Olson Chiropractic
S.E.N.S.E
Spiritual, Energetic, Nutritional, Structural & Emotional Wellness
Newsletter – December 1, 2004
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This months topic: Healing Spiritually

Thoughts to Ponder
Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours.
~ CS Lewis~

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."
~ Oprah Winfrey~

It is not giving children more that spoils them; it is giving them more to avoid confrontation.
~ John Gray ~

The “O”-Zone – Spirituality: The Foundation of Health
Spirituality requires the recognition of who we really are. By all accounts, we are the product, creation, and most accurately, the offspring of God. As such, we have a specific and incredible divine potential and an awesome heritage. We are children of God. Not just the creations of, but children of, God. We are, as has been well stated, spiritual beings having a mortal experience rather than mortal beings seeking a spiritual experience. We are not just spiritual beings, but also spirit beings. That which drives our mind is our spirit self. When we die, because we are spirit beings, we will maintain our individuality. Our physical body will die, but we continue to live, even though our body will be left a cold shell once we pass on. It is as a horse to a cowboy. If the horse dies, the cowboy still continues. Our spirit, the real and permanent “us,” is made of matter more fine and pure than our current ability to discern. Nonetheless, it is very real and authentic.
The truly spiritual binds us to the divine. There are many influences to which we can subject ourselves and become aware. Most have the capacity to expand our view in some way. To keep it simple, that which has the capacity to draw us to God, or if you prefer the divine, will be referred to as “spiritual.” That which is spiritual causes the divine to infiltrate every aspect of our lives. Gifts of awareness and intuition should not be confused with spiritual aspect of our nature. These gifts have a different function. The spiritual aspect of our nature is deep and quiet within us. The divine voice is still and small. We must be attentive and aware of our deepest senses to attune to this still and quiet voice within us. The spiritual part within us is much more like a slow and deep running river than a thundering rapid or babbling brook. It makes little sound but has a deep and powerful current.
There are numerous accounts of people who have had out of the body experiences in which they have left their physical body, traveled around, seen and heard verifiable conversations and activities in areas distant to their body, then returned to wake and recount the experience to a nearby nurse or visitor. The experiences they had while out of the body viewing remote activities proved to be precisely true. One of the amazing things is that they could use their senses when out of the body and then recall the memories on returning. It must be our sprit, not our body, that composes our mind.
How does spirituality impact health? How is it part of health? How do we exercise and increase our spirituality and that of our children? How do we recognize, in all situations, our children’s divine heritage and treat them accordingly? This section will give simple steps that will strengthen our spirit self and that of our children. These steps will help to integrate into our children the powerful recognition that they are children of God; therefore, they are inherently good and wonderful. They will look at themselves in the mirror and see the reflection of the divine. Self-judgment, condemnation, criticism, and dislike will be dismantled. Self-esteem, self-appreciation, recognition of true talents and abilities, self-forgiveness, and honest love for self will be given a fertile soil in which to grow. The Bible teaches that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Self-love is the beginning of love for our neighbor and love of God. By loving yourself, you are then open to receive the love of others. Until we love ourselves, the love of God and the love from others are difficult to receive. As we are willing to feel and receive God’s love, we open ourselves to receiving God’s love, as well as the love of others. As we begin to feel the love of God in our lives, the tendency to seek and do the will of God grows. By seeking and doing the will of God, our ability to feel God’s love matures, and we become more godly creatures. When we seek the will of God because it is our desire and nature, we begin to change into our potential and to fulfill our promise. Righteous self-love, which is really the only type of self-love, precipitates consciously accepting the love of God and giving your love to God and your fellowmen. We cannot practice unrighteous self-love; it is really not love at all but pride and egotism. Self-love can only be righteous love or right love or godly love.
A young girl was asked by her teacher, “If you could spend the day with anyone, who would it be?” Her response was, “I would spend the day with myself because I like myself, and there isn’t anything wrong with that.” This attitude is both refreshing and delightful. Many of us do not know what to do with ourselves on a rainy Saturday afternoon. What a blessing to find your own company enjoyable, exciting, and invigorating!
During this universally spiritual time of the year, ask yourself probing questions that will inspire deeper spiritual introspection. Find and honor the highest that is in you. Each day needs to contain practices that respect and develop the best in you. Happy holidays.

