Читать книгу Pearls of Wisdom - Pure & Powerful - Dr. Liz Anderson Peacock - Страница 5

I no longer have the privilege every day of adjusting people. My own search for vitalism and living a life of vitality is the reason this occurred.

I now realize the messages about vitalism I’ve received along my path were delivered to teach and encourage me to stand up and be me. I’m a strong and driven woman, in roles and positions in my profession that – to date – have not had many women involved. In challenging the status quo and trying new things, I began to create opportunities to truly define vitalism for myself. My path is to get the message out to other women that you can be more. By embracing vitalism, you can be incredibly powerful.

Vitalism in action has shown me:

♦Balance is an illusion, but being in the flow is not.

♦We can succeed in spite of ourselves.

♦Discipline determines our destiny.

♦Wisdom is recognizing that any adversity has incredible benefits.

♦Life is all vibration, at a deep cellular level, and expressing our unique vibration creates a life of authenticity.

♦Life is good!

What Is Vitalism?

Vitalism is the doctrine that life involves immaterial and incorporeal ‘vital forces,’ and cannot be explained scientifically. This subtle essence is what we – as Chiropractors – come close to touching every day with every adjustment. Vitalism is not unique and specific to Chiropractic. Chiropractors did not create this word and its use is certainly not exclusive to us. Although, because it is such a critical part of practicing Chiropractic, it is one of our guiding Principles.

The challenge for so many of us in the profession is that some days we forget about this magic and connection to vitalism. We get caught in the business reality of running a practice, raising a family, or daily to-do lists. Yet, all it takes is adjusting an infant and seeing almost instant changes to remind us that we have influence on that subtle substance, that vital life force within people.

More than ever before, there is currently a focus on what is vitalistic versus mechanistic. Philosophically, mechanism is the theory that Laws of Nature can explain all natural phenomena. In opposition, vitalism postulates that organisms have ‘vital forces’ that are not physical. In our current day there is greater awareness of the concept of vitalism as it pertains to health care, food, and life in general.

In the world of a healer, vitalism is expressed and revealed to each of us in unique ways. There are so many phenomenal women writing in this book about their lives and connection to vitalism. Since many of them are currently still in practice, I know and trust they will be sharing healing examples of vitalism truly at play. For this reason I chose to focus on the consistent vitalism in my life. Vitalism was distinctly full force in my practice, yet in hindsight I have come to realize how it was vitalism at work in my life that has created my entire path in life.

Three Acts Of Life

Several years ago I read an amazing interview with Jane Fonda speaking about the stages of her life, similar to acts in a play. She referenced three distinct acts, and in looking back saw a thread of connection. She said while living through those days, it felt like three distinct and separate lives, with a different focus in each. This is so similar to a stage play, where often the second act is so distinctly different than the first act. The third act is often where all the details and pieces from the earlier acts are linked and connected.

At this point in my own life – what I would call the middle of my second act – I can honor and see the role vitalism has played in every aspect. Vitalism attracted me to Chiropractic, basically before I really even knew anything about it. It was just a sense I had as I first experienced Chiropractic myself. Without knowing anything about Chiropractic school or education, I applied based on the experience of my own first adjustments.

I had traveled a much more traditional educational route. My first degree was in Microbiology at a university where I thought I would likely apply to Veterinarian school. Really having no idea what I truly wanted to pursue, I then moved on to another university for a post-graduate degree, specializing in Somatic Cell Genetics. Obviously this was moving me closer in the direction of traditional medicine, particularly choosing a university with a phenomenal medical school.

During my years in university, I was really focused on the pursuit of knowledge. I can’t say I was choosing things consciously, or really thinking about the influence my choices would have on the rest of my life. The unique part of my education was my involvement with research of eukaryotic cells, and the impact of various environmental stimuli on their growth rates. The overall research was in the area of cancer research, and if anything, I was really learning more what I didn’t want to do with the rest of my life.

My research work was almost too many years ago now to count. Yet even at that time, some very bright minds in this field were already aware that the genetic make up of a cell is inducible. This means that you aren’t only a product of your DNA, as several environmental parameters and factors impact DNA synthesis. Little did I realize this essentially addresses Vitalism!

