Remember: “The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.” ―Martha Washington

It really WAS easy!

How many times have we heard “well, no one said life was easy” or “it’s not going to be easy, but it’s worth it” or “life is not a bed of roses” (well, you get my point).  There are innumerable ways that we’ve heard this message in our lives.  But maybe it’s our perception of what is or isn’t easy that makes it so.  If we tell ourselves that the task ahead is going to be difficult, it will probably be so.  I suppose the risk in thinking that something is going to be “easy” is that we won’t work as hard for it or we won’t appreciate the results or the accomplishment will be less meaningful in general.  Why?  Maybe we’ve been taught all of our lives that good things come with difficulty or that meaningful accomplishments require hard work (and sometimes they do).  So when we do anything less that what we consider “hard work” we refuse to fully enjoy and appreciate the accomplishment ourselves.  Then we minimize the accomplishment when we speak with others — reminding them that “it’s no big deal, I found this really easy.” And this perpetuates the limited reaction we receive from others too (reflecting our own energy), so others hearing about the “easy” accomplishment think less of it, or they share an equally limiting/negative perspective such as a jealous energy directed towards us (in person or not) or anger because of their own perception of the ease with which they would achieve a similar accomplishment.

We have a choice to either feed into the energy that most of us have been raised with all our lives and this is: life is not easy.  This maintains the public (and many times personal) status quo and we can still move forward in life, perhaps with some difficulty.  Or we can choose to think “life is easy” — and start working with our own hearts and minds in a way that encourages this thought.  Let there be no doubt that many things in life are not easy and many challenges do arise that we would rather not be forced to overcome.  There is an ease however, in knowing that there is a purpose to it all (whether due to a belief in ourselves, in a faith, or belief in a divine universe that has a unique intelligence and direction for mankind), there is peace within the self that can be gained through this perspective.

The language with which we speak to ourselves makes a difference in how we take on any challenge.  We know when we direct any child who thinks he “can’t” ride a bike with “yes you can” or use this same encouragement in other situations, it makes a difference.  It changes the energy with which a person takes on a task, the enthusiasm with which they work through it and the sense of “really trying” at the end of it (regardless of outcome).  So why can’t we look at life in this same way — “this is easy=yes you can” — because it will all make sense one day, but for now you can still commend yourself if what you accomplished today was “easy” — I believe that it’s the attitude you had before beginning your task that allowed you to feel this way.  Of course, every task seems easier once it’s accomplished but starting with that sense of ease will undoubtedly make the task easier and will certainly make the task feel more enjoyable

I came across something so well written today that I had to share it with my own blog readers.  I hope you enjoy it.

Kindly,

Dr. Menen

Some say that there are three views of the world – my viewpoint, your viewpoint and reality. I believe there are only two – the way I choose to see the world and the way you choose to see it. Whilst there may also be an objective reality, this is always superseded by the way we choose to look at it.When the reality of our world is full of negativity, confrontation, fear and sadness, then our viewpoint is that of a wounded soul who seeks to control the outside world in order to bring peace to the inner world.When the reality of our world is full of positivity, co-operation, happiness and compassion, our viewpoint is that of a healing soul who is aware that our viewpoint on reality is always a reflection of the inner world that we create.

The journey to change our viewpoints will last a lifetime, but the decision to change, takes place in a single moment.

Changing the world within and healing the childhood wounds, changes our perception of reality. It takes us on a journey from fear to love.

Remember that what the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the butterfly calls a new beginning…

Life certainly is short.  Recently, I have been thinking a lot about why people wait to say kind things to others.  Do we need to have a reason, an occasion, a move, or… dare I say it, a funeral?  Sounds crazy, but I bet you know as many people as I do that say the kindest things about people that have suddenly (or not so suddenly) lost their lives.  Many times I hear the words “I wish I had told them______________” (fill in the blank).  But why wish?  I wish people would share kind thoughts about each other more freely, and for no reason at all!

Think of how uplifting it is to hear how you have touched someone by a kind word, action, or just smile in the middle of a bad day.  There’s nothing so wonderful as knowing someone has noticed something you have done either through effort or without even thinking about it.

