you
*must* ask to find the truly exceptional school:

#1. How many modalities will you be able to *practice*
upon graduation?
(A modality is a style of massage)

Why is it so important to learn multiple modalities? If
you only learn one style of massage, you will be working
in the same way every day. If you do anything
repetitively, you risk injury or burnout and with only one
style of massage, believe me, you will get burned out! If
you learn multiple styles you will enjoy massaging your
clients for years!

Imagine if you were a hair stylist but were only taught
how to cut one style of hair. Let's say a bowl-cut. Two
things would happen. One, you would get very bored and
two, not all of your clients would want that particular
style. One style does not fit all.

The same goes for your massage therapy clients. Each of
them will need different styles depending on who they are
and what they need from their massage therapy session.
Some will need the energizing effects of Shiatsu. Some
will need the deeper work of Neuro-muscular therapy. Some
clients may need the clearing work of polarity. Make sure
the school you select offers multiple modalities!

Now here's another secret! A slick marketing trick that a
number of schools use. Most schools offer only one type of
massage training and little teaser intros on some other
types during your education. They usually include these
teasers in their brochures and presentations. You will
probably think you learn all of those styles during your
training but in reality, they do *not* teach you the other
styles. You will only be qualified to practice *one* type
of massage upon your graduation.

Remember, ask the school how many modalities you will be
qualified to practice when you graduate!

#2. How does the school teach body mechanics, that is how
will they teach you the techniques of massaging clients so
you won't burn-out?

Did you know that over 100,000 new massage therapists
have left the field in the last 4 years? Why? Simple
answer. Because of burnout. They were not taught the
proper way of using their bodies to massage their clients.
Make sure the school you select can clearly explain to you
how they'll teach you good body mechanics.

#3. Does the school offer a holistic approach to your
training and have them explain it to you.
(This is the MOST important question because most
schools teach a one dimensional technical approach.)

You need to decide if you want a technical training,
which teaches you how to do a technical massage which is
very one dimensional or a holistic training which teaches
multiple modalities and has a multi-dimensional approach.

Graduates of technical based massage therapy schools
receive a competent knowledge of the body and learn a
thorough technical approach to giving massages to their
clients, but they tend to give their clients impersonal,
technical massages. They simply learn how to move muscles
around.

Graduates of a holistic training not only learn the
science of massage, you will actually transform as a
person which will make you a better therapist. From that
foundation you can then transform your client during their
massage session.

How will you transform as a person you may ask? A
holistic massage therapy school teaches you from a
Mind/Body/Spirit approach that is heart-centered and takes
into account the entire person not simply their muscles.
It's not just what techniques you use in a massage that
matter, but how you apply those techniques. The "how"
involves the kind of environment you create during your
session so your client feels safe and open to receive your
massage.

That massage would then be called a "Mindful Massage".
Being mindful means you learn how to become calm,
centered, open-hearted and fully focused on your client
throughout the massage. Mindfulness also involves being
"embodied." Embodiment means you are not just in your
"head" but alive and aware in your body and connected
with the entire Wisdom of your Being. All of this allows
you to trust your intuition to create a unique massage
every time for your client instead of the same "routine."

Your clients will receive a much deeper experience from
someone who is trained in the holistic approach. If you
have a client that has only known the technical massage,
they will be absolutely blown away by the multi-
dimensional, heart centered holistic massage that you give
them!

In a technical massage the massage therapist works "on"
you. In a heart-centered holistic massage, the therapist
works "with" you.

I have a test you can try on your self right now that
illustrates the difference perfectly!

Test # 1. Take your left thumb and find a spot on your
right forearm that's sore. Press down hard on it with
your thumb. How does that feel?

Test # 2. Now, take your right thumb and find a spot on
your left forearm that is sore. Lightly place your thumb
over that spot. Lightly. Take a deep breath in and as you
exhale, increase your pressure only as fast as the muscle
releases under your thumb. This is called sinking in. You
sink into the muscle instead of pushing on it.

