by Lori Deschene

“Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.” ~Sophia Loren

Even though I got Joey McIntyre of The New Kids on the Block to sign my scoliosis back brace in the sixth grade, I still felt ugly wearing it.

I didn’t realize the irony back then, but in retrospect it’s a little funny I grew crooked considering I convinced myself I was wilting in my sister’s shadow. (I also had braces and headgear, but that’s another story.)

I was a kid who wanted to be beautiful, but more desperately wanted to feel loved. My self esteem increased through the years, but I never quite shook the sneaking suspicion I’d be never be beautiful enough. Or maybe lovable enough.

It would be easy to blame it all on society and the Kate Moss era of modeling, but I think it’s more than that. I just never learned to notice and appreciate all the beautiful things about myself. The stuff that has nothing to do with my waistline, skin tone or eye lashes and everything to do with who I am.

I never learned to give myself the credit for all the good I do in the world. I was too busy cataloging my weaknesses, mistakes, and flaws to recognize it.

It seems like such a cliche to say pretty is as pretty does, but the truth is physical beauty is subjective. And no matter how closely someone matches your ideal of physical perfection, that will eventually fade. What endures are the qualities, passions, and habits we nurture.

That’s what makes us beautiful–and believe me when I say there is something beautiful in everyone. If you’ve done any of the following lately, you are absolutely beautiful:

1. Smile. As the quote goes, “I’ve never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful.”

2. Be there for someone who needs you even if there’s nothing in it for you–give without expectations.

3. Make a sacrifice for someone you love.

4. Admit a mistake, even if it’s hard to say you’re wrong, and work to make amends.

5. Share your struggles, putting your ego aside, to make someone else feel less alone.

6. Create something that helps people. A song, a blog, a support group, a non-profit–anything that inspires.

7. Help a child feel good about him or herself.

8. Tell someone what you appreciate about them, even if you feel vulnerable.

9. Forgive someone without needing to hear the words, “I’m sorry.”

10. Give someone an uncomfortably long hug when they need it.

10. Create positive energy around you by thinking positive thoughts and acting with positive intentions.

11. Sit with reality without judging anyone or anything.

12. Accept someone for who they are instead of trying to change them to who you want them to be.

13. Treat people like you want to be treated.

14. Notice something simple but beautiful in the world around you.

15. Acknowledge the beauty in others, instead of feeling threatened or competing with other people.

16. Be the change you want to see in the world, as per Gandhi’s suggestion.

17. Tap into your personal power and do something that makes a difference in the world.

18. Find strength in a challenging moment. It’s not easy to do, and you deserve credit for it.

19. Talk kindly about the world around you instead of gossiping or complaining.

20. Forget yourself for a minute and do nothing but listen to someone who needs it.

21. Measure a person by their best moments, not their worst.

22. Give yourself the same courtesy–focus on the good you’ve done, not the mistakes you’ve made.

23. Take the high road when someone hurts you instead if being cruel or catty.

24. Make someone laugh. A smile can literally melt stress and pain away. How beautiful of you to do that for someone else!

25. Make someone cry–tears of joy that is. People want to feel moved, inspired, motivated. Never underestimate the power of touching someone’s heart.

26. Keep an open mind instead of sticking with a judgment or assumption.

27. Love what you’re tempted to fear.

28. Be the voice of optimism when the people around you need it badly.

29. Show humility when your accomplishments would make it easy to stand above people.

30. Handle rejection or failure with grace. It’s far more easily said than done–and it sounds so cheesy and cliche–but accepting loss gracefully makes you a true winner.

31. Show unbridled enthusiasm for something that excites you. All children are beautiful, and I think their unadulterated joy has a lot to do with it.

32. Hear what someone means, not just what they say. Anyone can nitpick. Not everyone actively works to be understanding.

33. Imagine a world where people know peace, and do one small thing to create it.

34. Honor the values that matter to you. Showing integrity is the first step to feeling good about yourself.

35. Accept and love yourself–or as Ben Folds sings, “Learn to live with what you are.”

And now a disclaimer: some days you may not do anything written above–in fact, you might do the exact opposite. On those days you are still beautiful.