Research reveals the secret to improved health!
If you could take one pill that would provide you with:
Increased moral, greater desire to exercise, lessens stress,
reduces depression, quickens healing responses, lowers blood
pressure, adds quality years to your life, increases self
confidence and self-esteem, makes it easier to make new
friends, reduces the number of visits to your medical doctor,
increases joy and laughter in daily life, would you want to
take that pill? It has no known negative side effects. Still
interested? What does a pill like this cost? Well it isn't
cheap, but millions access it every year. I know you have
heard of it. Can you guess what it is?
There is a special relationship that exists between dogs and their owners and it goes far beyond just the sharing of a home together. These happy go lucky four-legged friends also provide us with constant unconditional love, devotion, friendship and something else that might not be at the forefront of most people's minds -- health benefits. Their effortless ability to raise our spirits ranges from reducing feelings of stress and anxiety to helping with more serious stress-related conditions like heart attacks.
Unconditional Acceptance Goes a Long Way
Dogs are often used as a form of therapy in hospice settings, nursing homes and companions to the disabled. Pet ownership in the golden years has a positive effect on a senior's physical and emotional well-being, according to the Journal of American Geriatrics Society. Hospitals and nursing homes have begun taking down the "No Dogs Allowed" from their doors after realizing the healing effects of dogs.
For example, studies revealed that people on Medicaid or Medicare who own a pet make fewer visits to the doctor. The unconditional acceptance and love a dog gives to their owners positively impacts their owner's emotional health, particularly among the elderly. Some of these benefits include:
* Bringing joy and laughter to daily life, which in later years is often uneventful
* Giving the person something to do, talk about and think about, other than him or herself
* Providing a source of touch and affiliation
* Boosting self-confidence and self-esteem
* Promotes communication between elderly residents and neighbors

* Helps ease newcomers with transitions and meeting new friends
* Raises overall morale
* Encourages exercise and activity
* Helps people cope with illness, loss and depression.
* Reduces stress levels Dogs Keep Hearts Healthy
Having a dog as a companion could add years to your life, as two studies have shown that owning a dog played a significant role on survival rates in heart attack victims. In one study, patients who were admitted to the hospital were evaluated for one year. Researchers discovered that the patients who were alive one year after the heart attack were more likely to own a dog.
To emphasize this point, another study on psychological factors contributing to the recovery rates for heart-disease patients, ranked pet ownership on top in terms of determining the patient's likelihood of long-term survival.
Studies have also shown how the calming and soothing presence of dogs helps with keeping blood pressure levels in the healthy range.
In one study, the State University of New York at Buffalo conducted a study involving 24 stockbrokers taking medication for high blood pressure. The researchers found that adding a dog or cat to the stock brokers' lives helped stabilize and reduce their stress levels.
Good for Stress and Emotional-Well Being
Along with companionship, dogs satisfy our human need for close physical contact and touching. This combination often induces feelings of stress-relief among humans.
Research from the University of Missouri-Columbia suggests the hormonal changes that occur when humans and dogs interact could help people cope with depression and certain stress-related disorders. An example of this is spending a few minutes of stroking your pet dog -- this simple act prompts a release of a number of "feel good" hormones in humans, including serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin.
Other studies showed that the presence of animals, especially dogs, reduced the anxiety of people facing stressful situations, such as dental surgery.
Running With the Big Dogs
The positive energy that seems to be a natural part of a dog's nature contributes to keeping their owners physically active. Not only do they get us off the couch and away from TV, but also motivate us to turn off the computer and get outside for fresh air several times a day.
The standing excuse for not exercising, "I don't think I'll work out today because I have no one to go with" doesn't hold much weight when you own a dog. Grabbing the leash and going out for a brisk walk extinguishes this excuse in no time.
As a matter of fact, separate studies reported that walking a dog contributed to a person's weight loss and that dog walking can be a catalyst for social interaction with other people, a benefit that can help improve our sense of well-being -- or even help us meet a future spouse.
Research points out that having a pet, especially a dog, is one of the keys to happiness and good health. It seems that a wagging tail and long-lasting companionship can help good health prevail.
Most studies prove that using dogs for therapy seems to be one of the most cost-effective methods of helping people with emotional challenges. They also state that people living without pets are exposed to more persistent fears, increased feelings of panic, experience more frequent headaches and take more medication for stress-induced illnesses than pet owners.

