If I could reach the stars,I’d give them all to you… “If I could turn back time…” was one of my favorite songs in 1989. Did you ever see Cher’s music video on a massive navy ship as she was surrounded by ecstatic sailors cheering her on? She stunned us in her sheer body suit with her black leather jacket covering the rest, belting out the lyrics and notes with
My favorite report cards, my medical test results. It may seem odd, but I prepared for a year with healthy habits and hope my scores will reflect my efforts. I assume they are nothing but stellar. Anything other will startle most eager patients as one recently did for me. Annually, my doctor monitors potential damaging effects to my organs due to a long term autoimmune condition. Within hours of a
Meet Your Vagabond Vagus Nerve for Harmony. Remember the “Operation” game? It was so hard to extract the darn “Writer’s Cramp” pencil and “Spare Ribs”. I played like a relentless child surgeon to get the elusive bone. I visualized a bunch of parts assembling to form one unique 3-D human form. This popular interactive board game with a red light nose and a jarring buzzer was the precursor to my
BLUES OF THE BLUE RIDGE TRANSFORMEDTO RENEWAL AND BEAUTY…WITH HELPING HANDS & HEARTS FUSED WITH NATURE’S WAY TO REPAIR & RESTORELake Lure views in 2020 and 2025 from Chimney Rock, North Carolina Last October 2024, many of our beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain areas were devastated by the immense rush of water’s powerful forces rushing into remote and populated areas. An unusual and unexpected storm, Hurricane Helene washed away much of what
MOUNTAINS + YOGA + FRIENDS = NATURAL MEDICINE As a Floridian, I often feel a void without the natural medicine I get with the energy of the mountains. So recently I experienced a 4-day yoga immersion in the Smokies mixed with misty mornings, fiery sunrises, new friends, and some quiet time to restore my body and spirit. Natural Medicines that positively affect us all through our senses. Eyes see the beauty
JOURNEY TO FIND THE POWER IN A PEACEFUL WARRIORInstigating a Warrior Once an innocent little girl who later became an impressionable teenager, I recall some sad times feeling bullied, ostracized, and belittled. My immature mind took it all personally. In turn, I became defensive, and as I have said before, a bit scrappy.Self-Serving Warrior Sadly, I processed my feelings poorly wanting to protect myself and reacted negatively. Thoughtless words in
My journey from hopeless student to acquiring great passion for healing practices began many years ago. I have always been proud of the profession of medicine but without knowledge of traditional symbols and variations we use globally. Their history and meaning have ancient and modern roots. In the U.S. around the late 19th century the use of twin intersecting snakes, a staff and wings became commonly known as Caduceus, a
Anyone with a device that requires immediate recharging, or maybe a vehicle driver with a low fuel warning, you know the feeling when you get in the “red zone”. For me, it triggers a stress response, like survival mode to suddenly conserve the remaining power. My reactions and behaviors are sometimes less than my normal patience, compassion and ability to respond to others needs or my own properly when in
Always a work in progress, I reference this popular book’s teachings often. I grew up a feisty and vocal girl because I thought it was necessary to protect myself and survive but realized toning it down had much better outcomes. Then I often leaned into too much to taking on the burden of guilt when others were feisty with me. It’s always a balancing act and I am on the
One of the most incorrect expressions, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” It taught us to pick up our shield to deflect harmful words by another and shake it off. Words we hear or speak may help or harm us, make us invincible or small, feel loved or rejected, and so on. Then there’s, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say