All of the reading and reference work I was required to do (thanks to a very meticulous and excellent advisor, although I didn’t always think so at the time) was also teaching me a lot about research design. This background distinctly influences my learning to this day. I realize so many articles and much of research are based on a design to make the numbers represent or illustrate what we want them to show. I also learned to cross through conventional subject and topic lines. There are often papers, research, and insights from a totally different field playing a large role in the work of a researcher. Rather than sticking to an assigned discipline, being creative with the approach of research sparks flares of genius.

Throughout my research experience I was truly more fascinated with the really creative personalities of the researchers and people I met than the actual work. Realizing I didn’t want to be a researcher, yet so far down the traditional medical path, I felt a bit trapped.

With my infinite wisdom at the time, I decided to take some time off to travel; in other words, ran away. I had no illusion that I would find myself, or my answers, in travel. I just knew I needed a break. Backpacking in Europe didn’t strike me with insight; yet I do know that stepping away was a critical piece in being open to change for moving forward.

Months later I was back in the same routine. Interestingly, within weeks of being back, I was injured. All of my traditional medical connections and buddies were talking about bed rest and the long- term repercussions of my injury. I called my dad, who had been seeing a Chiropractor for many years. I went to visit his Chiropractor, and within three adjustments I was 70-75 percent improved. Now it wasn’t so much the improvement that made me stop in my tracks. It was that casually the Chiropractor mentioned that with all my school and training I’d make a great Chiropractor. “Hhhmmmm.”

The Act Of Becoming A Chiropractor

It was as if the seed was planted. Knowing very little about Chiropractic, my investigation told me there was one college in Canada at that time. I discovered I was within the deadline of applying for the following September, and began to complete my application. I reinvested in my research with a new zeal and target: I needed to be done so I could head to Chiropractic school. Now remember, this was all basically without knowing much at all about this thing called Chiropractic. It just gave me a newfound target and direction.

Little did I know, it was very difficult to be accepted into this one school in Canada, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC). I was granted an interview, and my interview was basically welcoming me to the college. Only upon starting that fall did I realize I was ‘accepted’ because of my multiple degrees. This was a phase and time in Chiropractic when it very much focused on validity and credibility within the medical profession. There were several of us in my class with post-graduate degrees. Because of my advanced degree, I was exempt from a number of the early courses in the curriculum.

Entering into Chiropractic school was a whirlwind beginning with the completion of my Masters Degree, dealing with the critical comments about leaving, and dealing with family wondering what I would do with yet another degree and asking when ‘enough was enough;’ all this strife for just trusting a feeling. It was almost like listening to the whispers in the wind. Not having a logical reason or seeing the full picture and vision, I still trusted. Many would say my pursuit was stubbornness, and with my strong personality that would have been a fair comment.

The act of trusting and pursuing enabled me to quickly connect with sincerely vital and unique characters. Several were classmates from many parts of the country. Steven Silk, Greg Woolfrey, and Margaret were three individuals that were more vital and free spirited than one could imagine! These three impacted my entire first year, and were instrumental in showing me success comes in many forms and ways. One such ‘full of life’ instructor, Dr. Keith Innes, was involved in our anatomy lab. He challenged many of us to search outside of the traditional schooling for success Principles and growth. He created opportunities for many students at CMCC to train in Gonstead and Motion Palpation at his clinic, and learn skills and expand our horizons.

Dr. Keith also created an opportunity for me to work at his clinic during the summer, and again part-time throughout my Chiropractic training. The skill sets I learned in billing, report writing, front desk client management, and many other clinical procedures are all attributed to working within a really vital and active clinic.

Along my path in Chiropractic college I was able to search for and follow greatness. Being exempt from some basic science classes gave me extra time other students did not have. I used my extra time well, following around senior interns in clinic, visiting successful Chiropractors, and learning from truly wonderful and successful role models. Success and greatness leave clues!

My path in education taught me learning comes in many forms. I learned more outside the traditional classroom. To this day I continue to consider this critical. Our schools are entrusted to educate students formally, and ensure the passing of board exams. With the regulating boards accrediting institutions requiring a certain number of credits for specific course curriculum, there is just not enough hours in the day to teach all the success Principles and key points for creating successful practices and lives. A lot of this responsibility is on the shoulders of graduates. It behooves each of us in the profession to find better ways to support and balance learning both inside the system and outside the system.

