Sexually Transmitted Lives: Dis-ease or Opportunity? A Lesson in Perspective.

A couple weeks ago, I was at the gym and the TV would only broadcast PBS. After some (ok, MUCH) grumbling, I finally decided it was better than the uncomfortable headphones I brought with me, and continued with my workout. I settled into the rhythmic thwap of my chosen equipment, and slowly drifted into my thoughts. I was pulled from my daydreamings by the sound of a voice I recognized from my recent visit to Parker Seminars – that of Wayne Dyer, one of the premier motivational speakers of our time. He spoke about many things while I trudged along, but one thing in particular caught my attention, and I’ve been repeating it over to myself ever since. Dyer quoted one of my favorite authors, Neil Gaiman, in the following, sarcastic and cynical, yet not altogether inaccurate logic:

“Life is a disease: sexually transmitted, and invariably fatal.”

Being the sarcastic personality that I am, I absolutely loved this! It’s snarky, logical, and 100% accurate in a crude and morbid manner. I nearly fell off the equipment because I was laughing so hard. And from a motivational speaker, no less! After telling Siri to make a note of the quote, I began to think of how I could use this statement to better the chiropractic cause. I didn’t have to think very hard, as this is a natural segue…

Life may indeed be a disease. That being said, you do not have the right to simply survive while this disease called 'life' happens to you. This is one of the few diseases that has an opportunity to be a gift. It is your responsibility to make your life meaningful – both to yourself and to those around you. Get out there! Happen to your life, and happen to the world! Make a difference. Make someone smile. Make your life as disease-free as possible. And let go of the people that dwell on their diseased lives. It's spring (anywhere outside of South Dakota, it appears!). Do some spring cleaning, and include your soul. Decide today that you are going to turn your dis-eased life into one of satisfaction, one of action, and one of happiness. Search for what makes you happy, and let yourself find it – let your soul be content in that moment.

Make today an opportunity. Allow yourself to thrive today, instead of simply survive. It may not happen all at once, but let today be the start. Change a ‘bad habit,’ forget your grudges (notice I did not say you have to forgive, but you can accept, and therefore, release) Begin that project you’ve been putting off for weeks/months/years. Make plans to cross something off your bucket list. Adopt a kitten. Plant a flower. Park your car in the sun and get a little Vitamin D while you sit and ponder all of the blessings in your life. Take 2 minutes to reflect on the good – forget the negatives for 120 seconds and see how much that changes your perspective for the day. Then let us know how the rest of your day went. See what happens.

And don’t forget to smile. Smiling is my favorite.

Yours in health,

Dr. Cassandra Baar, DC