Which experience did you prefer? If you picked # 1, then
by all means go to a technical massage school. However,
if you picked # 2, a holistic massage school would be
perfect for you. I think your clients would probably
pick # 2 as well.

You now have the 3 *powerful* questions that will help
you choose the perfect massage school for you. Make sure
that you ask these 3 questions to any school that you are
considering and you will find the school of your dreams!

Pros and Cons of Becoming a Massage Therapist

Shifting from regular employment to running a home-based business seems to be an international trend nowadays. Indeed, thousands upon thousands of people have quit their jobs in the last couple of years in favor of establishing their own business, which apparently has a bigger income potential.

Of course, the kind of income that you would receive from a home-based business would depend on several factors, such as the demand for your chosen product or service, your capability of providing this product or service, and the size of the initial investment.

The good news is that there are actually several types of small businesses that you can choose from so that you can earn the extra income that you need. Service-based businesses like party-planning, catering, house-cleaning, and so on are very lucrative because people are usually too busy to do these tasks on their own because of their jam-packed schedules. It is also because of this busy lifestyle that the massage industry is practically booming nowadays.

Becoming a massage therapist is undoubtedly one of the best career moves that you can make, although there are also some drawbacks that come with the job, as with any other profession. In order to help you determine whether a career in massage therapy would be the right one for you, we have compiled a number of pros and cons of this business for your consideration.

What are the pros?

Just like many other home-based businesses, one of the most obvious advantages of being a massage therapist is that you will be in control of your own time. You can schedule your house calls or client visits as you wish, and you can take as many or as few clients as you want in a day.

However, the most popular reason why people go into the business of massage therapy is because it can bring in a huge income if you do your job right. If you exude an amiable personality in addition to having exceptional massage skills, there is no doubt that you will have many returning clients, who will provide you with a more or less stable business income. The demand for massage service, particularly home service, is also very high so you won't have trouble looking for new clients at all.

Another perk of being a massage therapist is that you get to meet many different kinds of people on the job. Although a lot of massage clients to prefer to be quiet during the massage and just enjoy the relaxing massage in silence, there are also those that like to strike a conversation with the masseuse, which gives you the opportunity to learn more about your clients and build a good professional relationship with them.

What are the cons?

There are not really that many disadvantages of being a massage therapist, except perhaps that it can get tiring for your hands and arms if you have to visit several clients one after the other. However, as mentioned earlier, you do have complete control over your schedule so you can space out the client visits so you will have time to rest in between these visits.

You might also have to spend some time training to become a massage therapist so that you can learn the right techniques that will bring satisfaction to your clients. If you feel that you already know how to give a good massage, you may skip the training. After all, professional training is not required for anyone to become a massage therapist. There is no need for licenses or certifications as well.

Another disadvantage, if you could call it that, of being in the massage therapy business is that you would have to purchase your own equipment before you can launch your business. The largest expense would probably be the massage table, which can cost anywhere from $200 to more than $5000 apiece. In the beginning, though, all you will need is a basic portable massage table, which does not really cost all that much.

Since you will be dealing with all kinds of people in the massage business, you should also prepare yourself to handle irritable and overly stressed out clients, who can be extremely hard to please. However, if you do the massage procedure correctly and efficiently, you can be certain that even the grumpiest client will be in a much better mood after you're done with them.

There really is no definite answer on whether becoming a massage therapist is the right move - this is a question that you and you alone can answer, based on your own interests, preferences and passion. If you are still on the fence, you can try talking to a few massage therapists so that you can get a better idea of what to expect once you do make that major career change.

Online Elementary School Learning With Moodle

Many U.S. school districts are introducing online courses to offer a unique learning experience for their students. The schools believe that, through online classes, accessibility of the courses will increase which in turn will enhance the class attendance level and generate high revenue in a quick period of time.

Introduction of such courses especially helps students of American origin who are mostly home-schooled because of their staying in different locations and having negligible access to quality educational institutions.

Many elementary schools have begun to create their classes on Moodle, which is an open-source platform that comes free of cost. Teachers of various educational institutions as well as vocational courses have started using the Moodle classroom learning module to allow students residing at different parts of the world to easily enroll for classes.

