Dr. Larry's "I am Thankful"

This week we have another great post from Dr. Larry Markson about the importance of thankfulness and how making a list of things for which we are thankful can have a huge positive impact in our lives.

I Am Thankful

As a practice management and personal development coach for all these many years, it has become the norm for me to listen to the “What’s Wrong” or “What Is Not Working List” of clients and even friends.  It seems that in the real world, the 80% that I always allude to (average people thinking average thoughts and getting average results), love to speak about their problems and issues, about what is broken, about what they “need” to do to fix the situations they find themselves embroiled in and about the pain and confusion that lives within.

The squeaky wheel always seems to get the attention and very few (20%) really spend any time giving thanks for all the things that are going right in their lives, the blessings they have been given, and they pay little attention to the vast majority of what is going great for them.

People complain by habit, they mimic the negative talking heads on TV and articles from the newspapers that generally have nothing good to say – after all “positive” does not sell newspapers.  And, sadly, this habit spills over as they complain about themselves, their marriages, their kids, their businesses or practices, their financial condition, their age – whatever.

The constant barrage of negative self-talk only attracts what they say they do not want, when in reality you get what you set and what you program by repetition does happens to you.

Most importantly, I have discovered that no one really cares.  So, shhhhhhhhhh!  Can it!  Stop complaining!  Quit programming your mind in ways that create pain and defeat in your life.

Better yet, do what I do.  Make a list of the things you are happy and grateful for.  Force yourself to concentrate on all the good you have and relegate everything else to the back burner to be referenced and cured when you get serious about paying the price for being successful, happy, health and fulfilled.

Here is part of my list:  Notice that I always begin with the statement, “I AM THANKFUL FOR.”

I am thankful for my health, my ability to make decisions easily and quickly, my determination to confront anyone about anything, my action orientation, my creativity and positive outlook, the concepts and visions that appear in my mind, my limitless energy and the understanding that, “It IS all in my head,”

I am thankful for my family, my wife, children and grandchildren, my relatives (as strange as they are), the circle of life-long friends who return my love, the vast number of additional friendships that fill my social calendar to overflowing.

I am thankful for the hundreds of employees who were part of my teams and the thousands of patients, clients and members who believed in me and even credited me with helping to change their lives, practices or businesses for the better.

I am thankful for the Chiropractic Profession, as unique and misunderstood that it is.  I loved being a practicing Doctor of Chiropractic and a Chiropractic Practice Management Consultant and now I love being the facilitator of The Cabin Experience and the member of the Board of Trustees of Life University.

I am thankful that my mother didn’t suffer with pain before she passed last week.  I am thankful that my grandchildren call me Pop Pop with eyes that convey unconditional love.

I am thankful for my extremely beautiful back yard, with my favorite chair positioned just right for me to see the magnificent colors of the huge array of flowers that bear every color of the rainbow.  It is a place of tranquility a peace for me.

I am thankful for the abundance in my life and I am thankful for YOU – for to me YOU are what it is really all about!

For more information, check out Dr. Larry's website: http://www.thecabinexperience.com/viewarticle.asp?id=271

Dr. Wayne Dyer's "Success Secrets"

This week we have a great, short post from Dr. Wayne Dyer.  He discusses one of his tricks to success, his mental attitude and outlook.  This might be a short article, but it is a special one!

Success Secrets

by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

One of my secrets for feeling successful and attracting bountiful abundance into my life has been an internal axiom that I use virtually every day of my life. It goes like this: Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change. This has always worked for me.

The truth of this little maxim is actually found in the field of quantum physics, which, according to some, is a subject that’s not only stranger than you think it is, it’s stranger than you can think. It turns out that at the tiniest subatomic level, the actual act of observing a particle changes the particle. The way we observe these infinitely small building blocks of life is a determining factor in what they ultimately become. If we extend this metaphor to larger and larger particles and begin to see ourselves as particles in a larger body called humanity or even larger—life itself—then it’s not such a huge stretch to imagine that the way we observe the world we live in affects that world.

