The Future

Dear Patients & Friends,

So much of the stress that's arising from the virus crisis is not knowing how our lives are going to change as a result of the unpredictable pandemic. One of the benefits of having a clearly defined, repeatable lifestyle, is the comforting experience of stability. Even when we don't love our busy, stressful lives, we can find a calmness in knowing that it's consistent. It requires minimum effort to plan for our routines when most daily events are the same.

Don't Focus on The Predictions About the Future

I'm certain that one of the greatest stressors people are suffering from is trying to figure out what's going to end up happening to their lives, to our economy and to our government in the next few weeks, months and years.

My advice for those of you who spend too much time on this is, "Stop it!"

I'm not saying that you shouldn't give your best efforts to using your intuition and experience to prepare for the unknown. I am saying that there's going to be so many 'out of view' factors resulting from the effects of the pandemic, that it's not worth making yourself crazy trying to be a prophet.

A book that I recently finished reading called, "Sapiens", by historian Noah Harari, was enlightening because it explained human history from the perspective of what motivated people to do what they did. One of the main points he makes is that it's easier for people to look back at a time in history and be able to see how predicable most events were.

HOWEVER, he added that people cannot consistently predict what's going to happen during the time they're actually living in. There are just too many unknown variables to know how to confidently plan for the future.

Here's an outrageous quote by Harari from his book: "We cannot explain the choices that history makes, but we can say something very important about them: history's choices are not made for the benefit of humans. There is absolutely no proof that human well-being inevitably improves as history rolls along. There is no proof that cultures that are beneficial to humans by must inexorably succeed and spread, while less beneficial cultures disappear."

Knowing How to "Not Know" Is a Crucial Life Skill

Our modern technological lifestyle requires us to live a lifestyle of constant participation and instant gratification with our devices. As a culture, we've developed a false sense of continuity and indestructibility. We love to believe that we're in control of most things that happen to us.

With fifty years of practicing meditation, personal growth, life coaching, spiritual development and stress management, I've learned how to relax to, "not knowing." My brief time with a small Samburu tribe in Kenya also showed me how natural it is for humans to, "not know."

"Not knowing" doesn't mean, "not caring". It means that I've learned how to care without needing to control or predict. It implies that I can be happy, healthy and holy without needing some person or event to determine if I can enjoy my inner peace. I've developed an ability to have an open curiosity for people and events without feeling inadequate or afraid.

Learn How to Become an R&R Expert

Starting sometime during the week of April 27th, I'll be providing patients and their guests, classes in Relaxation and Resilience training. My goal is to hold three Zoom classes a week to teach you how to thrive during this rare opportunity of time to develop crucial life skills.

Why?

Because this current pandemic is probably not going to be the last time that you'll need to alter your lifestyle for an unknown period of time. Unpredictably, there may be more times in your life where you'll have no choice but to surrender to uncontrollable conditions, whether it be in the form of ill-health, financial problems, relationship conflicts, employment issues, etc.

Watch for details in the upcoming blogs!

True,
Dr. Mark

PS - Throughout history, cultures that have been oppressed, whether by nature (coronavirus) or by mean people, use the virtue of Humor to minimize their adrenaline and maximize their endorphins. Try this sing-a-long to chill out.

PSS - Here's what one of our patients emailed me after watching the replay of the zoom class (How to Successfully Adapt to Adversity) that I presented a few weeks ago.

"Thank you for the advice! I may have needed that reminder to not lose a hold of the big picture! Hope you all are well!"

Here's the link to the presentation if you haven't had an opportunity to watch it yet.

Announcements

Revised Office Hours

I've been maintaining modified office hours since the 'shelter in place' mandate started. This way I can treat those patients who continue to need or want care. I'm still accepting new patients, so you don't need to hesitate to make referrals.

If you are nervous about coming into the office, click here to read about the steps we've taken to make the office safe.

Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9:30 - 11 AM and from 4 - 5:30 PM.

IMPORTANT: If you have a chiropractic emergency, do not hesitate to contact me personally, and we'll arrange a time to meet at the office. Texting, emailing and phone calling are all OK as ways to find me. (415-827-0959)