It's all about the questions we ask. The questions you ask come from a point of view, or understanding, you have about things you've learned, experienced or come to believe along life's journey. As a simple example, if we see a wilting plant our desire to get the plant well leads to questions about how to prevent it from wilting. Therefore, our past experiences give us an idea of what questions one should ask to figure out what is wrong with the plant. Some of the initial questions would be: Does it need water? Does it have too much water? Does it get enough sunlight? Does it get too much sunlight?
You get the idea. The questions are all centered on the end result. Now let's change direction, what questions would one would ask if having our children reach their fullest potential was the desired end result? What can we do? What will it take? Is my child healthy? Do I know what childhood health is in today's society? Where do we begin?
WOW, a little overwhelming!! TAKE A DEEP BREATH IN because it's much easier than you think!
Many dictionaries, research reports, and unlimited sites on the internet provide the definition to the word health. The most accepted is from the World Health Organization. The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and does not consist only of the absence of disease or infirmity." Though this is a useful and accurate definition, using the W.H.O. definition classifies 70-95% of people as unhealthy. However, it falls short in providing a set of directions.
The reality is that our health is like nature. Nature is programmed to succeed. Nature is programmed to strive for its best. Not some of the time, but all of the time. Nature does not need help throughout its course, it merely requires no interference. This principle is the same for our children. Children, adults, animals, plants, essentially all living things are genetically designed by our creator to strive for this natural state of health and balance. Children are no exception.
From the above point of view that nature needs no help just no interference, there are four things one can do to help sustain and enhance our health. And, if the child or adult is not healthy, it will surely be a guiding light towards the destination of health. It will take re-examining your point of view, your beliefs about your health and your habits. Do the current habits guide towards a healthy existence in the future or not?
The steps are very basic in nature. Although they are basic, they are unfortunately, in today's society, overlooked and mostly forgotten. We must eat, move and think right under the environment of no interference to nature. These are essential to sustain and maximize our health and life.
1. First is to eat well. In order to eat well we, and especially our children, must eat plenty of what our creator put on this earth. We must insist they eat daily an abundance of fresh fruit, veggies, seeds, nuts, and moderate amounts of animal protein. Yes, we must insist. Eat these foods as close to its natural way as possible. For example: fresh fruit (3 to 5 pieces per day) vs. fruit roll ups grilled chicken vs. fried chicken fresh spinach or dark greens vs. Iceberg Lettuce The list can go on and on, but you get the general idea.
2. Second, we must move well and regularly encourage it. Moving well and playing with our children kicking the ball, walking the dog, jumping rope vs. the current trend of becoming a couch potato even if it's an interactive game such as the the Wii fit. We need to use exercise therapy to bring the family units together as well as regain some of our physical abilities that have been lost from lack of use. Its fun, now get out and play!
3. Third, we must teach our children how to think and maintain a positive outlook. Daily training on happy thoughts and positive thinking are critical to the future outcome of our children. Teach thoughts and habits which are uplifting and life promoting vs. "stinky thinking". This is a wonderful way to ensure many smiles along the way. No one wants to be around a stink bomb. Don't be or allow your children to be the stink bomb in their own life!
4. Lastly, and sometimes the most challenging, we must avoid interfering with nature's ability to be whole, healthy and complete. The human body has the ability to be whole, healthy and balanced. When it is not, it is not because it does not know how to be so.... it is because something is interfering with its natural ability to be whole, healthy and balanced. In the human body lies the wiring to all body parts and systems which allows it to maintain all systems working and functioning automatically. Thank goodness because with today's busy schedule we would be sure to forget something to do within this body, like breath; digest, repair, regenerate tissue, pump blood to all areas, send signals to use the bathroom, etc. This system is called our nervous system. Our nervous system knows exactly what to do and when exactly to do it in order to maximize the ability of the human body and it always strives for balance, health and wholeness. This does not happen every now and then, it happens all the time. Again, when something is programmed to strive for health and it's not because it doesn't know how... it's because something is interfering with this natural ability. Nervous system interference is detectable at early stages prior to any signs or symptoms that we have been lead to believe are 'common', 'normal' and or part of 'childhood growing up'. It's our points of view, our thinking of what is normal that lead us to asking the questions we ask. Have you ever thought of asking questions from a point of view using the law of nature as your point of reference? The constant is that nature never fails unless its environment is being interfered with. Just as with the wilting plant, it did not have what it needed to strive for wholeness, balance and health.
Remember, healthy and well asked questions center around the ultimate objective of attaining and maintaining health. Throughout childhood 100% is expected. If 100% is expected of them, then we, as parents, should take a close look at the lifestyle habit we are promoting and ask ourselves the difficult question of are those habits promoting a long term healthy lifestyle for our children. By following the four steps above, the human body, as with the plant, will return to its natural state of health. The amount of time it takes is dependent on the level of "wilting" present.
Dr. Matthew Fiebelkorn is a Stillwater Chiropractor who teaches,speaks, and writes about wellness and health issues for adults and children and on improving their quality of life through healthier lifestyle choices. For more information on Dr. Fiebelkorn, visit his web site. Or Call Today (651)300-0150!
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