Through the use of such online platforms, elementary school teachers can leave their virtual classroom door unlocked. Moodle and such other learning management platforms give students the facility to access a wide variety of class notes, course schedules, assignments, and questionnaires at digital pace. Students only need to have access to an internet connection to start reaping the benefits of online elementary school learning.

Moodle learning module gives enough room for collaboration and interaction amongst students and with the teacher. Learners can form small groups to discuss, converse, and share learning materials and homework with their peers. Additionally, teachers can simply address such small sized groups, clarifying all doubts rather than having to manage large groups of learners in a physical classroom environment.

Educators can assess online content using a range of assessment tools in the quiz module (comprising of short answers, multiple-choice questions, true/false, fill in the blanks, and more). This can prove to be beneficial for both the instructor and the student, since such feedbacks can be set up to occur immediately following the assessment.

For those elementary schools that run short of money every now and then and often find it difficult to meet their regular administrative expenses can use Moodle to conduct and manage their classes for free. The learning management system is free to use and does not include any installation or subscription charges.

Thus, elementary schools can offer learning through such a free learning management platform because:

•It enables greater interaction and collaboration amongst learners and teachers
•Can be accessed anytime and from anywhere, or even while traveling
•Easy sharing of YouTube, Google Videos implanted in Moodle web pages
•Permits both online and offline assignments, assessments, individual and group effort
•Offers class-related calendars for easy viewing of all your class/course schedules

Moodle is an environment-friendly module since it eliminates the usage of paper to do any kind of administrative task. Teachers can easily create a wide range of assignments for students to work upon them online. Teachers can also add their comments on the uploaded student documents and projects, easily and quickly.

Physical Therapy for Bulging Disc Relief and Recovery

Bulging discs commonly occur as the body ages and the intervertebral disc degenerates. However, bulging discs happen not just in senior adults but also in younger ones. At the center of the intervertebral disc is a soft and spongy substance called the nucleus pulposes. When this substance bulges out, it puts pressure on the ligaments known as annulus fibrosis, which surrounds the core. This normally is not a cause for major concern and may not even be painful but it becomes serious when the bulging intrudes into the area of the spinal canal. When this happens, the pain can be unbearable.

While majority of people with bulging discs do not experience debilitating pain, there are a few cases when patients suffer severe and persistent low back pain caused by a bulging disc, which hinders their normal activities. The good thing is most cases of bulging discs do not require surgical treatment. Doctors usually provide initial treatment of bulging discs through non-surgical or conservative methods focusing on pain relief, both short-term and permanent, and more importantly, healing.

To help reduce inflammation, your physician may recommend that you limit your activities and get some bed rest. For mild to moderate pain, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines. Sometimes, patients receive steroid injections for temporary pain relief.

Physical therapy for bulging disc is also one of the recommended ways of treatment. Like any medical treatment, physical therapy for bulging disc starts with the doctor's evaluation of your condition. Once the doctor has determined his diagnosis, he or she will design a program specific to your needs.

Physical therapy for bulging disc makes use of different methods, one of which is traction. In this procedure, the therapist pulls the vertebrae so the blood can flow into the damaged disc and promote healing. Another common physical therapy for bulging disc is massage therapy, which also improves blood circulation in the affected area.

Stretching exercises are also part of physical therapy for bulging disc. In addition to this, your therapist may gradually incorporate strengthening exercises into your therapy program to strengthen the muscles in your back.

Other methods in physical therapy for bulging disc are ice therapy, heat therapy, ultrasound therapy, and electrical stimulation. Your doctor or therapist may also recommend muscle relaxants and pain relief medication in combination with physical therapy for bulging disc. There are many treatment options for bulging discs. Some may work and some may not. Your doctor will help you determine which ones will work for you best.

Training in Massage Therapy - Modalities Taught

Find Training in Massage Therapy in the United States and Canada. There are over 80 different massage modalities in practice today. Training in massage therapy, however, is nearly as varied as the broad array of techniques available. Most curricula entail anatomy, physiology, and pathology; with standard hands-on instruction in deep tissue, sports and Swedish massage.