I have to say, this thought has been on my mind a lot lately.  Not because I’m looking for a boost to my ego, a pat on the back or just a kick.  I wonder what my efforts mean to people.  Perhaps what I mean to people.  Do I make the difference in people’s lives as I hope to?  Do I inspire?  Amuse?  I would like to know if there’s something that’s unique about me that my friends or my patients remember.  Of course I hope there is something.  Something meaningful.  I still hold on to an “autograph” book that I asked teachers to sign for me in high school but requested that they write something meaningful in, rather than just sign their names!  Yes, words matter to me.  Experiences matter.  And obviously, kindness matters.  And sharing kindness thrills me (thus, this blog)

To be clear, I do believe that the best feedback a person can get about their actions is from themselves — that gut instinct that tells us whether we’re doing what our own purpose/destiny is driving us to do.  And I feel that.  I also believe that beyond this life, our spiritual selves live on and can feel or be aware of every positive thought that is sent to us.  And I have no desire or intention of moving into the spiritual world anytime soon.

But again, life is short.  And although I hope my one-day funeral will bring about many expressions of kind memories from my friends and family, I do not wish to wait until then to hear some thoughts about what might be said about me.  So I pose this question to you today: If today was the last day you could express some kind thought/memory about me to me, what would it be?

Because I am in this state of thinking/awareness, I have decided to randomly choose a friend/acquaintance of mine per week to write to and express my own thought/memory about them.  Maybe I can inspire you to do the same or something similar.  Let’s not wait for special occasions to share kind thoughts with each other.

For now, I would love to hear from you if you have something that stands out in your mind about me (write here or email me or facebook message me — I would love to hear from you).

Kindly,

Dr. Menen

Did you know that it was National Puppy Day yesterday?  I only learned of this through a friend’s post on facebook (isn’t that where many of us catch up on tidbits of info that we could be fine without knowing, but we’re kind of happy to learn about too?!).  And tomorrow, my husband and I will be providing a Laughter Yoga start to a large group of participants in a fundraiser for breast cancer, so I thought my post title was appropriate today.

I must admit, these are 2 areas that really do bring a smile to my face.  Puppies with their trusting eyes and admiration of their owners as well as their wonder and excitement of all sights and smells that are new!  And laughter with its contagious effect of happiness and feelings of well-being that are generated from its practice.

Oh sure, we’re leaving our home around 7:30 on a Sunday morning to make sure we’re nice and early for the event tomorrow, but I have to tell you that it feels good.  Also felt good to review the 2010 new puppy videos that we had taken when we got our miniature schnauzer (Caesar Augustus von Schnauzer; aka DogtorCaesar on youtube).  Really, this entire blog could have been about Caesar.  I really never knew that even just the act of looking at him (awake or sleeping; being naughty or being good) and loving him would have brought me anywhere near the joy that it has.  But I’m sure I can/will write more about him later!

And being asked to offer a brief Laughter Yoga session before such a meaningful event tomorrow brings me joy too.  Being around energies of people that have come together for a common positive purpose is such a wonderful feeling.

So I notice a common thread in these 2 experiences that seem to be the foundation of my own Qi.  It’s a shared bond (whether with people or with Caesar) in which words don’t really matter. It’s a shared positive energy that fuels oneself and another and is reciprocated unknowingly.  What a joy.  I encourage you to share a positive energy with a friend/family member or even complete stranger or animal.  Do it with intention and meaning and be sensitive to the positivity returned to you. And I’d love to hear about your experience(s) with this task — whatever you do/did, I’d love to hear about it, so leave a comment.

Funny, for a person who is quite drawn to meaningful conversations and purposeful verbal communication, I feel enlightened today to really recognize the power of nonverbal positive communication.

Wishing for you to enjoy you own “puppies and laughter” in whatever forms they may take in your own lives.

Kindly,

Dr. Menen

Oh–by the way — here’s a picture of Baby Caesar!

 

The other day I was able to connect with a patient of mine who is currently in the hospital.  She’s doing fantastic (relatively speaking); a few days ago she wasn’t feeling well as her bowels are a bit (very) blocked up and she is battling cancer currently.  Recently her husband emailed over her contact info at the hospital (she’s been in for about a week, but needed some time to herself for calming her own nerves), so of course I called her!  I started our chat with a “laughter yoga” hello (a customary “ho, ho, ha, ha, ha!)  And I could already feel her smile through the phone.  We caught up on her health, her improvements, her challenges, her eagerness to get home soon.  Some serious chat-time, some laughs and all genuine connection.  Ahh… what a great start to the day!  I finished the call with another laughing outburst which led to contagious laughing from her, and I felt we both had an equally good start to our day.