The Vital Act Of Becoming A Mother

Now obviously I didn’t have enough on my plate. During school I began living with my husband and life partner, David Boynton. Part way through my third year of school and during Dave’s first year of practice we became pregnant. I think this time in my life taught me more about vitality and the capacity of each of us than any other time, juggling clinic, X-ray Rotations, and pregnancy. CMCC had traditional academic years, and internship between third and fourth year during the summer. I realized that summer as an intern was my opportunity to ‘practice’ and treat Clinic like a real practice. My due date was at the beginning of the fourth year, and I set my goals to be finished with my clinic requirements even before I delivered. This way I could focus on the new baby and classes, without the pressures of clinic requirements.

Of course there are plans, and then there is real life! Yes, I finished clinic requirements. However, then it was time to keep client/patient care going, deliver a baby, and be back at classes and X-ray Rotations within ten days of having the baby. Throughout this blur was the magical experience of having a child, and making vitalistic choices of natural child birth, choosing not to vaccinate based on my microbiology education, and watching and learning the power of the adjustment.

My son Rob became the first child that many in my class checked and adjusted. Thanks to so many in my class, who juggled Rob in the intern’s room and hallways, I was able to finish requirements and expectations. Rob was also such a natural lesson to so many of us of the power of the adjustment, and its significance in smoothly moving a child through the early months of life.

My last year of Chiropractic school was also a whirlwind. Within this year I had a baby, finished classes, got married, wrote board exams, and was ready to launch into the real world of practice. What the heck did that mean? I hadn’t even had a chance to catch my breath, let alone decide what I wanted to do. The one guiding Principle was that on some level I realized I didn’t know what I didn’t know.

Now the good news is that the one thing I did know was for Dave and I we could either have a practice together, or a marriage. Both would not mix! We are simply very different and distinct personalities. Many people we know, and I have since coached, can manage the collaboration of both roles. Luckily Dave and I knew and honored that this was not the case for us.

By ‘coincidence’ a favorable circumstance presented for me to cover a practice many miles away from where Dave was practicing. An amazing Chiropractor with a long and established practice and legacy had broken his wrist. The position was there for me to cover his practice for 4-6 weeks. Dave stepped-in and created the opportunity for me to leave and cover this practice, and gain incredible experience on the adjusting front. This opportunity enhanced my skills and most importantly my confidence.

Practice Reveals Life Lessons

During my time as a cover Doctor, two Chiropractic friends approached me with an invitation to join their growing and thriving practice. They were looking for an associate. Why not? Without another plan of where I wanted to live or what type of practice I wanted to establish, this was an opportunity with great people. Of course the driving distance and crazy hours never entered my thoughts.

I started in the most non-traditional format. Practicing hours that in hindsight are not ideal for building any type of practice. Yet I didn’t know at the time. As I mentioned, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I just knew I was destined for success, and that I loved this thing called Chiropractic. With vital energy as my fire I set out to accomplish what I knew at a core level.

Fortunate for me, within my first few months of practice the Doctors I practiced with, Steve and Annette, took me to a life-altering seminar. I spent a weekend with Dr. John Demartini and a group of highly successful Doctors and human beings. I look back now, and even then on some level realized it was a life changing experience for me. The seminar offered tangible knowledge and experience to a level of knowingness about Universal Principles and life at a deep and core level.

Dr. John, with his messages and knowledge, became my strongest mentor. The coaching and success Principles I was guided to with his mentorship launched my success to establish congruent and consistent actions to create a phenomenal practice.

Anyone that has heard me speak from stage knows I talk a lot about my blunders and challenges along the way. They are a part of life and a part of practice. I have probably done and said more things wrong than you could ever imagine. The distinction is that I was constantly in action. I was setting goals and targets, and appropriate action steps to create those goals. I was incredibly disciplined. Discipline determines your destiny!

Vital can be defined simply as being full of life, full of spirit. My connection to the vitalistic Principles of Chiropractic, as well as my passion for life and sharing the Chiropractic message blended to create a magnetic energy within my practice and life. I was succeeding in spite of myself.