There are times when, like Alexander, I’m having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Times when it seems like I might get swept into the tornado of chaos around me. Times when the voice in my head is unkind, and I interpret everything that happens through a negative filter. When I think the worst of people and complain about it; when I expect the worst of my day and lament it.

This admission might seem like the biggest possible acknowledgment of hypocrisy, but I have nothing to give if not my honesty. And the reality is I am imperfect. We all are. We all have moments of weakness–but they’ll only define us if they far surpass moments of kindness, compassion, love, and strength.

Being beautiful doesn’t mean adhering to some picture-perfect fantasy, or living every moment that way. It means realizing this moment is a new opportunity to be who you want to be, and making the effort to seize it.

How will you be beautiful today?

Jan 2009 -  I was ready to go see a spine surgeon to relieve the pain in my lower back.  MRI revealed a bulging disc, which was causing extreme pain, and  my left leg was numb below the knee.  My body was crooked,  and it was even difficult to get out of bed. 

Annual Supply Drive

Nov. 16- 24

for Libre Domestic Violence Shelter

Please join us in supporting a very worthy cause.

The  house is in need of many basic things,

 or monetary donations.

Receive a list of most needed supplies at the front desk.

With any donation – be added to our raffle….

2 one hour massages

or first exam for a friend or family

first visit for all new patients with donation  $65

raffled  on the eve of   Tues.  Nov. 24^th.

Supplement of the month

 

SINATROL

 N-Acetyl Cysteine

A powerful mucolytic that helps break down mucous viscosity allowing sinuses to drain. This makes conditions in the sinus less conducive for bacteria and fungus to grow.

Andrographis, Siberian Ginseng

Immune enhancing agents such as andrographis and siberian ginseng help support the body’s natural defenses. Recent studies show andrographis helps significantly reduce the severity, duration and symptoms of the common cold. When taken for prevention, one study showed twice the reduction of the incidence of the common cold compared to placebo.

Turmeric, Bromelain

Inflammation can contribute to sinus pressure and pain. Bromelain has been shown to reduce arachidonic acid.Berberine SulfateBerberine sulfate is a salt form similar to the berberine alkaloids found in Goldenseal, a plant known to have natural antibiotic properties.

A visit to the chiropractor can prove to save a life. We adjust the spine and care for the person as a whole looking to optimize health and well being.

Here’s the link…pour a nice tall glass of water and have a read! 

The link to get a copy of The (Chiropractic) Summit White Paper is: http://www.drdegrado.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=9

It makes us so happy to see people are not just sticking with what is the “normal and traditional” (told to them mostly by their pediatricians and family doctors) ways to keep themselves and their children healthy.

Our children are innately healthy. They are born into this world under our responsibility and it is our job as parents to give their innate wisdom an optimum chance to respond. Chiropractic, which supports a healthy nervous system in any age individual, is a key role in our childrens health and development.  We have all seen our children learn to walk and run…falling down many times in the process.  This does not even include the injuries, the birth process, head bumps, falls off bikes, swings, trees or anything tall that they can get on to. It’s natural - they will be active which makes these little trauma’s possible.  Our job as parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends is to help them have their full physical potential! More people are choosing to take care of the unseen problems and support the nervous system so they are not struggling with big problems later.

It’s an interesting process to watch with our children practice members that get adjusted - some since birth and others just starting.  They are in touch with their bodies. They know how it feels to be in balance and will tell us if something just doesn’t feel “right”. They know when they need to move their appointments up. We just have to listen. From personal experience, when our daughter Kira tells us she “needs to be adjusted” - she is correct 99% of the time!

We are seeing a wonderful shift. People are looking for ways to keep their family healthy. They are choosing a healthy diet, less TV, more exercise, less sugar, less stress and regular chiropractic adjustments. Watching people make conscious choices makes us smile.  

Daily, as we get referrals of entire families into our office to stay well - it gives us hope. Hope that one day everyone will be empowered and proactive to make decisions about their health care before problems arise. 

We feel so blessed to care for all of you - no matter what age.  We feel especially honored with your trust  in us to adjust your children . Our goal is to continually create a healthy, peaceful world by supporting and educating one person, one child  and one family at a time….

