Tag Archives: Making a Difference

A Love Letter to my Practice (aka Why I love being a chiropractor)

26 Sunday May 2013

Posted by in Creating Health, My Chiropractic Life

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I am feeling humbled and overwhelmed with gratitude with the realization of what amazing relationships I have in my life.  Surprisingly, it is not my family – or husband – that I am reflecting on right now.

Rather, I am completely humbled by the amazing people who come to see me in my practice.

On Saturday morning I had Ethan and Audra at work with me.  During a busy morning of adjusting families, it became increasingly clear to me how much I love the relationships that have grown over the years in my practice.  As I introduced Audra to some of the families who had not yet met her (while Ethan was hiding in the back reading), it hit me like a wave that an incredible number of them had met her when she was much, much younger – and a significant number had even been under care with me when I was pregnant with her over 8 years ago.  Even for those people who are new to my practice, it felt fitting to introduce them to my family – a bringing-together of those parts of my life that are so important to me.

I felt like my heart was blown wide open as I looked at these beautiful families – many of whom I had known since before their own kids were born, and whose children had been seeing me since shortly after their births.  Even thinking of it now, I am brought nearly to tears by the magnitude of the trust they all place in me to take care of them and their loved ones.  It is a trust that I will never take for granted.

I doubt that many people who come through our doors have any inkling of how much they also add to my life.  In so many cases, the ‘benefits’ might be perceived as one-sided.  I help them (or more specifically, I support their body in healing itself as it is designed to do, and remind them of how amazing they – and their bodies – are), and their expression of health and life improves.

But what may not be seen is the depth of honour I feel to take care of the people in my community and their families.   The trust that is shown to me every single day, by every person who walks in my door – and especially those who place their children in my hands – is what truly humbles me.  And it is payment unlike any other.

As a caregiver, healer, and chiropractor, I doubt that many people know how much I get from being a part of their lives.  I doubt many can fathom how much I love taking care of entire families, including the extended branches and multiple generations.  I revel in the opportunity to support them through the various stages of pregnancy, life with babies, and onwards.  Or how I think about them, even when they are not in the office.  How I care, sincerely and deeply.  Or how much I marvel over how quickly the kids grow and how quickly time flies.  I see it in my own life watching my own children – but that same feeling is experienced over and over again in my practice, as well.  And in much the same way, I hope that I fulfill my role there with exceptional care.

What fills me up is seeing more people express more of the life, health and happiness that is possible for them.  Like many of the people I see, perhaps they began to sleep again, or have more energy.  Perhaps they became pregnant after years of trying, or get to experience comfortable, healthy pregnancies.  Perhaps they have peace of mind with how their children are growing – thriving with strong immune systems and full of life.  Perhaps they can move without pain, or go through their life without feeling limited.  Perhaps they have stopped needing medications for a variety of ills.  Perhaps they feel more alive, younger, and happier.  Perhaps they get to watch their babies and children thrive with the abundant health and happiness that is their natural birthright.

Perhaps they feel HOPE for the first time in a long time, learn to TRUST their bodies, learn how to SUPPORT that inborn wisdom, and in the process, truly THRIVE.

See, with every person who becomes a part of my practice, my own purpose is also being fulfilled:  to inspire and empower people to live their lives to the fullest.  I am driven by the desire to help create a world that is healthier, happier, more connected, peaceful and whole.  It is a world that is based on principles of collaboration, trust and with every person knowing that THEY are magnificent.  And I believe we all create this together by living our own lives to our fullest potential.  I believe it is by bringing our own unique strengths and talents to the world that we create it anew; a world built from our inspiration, creativity, uniqueness and magnificence.

I guess this is also coming from a realization I had after spending the last few weeks speaking often in my community.  I know that people who attend my workshops learn a lot, leave inspired, and that the information I provide can truly change their lives.  But the truth is that the people that I get to make the biggest difference with are those who join the family of friends in my practice.  The immeasurable factor here is the relationship we build over weeks, months and years – getting to truly know people, and being the constant reminder of those simple but essential things they need to know (and that, unfortunately, are not yet at the core of the society we currently live in).  I become the reminder and resource for what we already know deep inside – that our bodies are smart, designed for health, and vitality, and that we can create a life of abundant health, happiness and vitality.

I see all of this when I look at all the families I get to take care of.  I look at the babies and children, and see all the potential in the world wrapped up inside their cute, cuddly selves.  I can see the possibility for them to grow up knowing that they are powerful and capable, with bodies that are smart and self-healing, and with great confidence in themselves and their abilities – and it gives me a glimpse of how this world I envision will one day come to exist.

With this in mind, perhaps it is easy to see how my forms of payment are so much more than just monetary. I get hugs, cuddles and gurgles from newborns, one-of-a-kind artwork, and many smiles from faces of every age.  I get to watch lives unfold, and support amazing people through challenges and triumphs.  I get to laugh, cry, celebrate with, and be moved by the many people I come to know.

