You have a choice everyday when you wake up how you are going to attack your day. With a positive mental outlook, or a negative one. And I'm not going to waste your time on all the benefits that having a positive attitude has, because I think it's pretty obvious. But the one thing no one can ever take from you, is your positive attitude. Your boss is a jerk? Great, kill him with kindness. Don't let them ruin your day, they are obviously the one with the issues. People with insecurities often feel the need to belittle others in order to make themselves feel better about themselves. Don't let them bring you down to their level. And when their negativity has no effect on you positivity, guess who looks like the idiot! 

  Everyone has been pretty caught up with the Donald Sterling story. You know the racist Clipper's owner who was caught on recording by his girlfriend, who his wife knows about, painting a picture of his skewed view of the world. Obviously this guy has issues, in more way than one. But I heard a sound byte from Houston Texan's running back Arian Foster who said all the Clipper's players should not play in their next game. I thought that was kind of stupid. Why would you set out? Why would you let this racist owner ruin your season? Ruin what you have worked so hard for? 
   But that got me thinking what's with our attachment to words? Now I don't understand racism, maybe it's my generation, or maybe it's where I was raised (California). But I do know that many of us get so attached to what others think of us, or the words and names they call us. Words only have power if you give it to them. Names only mean whatever meaning you attach them to. Now I wouldn't play for this guy either. But this goes beyond the NBA. Beyond race, people struggle with attachments to many different labels. Weight, race, education, income, job, habits, vices, all of these things can separate us if we let them. Life is far too short to be attached to what people think of us. You know how many people think I'm weird? Eat organic, meditate, exercise, take a bunch supplements, herbs, won't take prescription medication. But who cares? Everyone has their own journey. The whole point to this whole thing is to try to help each other get through it.  

   I was at dinner last night, when I noticed a family with a young daughter being seated at a table next to us. It caught my attention because my wife and I have a little girl as well. As I watched the waiter put a high chair at the table for them, and just as the father was starting to place the daughter in the high chair, the mom screamed! Actually kind of startled me, and she frantically shuffled around the table with a high chair cover to put down before he put her in to the seat. My first thought was , geez lighten up lady! But then I thought, man this lady is that scared of germs. I can't imagine living like that, might as well put your baby in a bubble. What's kind of a funny coincidence is that I happened to stumble across this article yesterday too. It was talking about something I already knew but now "Science" is "proving it. That the use of antibacterial soaps and sprays can stunt the development of a child's immune system. You can read the article here. http://www.medicaldaily.com/while-antibiotics-kill-gut-microbes-used-develop-premature-babies-immune-system-scientists-look
   But the point in you have to challenge your child's immune system. That's the only way it gets stronger. You are not doing them any favors by keeping them in a completely sterile environment. They need to encounter germs and pathogens and bacteria. You need to let them play in the dirt! Roll in the mud, test the 5 second rule, get exposed! I never worry about someone sick coming around myself or my child. I challenge her immune system, and if she does express symptoms (gets sick) than we give her a bunch of things that supports her immune system and promotes healing. Still not killing bacteria or the virus. We are creating a bulletproof immune system. And what you start noticing is that you don't catch stuff  when you are around sick people. The thing is, you only have one immune system, the same on that fights a cold, also fights cancer. So prepare for the war not the battle. 

We have all hear the phrase, raising your vibration. But what does it mean? I think it's something hard to define, but I think we have all felt it. You are feeling good, and the people around you can feel it off of you, and more people want to be around you because of it. You become like a magnet. Well here are 7 simple ways to raise your vibration that I have found key in my optimal feeling of well being. 
1. Drink More Water.
We have all heard this one, but most of us are guilty of not getting enough in. The rule of thumb I use is at least 3 Liters per day. That's more than the standard rule you've heard, of 8 10oz glasses per day. The more the better. You wont believe how much better you will feel by drinking more water.
2. Meditate/ Pray.
I'm a big fan of both! But meditation has been huge in my life at reducing stress levels, making me more clear headed, and ready to attack the day. 
3. Show Gratitude.
Sometimes we get so caught up in our hectic lifestyles to slow down and show appreciation, for even the small stuff. A beautiful flower, a good waiter. Give it and it comes back.
4. Break a sweat.
Everyone knows that exercise is good for them. But you know that feeling you get right after you work out? Yea it feels good doesn't it? Strive to get that at least 3 days a week.
5. Affirmations/ Incantations.
Positive reinforcing words or phrases that you write down, place somewhere that you see everyday. Say them out loud (incantations), incorporate body motions while you say them to produce more central nervous system stimulation. 
6. Wake up Earlier.
This could be titled go to bed earlier, waking up earlier will dramatically improve your morning performance. But this may mean you need to go to bed earlier to make sure you are still getting enough ZZZ's.
7. Read More Watch Less.
Let's face it, watching the Kardashian's isn't making you any smarter. Watch less reality TV, and grab a book. Even better there have been studies shown that people who write at least 500 words per day have a better outlook on life. Why do you think i write this blog? :)