This one we just had to share…whether you are a parent or not it is a must to read.

We live in a world that so many people go through their day without any conscious thoughts how they communicate  or perceive and react to others. This exercise below is a small way to change your life, your childrens and the lives of those you meet.  Enjoy the read and practice the excersice starting NOW!!           We did and it created a beautiful addition to our day :) 

:: The Perspective Game ::

Think of someone (outside your family) whom you greatly admire — someone you look up to. It can
be a friend, someone you’ve never met, or even a historical figure.

Got someone in mind? . . . Good!

Now imagine you ARE that person. Take his or her perspective as fully as you can. Then imagine that
you (as that person) are looking at the actual you.

How do you see yourself from the perspective of this person? (You may notice that this person you look
*up* to doesn’t look *down* on you!)

Now take the perspective of your child, and look at yourself through your child’s eyes. When your child
looks *up* to you (literally), does s/he feel like a lesser being? Or does s/he feel simply feel
*connected*? Or…?

Try taking the perspective of everyone you meet today. Have fun discovering the many ways to see the world… and yourself… and your child!

No single perspective is “right.” Keep the perspectives that feel good to you, and release those that don’t.

THE DAILY GROOVE ~ by Scott Noelle
www.enjoyparenting.com/dailygroove

Namaste….and love and blessings on this morning of Chirstmas eve.

So many blankets collected for donation!

Our Blankets for  Compassion event that was on Nov. 9th was more than just a wonderful, successful event that received many donated new and used blankets for the CRC and Rancho Coastal.  It was a day to remember!

Now how often does it rain in San Diego?  Boy, Mother Earth sure got a wonderful drink that Saturday! The tarp was laid in the parking lot for yoga, Sequoia Neptune was setting up for Kirtan, food was layed out   - and the sky let loose!

At first our hearts were heavy. Our team here had invisioned this day of many people coming and sharing a day of giving and a day of receiving. Giving blankets to those in need and in return receiving  the gifts of yoga from Kathleen Bentley, the angelic voice of Sequioa Neptune and  the communal sharing of wonderful people.

As the “rain shock” started wearing off and we started looking at the day to be what it was meant to be (and laughing alot!), things so shifted! People started arriving. Some just to drop off blankets to donate and others had blankets in one hand, yoga mats in another. Everyone was asking to help or just there for support.  It was beautiful.

Then our gracious friends at the Soul of Yoga, 5 doors down from our office, opened up their space to us and we moved the event down there.  Kathleen lead a wonderful yoga practice, we enjoyed some food and ended the morning with beautiful Kirtan with Sequioa!

That day was very special to us - it was a day of exposing some practice members to the beautiful lifestyle of yoga and Kirtan. And it was a day of trusting in the universe that everything was for a reason! The practice members, and friends they brought, that did come out in the rain to share yoga and Kirtan with us were exactly who was suppose to be there at that moment. And all the people that dropped blankets off in the office, in the rain, that day (while we were down at the Soul of Yoga) had their hearts open and we know that they also received the beautiful gifts that we were albe to that day.

Going with the flow….you never know what joys it may bring. It was a special lesson to us to keep remembering  to look at every situation in the beautiful light that it is. And we are so thankful to everyone that shared that day with us, or donated their time, energy, and manual labor (you know who you are!), or space (Soul of Yoga) and made it a very successful event to help so many in need. Love and blessings to you all.

Namaste

Got Karma? 

On Sunday November 9, we are hosting an event called “Blankets for Compassion” out in front of our office here in Encinitas.  The event will start at 11:30am and will have music, yoga and food!

We have invited local yogini Kathleen Bentley to teach a complimentary yoga class followed by kirtan/music led by Sequoia Neptune. 

Just bring a clean new or used blanket to donate and join us in a fun outdoor yoga class.  We will be laying blankets on the ground and doing yoga on them and then after kirtan rolling them up to donate. Get some good karma into them before they go to someone in need!

No yoga experience required, our intent is to gather together and raise consciousness and help keep those in need warm this winter.

Location: 681 Encinitas Blvd. Encinitas CA 92024

               you can print a map at www.areyouadjusted.com/location

Namaste,

Jack and Sondra