Think of this little journey into quantum physics as a metaphor for your life. Your feelings of success and your experience of prosperity and abundance depend on your positive view of yourself, your life, and the Universe from which success and abundance come. Changing the way you look at things is an extremely powerful tool. Start by examining how you look at things. Is the Universe matching your way of looking?

Namaste,

Wayne

Dr. Larry's "Like No One is Watching"

This week we have another great post by Dr. Larry Markson that explains that as we get older, we begin to suppress parts of our personality that we consider socially unacceptable.  He suggests that we try to re-incorporate these aspects of our personality into our everyday lives and live as if no one is watching.

Like No One Is Watching

Over time, we have learned to suppress some of the most fun aspects of our individuality.

Most of us express our distinctiveness in many ways throughout our lives. Although, as we proudly share our offbeat traits and preferences with the world, we take great pains to downplay those eccentricities we ourselves deem odd. Instead of living lives colored by these quirky impulses, we seek out socially acceptable outlets for our peculiarities.

We may not realize that we are editing ourselves in this way because our individual societal awareness is unintentionally attuned to the attitudes of the people we encounter each day. Over time, we have learned to suppress some of the most fun aspects of individuality. To rediscover and embrace these buried traits, we need only ask ourselves what we would do if we knew for certain that no one would judge our choices.

Visualizing this day without judgment can help you better understand the idiosyncrasies that are an important part of who you are but seldom manifest themselves in your existence. Perhaps you secretly dream of replacing grown-up, conservative clothing in favor of a changing array of costumes.

You may envision yourself painting your car electric-green, hugging the trees in a crowded local park, singing joyous songs as you skip through your community, or taking up an exciting hobby like fire spinning. Try not to be surprised, however, if your imagination takes you in unexpectedly simple directions. In your musings, you may see yourself doing things such as breaking out in dance or dying your hair a fun color.

Regardless of the nature of your suppressed peculiarities, ask yourself what is really stopping you from making them a part of your life, and then resolve to incorporate at least one into your everyday existence.

Life as we know it is so short. Making the most of years we are granted is a matter of being ourselves even though we know that we will inevitably encounter people who disapprove of our choices. When you shake your tail feathers like no one is watching, you will discover that there are many others who appreciate you because you are willing to let go of any inhibition.

By doing this you help others know it is okay. No one else in the world is precisely like you and, each time you revel in this simple fact, you rededicate yourself to the celebration of individuality.

Dr. Wayne Dyer's "Be the Peace"

Have you ever been around a person that just radiates calmness?  The article below discusses how you can become that person.

Be the Peace

by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Peace isn’t something you ultimately receive when you slow down the pace of your life. Peace is what you’re capable of being and bringing to every encounter and event in the waking moments of your life. Being peaceful is an inner attitude that you can enjoy when you’ve learned to silence your incessant inner dialogue. Being peaceful isn’t dependent on what your surroundings look like. It seldom has anything to do with what the people around you think, say, or do. A noiseless environment isn’t a requirement.

St. Francis’s famous prayer states it better than I can: “Make me an instrument of your peace.” In other words, St. Francis wasn’t asking God to provide him with peace. He was asking for guidance to be more like the peace he trusted was his Source. Being peace is different from looking for peace.

This principle isn’t about merely choosing tranquil thoughts when you’re feeling frayed and anxious. I suggest picturing a container deep within yourself out of which all your thoughts flow. Inside of this container, at its very center, imagine a candle flame. You need to make a commitment that this flame in the center of the container holding all your thoughts will never, ever even flicker, although the very worst may go before you. This is your container of peace, and only peaceful thoughts can fuel the burning candle. You don’t need to change your thoughts as much as you need to learn to be an energy of peace lighting the way and attracting serene, harmonious thoughts and beings. In this way, you’ll become a being of peace.

As a being of peace, you make a huge impact on those around you. It’s almost impossible to be totally stressed out in the presence of someone who has opted to be peace. Peace is a higher and faster energy—when you’re being peace, just your presence alone will often nullify the uneasiness and tension in those around you. The secret of this principle is: Be the peace and harmony you desire. You cannot get it from anything or anyone else.