The variation of modalities taught in massage therapy programs depends on the school. For instance, if you are seeking training in massage therapy with an emphasis on Eastern medicine therapies, there are a number of healing arts schools that offer advanced and supplementary training in massage therapy including practical instruction in Thai massage, Oriental massage, Tuina, acupressure/Shiatsu and meridian therapy.

Students seeking more clinical training in massage therapy find that there are several massage programs that provide comprehensive training in hydrotherapy, Trigger point, craniosacral therapy, myofascial release; geriatric, prenatal and infant massage; and lymphatic drainage, among others. Certified massage therapists who have received comprehensive instruction in these therapies are often qualified to work in hospitals, medical clinics, physical therapy clinics, sporting events, health resorts, aboard cruise ships, spas and other healthcare related facilities.

Is there an animal lover in you? Then training in massage therapy with an emphasis on canine and/or equine massage might be right for you. These studies often include anatomy and physiology of the respective animal, and acupressure and sports massage for animals. Graduates of these programs typically receive a certificate of completion and/or diploma, and go onto working in holistic veterinary clinics, vet offices and animal shelters.

There is also training in massage therapy for the terminally ill. Patients with terminal conditions respond well to therapeutic touch therapy, and find it effective in relieving anxiety, musculoskeletal pain, insomnia and other symptoms. Certified massage therapists who have gained training in massage therapy for the terminally ill work in hospitals, nursing homes, and as home healthcare practitioners.

Want to work in a day spa or salon? Getting training in massage therapy for chair, hand and facial massage; hot and cold stone massage, and Watsu (water therapy) lends advantage for entry-level employment in the spa and beauty industry.

Additional training in massage therapy is designed for particular body regions. Reflexology, for example, is especially for the feet, hands and ears. This study is sometimes included in in-depth massage programs and is complementary to services already offered by a massage therapist or holistic healthcare practitioner.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding training in massage therapy, let professional education within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

Training in Massage Therapy - Modalities Taught
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Jump Start Your Career With Technical School Training

Continuing your education through schooling is always a beneficial decision. Most students use school loans to complete their education, but don't let the idea of getting into debt scare you. Training through a technical school will get you the job that you want sometimes in less than a year of training and will help you develop the skills to succeed. Getting a loan is a small detail within the larger picture of your career. If you are interested in training to work in the medical, business, or design fields, vocational school is still the best option for you to succeed.

Why should people go to technical school over a 4-year college?

• Lower tuition costs


• Convenient locations


• Prepares you for a career that almost guarantees a job out of school


• Time - in 9 months you can complete a thorough program that teach you just what you need to know

Going to a small, 4-year liberal arts college could cost you $30,000 or more a year. These fees include tuition, room, and board. Many people are not interested in wasting their money on such an expensive education to study something like philosophy or English. What kinds of jobs will those students get to pay back their school loans? Becoming a teacher may be the only option for them and in some areas of the country, a job as a teacher can be difficult to find. It makes much more sense to go to school for training that will directly apply to a future job. There are also career services offered through every school to help you find a job placement after you complete the program.

Students who train to become a dental assistant, a network administrator, or a graphic design specialist at a technical school are far more likely to get secure jobs enabling them to pay back the small amount of school loans they have quickly. The savings on tuition by going to a vocational school means that completing such a program is a much more secure investment. Every technical school has a financial aid office willing to go the extra mile to get you the money you need to go to school. Schools want your business; so don't let fear of not getting a loan keep you from beginning a new career. There is money available for you.

You don't have to pay thousands of dollars a year to live on a campus to go to technical school. Schools that are located near you offer classes at times that are convenient for your current work schedule so that you don't have to rearrange your life to be on campus. You don't need to live there; you don't need to spend money on airfare every time there is a holiday. You can live at home and go to school at the same time.

The length of the programs is also much more appealing than for a university or college. Why go to school for four years only to have an insecure job future when you can spend less than a year preparing for the job you're sure to get right out of school? You don't need to spend years building up debt through school loans. You can go to school quickly, learn the skills you need, and begin working so you can get out of debt more quickly.

