I currently am treating a patient with Retinal Vein Occlusion. This means that the vein behind her eye is partially obstructed. She can't see well out of that eye. When she asked her eye doctor what his opinion of Acupuncture for this was, he basically said, it won't hurt and it won't help. What his basis for this opinion is, I can't say. I know that I need his test results to inform my work. That he is able to take a picture of the veins behind her eye helps me to make a better decision about how aggressively to treat her with herbs and to see if the acupuncture is working effectively. I look forward to a time when there is better integration between different practitioners and also a respect for Acupuncturists as colleagues in the medical profession. Acupuncturists can do some pretty amazing work and speed healing. Sometimes in cases where modern medicine has little to offer, this ancient medicine can offer hope and create a positive outcome. In China, these two medicines are now side by side in the hospitals and information is gathered as to which medicine offers the better hope for the condition.
The bottom line is that Acupuncture is effective preventative medicine. My patient's eye is getting better. I am still concerned about it and can't guarantee a positive outcome, but I know that if this patient and I are both persistent in working on the issue, that we don't need to lose hope. Losing hope at a critical time when you should be taking action robs you of your chances of getting better.
I highly recommend using Acupuncture as a second health check up and I offer a free health screening in my office. What's your health score?
Monday, February 22, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Dealing with Limiting Beliefs
Hello again,
Last week we made a list of our tasks and looked at what things we are doing that give us energy and what things take energy away. Review my last blog post if you want to do the exercise first. Today we are going to look at WHY we are continuing to do things that don't work.
Limiting beliefs are beliefs that you have that hold you back. In the exercise from last week, you probably identified a few tasks that you had a frown face next to, that you had listed as energy suckers - you put in 80% and get back 10% and you had a check mark next to them, meaning that you had to do this task.
Well, if the task is your job, that is a problem!! If it's calling your Mom each day, it's a little easier to see that you can probably modify it.
You need to see if you can look at the limiting beliefs that surround that task. So get ready for another exercise:
Exercise 2: Bringing up your limiting beliefs.
1. Take out a piece of paper and write the task, face (happy, neutral, frowny), and percentage at the top of the page.
2. Write down why you do this task, what you love about it, hate about it, and how other people impact it. Don't think too hard or sensor. Take a minute or so and write as much as you can about that task.
3. When you look over this list, an example of a limiting belief is I can't exercise because I don't have time. I hate my job because I have no control.
4. A lot of our energy goes into a belief like this. Changing the belief can change your ability to do this task as well as the energy that you get from doing the task.
5. Come up with a new belief around this that works and will empower you to change.
6. Set a goal. What will you change, when will you change it.
7. Post the goal somewhere, like your bathroom mirror so you see it everyday.
8. Don't be discouraged if you slip up. Keep coming back to that goal.
An example:
Exercise, Neutral Face, 30% in, 70% out
So I know if I exercise regularly that I have a lot more energy. I tend to put things for myself at the end of my to do list, and I tend to say yes to all offers, putting my things lower and lower on the list.
Limiting belief: I have to get other things done first.
New belief: Exercising gives me so much energy and makes me happier (endorphins) so that I will have more energy to do my other tasks.
Goal: To exercise by riding the stationary bike in the morning on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7 am for 20 minutes.
So the hard part is sticking with a plan like this. I need to make it more important than my other tasks. I need to remind myself WHY I decided it is important. But the limiting belief that I have to get other things done first is completely self defeating. I usually don't have enough energy left over to exercise and I will actually get more done if I do exercise.
Good Luck applying this to one thing and changing a behavior for the better!!
Last week we made a list of our tasks and looked at what things we are doing that give us energy and what things take energy away. Review my last blog post if you want to do the exercise first. Today we are going to look at WHY we are continuing to do things that don't work.
Limiting beliefs are beliefs that you have that hold you back. In the exercise from last week, you probably identified a few tasks that you had a frown face next to, that you had listed as energy suckers - you put in 80% and get back 10% and you had a check mark next to them, meaning that you had to do this task.
Well, if the task is your job, that is a problem!! If it's calling your Mom each day, it's a little easier to see that you can probably modify it.
You need to see if you can look at the limiting beliefs that surround that task. So get ready for another exercise:
Exercise 2: Bringing up your limiting beliefs.
1. Take out a piece of paper and write the task, face (happy, neutral, frowny), and percentage at the top of the page.
2. Write down why you do this task, what you love about it, hate about it, and how other people impact it. Don't think too hard or sensor. Take a minute or so and write as much as you can about that task.
3. When you look over this list, an example of a limiting belief is I can't exercise because I don't have time. I hate my job because I have no control.