Dr. John also taught me to think globally. Instead of just focusing on my practice, I thought how I could serve my community, the Chiropractic profession in my country, as well as Chiropractic worldwide. I hung an enormous poster of the World in my office, covering the entire wall, and began sticking pins in place of where people came from to be adjusted in my office. Obviously it started with a small number of pins. Yet, is it any ‘coincidence’ that suddenly people visiting family from Russia, Yugoslavia, and many other places in the world were suddenly on my clinic doorstep?

During this early stage of my career I stepped up and became involved in the political association for Chiropractors in my local area. The Universal Principles were also teaching me to have a voice in decisions that impact my ability to practice in the fashion I love. As I have mentioned, this was a stage in Chiropractic that held acceptance foremost in reverence. It was important to me, and I was passionate about honoring what was unique and distinct about Chiropractic. I left the traditional system, and became so involved in Chiropractic because of vitalism and the unique ability to address it within our scope of practice. Having a voice, and representing wellness and vitalism in the profession was critical to me.

Another vital element to my plan was to attract and groom a vital team. I knew I needed support in the clinic, and to have a well-trained team. It became imperative for me to introduce the members of my team to people and places of learning in Chiropractic. We travelled to seminars to enhance our knowledge, and rejuvenate our inspiration. Sharing these same Principles of life and Chiropractic with my first Chiropractic Assistant, Rhonda was critical in fine tuning her procedures, as well as shaping and developing our capacity within the clinic. Interesting is the large number of people we could serve, just one CA and I. We were fortunate to become connected with Dr. Guy Riekeman and his Quest seminar system. His seminar was instrumental in assisting us in developing the systems and the support team to be able to serve and help even more people.

Throughout the first five years of my practice, I was so fortunate to be around great people that shared with me incredible Principles, methods, procedures and more.

Ask and you shall receive. On several occasions, I quieted my mind through meditation and prayer, and asked for guidance. Without delay, the next teacher or opportunity presented. One such example is Dr. Peter Amlinger handing me my first copies of the Green Books. I’d obviously lived in a shell until then, because I didn’t’ know such recorded writings existed! He handed me two books at a political meeting, and now I simply smile at the juxtaposition of ‘philosophical’ writings handed to me at a political meeting.

It’s so important for me to thank and honor each person that came into my life along this early path of my career. I realize my success has been totally related to the quality of the people around me, and the books that I’ve read. And most of those books were presented or shared with me by the people around me, an example of vitalism in action.

The patients in this early phase of my career taught me more than I could ever even possibly put into words. When I opened up to the bigness of Chiropractic, and when anyone does, the floodgates are lifted. I was presented with cases and examples of every type of condition and disorder. The more I focused on the uniqueness of Chiropractic, and on being a nervous system specialist, the more the results spoke for themselves. The vitalistic Principles at work created even more passion and commitment for me to helping more and more people.

Stepping Into Uniqueness

I was so fortunate to share this path and time in life with my husband Dave. Vitality is truly put to the test when you run a large and growing practice, and also then try to figure out how to juggle and run a full and vital family. Without my husband Dave I’m not sure this would have been feasible. Dave and my son Rob played such a vital role in supporting my growth as a person. The same Universal Principles that applied to my practice, applied to my life. The discipline to create the time and present-time focus and consciousness on my family life was critical.

The ability to create flow in life and practice for many women in Chiropractic presents challenges distinct to females. There are physical differences between men and women in practice, yet I feel those pale in comparison to the psychological and relationship differences. It’s not like one path is easier than another, just different and unique. I found myself in territory that was different from even the women around me. Some of the women Chiropractors I knew, and women in various business models, were focusing more on family while their children were younger. Practicing part time or staying home with my sons just simply didn’t fit my personality style.

I had my middle and youngest sons while I was practicing full time in a large and vital practice. At this point in my career, I had not yet addressed an associate based practice model. The buck stopped with me. There were some interesting times and challenges in making decisions on how to manage the practice while pregnant, and more importantly manage my time out of the office once the babies were born.