Technical schools offer many rewarding career choices. You can study massage therapy and spend your workday interacting with people and helping them to overcome stress and physical debilitations. You can study what it takes graphically and technically to build enticing websites. You can study business administration and become proficient in Office software programs and leadership skills. Whichever field you choose to start a career in, technical schools are the stable educational investments that will pay off in the end. Don't be discouraged about what you hear. Technical schools will help you get the loans you need to continue your education.

More Observations And Concerns of A Massage Therapist Working From Home During Holiday Season

None of us is content to have "the passive neighbour", as we are all affected by the things that go on in the neighborhood and among those with whom we live. Let's explore the tendency to pay casual attention only during the holidays, while going about one's business unconcerned and unaffected the rest of the year. As a licensed and certified massage therapist who also works from home, I am affected on both sides of the scenarios. Neighborly relationships should matter all year, not just on holidays. One neighbor just might be called upon in a life-and-death scenario and if we have all been paying attention, we will answer this call.

Holiday seasons are some of the loneliest, most depressing times across the world. This has been my experience and observation of those I have lived among. As the season changes to the fall, it's almost as if the Universe and our bodies prepare for a long, expensive, debt-ridden, dismal, boring and aggravating portion of the year; which brings with it the grey gloom and early darkness and the feeling that as soon as possible after work you should be wearing your pajamas and hugging a pillow and the remote. "Strangers" start wishing you all kinds of things and giving "friendly" invitations to their parties (but never to network); whereas other times of year, they don't even answer when you say hello. They look the other way and pretend not to hear. Business is slow and so I have more time on my hands. So I observe people more closely... LOL

In the Spring and Summer months, you can walk about, go to the parks, the malls, bookstores, coffee shops, etc., and smile at people genuinely... or ignore people genuinely (with no one taking offense), or simply sit amongst them and listen to the buzz and not feel obligated to speak, while still feeling "part of" the aesthetics of that area. Not so the rest of the year. Everyone and their grandmother are out and about spending money they don't have (our culture is known for spending a dime while earning a nickel... ) and wishing everyone all kinds of holiday greetings. They don't care whether you celebrate holidays or not. Most people will be offended and think one's rude for not wishing the greetings back, and it doesn't matter whether you mean it or not, just as long as you "play along".

There are many who have received, and will yet receive invitations from "people they don't know"... people who don't, and probably won't, speak the rest of the year... They are buying you presents, expecting presents, and/or are acting especially friendly "in the spirit of the holidays", but have ignored you as you come and go all year... until now. If you live in a small town, then some of this might not make sense to you. Everyone usually knows everyone else and is somehow connected, so it's not strange to get or give invitations to things. However, when you live in the cities with their large apartment and condo complexes, and where most people mind their daily businesses practically oblivious to the person next door or across the hall, you understand how strange the "spirit" can be. Even networking opportunities are difficult to find within these communities and it's weird because everyone needs a "sample" back or shoulder rub as soon as you say you are a massage therapist... i.e. until they learn that you work from home, then things get really weird.

I have a neighbor who has this little dog... well in my community there are probably more pets than people but that's not the point... This woman walks the dog a few times a day as she appears to be retired. I just always seem to be heading out my door or coming in just as she's coming in or going out with the dog or we pass each other at the park. I say hello, but never get a response. Sometimes I chuckle to myself as I come upon her and see her try to busy herself with the dog or turn to look at the sky or anything, just so she doesn't look at me... the last time she looked at me I smiled and said how are you today and that was "uncomfortable" as she swooped down and pet her dog and said nice things to it... It's people like this that offer you a pie at holiday time! The woman whose door is immediately in front of mine seems to watch me through the peephole. If she's walking her dog in and sees me coming, she either hurries in or stops a ways away to "watch the sky," waiting for me to get in ahead of her. If we happen to open our doors to leave at the same time, she goes back in and waits for me to go down the stairs. At first it was weird, but now I ignore her or occasionally it's funny in my mind. The woman who walks this neighbor's dog for her during the days does the same thing... well, she'll respond when I say hello, but if I follow-up with a "how are you doing today?", then she turns and begins addressing the dog instead of responding to that... no further conversation is necessary, I guess.