Taking care of people in this way is a great honour, and fills me up every single day.  I am humbled by the opportunity to be a part of their lives, and fulfilled by seeing evidence every day of how I can make a difference.  It is by adding value to other people’s lives that my life grows exponentially.  It is through the connections we make and the relationships we build that I can see this amazing world and its beautiful people become more alive, connected, vibrant and empowered.

I am simply so grateful to be a part of it all.

(And for those of you in my practice: THANK YOU.)

The Lifesaving Routine of a Busy Life

19 Sunday May 2013

Posted by in A Working Mom, My Chiropractic Life, Thinking by Design

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I am out of routine.  It is wonderful – and yet brings me into a state of some disarray.  I am used to knowing what my daily/weekly life will entail.  And even though I am out of routine by choice, it still throws me a little off kilter.  Sometimes I feel like I don’t know if I am coming or going, and my head is in a bit of a spin.  And then I remember WHY I am doing the things I am doing, and my feet hit solid ground again.

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Right now I am off my normal routine due to some extra speaking engagements I have booked.  Usually I aim for doing 2 per month. (I love to speak to groups on my “off days”  of Wednesdays or Fridays, when I am not in my practice).  But I have faced a reality for myself as of late:  I love speaking as much as I love being in my practice.  And that is saying a lot.  In my practice, I am surrounded by children, babies, and families  – many of them people that I have known for a long time.  I feel connected and purposeful, and love that a part of my ‘work’ is to receive hugs, artwork and appreciation every single day.  And yet, there is another part of me that loves just as much the exhilaration of speaking to large groups of people – essentially reminding them of all the ways that they are magnificent; that that are designed for health; that their potential is limitless; and that they can be amazing if they can just glimpse that possibility for themselves.

And so, I am excited to be in an ‘out-of-routine’ phase.  I have 5 talks outside of my practice (plus 2 in it) in a 2 week span.  That means that my daily/weekly routine has to shift.  That means that I have to accommodate for less time to workout, less time to meal prep, less time to write (this is my first blog in over 2 weeks!!), less time to organize at home and less time to work on projects in my practice.  And the truth is that none of those areas stops needing me when I add more to my plate.  And here I am, left wondering how to balance it all, and end each week feeling like I accomplished less than what I set out to do.  And yet, I am happy.

Years ago, my daily routine kept me sane.  With a newborn and a 20-month-old, our routine was like clockwork for eating, playing, walking, going to the park, nap times, dinner, bedtime and more.  It kept me sane.  And as most moms can attest to – if I ‘missed that window of time’ – especially for food or rest – my life (and peace) quickly went downhill.  FAST.

So here I find myself, years later, and the demands are not from my kids.  As my highest priority in life, they always get what they need from me, my time and my attention.  Instead, it is all of my own doing.  It is all of my own expectations on myself.

Be a great mom.  Be a great wife.  Be a great chiropractor.  Have fun.  Make a difference.  Inspire everyone around you.  Be a role model.  Be strong.  Be fit.  Be healthy.  Have a clean house.  Help out in the schools.  Speak to companies and groups.  Remind people every day that THEY are designed to be EXTRAORDINARY.  

Playing small just doesn’t cut it.  Make a difference.  Make a difference.  Make a difference.

So, our house is in shambles.  Our yard is unkept.  Our kids need haircuts.  The to-do list on my iphone is getting larger by the day.  The clean laundry is unfolded.  But I am happy, and see how my temporary out-of-balance-life serves my higher purpose.

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So here is what keeps my perspective:  We just had an AWESOME family day at the zoo with friends.  Our housecleaner is coming tomorrow (even on a long weekend, thank goodness!) Tomorrow I’ll be back on track with my workouts.  And I’m excited for the two talks this coming week, and three to follow after that.  (In between I have a long weekend to enjoy, front row tickets to Dave Matthews Band(!!), and a four-day trip home to Halifax. YAY!)

My life may be busy, but it is full of things that make me feel purposeful, alive and happy.  My usual routine helps keep me sane, and helps me dump – or delegate – those things that don’t make me feel most on purpose.  It is my routine that keeps me grounded.  My early morning routine of waking, moving, journalling, reflecting, setting my goals and intentions.  My weekly routine of workouts, team meetings, and accountability calls.  My time dedicated to writing, reflecting, time for my family, time for me, and time for my husband.

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I am quite certain that it is my routine that keeps me sane, and that allows me to have the busy, full life that I live.  But the true crux of it all is knowing what is most valuable to me.  Knowing what makes me feel purposeful, inspired, and fully myself.

I have spent years learning through coaches, courses, reading, journalling and more to fine-tune my understanding of myself, my highest values and my vision.  With that in place, I can see how keeping my schedule doesn’t make me feel limited.  It gives me the framework I need to be the highest and best version of myself that I can be.  People may think that routine is controlling and limiting – but my experience has been that it a necessity for a busy life – being aware of what is most important, and knowing what I most need to do.

Everything else can wait.