As anyone reading this might realize, not everyone in our profession focuses on vitalism. When creating a vital, and on some days crazy, style of practice, not many people can simply cover that type of office. Many people that visited or heard about my office would profess to want this type of model. Yet in reality there were very few people willing to do the things that it takes to create it, on both the physical and mental level.

Fortunate for me, trust and faith in a bigger picture allowed me to attract great-fitting cover doctors for my practice. And no coincidence, one doctor who covered my practice is a contributing author to this book! Having coverage for my maternity leaves was obviously critical. Yet it took the right people to be able to keep my crazy practice alive and well.

On a deep level I find women doctors have the capacity to touch and connect with the vitalistic life force within others. The women doctors that covered for me, as well as the many female students I have work with, mentored or coached have all shown me their intuitive and creative ability to grasp the essence of vitalism. No coincidence that one online dictionary site describes an example of vitalism as “a dynamic full of life woman." Within each woman, there is a unique blend of empathy, intuition, love and caring.

Going from one child to three over a short period of time can only be described as a team on a sports field going from man-to-man coverage to zone coverage. My husband Dave and I were quickly out-numbered. Welcome to a new level of life and craziness at our household. My personal winning strategy during my pregnancy with my middle son Jackson was to hire a professional coach. Coaching Principles, along with the systems of education I learned through Dr. Riekeman and his mentoring were instrumental in shifting my practice into a stronger business model.

After my youngest son, Kobi, was born, my coach helped me to streamline my office hours and systems, and assisted me in becoming open to the help and support I needed for success in the office and at home. Becoming a stronger leader in my office, versus just doing all of the work, was imperative. Planning and organizing at home was even more essential. Coaching enabled me to pull out of myself the model and systems that felt authentic to me, and that created an even deeper expression of vitalism in my life and practice.

What Next?

Facilitated by coaches in my life asking me deeper and more inner driven questions, the time came for me to open up to my dreams and aspirations for the future. In some ways I was already living my purpose, based on the purpose and vision statements I created within the first year of my practice. “What is next?” The question kept running through my mind.

When we begin to ask questions, it is really a signal for a transitional phase in our life and career. Luckily for me, with great coaching and mentorship, I didn’t just jump or run into the next pursuit and/or project. Hastiness can be a trap. I had great guidance with building-in personal time and dreamtime. I began tapping into the ‘what is next.’

While our younger two boys were little, I made the decision not to travel as much to seminars, or to remain as heavily involved with politics. Instead, I didn’t want to be doing things that were not high on my list of values. In learning to prioritize, I realized some elements within the roles I took-on had become tolerations. It was necessary for me to recognize it was of my own doing. My longing to be involved and have a voice had filled my plate entirely. It was okay to learn to give myself permission to step back, and focus completely on the top priorities in my life.

Prioritizing served as valuable instruction for me to listen to my inner voice, and act in accordance with my own inner values. My destiny wasn’t about what other people said or thought. I’d created these roles, and it would have been easier to keep doing them (particularly at the level I had begun to be involved in the politics and some other aspects of my career) than to step down. Yet it was time to learn to find the language to explain, and switch my focus and direct my energy to the areas that truly mattered the most to me. Then muster the courage to do it!

The more I learned about powerful decision making tools and living one’s best life, the more I wanted to learn and grow in ways to help my patients or others utilize these same tools. Because of the flexibility of training available to become a personal and professional coach, it was an avenue that could continue to fuel my thirst for knowledge, learning and growing. This is inherent in a lot of us, and can become the trap of why we keep thinking we need to be on the seminar circuit, or always learning new things. Seminars are powerful when we indeed tap into the pure growth aspect of them, but I realized I didn’t have to tie it directly to my current profession. Here was another lesson for me in crossing disciplines.

Again, hindsight is 20-20. I realize my training as a coach was enabling me to put language and tools into place to work with people at a deep level of thoughts and beliefs. I began to apply my newly learned language and tools to asking my patients strong and powerful questions. I asked them questions about what was blocking their vital flow or creating physical/health challenge within their lives. Designing workshops and seminars for my patients and local community, all around coaching principles, helped me step into my next role of coaching and guiding people.