Namaste,

Wayne

Dr. Larry's "Holding On To Regret"

This week we have a great post from Dr. Larry Markson regarding regret and forgiveness.  He discusses the significance of letting go of negative attachments to the past.  Practicing this can help promote healing and wellness.

Holding On To Regret

by Dr. Larry Markson

Holding on to regret is like dragging the weight of the past with us everywhere we go. It drains our energy, leaving less available for life in the present because we are constantly feeding an old issue.

This attachment can cause illness the same way watering a dead plant creates decay. We know that something new and beautiful can grow in its place if we only prepare the soil and plant the right seeds. We also know that we create our lives from our thoughts, so dwelling on the past may actually recreate a situation in our lives where we are forced to make the choice again and again.

We can choose to move on right now by applying what we have learned to the present and perhaps even sharing with others, transforming the energy into something that is constructive and creative for ourselves and others.

Forgiveness is the soothing balm that can heal regret. In meditation, we can imagine discussing the issue with the self of our past and offering our forgiveness for the choice. In return, we can ask for our selves’ forgiveness for keeping them locked in that space of judgment for so long. We may also want to ask forgiveness from anyone else who may have been affected and perhaps offer our forgiveness.

By replaying the event in our minds, we can choose a new ending using all that we now know. Imagine that you have actually gone back into the past and made this change, and then say goodbye to it. Release your former self with a hug and bring the forgiveness and love back with you to the present. Since we are usually our harshest critics, it is amazing how powerfully healing it can be to offer ourselves love.

Keeping our minds and our energy fully in the present allows us to fuel our physical and emotional healing and well-being today. This action frees our energy to create the reams we dream for the future. By taking responsibility and action in the present, we can release our hold on the past.

http://drlarrymarkson.authorsxpress.com/2012/12/04/holding-on-to-regret/

Dr. Pruthi's "The Dark Side of Your Favorite Summer Shoes"

Just in time for summer, we have a great post by Podiatrist, Dr. Rebecca Pruthi, that discusses the most common summer shoe choices and how they can effect your feet.

The Dark Side of Your Favorite Summer Shoes

by Rebecca Pruthi, DPM

Summer is just around the corner. For most of us, that means tossing our heavy boots aside for our fun summer sandals and bright slip-ons. However, many people are unaware of the perils associated with our favorite summer footwear. As a woman, I know it’s hard to resist a “cute” shoe. But, as a podiatrist, I frequently see that these shoes can be extremely unsupportive, eventually leading to problems such as plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, or other painful conditions.

Plantar fasciitis may result from overuse of the connective tissue band known as the plantar fascia on the bottom of the foot. When this band is unsupported or overused, it can become inflamed and painful. Therefore understanding and choosing the right shoe can be important in preventative care.

Flip Flop: Of course, this is our favorite and most common shoe worn around the pool and on the beach. Unfortunately, the average flip flop offers very little to no support. They are usually extremely flat, with nothing securing the front or the back of the foot. This puts a lot of stress on the musculature of the foot and heel. Some of the newer versions of the classic flip flop offer some support which may provide some benefit for short-term wear on the beach and poolside.

Ballet Flats: There may be more support on the front and back end of the shoe, but as the name implies, they are flat with minimal cushioning or protection between your foot and the ground. There is a force known as a “ground reaction force” that occurs when your foot hits the ground during walking or (gait cycle). Without proper support or cushioning, this force may cause tension on the bottom of the foot, ultimately leading to inflammation and tightness of the fascia – a real pain! Minimize walking in ballet slippers to short distances, and look for those that offer rubber soles and cushioning, if possible.

Summer Sandal: These can vary a great deal. They can range from extremely flat to high heels, which may lead to other foot conditions. Sandal straps can also cause pain especially if they are impinging on certain areas of the foot. The best sandal is made from soft material, has a soft sole, deep heel cup, arch support, and in some cases, a small wedge heel.

Sneakers: Surprise, surprise! Sneakers offer the best support from this list, but not all sneakers are the same. Patients already diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, may also benefit from a custom molded orthotic to be placed into the shoe or sneaker, not visible for anyone to see. This provides support of the arch and allows the patient to walk in a more neutral position rather than rolling on the inside or outside of the foot.

