Many people today are in need of healing in one or more dimensions of their lives. All you have to do is read the newspaper or watch the news and in a few minutes it will become obvious to you: violence in our homes and schools, murder, drug abuse, rape and child abuse. A man can be murdered for just “looking” at someone the wrong way.

Society is sick because many of the people who make up our society are sick. Healthy people don’t stab each other for “looking” at each other the wrong way, drive while intoxicated, neglect or abuse their children or carry machine guns into school and blow their classmates and teachers away. Healthy people are part of the solution, not the problem. Healthy people are peaceful and productive.

The World Health Organization defines health as a state of optimum function physically, mentally and socially and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This definition is very different from how the average person thinks about health. I have worked with thousands of patients over the years and I’ve found that most people believe they are healthy if they feel good or if they don’t have cancer. Feeling good is great.

We all want and deserve to feel awesome, however there are many who feel good and have cancer or heart disease or a dozen other diseases without even knowing it. Many people believe that we should spend our time and money trying to find “cures” for diseases. It certainly is a noble idea. Unfortunately, this type of thinking doesn’t work. For example, in 1974 President Nixon declared war on cancer. Since that time we have spent billions of dollars on cancer research trying to find a cure. The result? We have four times more cancer now than we did before we started the war. We don’t need cures. We need to change our minds about health. We need wellness and true healing.

The reality is we could cure every disease known to man and still not create health because health is more than the absence of disease. I believe you ultimately want to be more than just disease free, anyway. I believe (if you are honest with yourself) you want to be your best in all areas of your life. I believe you want what I call ideal health. Ideal Health is a work of art that is always in progress. ideal Health is not a state that you must create. It is your true self.Your job is to remove or reduce interferences that are preventing you from expressing your true self. For example; smoking, excessive drinking, treating people harshly, feeling sorry for yourself or laziness are habits that will prevent you from being your true you and may even shorten your life.

Removing these types of behaviors is the essence of true healing. Many people believe that doctors or healers have the power to heal. Upon closer inspection you will see that the healer’s job is to remove interferences or barriers to the person’s inner healing power. For example, a surgeon removes a tumor, bullet or impacted wisdom tooth and sews the patient back up.

At the follow up visit, the doctor checks to see how you’re healing now that the tumor, bullet or tooth have been removed.

The power within you is the power that heals you. Whether we are talking about healing a person, a society or a planet it boils down to removing interference.

Overdevelopment in Middle Village and surrounding areas interferes with the quality of our lives and maybe even our health. Environmental breakdown is a byproduct of man’s interference with the natural world. Many well meaning people believe that the planet needs to be saved. The truth is if we got rid of all the plants, trees, animals, oceans, fish, bugs and rainforests all of the humans would die. However, if we got rid of all the humans, the plants, trees, animals, oceans, fish, bugs and rainforests would flourish. The planet doesn’t need any help to be saved. It just needs no interference; just like our bodies. Healing is removing interference. Let’s start the process of removing interference so we can experience true healing.

First, I want you to make a list of any people in your life that you believe have done wrong by you. Spend some time on this one. What I want you to do is forgive them. Let them go.

I’m not saying you have to approve of this person’s behavior or even that you must like the person.What I am saying is you must forgive them if you want to be free. Freedom is health. Perhaps there is a person in your life who you have not spoken to for a long time. The relationship ended with a fight or misunderstanding. I want you to call them. Start the process of healing the relationship. Tell them you love them. Tell them you miss having them in your life. They may not accept your gift. That doesn’t matter. What matters is that you forgive them.
Develop the love mindset. Love everything. Love your job, community, family, strangers, animals, plants—everything! Even if it feels uncomfortable at first, just do it. Remember happiness is a choice. Love is the greatest force in the universe, tap into it.

Develop a healthy mindset. Expect to be healthy. Focus on living life to the max and being as healthy as possible.
Realize that symptoms are not the enemy. Symptoms are the healing process. And stop all the sick talk about how the “flu is going around” or that this “crazy weather makes people sick”. Or that you “have bad genetics.” What we talk about and focus on we eventually experience. Part of the sick mindset is the drug habit. Drop the drug habit. Some of you take pills for everything. They are making you weak and sick and reinforce the false idea that your body is weak and can’t be healthy on its own. Maintain your spine. The reason Yoga has been around for so long and works so well is because the core idea of Yoga is that the spine is your lifeline. Learn how to sit properly at your desk. Find out about good posture habits and apply them.

Add a chiropractor to your health care team. Get your spine checked regularly just like your teeth.

Remove processed foods from your life and add whole foods. Get rid of or dramatically reduce coffee, caffeine, sugar, salt, alcohol, hydrogenated oils and all other junk foods. Jack LaLanne says, “If God didn’t make it, I don’t eat it.” It works for Jack and it can work for you as well. Focus on fruits, vegetables and omega-3 animal products. These are all anti-inflammatory and good for you. These foods will keep you out of pain and healthy. Drink plenty of clean, pure water and watch your energy soar. Get to bed early. Most of us are not getting enough sleep. And most importantly, have fun. Do what you love. Act like a kid again. Lighten up and enjoy life. Start the process of removing the interferences and experience true healing.

Take care of yourself. Take care of your community and, until next time, live your dreams.