Notice that the five aspects are distributed throughout the body. There is no distinction between mind and body; they’re one entity. The ethereal affects the substantial and the substantial affects the ethereal. They’re both Qi which is manifesting as one person.
The new studies in neurobiology, the study of the nerve system and it communications system, shows that the mind and the body are a two way street. The body has been called the subconscious mind. We can become excited through the body first, then the mind next. Our body can initiate depression, euphoria, excitement, or peace and then communicate this to the mind.
The liver has great influence in the physical body. As stated, the liver has over 500 known functions, and more will be discovered. Energetically it is responsible to move energy throughout the body. Spiritually the liver is the home of the ethereal spirit. When our liver health is good our spirit can have free expression and interaction in our life. If our liver is unhealthy we will struggle in our ability to express our full spiritual potential. As Paul said, “The body is the temple of God.”
Diagnostically, when the liver is unhealthy you want to look to your finger nails. They will have long lines running the length of your nails. The nail should be perfectly smooth. Emotions like anger, frustration and depression are also keys to revealing the livers health. If your liver doesn’t look as healthy as it might be take the needed steps to free your full and free spiritual expression by getting your physical being more healthy so your spirit can play and dance out its full potential.

By Dr. Joseph Mercola
with Laina Krisik

The Amazing Liver
It performs over 500 functionswe know and probably thousands we know nothing about.
What characteristics contribute to a healthy liver and
how do you know how helathy your liver is?
What is the spiritual significance of the Liver and how can
you tell if your liver is healthy?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, spirituality, emotion, physical and energetic aspects are all integrated into a whole person approach. So what are the spiritual aspects of the liver? First lets talk about some of the physical components of the liver function.
Some of the most important functions of the liver from a western perspective follow.
• The liver secretes bile that aids in the digestion of our food; for without it digestion could not take place.
• The liver detoxifies the blood and stores glucose, (i.e., sugar) the chief source of energy for the body.
• The liver acts as storage for numerous vitamins and minerals.
• The liver makes various substances that aid in the clotting of blood.
• The liver regulates the body’s metabolism.
• Finally, the liver regenerates itself.
These are just a few of the more than 500 functions of the liver.
Traditional Chinese Medicine links the spiritual spirituality the liver as the seat of the spirit or soul.
SHEN - SPIRIT MIND EMOTIONS
The predominant model of the mind and/or spirit is mostly derived from the Five Element school of thought, a system that brilliantly correlates our body with our observations of nature. The five aspects of the mind are Wood - Hun, Fire - Shen, Earth - Yi, Metal - Po, Water - Zhi. Collectively these comprise the Shen. This term includes the Fire Element Shen. Below are a very simplified definition of each aspect.
* SHEN
That which makes humans more than an object in motion.
* Shen - Mind
Waking consciousness, waking thought, the Shen resides in the Heart
* Hun - Ethereal soul
Somewhat like western notion of spirit, resides in the Liver.
* Po - Corporeal soul
Soul of the body, provides physiology, resides in
the Lungs
* Yi - Intellect
Scholarly memory, resides in the Spleen
* Zhi - Will
Urge to exist, urge to do, willpower, resides in
the Kidneys.
The signs of liver imbalance are” longitudinal lines in your fingernails, anger or depression, dark circles under your eyes or abdominal distention. If you have any of these symptoms, you may want to come in and have your body balanced. The spirit resides in the liver, liver imbalance unsettles the spirit, and removes our spiritual anchor. Harmony in the liver gives our spirit a firm seat at the helm of our soul, allowing free flow of our potential and reduces the ridgedness associated with forcing our life without the grace of free spiritual expression.

We are welcoming an excellent Massage Therapist into our office.

Massage therapy is an excellent modality for the stress of the holidays or just life. We have been fortunate to find Mary Southerland, an experienced massage therapist. Mary has a
wealth of exprience in athletic injuries, stress reduction and the application of Therapeutic massage to enhance your healing experience. She uses several unique modalities to
get wondeerful results such as hot and cold stone therapy. It is absolutely out of this world when they are applied together. If you think massage therapy may be a helpful part of your wellness plan, call our office to schedule to schedule with Mary.

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Dr. A. Rand Olson Chiropractic
Mon. 8:00-12:00 & 2:00-6:00/ Tues. 2:00-7:00/ Wed. 8:00-12:00 & 2:00-6:00/ Fri. 7:00-12:00 & 1:00-5:00
Big Bend & 141—Next to Schnooks Shopping Center—Phone 636-225-2121
www.healingsense.net