Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Your Perception Creates Your Reality!




Have you ever wanted a new car? I mean really wanted a new car? I have. I spent hours online researching, shopping and learning all that I could about the car I wanted. I finally found the perfect one...and bought it. I was so excited. It was exactly what I wanted right down to the color, the options and the price I was willing to pay.

I drove the car home from the dealer on a Saturday afternoon with a big smile. The next day, while running errands in town, I saw another car exactly like mine. Then I saw another car, exactly like mine...and another. Before too long they were everywhere. The amazing thing is that before I got the car, I never saw this make, model and color package...ever!

So what changed? Did a dozen people follow my lead and buy the exact same car the same week I bought mine? Hardly. What changed was my perception. My excitement and enthusiasm for my new car changed what I "saw" around me. I know you have had the same or similar experience whether it was in regards to a car, or a pair of shoes, or a coat or a person. As our perception of life changes, so does our experience and reality. The same is true for your health!

When you get excited about changing your life or your health, the way you "see" life changes based on your perceptions. You see food differently. You see exercise differently, you see people differently. Change begins with excitement and enthusiasm for the newness!

This time of year many people begin to think about change as they reflect on the past year. What are you going to change? What are you going to get excited about? Get excited about creating a new life and a new you and opportunities to create that change will begin to show up. Your perception creates your reality! Start "seeing" yourself as healthy, fit, abundant and happy. Change your perception and you can change your life!

Please be sure to check back regularly for more insights. In the meantime, why don't you stop by my website at www.lifequestchiro.com and explore! Be Well!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Dad...I miss you!




3 years ago February, I lost my Dad to cancer. I struggle with that loss daily because he truly was my best friend. I had the good fortune of spending plenty of time with him while he was sick so I did have a chance to say all the things I needed to say. It has helped immensely in the grieving process. I bring up my Dad today because on Saturday, I got to fulfill a lifetime dream that he and I had...watch our favorite Nebraska Cornhusker football team play at home in Memorial Stadium.

As far back in life as I can remember, Dad used to tell me how one day we would go to a game together and watch Big Red destroy their opponent. Unfortunately, time ran out for him and we never made it. But I do know that he was with me this weekend, I could feel it.

I, like many folks, find myself saying "someday" to a lot of things that could happen today. Life moves fast, especially as you get older and have more responsibility in life. I admit, there are some things that can and should wait, but others must be acted on immediately because time truly is of the essence.

Everyday in my office I meet people that say "yeah, I know I should have been here 6 months ago" or something to the like. Your health, and life for that matter, is to valuable to ignore, put off or postpone for a "better" time. If you are questioning a health issue, don't wait or ignore it. My Dad had a small persistent cough for over 2 years that he attributed to his smoking and never had it checked. I frequently think about how life could be different if only he would have taken time to have it checked. With him, by the time we found the cancer, it had spread from his lungs to his bones and brain.

Don't get me wrong, not every little cough or ache means you are sick and dying, but it is your body's way of telling you there is an underlying problem. And each of knows that if we find a problem early, it takes less time and money to get better. So listen to your body...don't ignore the headaches, the back pain, the tingling in your fingers, the heart burn or whatever your body is telling you.

Life comes at you fast, and leaves you faster. Don't wait until tomorrow to do the things that are important. Thanks for reading today's post.

Please be sure to check back regularly for more insights. In the meantime, why don't you stop by my website at www.lifequestchiro.com and explore! Be Well!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Do You Value Your Health?



In a time when economic woes are abundant, many people are cutting back on the "little luxuries" in life. I've had friends and acquaintances tell me that they dine out less now, take fewer trips to see family, go to the movie less. I've even had folks tell me they've quit buying and taking vitamins because of the "unneeded" expense. As I reflect on these conversations, I soon realize that people's values in life are as diverse as the people themselves.

So I pose this question...What is your health worth?

First I guess you have to have a working definition of health. To summarize Dorland's Medical Dictionary, health is a state of optimum physical, social and mental well being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Webster's summary of health is 100 % function in all the organs and systems all the time. So what is your definition? Does having ones health mean simply to feel good? If so, do you feel good all the time, some of the time or just on occasion? Does feeling good mean not having pain, or not having a fever, or having enough energy to get through the day, or not being in the hospital? I can remember consulting with a patient and asking if he thought he was healthy. He smiled and said "you betcha". Meanwhile I looked at his chart at the 3 blood pressure meds, cholesterol med and sleep med he had listed, not to mention the fact he was 40-50 pounds overweight. So with that, I propose my working definition of health, as a health care provider and human.

To me, to be healthy or have my health means: 1) that I am physically and mentally capable of handling the stresses of life without limitation, 2) that I have the physical and mental energy to to complete the tasks of daily life as well as partake in my favorite rec and leisure activities without limitation, 3) that I am not having to take any specific medication to balance or stabilize a function within my body that, for my age, demeanor and physcial make up, should be normal, 4) that my physical body has the ability to recover properly and quickly in the event of an illness or injury. I know I maybe left a few things out, but I think that covers it for me. If I can do a self assessment and see that I am all these things, then I would say I am healthy.

So, what Value do I place on being Healthy?

To me, from my perspective, being well and having health is a primary objective and ranks at the top of my list in values. Why? Simple. Because if I am not well, not healthy, then I no longer have the ability to be, do and have all the things in life that I want. If I am not healthy then I can't be the best husband, father and boss I can be. If I am not healthy, then truly, all of the other things that I value, have less impact in my life.

So in these tight financial times, don't "skimp" on your health. Continue to exercise regularly, continue to eat right, maintain all of your wellness lifestyle habits like yoga, meditation, etc and stay focused on wellness. So many people depend on you staying healthy and well. It is up to you.

To learn more about our wellness ideas and what we teach those we work with, visit my website at www.lifequestchiro.com.