Each step of the way I was fortunate to be continually guided by skilled and talented coaches and mentors. Several of these mentors began to ask me to speak and teach more within the Chiropractic profession. The more this happened, the more my ‘next step’ in the journey was revealed. I developed the vitality and love of speaking to accompany my new role. The more I embraced the journey, and continued to do things that brought love and joy into my life, the more the other details and pieces fell into place to allow me to follow my purposeful path. Within the practice, my associate, Dr. Shaelyn Osborn, was ready, willing and able to step-up to take on a role of leadership and ownership of the clinic. I had the support of my family, as well as my family of patients.

The most difficult phase of my journey was departing from hands-on healing. Adjusting and connecting with others at their core level came natural and was innate to me. Once I was able to connect with a very deep level of myself, coaching and leading others in our profession truly enabled me to touch everyone and everything in their lives, including their patients! Becoming a coach enabled me to focus my intention and skills towards seeing greatness in other Chiropractors. There are many days where I see more in others than they are able to see in themselves. Revealing their inner wisdom for them to embrace creates passion and enthusiasm within me, and keeps fueling my vital flame.

Skills For Moving Into My Next Act

Another aspect of vitalism in my life (and probably the most significant) was becoming a charismatic leader. The process first started with me focusing on leading myself – my internal world and my life. Then, I began expressing my inner clarity to the outer world. Based on my core value of authenticity, the expression of my ‘insides’ on the ‘outside’ was extremely important. In the family model my husband Dave and I designed, the same theme flowed naturally with parenting our children. We wanted to lead and inspire our children towards greatness, and encourage their expression of their true selves to the world. In Chiropractic, my role and path is to inspire the next generation of Chiropractic leaders.

To date, my connection to my values has been one of the most essential elements in the plan for my life. My values have connected me to my guiding Principles. These have a flair and flavor very similar to the guiding Principles of Chiropractic. Without guiding Principles we can waiver on even basic daily decisions. With guiding Principles, decisions and directions are inherently natural, and you create a life path that feels uniquely authentic.

I still don’t completely know what the next Act is for me. I do know it is essential to make-way for flow (vitalism in action). Honoring the flow of intelligence by listening and trusting our intuition enables us to express innate through the body and throughout our entire lives. Experiences that bring joy and passion increase this flow. Things that feel heavy and uninspiring decrease our vibration and block the natural flow. By blending right feelings, with right actions, based on right values equals an inspired and vital life. By promoting flow in my life, I have been fortunate to create the opportunity to work with Dr. Joan Fallon and her biotechnology company, Curemark. Joan’s established company and her work with Autism (and other unmet neurological needs) are completely based on a set of values and Principles not only she aligns with, but I align with also. Every day I love what I do, and continue learning an incredible amount. I watch as Joan sets up her company in a unique and inspired way. I call it a ‘soulful’ company, based on values and high standards. And every day we break new ground.

In some ways, I feel each day creates more clarity for me, enabling me to see the thread of connections throughout all of the various things I have done and been involved with in my life. In following the flow and path, I am happier and more satisfied than I ever imagined. Every new lesson reminds me to trust and honor the vitalistic life force within – rather than fighting and controlling, just allow the flow. I listen to the whispers in the wind.

A Vital Life

Vitalism, to me, is so natural and authentic.

I don’t want to leave the impression that living a vital life is easy. None of my own paths has been or felt easy. Yet basing the pieces of my life on the core Principle of vitalism has carried me along a successful journey. Vitalism can be felt and identified – it’s a vibration, an aura, a mojo that people may exude. You might label it as passion, or even enthusiasm, but to me it is vitalism. Did you know the word “enthusiasm” comes from the two little Greek words en and theos? Enthusiasm literally means “God within.” How cool is that? The outward expression of an inner vitalism can literally be a connection to the God within each of us.

My wish is that you may find your path, your authentic life. In sharing my own, I hope to spark your inner greatness.

As my dear friend Dr. Fred Barge would have said, “Enuf said!”

•Stand up and celebrate your uniqueness.

•Balance is an illusion but being in the flow is not.

•We can succeed in spite of ourselves.

•Do less to be more.

•Life is all vibration, at a deep cellular level, and expressing our unique vibration creates a life of authenticity.

•Life is good!