Often, when someone finds out that my family does not eat processed foods or much meat, they will look confused and ask, "What do you eat?" This always amazes me that so many people can't conceive of anything to eat if meat is out of the equation, much less processed stuff. I mean, for starters, you could just take most meals that you might eat and just TAKE OUT the meat. One friend couldn't comprehend spaghetti without meat. But, I don't avoid meat in a vacuum. In other words, I don't just take meat out of the Standard American Diet (SAD). The way my family eats is about what we DO eat, rather than what we avoid. I choose to focus on eating stuff that grows in the ground, rather than animals or stuff from a laboratory.
This also applies to holistic health. People are often puzzled about the fact that my family doesn't really have a "family doctor". But it's not like we just have a policy of avoiding allopathic medical care. Holistic Health is about what we do INSTEAD. It's about supporting our bodies to keep themselves healthy -- prevention, in the truest sense of the word, rather than the way it's used by allopathy to get you to come take a bunch of tests so they can start "treating" you sooner. It's about our healthy diet, appropriate exercise, activating our energy systems, and making lifestyle choices that support our bodies in achieving and maintaining optimal health. It's not about just opting out of one practice most of the culture considers necessary or "normal". It's about a whole paradigm shift of deciding I don't want to participate in that system or its outcome; It's about looking in another direction and deciding "I choose THAT".
Which is more empowering? Focusing on avoiding something? Or directing energy toward the thing you choose?
For me, if I'm avoiding something, there's a sense of fear involved. Like I'm scared of something, so I have to stay away from it. When we're in fear, we are giving away our power; we are not coming from place of power. How much fun is that? How hard is it to stay motivated to continue with it? And if I'm constantly focused on what I don't want, I'm in resonance with it and likely to get more of it. If you focus on the auto accident on the side of the road, no matter how hard you try to keep the wheel pointed in the right direction, you're going to become part of the wreck. You end up landing where you look. Going through life in an attitude of lack and deprivation does not serve you.
On the other hand, if I'm working TOWARD something, like vibrant health, it's much easier to feel empowered and feel good about my choices. I LIKE feeling empowered, so it's easier to stay motivated. I can envision myself in THAT place and resonate with THAT outcome, which will eventually take me to exactly the place I want to be.
In his book Hormones, Health and Happiness, Dr. Steven Hotze quotes this wonderful challenge his mother taught him, "Never follow the crowd, because it is usually going in the wrong direction. Move away from the crowd and lead it in the right direction."
This also applies to holistic health. People are often puzzled about the fact that my family doesn't really have a "family doctor". But it's not like we just have a policy of avoiding allopathic medical care. Holistic Health is about what we do INSTEAD. It's about supporting our bodies to keep themselves healthy -- prevention, in the truest sense of the word, rather than the way it's used by allopathy to get you to come take a bunch of tests so they can start "treating" you sooner. It's about our healthy diet, appropriate exercise, activating our energy systems, and making lifestyle choices that support our bodies in achieving and maintaining optimal health. It's not about just opting out of one practice most of the culture considers necessary or "normal". It's about a whole paradigm shift of deciding I don't want to participate in that system or its outcome; It's about looking in another direction and deciding "I choose THAT".
Which is more empowering? Focusing on avoiding something? Or directing energy toward the thing you choose?
For me, if I'm avoiding something, there's a sense of fear involved. Like I'm scared of something, so I have to stay away from it. When we're in fear, we are giving away our power; we are not coming from place of power. How much fun is that? How hard is it to stay motivated to continue with it? And if I'm constantly focused on what I don't want, I'm in resonance with it and likely to get more of it. If you focus on the auto accident on the side of the road, no matter how hard you try to keep the wheel pointed in the right direction, you're going to become part of the wreck. You end up landing where you look. Going through life in an attitude of lack and deprivation does not serve you.
On the other hand, if I'm working TOWARD something, like vibrant health, it's much easier to feel empowered and feel good about my choices. I LIKE feeling empowered, so it's easier to stay motivated. I can envision myself in THAT place and resonate with THAT outcome, which will eventually take me to exactly the place I want to be.
In his book Hormones, Health and Happiness, Dr. Steven Hotze quotes this wonderful challenge his mother taught him, "Never follow the crowd, because it is usually going in the wrong direction. Move away from the crowd and lead it in the right direction."
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