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We’ve joined the 30 x 30 Nature Challenge by the Suzuki Foundation

24 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by in Fully expressed, Our Family Adventures, Thinking by Design

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I love that I learn cool things from my kids.  The other day, Ethan came home, excited about a Nature Challenge his teacher (an avid lover of nature and the outdoors) is enrolling his class in.

I took a quick look at the 30×30 Nature Challenge website, which challenges individuals, families and organizations to spend 30 minutes a day in nature for 30 days in May.  I promptly signed us up as a family.  What better way to enhance our connection with nature than to commit to spending more time in it?

I completely agree with the simple truth that nature is grounding, allows us to unwind, and connect to the greater world that we all live in.  In nature it is almost impossible to feel separate from the magnificence that exists in the world around us.  In nature, I feel most alive.  And it’s a love and appreciation we have instilled in our kids, as well.

Of course, coming from the Suzuki Foundation, the intention revolves around environmental awareness.  It baffles me that anyone could possibly consider environmental issues to ‘not be their concern’.  What other environment do we have?!

Anything that comes from a place of taking care of future generations resonates deeply with me.  In fact, one of my greatest drives is a vision I have of my great-great grandkids as young adults discussing the world that they are living in, and contrasting it to the one we have today.  And in my vision, the world that exists 100 years from now is happier, healthier, more connected, more empowered, more conscientious and aware.  It is a world where people recognize that we are all sharing the same planet, and that we are all connected.  It is a world that supports the magnificence that lies in every single human being and values the unique factors we each bring to the table. It is a world that works in harmony with nature, not against it.  And in my vision, my great-great grandkids know enough about me – who I am TODAY – to know that I helped to make that world exist.

The simple truth is this:  If we don’t change how we think (about the environment, about health, about each other… fill in the blank) – we won’t ever change how we act.

Children learn by example.  They do not simply listen to what you say.  They watch what you do.

And so, when a challenge comes about like this – that will give us extra reason to spend time outside, together, in nature – it’s a complete no-brainer.  Of course we’re in.

And I hope you are too.  Check it out!

(Ethan also wanted me to watch this video – which I had seen before – but which is riveting and moving – and truthful.  The message, while 20 years old, is still as relevant now as it was then.  Maybe even moreso.)

Making a Difference

23 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by in Creating Health, Fully expressed, My Chiropractic Life

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Did you know that it is a universal human desire to feel that we are “making a difference”? The cool thing is that there are so many ways to do this, both large and small.  There certainly is something to be said for being able to look in the mirror and say: “I matter.”

Yesterday was a perfect day for me, quite simply because I had a day full of experiences that that sent me a clear message that ‘Yes, I matter;.’  ‘I am making a difference in the world.’

Yesterday started before 6am, when I wrote my blog about happiness.  And funnily enough, it started my day with happiness, as every time I look at the picture of Ethan and Audra covered in the mud (5 years ago?!) I was transported back in time to that day.   Pictures really do speak a thousand words.  It seemed to set the tone for the day.

Arriving at my practice, my first people to adjust were a mom and her little girl.  It truly is like spending time with friends to realize that I have been adjusting this family since the parents were first trying to conceive – and they now have three young children.  My morning ended with speaking to a new person in my practice, with that amazing feeling that comes from looking across at someone and seeing what is possible for them.  For their health, and for their life.  The crux of it all is that what I am doing is reminding them that they are amazing, that they are designed for health, and happiness –  and that they are in the right place.  My job basically is one of inspiring hope – because too often, people have forgotten.

As my day went on, I met with a new family who simply wanted to be “at their best”, followed by a busy evening of adjusting.  Throughout my day I gave and received many hugs, had many laughs, adjusted many babies and kids, and connected with the beautiful people in my practice.  There are some days that I get so much out of being in my practice that I feel like I should be paying them.

As if that wasn’t enough, after giving my last adjustment, I went straight to one of the midwifery practices, where they had invited me to be a guest speaker at their home birth evening.  I walked into the room to be surrounded by expectant couples, and babies – entirely in my element.  It was an informal gathering, as people were there to get more information about the prospect of giving birth at home.  There was a sharing atmosphere as people told their stories, and asked questions.  It was one of the easiest groups to speak with, as they already were embracing an approach that honours the wisdom of the body.  My job was simply to deepen that understanding, and tell them ways that they can optimize their experience.  They were already on board.

When all was said and done, I arrived home at 10 pm, 16 hours after my day first started.  It was a long day, but I was so exhilarated from it that Dean and I talked about it for another hour.   I love how a purposeful day leaves me with more energy – a world of difference from what an 18 hour day would do otherwise.

My nighttime ritual of reflecting on what I did well was easy:  clear, purposeful communication, connection, and knowing that I am making a difference.  And what I was grateful for was even easier:  loving what I do, feeling like I never ‘work’, being surrounded by beautiful people… and making a difference.

I pour my heart and soul into what I do.  But the rewards of seeing how I am making a difference in the world, touching people’s lives, and encouraging them through the processes of life-  THAT is worth so much more than money.  I am so grateful.