I wrote this a couple of years ago and feel it is still relevant and worthy of a second post. What freedoms will you celebrate this weekend? What are you grateful for?

What you focus on is what you will get.

I am grateful for freedom of speech and freedom of choice. I am grateful to our countries founders who recognized that absolute power corrupts absolutely.

I’ve witnessed an unparalleled divisiveness in the last few years.

A lack of tolerance for diverse opinions.

A lot of naming, blaming and shaming, all coming from a place of fear.

This is what I want to say to my family and friends. No matter your opinions on politics, on medicine, on religion… I sincerely hope you are right.

But if you are not, my wish for you is still the same: love, forgiveness and compassion.

If you are like me, you may be passionate about your beliefs. You may wish that everyone could see what you see, especially your loved ones.

I have seen a very definite trend in the last couple of years towards the Dreaded Drama Triangle.

It is actually a very common scenario in political and marketing strategy. You persecute the opposition and anyone else with differing opinions or agendas. You create FUD. Fear, Unknown and Doubt so that you can come to the rescue with the solution.

• It’s a good way to light emotional fires.
• When we depersonalize and demonize others, it’s a good way to start wars.
• It’s a great strategy to create a problem so that you can claim to come to the rescue.
• It also interferes with your health and wellbeing.

It’s also a great way to divide people, families and communities. When we are stuck in the fear mode, we become myopic. We cannot see the forest for the trees. We cannot clearly see other solutions or acknowledge other opinions.

When we are stuck in fear mode, we become victims. We are disempowered. We can easily fall prey to giving up our power so that someone else can fix us or solve the problem. We could also lose our freedoms.

I love the coaching model.  It is based on solutions. It requires thought.

It is the ultimate scientific model as it requires us to question everything.

As a functional medicine certified health coach, it is not my job to diagnose, treat or cure anyone. It is my job to empower you. To inspire and educate you on how to build optimal health. You are unique. No two bodies are alike. So why should we think that one magic pill or solution works for everyone?

Don’t get me wrong. I believe in better living through chemistry. I also believe in the power of prevention based on dietary and lifestyle and personalized functional medicine, so you can address root cause(s) and take small targeted actions for change.

The coaching model is based on faith, not fear. It requires faith in the amazing human body and your ability to heal. It is based on inspiration and empowerment. It recognizes that there are many paths to healing. It also recognizes that you cannot heal and repair when you are stuck in fear mode.

It focuses on what you CAN do.

You get to decide. Do you want to focus on the disease? Do you want to stay stuck in fear mode?

Or would you prefer to focus on where you want to go? On how you want to feel? Do you want to focus on rebuilding your health? 

What you focus on is what you will get. 

Studies have proven that small, simple steps create lasting change.

This week, I’d like to celebrate freedom of speech.

• I’d like to encourage more open communication without naming, blaming or shaming.
• I would like to focus on love, courage, compassion, and most of all, forgiveness. Forgiving ourselves and each other.

One simple solution to ensure a healthier holiday is to add green leafy vegetables to your menu. Today I am serving a large green leafy salad and fresh fruit salad with grilled halibut and ceviche. Simple and delicious. I may also make my nacho cheese dip and serve it with jicama instead of chips.

What freedoms do you value and what will you choose to do to improve your health over the holiday?