EMPOWERMENT. A missing piece of health-care.

Each day I hear people speaking of health concerns; talking about their latest visit to the doctor, expressing their unease about a recent diagnosis, complaining about a medication (or number of medications) they are taking, sharing with others how they may have contracted a “seasonal illness” or the cold that is “going around”, or some other conversation-sparking health anomaly.

I have one question.


What is it that these people are NOT doing for themselves to ensure that they remain healthy and in a state of (balanced) wellness? 

Furthermore… 

Who is teaching them to live healthy (and happy) lives and what continues to motivate them to do so?  And then there is the topic of responsibility which I’ll leave for another time. 

In your personal medical community, are your caregivers ACTUALLY educating and coaching you on how to take care of yourself?  If you can answer “yes”, then answer me this; are they hoping that you will come back to their clinic in hope of building and expanding their business and making a larger profit, or are they actually investing in those they provide care to in a way that teaches people, for the most part, to stay OUT of their clinic?  THIS IS EMPOWERMENT!  And we need more of it.

Every health/medical practitioner, I say, has the responsibility (and wherewithal) to educate people and coach them into a state of wellness in a way that the patient learns and understands over time and is able to carry out what they have learned on a consistent basis.  Now, of course we all (including health/medical practitioners) lose track now and then, perhaps through overworking, eating less nutritious foods, or staying up an hour longer to catch up on Scandal or The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.  However, if we have truly learned about our health on all levels, then we know what will help us to get back on track to wellness, whether it requires an afternoon or a whole day off from work, simply adding one or two veggies to the meal(s), or adding 30 minutes to each end of our sleeping time.  

If we don’t choose to do so, then perhaps we end up being easily frustrated because we put off eating lunch or going to the bathroom because of “the amount of work”, and we suddenly pour our frustration out on another person, be it at work, at the store, or at home.  Regardless, when we begin to forget what makes us healthy, it is possible that we will slowly turn into the running of the bulls.  At this stage, we begin to notice more and more those physical concerns mentioned earlier, and eventually make the call to the doctor (or overlook the opportunity to do so and end up in the back of an ambulance).  Where did we lose track?  What signs did we miss that might have guided us back on track sooner?  If we saw them, what was it that kept us from pulling a U-turn or slamming on the brakes?

So, I ask you.  What are YOU doing to empower yourself so that you remain in a state of wellness?  And, just as importantly, who guides you there when you begin to forget? 

If you believe your state of health and wellness is at all important, then create answers to these questions and make the choice to build a community of healthy lifestyles, healthy communication, and healthy relationships.  This, again, is empowerment.  And trust me, if you start today, your quality of life will improve greatly. (And you might save some money in the long run!)  Our health is an investment with shares that cannot afford to be sold.

By empowering yourself, you empower those around you.  What other reason do you need than this?!

Peacefully yours,

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