   I had a new patient come in yesterday, and when discussing her health history, she was quick to point out that she is healthy and gets all of her shots. Now I am not making fun of her, she had just not been exposed yet to where true health comes from. I assumed she was talking about the flu shot, and maybe a tetanus shot, since she was in her 60's. But I was wrong. She went on to say that I didn't even know I needed these shots, I thought only babies needed them. She was talking about hepatitis, meningitis, measles, etc. Childhood shots. I simple replied back to her neither did I. Now this isn't a blog on vaccine safety, you can look through my archives to find more on that. But in case you're wondering, I'm not vaccinated and neither is my daughter. I think that tells you my opinion. 
   But while I was jaw dropped, because I'm going to be honest with you, I stay pretty freaking up to date with health news, and I didn't know they were giving adults boosters for these. Now the patient was very excited because her insurance covered all of the shots, that they gave her on one visit! You can also look through my blog archives to find out if following your insurance plan is good for your health. I'll save you the time, it's not. But it got me thinking has Big Pharma hit a new low? Have they simply ran out of enough customers? Is getting their hands on almost every kid in America not enough anymore? How in the hell are they convincing seniors they need these shots? I started imagining how this conversion would go. Well Jane, you have been married for over 40 years, I doubt you are sexual promiscuous, or are an IV drug user but I think you need this Hepatitis B vaccine anyway. Also Jane, you don't live in a dorm room on a college campus, in which you share drinks with a number of people, but let's just be safe with this meningitis vaccine. You also already had chickenpox but your body may have forgotten, so let's load you up. But don't worry it's all covered! 
   But don't worry, it's not costing you anything, but your doctor's getting paid. This is insane. I don't care what study you throw in front of me that a vaccine company paid for that shows whatever they want it to show. This is fraud. This is quackery. That is all.  

   Sorry I took last week off from blogging. Had a lot going on. Which was compounded by my 2.5 year old daughter being the sickest she has ever been, in her life. If you keep up with my blogs or if you're a patient of mine then you probably already know that I have a very different viewpoint on the body than most. I don't look at being sick as a bad thing. If you are throwing up, your body is obviously trying to get something out of you. So interfering with the nausea is probably not a good idea. If your body breaks out in rash, it is having a reaction for a reason. If your body is running a fever, then it is obviously trying to kill something. The fever is part of the body's healing process, popping a Tylenol at the first sign of a temperature isn't that good of an idea. Probably why kids are so sick these days. When your body is running a fever your interferon levels are peaking, who know's what else it may be killing.
   So my daughter was running a fever last week. It's not the first time she has ran a fever, but it's definitely the longest. It lasted for 3 days. And you know, you always have a plan for situations like this. I know how the body works, I know this a natural process. But when you are faced with the situation it can be tough, even for me. So don't be discouraged, it's hard to watch your kid battle with something like this. When she has had a fever in the past it was usually like a 24 hour thing, and I think the highest she has ever had one was 103. This one was over 102 for 2 days, and peaked at 103.8. Pushed me close to my limits. Even though I know that if I gave her a Motrin, most likely the sickness would drag on longer. And I would be interfering with the healing process. But the thought of all of us getting a better nights sleep was very tempting, I'll be honest. Waking up through out the night checking on your kid, switching cold rags throughout the night is not fun. Even though I know that even if the temperature reaches 106 the body will start to self cool, and that a febrile seizure in itself is not dangerous. But even with knowing all of this, it's a lot tougher when it's you kid. But I stuck to my guns, I treated the child not the temperature, which she was in good spirits, besides one night having some hallucinations when the fever was at it's highest. But she got through it. Now I have my personal limits, to how high I'm comfortable with a fever getting. For me, it's 104, which my daughter tip toed at. But her immune system is so much stronger for going through this with out intervention. Keep in mind, my wife and I don't just sit around watching her suffer. We treat her with a list of vitamins, herbs, homeopathic medicine, essential oils, tepid baths, etc. But we let the fever run it's course. It's not always easy making the best decisions for your kids, but often the hardest are the most rewarding.
   