4. A lot of our energy goes into a belief like this. Changing the belief can change your ability to do this task as well as the energy that you get from doing the task.
5. Come up with a new belief around this that works and will empower you to change.
6. Set a goal. What will you change, when will you change it.
7. Post the goal somewhere, like your bathroom mirror so you see it everyday.
8. Don't be discouraged if you slip up. Keep coming back to that goal.
An example:
Exercise, Neutral Face, 30% in, 70% out
So I know if I exercise regularly that I have a lot more energy. I tend to put things for myself at the end of my to do list, and I tend to say yes to all offers, putting my things lower and lower on the list.
Limiting belief: I have to get other things done first.
New belief: Exercising gives me so much energy and makes me happier (endorphins) so that I will have more energy to do my other tasks.
Goal: To exercise by riding the stationary bike in the morning on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7 am for 20 minutes.
So the hard part is sticking with a plan like this. I need to make it more important than my other tasks. I need to remind myself WHY I decided it is important. But the limiting belief that I have to get other things done first is completely self defeating. I usually don't have enough energy left over to exercise and I will actually get more done if I do exercise.
Good Luck applying this to one thing and changing a behavior for the better!!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Are You Getting Out What You Are Putting In?
I have an office mate who does Spiritual Coaching. It may sound a little out there, but she has helped me through a lot, quickly and efficiently. In one of the conversations we have had, she checked in with herself around if she should do a task or not. Was she getting very much return on her effort? The answer she got was no. She was putting in 80% and receiving back 20%.
With a busy life, it is easy to find yourself overwhelmed with too much to do. We all have our weaknesses. There are people or things we just can't say no to. When you are falling into bed exhausted and waking up exhausted and you can't remember the last time you had some me time, but you just have to help your friend move or you couldn't turn down an invitation to that party, THEN IT IS TIME TO RE-EVALUATE!
We are now in the depths of winter, despite the strong desire we have for Spring to come. Winter is a season of the lowest energy. It is a time of storage and dreaming and planning for Spring. It is not a season for using as much energy as possible! It is true that in Colorado the temperature goes up and down and you will tune into this on a certain level. On warmer days, eat lighter meals and do a little more. On colder days though, try to grab that extra half hour in the morning and take it a little easier.
Task Evaluation Exercise: 20 minutes.
1. Pull out your calendar and a sheet of paper.
2. Look at a typical week and list all your tasks down the side including things you do like watching tv or reading.
3. Leave two lines, then write the header: Still Need to Do.
4. Now brainstorm. Think of all the things you need to do that aren't on this list yet. These are the tasks that you avoid a lot, but really need to get done.
5. Two more empty lines and now list another header: Want to do.
6. Brainstorm the things that you aren't making time for that would add value to your life. This could be exercising, cooking dinner, family game night, or time for a quiet bath. These are the things that relax us, relieve stress, improve our relationships and health. These things are easy to deny yourself, but if you don't do them you pay the price.
7. All right. Most likely your whole sheet of paper is full of tasks. Now this is important. Don't overthink this next part. Shut your eyes for a moment and take some deep breaths into your belly and relax.
8. Without thinking too hard - next to each task draw a smiley face, a neutral face or a frowning face. (You can do this any way you want to. Just keep it simple.)
9. Go through your list again, and don't think too hard. Write down two percentages. The first number is what you give to the task energy wise and the second number is what you get back. Example: Grocery Shopping: 5%/45%. No your percentages don't need to add up to 100%. This is not so much about the math, as it is about getting a gut feeling for how much something gives you or drains you. I like to grocery shop and I like having a well stocked kitchen. It isn't hard for me to do the shopping and I get a lot of value out of having it done. My boyfriend would probably have some very different numbers for that task!!
10. Repeat step 7 ( breathe, relax, center). Now make a large check on the left for all the tasks you absolutely have to do. Some of these probably have an unhappy face next to them.
11. Circle or highlight any tasks where the numbers don't add up. Example you have checked it as something you have to do, but you have a frowning face next to it and your numbers are something like 70% effort for 20% return. These could be items like a job that you don't enjoy or watching too much tv.
12. Ponder how to restore more balance into your life by getting the things done that HAVE to get done and by scheduling the things you get a lot of energy back from. Most of us need to work to get some of the things in our "Still Need to Do" and our "Want to Do" list integrated in our life. In order to do this, we need to start to drop the time wasters or things taking too much energy from our first list.
