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Aimee's Soapbox!
February 2004: “Now What??”
Welcome back, Groovy Readers. From my lofty perch, up here on my soapbox, I can
see that not only have you read the first article, but you have done your homework as well. Most
righteous....
OK, so you've done the internal housekeeping and identified the areas which need to be aired out, dusted,
recycled, or otherwise hosed down. You're all set with your laundry list of items and the enthusiasm
to tackle them. But now what?
Glad you asked.
Well, if you want my opinion (which is, after all, why you are reading this column in the first place),
you open up your Holistic Toolbox and find a suitable wingnut for your screw. (Hey, you try coming up
with a good toolbox analogy.) Anyway, what you do is match up your need with a corresponding holistic
approach. Why holistic?
Glad you asked again.
See, I believe that most (dare I say all) problems begin at the spiritual or emotional level. That is,
stuff that's weighing heavily on your mind or on your heart will manifest physically. That is how the issue
gets your attention. We are very good at denying our stubbornness or insecurity or selfishness, but we
can't ignore TMJ or migraines or a goiter so easily.
Now in my opinion, the holistic approach addresses the spiritual or emotional approach whereas the
allopathic, or Western, approach does not. Here's what I mean.
(BROAD SWEEPING GENERALIZATION ALERT)
I believe that you cannot separate mind, body, and spirit (the three main components of "holistic").
Western medicine, however, has become so specialized that it usually only looks at the one specific
area of pain or complaint. So it often separates the cause from the symptom and focuses only on
the latter. For instance, if you had TMJ, a doctor might give you a mouthguard to lessen the effects
of your tooth-grinding. But a holistic practitioner would help you find out WHY you are grinding
your teeth in the first place and work with you on that issue. So, he or she helps you identify and
treat both the "stuff" and the pain.
OK, so how do you pick a holistic modality for your "stuff?" That's a great question because there are
so many approaches out there, and not everything will be suitable for everyone. The first thing to do, of
course, is homework. See what's out there. By now, most of us have at least heard of chiropractic and
acupuncture. But what about homeopathy? Learn about herbal remedies. Check out flower essences. Delve
into medical astrology.
There are as many holistic avenues as there are issues, and one is bound to appeal to you. Personally,
I have used vitamins, herbs, chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, past life
regression, astrology, homeopathy, flower essences, and reiki for my "stuff." All have been effective in
their own ways, and each has taught me something new about myself or at least given me a new perspective
on an old issue.
And really, the new perspective is what it's all about. So dip your toe in the holistic waters if you
haven't already. Try something new and embrace what happens. William James, a 19th-century philosopher,
said it best: "The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by
altering their attitudes of mind."
Enjoy a wonderful day of new adventures!
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