   As I sit in my office today, after catching a red eye last night, landing at 5 30 am and adjusting patients at 7 30, I feel like crap. But not because I'm tired, which I am, a little. I have actually felt like crap since after I initially left on my seminar trip last Thursday night. Why? The plane ride. I can't remember feeling the effects of a plane ride so bad, maybe because I flew Spirit! But as I was checking in to my hotel, the only thing I could think about was how horrible my neck and back felt. But then I thought, I will get an adjustment first thing in the morning since I'm going to be at a seminar with a bunch of other chiropractors. But after I got my adjustment, and felt immediate relief, I started thinking of how poorly my nervous system must have been functioning the last 24 hours. And I started thinking, maybe I'll get sick now, since I was subluxated. See I don't like to let my nervous system go a single day, with knowing that it isn't functioning as close to 100 percent as possible. It actually drives me nuts. Then over the weekend, I started thinking about how many people travel, and must feel like crap, and never get adjusted. I see a lot of people at my office who travel routinely for their job, and they have some of the worst spines I've seen. Sitting, driving, flying takes a toll on the body. I don't know exactly my goal or objective of this blog, again I am sleep deprived, but I guess I just can't imagine going through life without being adjusted. 

   I have had a large amount of patients lately either getting raises, new jobs, or promotions. I'm not talking about a couple, a large amount. Pretty weird actually. Is it just a coincidence? I don't know. But think about this... Is someone in a better chance for a raise or promotion if they are more productive? Happier? Take less sick days? Of course they are! If people are getting healthier in here, which they are, and feeling better they are going to be more productive. Why do you think so many companies are investing in Wellness? Because they know it pays off. Why do you think I have a wellness talk scheduled almost every single week out of the year? This is where everything is heading, get with it. Want a raise? Schedule an appointment.

“There’s no question that workplace wellness is worth it. The only question is whether you’re going to do it today or tomorrow. If you keep saying you’re going to do it tomorrow, you’ll never do it. You have to get on it today.” -Warren Buffett 

Sometimes I will have encounters or communication through other patients with other doctors. Sometimes, I get it, your medical doctor doesn't know what we do, doesn't know chiropractic, so how could he really comment on you coming to us. We have plenty of Md's and surgeons that refer to us. I have heard statements from doctors to patients, like well you don't have neck pain, why is he adjusting your neck? And this is one of those situations where i just say he doesn't know what we do. But I just had a patient call in today. Who after coming to see us with neck pain, and after reviewing her xrays we adjusted her, she responded fine, but had an appointment scheduled with her primary physician. And the doctor "wasn't very enthusiastic about her seeing a chiropractor". I don't get it, his patient has neck pain, what isn't he enthusiastic about? What would he prefer, to give her pain killers? Refer her to a surgeon, so she can have a life altering surgery which she really isn't a candidate for anyway? I just don't get it. This is something that makes you think, does this doctor really have his patients best interests in mind. Put you on drugs...For mild neck pain? And what I do is what? Dangerous? Quack alert.

   It's no secret that our world is a changin'. It's a smart phone, social media age. But I even feel that social media and online is getting "dumber". Less words more pictures. No text only videos. And if you didn't know by now I am big on social media, my office an I are on almost every single one, and have a large presence and following on a few. But one thing I've noticed, which is kind of funny and sad at the same time, is that I can post a groundbreaking health study and get a couple of people to read it. But then I will post a picture of the salad I ate for lunch and everyone Likes it, favorites it, shares it, tweets at me about it. My question to you is what does that say about us?