Sometimes it takes the smallest gestures to share kindness.  I think of many friends and patients daily.  If I haven’t called you or heard your voice lately, or emailed or facebook-messaged you, don’t think I’m not thinking of you. 

I encourage you to find a way to connect with someone you’ve been thinking of today to allow both of you to smile.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Kindly,

Dr. Menen

Do you nurture the hope within you?  Or do you allow fears and worries to guide your actions and thoughts?  In 2012 I encourage you to nurture the positive inspiration and hope that can come from within the depths of your being to manifest in health and happiness.  Why am I thinking about this, you might ask?

Well, as a Naturopathic Doctor working with a large number of cancer patients I am often surprised to hear about patient experiences with family members and friends and even health professionals (often radiologists, oncologists and family practice medical doctors, but not limited to these), which are less than hope-inspiring.

I am aware that there is a fine line between healthy optimism about health care outcomes and offering false hope to patients, but if this line is so fine, why are people more comfortable in preparing themselves/friends/family or even their patients for worst-possible scenarios rather than the best-possible outcomes?

The mind-body connection in health has been demonstrated in so many of the patients I work with.  When there is despair or gloom, patients have difficulty in fighting off even the mildest of infections.  And when there is positivity and optimism, many patients overcome even the most chronic diseases. The term “overcoming” which can include everything from shrinking tumor sizes, to extending quantity of lifespans, to vastly improved energies and quality of life.  So why shouldn’t we encourage these sorts of outcomes with our own optimism?  Patients need encouragement to reach achievable goals.

I believe that each and every person should have some preparation for their own death.  This may include making a will, arranging  finances to ensure savings go to loved ones rather than to the government or to bill payments, or saying important and meaningful messages to our loved ones.  Often, however, it is the diagnosis of chronic illness that makes us think about these details.  But this should not become the focus of the patient or practitioner.  In doing this, one assumes that death is imminent.  I think death is eventual.  For all of us.  We know that this is the end that each of us will face one day.  If this encourages a person to truly live in each moment and appreciate the nuances of life, this is a wonderful thing.  If the awareness brings about a sense of hopelessness and desperation, this is not useful to the individual or for their loved ones.  I believe we all need to know that our lives aren’t forever.  But as long as we each have life, we should enjoy our families and/or friends and the beauty that surrounds us.  If any healthy person was caught up in gloom over his/her eventual death, we would be worried about depression leading to a possible self-fulfilling prophecy.  So why is it alright to see someone with a chronic diagnosis in this state?  Symptoms can more easily be overcome and health can be more easily achieved with a positive and hopeful state of mind.  I have seen this time and again in my practice.

I am often reminded of the following poem that I read years ago when I face difficulties in either my own, my family/friends and even my patients’ lives.

When things go wrong as they often will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill.

When the funds are low and the debts are high

And you want to smile but you have to sigh.

When life is getting you down a bit,

Rest if you must but don’t ever quit!

–Author Unknown

I hope this will encourage and inspire you to live in this moment.  Choose to be happy in the now and hopeful for a happy and healthy future.  There is always something good in the now – you just have to look for it and feel it.

Wishing you a happily hopeful and healthy year ahead!

Kindly,

Dr. Menen

This week, my husband and I arrived at our Oakville clinic to discover someone had left us (or rather, brought us) two absolutely gorgeous hibiscus trees and left no note, no card, and apparently no witnesses to the drop-off!  How is this possible I wonder?  Since there is always someone here watching who comes in and out of our main doors.  But it is so… and then it occurs to me… this is so incredibly kind.  Just a gesture with no need for attachment to this gesture.  Our day (week/year?) was made and whoever has left this surprise for us will always somehow know that they brought a huge smile to our faces. To whoever this mystery person is: Thank-you.

One of my favourite quotes has always been:

“The greatest pleasure I know is to do a good deed by stealth and have it discovered by accident”

Here’s hoping we still discover our mystery flower-leaver “by accident” — we’d love to share our pleasure with him/her.

I hope that wonderful and mysterious acts brighten all of your days this week as well!

Kindly,

Dr. Menen