Conditions such as plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and bunions can all be exacerbated with certain summer footwear. With all the trendy and sexy shoes on the market, it is easy to be tempted to purchase those that may cause harm. On the flip side, with a bit of awareness, you can make foot-savvy decisions,   keeping your feet happy and healthy for the long term.

Dr. Wayne Dyer's "Make Love Your Habit"

Hello Everyone! This week we found a great blog post by Dr. Wayne Dyer, a motivational author.  He recounts a wonderful story of one of his trips to Turkey and uses his experience to stress the concept that we should train our minds to think from a place of love instead of judgement.  It's powerful to think that this small shift can make such a difference in our own lives and outlook, but more importantly, in the lives of others. Make Love Your Habit by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer On the recent Hay House Mediterranean cruise, “In the Wake of Our Spiritual Ancestors,” we visited historic sites of the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome. One highlight of the trip was a stop at the ruins of Ephesus on the coast of Turkey, where I was scheduled to lecture. I’ll tell you about an experience I had there that illustrates the importance of our power to choose who we are. That day in Ephesus there were many tourists in the area and, thus, a long line for the bathroom. Once inside I saw that there was a man handing out little pieces of paper to the people after they washed their hands. My first thought was an immediate throwback to a younger version of myself. “What is this guy doing in this toilet and is he expecting me to give him a tip? I don’t want to have to give someone a tip for just going to the bathroom. I just had to pee. I don’t think I should have to pay for that. I don’t want to have to deal with this. I don’t want to have to look at him. Here’s someone who’s trying to take advantage of me. He wants a coin. I don’t have any coins.” These thoughts flew into my head spontaneously. I took the piece of paper and walked out. I got about ten feet away and then realized what I had done. “Oh my God, who knows what this man’s story is? He has decided to go into a toilet where tourists come and go all day long. (You can’t imagine what it smelled like in there.) “And he stands there all day just handing out little pieces of paper perhaps to earn money to feed his family. Who knows what’s going on in his life? And here I am judging him.” Thoughts born of anger, judgment and fear are habitual memes that fill our heads if we let them. Where they came from doesn’t matter. What matters is that we recognize them. There was a time when, after thinking those habitual thoughts, I would correct them and say to myself, “the next time that happens….” But now what I did was take immediate action. I went back into the bathroom. I had a 20 euro note. I reached out and put it into the man’s hand. “God bless you,” I said. “It’s really thoughtful of you to just hand me a piece of paper after I washed my hands.” This is the healing power of divine love as we open ourselves to it. We’ve all developed mental habits of fear, judgment, getting angry at people for no reason, and feeling threatened. With the working out of divine love, we start seeing these habits for what they are; then we start correcting our thoughts. Finally, we start acting on the corrections. We begin to see the unfolding of God in everyone. I slipped that day in Ephesus. The rest of that trip, when I saw people like the man I met, I had more and more of an outpouring of love. I started giving away coins to remind myself how blessed I am to even have a toilet let alone to have someone inside handing me paper. That’s the shift. You decide you are a being of divine love and every time you have a thought that is not consistent with that assessment of who you are, you correct the thought and then you go back and correct the action. A habit is a habit until you become aware of it. Ask yourself, “Is this how I choose to react to people who are asking me for help?” Choose love over fear until it becomes your habit. “In the poor, we find Jesus in his most distressing disguises.” –Mother Teresa

Dr. Larry's "Are You Strategy or Identity Based?"

Hold on tight, this one's a doozie!  This week we have a slightly longer post by Dr. Larry Markson to help you determine if your personality is "Identity-Based" or "Strategy-Based."  This is a very interesting way to view your personality in the context of how you view success and how you go about achieving your concept of success.  So, sit back and take a little extra time because this one is worth it!

Are You Strategy or Identity Based?

by Dr. Larry Markson

The distinguishing feature that separates my philosophy of success with others is that it is uniquely “Identity-Based,” and not merely “Strategy-Based.”