I have greeted a few in the community who knew me by name and that I am a massage therapist (yes your neighbours do talk about you); which is even weirder than the prior experiences because they have never stopped to introduce themselves. I'm so surprised that they call me by name and stuff that the moment passes before I can shake hands and ask their names... A lot of people have lived here for years and some even have keys to other people's apartments. Actually, I had the locks changed when I moved in because I kept coming home and wondering whether someone had been here snooping. These are the people who will probably be having the home parties during the holidays and will want to invite me... to play along. All of this is o.k., as long as it's o.k. for me to simply smile and say thanks (good manners) and make mental note to approach after "the spirit of the holidays" has passed. I do realize people take strong offense and might not be cordial after I have politely declined a holiday invitation. Neighbours don't have to be friends, but casual and cordial conversations should be the norm, not just for a season. Since I work from home from time to time, it would be nice to get to know my neighbors, because of the need for security in the kind of work that I do. I look out for them and they look out for me... and we both benefit professionally and socially...

Single people and the elderly are some of the loneliest around holiday times. Even the clubs hike their prices so as to increase their profits. Many migrants, as well as others in the community don't celebrate/observe the holidays. Some people do celebrate but are away from their families and friends, and/or are unemployed and can't afford to observe them. Cordial and casual conversations with these people could give insight on these situations throughout the year, if we are truly neighborly. This way we can cordially check on and look out for one another, whether they look like us, speak like us, believe what we believe or celebrate what we celebrate or not... in a "spirit of reality and community".

Unfortunately, people are suspicious of others, but not suspicious enough to befriend a person to find out first hand who he/she is. I am still trying to find out what is so interesting about a single, black, woman with locs living alone in her apartment; coming and going with her hippie-like sack on her shoulder. Foreign blacks are different from American blacks, but to Americans, we all look the same and do the same things. Neighbors appear to be mostly interested in how/whether one can afford the rent, what someone does for work (which you will be judged by), where the neighbor is going or coming from; how many men or women come and go from that apartment and what do they do in there... Great, if they would talk directly to you.

Massage therapists working from home must realize that a majority will assume that you are involved in more "raunchy" and exciting stuff than just giving professional massages. In my case, how else am I able to afford to pay my bills and be home a lot with only a few clients, some wonder. My business cards and related advertising are removed from the community board as fast as I put them up, while other materials seem to stay for months after people have moved out. People wonder "quietly" whether I will have all kinds of other black people over and play loud music and have loud fights... or whatever other stereotypes one may have of black people... I can see the shock and almost "ease" on some faces when my patrons are white, like my neighbors, affluent, and that there are many females among them. All of these things may determine whether or not they speak to me, notice if they haven't seen me for a while, or sense something out of "the norm". This kind of scrutiny can prove helpful when it counts... if not just in the imagination of the suspicious neighbor. However, imagination and judgment should not replace facts or a cordial and good rapport within the community.

I believe neighbors should exchange phone numbers. This way if the music is loud, just call up or knock next door... instead of slamming doors, calling the cops, or banging on the walls/floors. I've given my card to a few but I wonder whether they haven't given me theirs because "they're just not into me"... LOL You don't have to send wine and food. You don't have to ask me out on a Saturday night date, but you can smile and make casual conversation. I like to leave my card with the new people when we meet but if I don't have one on me and it's inopportune, I leave it later with a note under the door. One never knows, whether I may be available to help them get settled in in some way... or give a therapeutic and spirit-based massage when the boxes are empty... LOL. Invite a few over for a game of cards and have a potluck. Go to the gym or go jogging together. There are so many things to do and so many ways to get to know your neighbors. Making acquaintance before and without the holidays will make invitations around the holidays much easier and more genuine. In my case, it might prove important and therapeutic for your home, health and personal care.