Reflections: Light and Love

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On January 15, we as a nation celebrated the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a Baptist minister whose leadership and voice helped inflict change on a broken civil rights outlook. What Dr. King did to end segregation and combat racial inequality was noble and inspiring, but also moving was the way in which he did so—peacefully.

Turn on the news on any given day, and you will see an onslaught of violence in this country. Individuals consumed by hate feel compelled to hurt and even kill innocent strangers because of their religion, race, gender, sexual orientation or sometimes for no reason at all. It seems to be getting worse, but there is always hope.

One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King is, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

The spa industry is made up of healers with genuine interest in the well-being of their clients. Sure, we are able to improve their skin or help them relax, but it is so much more than that. Spa practitioners are gifted not only with the power of touch but also uninterrupted moments of personal connection. Use it to help spread light and love to others.The spa industry is made up of healers with genuine interest in the well-being of their clients. Sure, we are able to improve their skin or help them relax, but it is so much more than that. Spa practitioners are gifted not only with the power of touch but also uninterrupted moments of personal connection. Use it to help spread light and love to others.

In this issue of Skin Inc., we address a topic that we have never covered before—treating the transgender client. Danné Montague-King discusses not only proper terminology, but also popular treatments and approaches. According to Montague-King, a transgender client’s journey is a lonely one, and inclusion and understanding can do more than make that client comfortable, it can ensure a client for life.

On February 14, we will celebrate the day of love, Valentine’s Day. Many associate the day with greeting cards, chocolates and gifts; however, did you know that St. Valentine himself was an activist fighting against persecution? History has it that Valentine of Rome performed marriages for young soldiers despite the decree by Claudius II that soldiers should be unmarried to fight better. He also was said to help Christians escape religious persecution by the Romans.

This Valentine’s Day, follow the examples of these two great men and spread a message of equality in your workplace to both colleagues and clients. Then, carry on this message of light and love all year long to everybody around you, and watch them pay it forward.

Yours in Peace,

Katie Anderson

Katie Anderson

Senior Managing Editor

[email protected]

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