As the year draws to a close, I find that it is a time of reflection. Do you take the time to look back over the year to see what you have accomplished, what hurdles you may have overcome, what losses may have happened or what gains you might have made? As I type this, I am reflecting on two people who have recently passed away. One of whom I have written about before – my friend Jessica – and this December marks the1 year anniversary of her passing. The other is my patient’s husband, who passed away last week from the same type of cancer that Jessica had – colon cancer. Both individuals were too young. Both left behind 2 two young children. Both wanted to live. Both didn’t get that chance. My heart breaks for these families and the many other families that are also going through something similar. It would be nice if life wasn’t so messy. If it came wrapped up in a perfect package with a pretty bow. But, that isn’t reality. Life is messy. Hardships happen to good people. Not everything that happens makes sense. Yet, Christmas is a time to focus on the bows and presents and to cast our worries aside if only for a few hours or days. My hope is that you don’t cast the net to far from remembering what truly matters – giving and receiving love and your health. I am reminded of a quote by the Dalai Lama when he was asked what surprised him the most about humanity:

“Man.
Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present;
the result being that he does not live in the present or the future;
he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”

Remember that the small things matter and can make a big difference in your health. Like, choosing water instead of that 2^nd cup of coffee in the morning or 2^nd glass of wine at night. Or choosing to let go of a grudge that you’ve been hanging on to for too long. Or eating some humble pie and saying sorry to someone you may have hurt.Or holding off on that 2^nd white bun at dinner or better yet, not having any white bread or white flour in your diet over the holidays. If you take that challenge just think of all the cookies you won’t eat. Believe me, your hips will love you on January 1^st. If you find that you are in need of further support in your health – whether it is losing that extra 5, 15 or 20 pounds, a skin condition that won’t go away, chronic back pain or you are plagued by fatigue – we have four NDs ready and willing to help you. This holiday season, give yourself the gift of health by scheduling an appointment with one of us (587-521-3595). We look forward to making 2016 your healthiest year yet!

Happy holidays!