This is a pretty intense exercise. Doing it and making changes help you to take control of your life. You are responsible for how you choose to use your time. Remember that making these changes takes time. This piece of paper should not be thrown away. If you took the time to do the exercise, then please keep it. Pick one or two things that you can change now. We can come back to this list and continue to use it to pick out the next change you want to make. It can also be used to examine the beliefs and thoughts that aren't working for you. Stay tuned for more on that next week!
I look forward to your comments. Kalindi Carlson of Soaring Hearts Sacred Arts is the office mate that I spoke of in the first paragraph. If doing this exercise was too daunting on your own, I highly recommend a session with her around these issues. She is fantastic at quickly and easily helping you to get clear on an exercise like this and helping you to change gracefully. She can be reached at 720-205-2320. If you are able to hone in on what needs to change and need help making those changes, Five Element Acupuncture is an amazing support around becoming the person you want to be. I am always happy to help you become healthier and happier - mentally, physically and emotionally.
With a busy life, it is easy to find yourself overwhelmed with too much to do. We all have our weaknesses. There are people or things we just can't say no to. When you are falling into bed exhausted and waking up exhausted and you can't remember the last time you had some me time, but you just have to help your friend move or you couldn't turn down an invitation to that party, THEN IT IS TIME TO RE-EVALUATE!
We are now in the depths of winter, despite the strong desire we have for Spring to come. Winter is a season of the lowest energy. It is a time of storage and dreaming and planning for Spring. It is not a season for using as much energy as possible! It is true that in Colorado the temperature goes up and down and you will tune into this on a certain level. On warmer days, eat lighter meals and do a little more. On colder days though, try to grab that extra half hour in the morning and take it a little easier.
Task Evaluation Exercise: 20 minutes.
1. Pull out your calendar and a sheet of paper.
2. Look at a typical week and list all your tasks down the side including things you do like watching tv or reading.
3. Leave two lines, then write the header: Still Need to Do.
4. Now brainstorm. Think of all the things you need to do that aren't on this list yet. These are the tasks that you avoid a lot, but really need to get done.
5. Two more empty lines and now list another header: Want to do.
6. Brainstorm the things that you aren't making time for that would add value to your life. This could be exercising, cooking dinner, family game night, or time for a quiet bath. These are the things that relax us, relieve stress, improve our relationships and health. These things are easy to deny yourself, but if you don't do them you pay the price.
7. All right. Most likely your whole sheet of paper is full of tasks. Now this is important. Don't overthink this next part. Shut your eyes for a moment and take some deep breaths into your belly and relax.
8. Without thinking too hard - next to each task draw a smiley face, a neutral face or a frowning face. (You can do this any way you want to. Just keep it simple.)
9. Go through your list again, and don't think too hard. Write down two percentages. The first number is what you give to the task energy wise and the second number is what you get back. Example: Grocery Shopping: 5%/45%. No your percentages don't need to add up to 100%. This is not so much about the math, as it is about getting a gut feeling for how much something gives you or drains you. I like to grocery shop and I like having a well stocked kitchen. It isn't hard for me to do the shopping and I get a lot of value out of having it done. My boyfriend would probably have some very different numbers for that task!!
10. Repeat step 7 ( breathe, relax, center). Now make a large check on the left for all the tasks you absolutely have to do. Some of these probably have an unhappy face next to them.
11. Circle or highlight any tasks where the numbers don't add up. Example you have checked it as something you have to do, but you have a frowning face next to it and your numbers are something like 70% effort for 20% return. These could be items like a job that you don't enjoy or watching too much tv.
12. Ponder how to restore more balance into your life by getting the things done that HAVE to get done and by scheduling the things you get a lot of energy back from. Most of us need to work to get some of the things in our "Still Need to Do" and our "Want to Do" list integrated in our life. In order to do this, we need to start to drop the time wasters or things taking too much energy from our first list.
This is a pretty intense exercise. Doing it and making changes help you to take control of your life. You are responsible for how you choose to use your time. Remember that making these changes takes time. This piece of paper should not be thrown away. If you took the time to do the exercise, then please keep it. Pick one or two things that you can change now. We can come back to this list and continue to use it to pick out the next change you want to make. It can also be used to examine the beliefs and thoughts that aren't working for you. Stay tuned for more on that next week!
I look forward to your comments. Kalindi Carlson of Soaring Hearts Sacred Arts is the office mate that I spoke of in the first paragraph. If doing this exercise was too daunting on your own, I highly recommend a session with her around these issues. She is fantastic at quickly and easily helping you to get clear on an exercise like this and helping you to change gracefully. She can be reached at 720-205-2320. If you are able to hone in on what needs to change and need help making those changes, Five Element Acupuncture is an amazing support around becoming the person you want to be. I am always happy to help you become healthier and happier - mentally, physically and emotionally.
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