Strategy-Based means that you are told what action steps need to be taken for you to get better results with various procedures, such as new patient acquisition, patient education, patient retention, fees, payment options and collections, staff training, public speaking and running the business part of the practice, etc.  Simply, it means telling you what to do and telling you that if you do what we say, you will get the desired results.

Oh, if that were only true, life and practice success would be so very easy.  We’d tell you what to do, when to do it, how to do it and why to do it that way…and poof, as if by magic every DC taught a given procedure would reach the same outstanding level of achievement.

Sadly though, just telling doctors what to do, NEVER gets the results the teacher or the chiropractor wants.  For example, if I taught 10 different doctors the same exact method of conducting a highly successful Spinal Screening, and those thoroughly trained individuals did their screening at the same Health Fair, on the same day, they would get 10 different results…some outstanding, and some outstandingly poor.

Why?  Because 10 different individuals with 10 different I.Q.’s, 10 different levels of skill, 10 different belief systems and 10 different levels of confidence, security, ability to confront and face rejection ALWAYS get different results.  Pure logic would say that they all possessed different knowledge, communication skills, attitudes, desires, ability to bounce back from adversity and a whole host of other contributing factors.

Hence, strategy-based advice by itself is limited and works for some better than for others.  But, when it does work it is never because of the strategy…it is because of the person who is applying that strategy and most importantly, the IDENTITY of that individual.

Who You Are…

Identity means, “Who you are determines how well what you do works.” It means who you are way down deep inside, your desires, your likes or dislikes, your confidence or fears, your willingness to  adapt and change, or  even  your  “I’m just fine the way am” attitude.  Basically, I’m talking about your self-image, your self-esteem, your values hierarchy and the behavior patterns that define everything you do or do not do, and even how well you do them.

Achievement then is ALWAYS based upon WHO YOU ARE! So, what seems to be the problem here? 

Why do some doctors enthusiastically join a practice building program program, hoping beyond all reasonable expectations that within a few months or even a year, they will be able to change their complete identity, eliminate their past and many times limited pre-programming and become an entirely different person overnight?

While that does happen for a select few, changing yourself into a successful person who then builds a successful practice, is a process that requires considerable time, perhaps even years.  Sounds like what you tell your patients about healing, doesn’t it?

So, given the time, what then is the ingredient that is required?

The Courage To Change Who You Are!

I know, that sounds too easy, too simple and you want me to conjure up some far more exotic and complex ingredient.  But I assure you there is none.  All that is required is COURAGE and the burning desire to change. It has never been a question of CAN you change…of course you can!  It has always been a question of WILL you change.  Well, will you?

Do you have the courage, the guts, the audacity, the tenacity and the determination to shed old habit patterns regardless of how uncomfortable that might be, and persist until new, healthier and more successful habit patterns replace them.  That calls for making a major decision. And, by the way COURAGE IS A DECISION!

You are not born with courage and no one can give it to you. It cannot be purchased or earned by being nice or by doing good deeds.  Courage is already within you!  Perhaps it is dormant, but it is there.  Courage comes from you, not to you!

Defined, courage is the state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear or vicissitudes with self-possession and bravery.  People don’t change because they are afraid to change, although after years of trying and failing, their minds now tell them that they are okay just the way they are.

Just remember that change takes time and hard work.  It is not for the faint of heart, the procrastinators or the lazy.  It requires (1) a decision to change (2) the courage to face the new feelings and take new actions (3) a true desire to do whatever it takes without looking back, and (4) a professional coach or evaluator to keep you on track and give you viewpoints different from your own.

What I am saying here is that success, happiness and achievement are SKILLS, and as such can be identified, taught and learned by anyone willing to pay the price of learning those skills.

In chiropractic, this is surely true.  We have clearly identified what it takes to grow the practice of your dreams and to live the lifestyle you want.  The only roadblock is you, and how serious you are about changing and acquiring the personal ingredients that will propel you to your goals.

SUCCESS IS AN IDENTITY, NOT A STRATEGY!

http://drlarrymarkson.authorsxpress.com/2012/11/27/are-you-strategy-or-identity-based/