A life marked by depth can only be cultivated in protracted periods of time spent in solitude, quietness, and obscurity---concepts foreign to those who live their lives at the speed of light." A quote from Charles R. Swidoll's book titled Paul A Man Of Grace And Grit (p. 45).
The formula for life is found in Luke 4:42 and Mark 1:35. In essence, these verses say: Jesus rose early in the morning to spend quiet time with God in prayer. I can speak from over 42 years of experience that this time provides unbelievable strength and guidance. Believe me, in a family of eight, the only quiet time you can count on is very early in the morning.
The world and people around us have a tendency to want to put us down or program our minds in a negative fashion, especially if you are trying to pioneer anything new like this skeletal structural approach to preventing pain. I've found that the secret to keeping focused is getting up a half hour to 45 minutes early to read inspirational books, the Bible, and spending time in prayer asking for guidance and strength. This 30 minutes of solitary time will reprogram your mind and override all the negative inputs. It will provide more energy, strength, and guidance for the major decisions of your day than the extra 30 minutes of sleep ever will.
Even a treatment that is over 90% successful in relieving chronic pain has had more than its share of critics over the 31 years of my practice. But I was blessed with one added element; I had the problem myself. I have learned from experimenting on myself. I learned early on what a huge difference the slightest imbalance in the bite could cause, and how a precise adjustment could alleviate pains in my neck, shoulders and head within hours or days. Imbalances as slight as the thickness of a layer of paint, fractions of a millimeter, in key areas of the bite, can mean the difference between a lifetime of pain, or a pain free life. I know the positive effect it had on me, and my patients have been freed from the depths of the dudgeons of pain without drugs or surgery. These patients aren’t waking up in pain any more, which has enabled their depression and fatigue to gradually disappear. They have begun experiencing life for the first time. I don’t need somebody else telling me whether it works or doesn’t work. I have witnessed it myself.
I've been getting up at 4:45 am to allow enough time to get to my 7:00 AM patient. I spend 45 minutes reprogramming my own personal computer, MY MIND, with the positive inspirational guidance of Christ's teachings, prayer, and meditation. These teachings are available to us all in the Bible, and many people have given their lives to make these words and teachings available to us all. Yet in most homes, it sits on the shelf, gathering dust. Your church may even offer classes using the Discipleship series of texts covering five years of study. I took the 5 year study, and I'd recommend it. It is very important to understand the Old Testament and how it supports the New Testament.
I've also received daily support from many other books over the past 43 years such as: The Case for Christ, by Lee Stroebel; The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren; Power of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale; Tough Times Never Last, Tough People Do, by Rev. Robert Schuler; The Helper by Katherine Marshal; The Prayer Workshop, by Maxi Dunnam; Too Busy Not To Pray, by William Hybel, and many more. A strong faith combined with the reassuring messages of these teachers can enable you to go forward with what you know is right, no matter how overwhelming the opposition appears. You have truth and a power beyond yourself to draw on and believe in. Therein lies the SECRET: having the self-discipline to get up a half hour early, and in the quiet stillness of the morning, receive the gift by tapping into a strength, guidance, and love that goes well beyond your own limits!!! It's much easier for the Holy Spirit to guide you to His purpose for you in this life if you set aside time to seek, pray and listen. Keep a prayer journal, and you'll be even more surprised at all the answers you receive to prayer. Give yourself the gift for three weeks, and see the difference it will make in your life!!!
P.S. We all know that we need physical exercise to stay healthy, but we forget we need spiritual exercise as well. I've found that it is very possible to combine the two. With the new comfortable, recumbent, stationary exercycles you can burn off the toxins of stress at the same time as you read, meditate or pray. If you prefer another form of exercise, read first, then pray and meditate while you take a brisk walk, bike ride or swim. Don't think of this as exercise or sleep loss. Think of it as your 40 minute vacation. Your time alone with God. It'll burn off your stress and provide a spiritual and psychological rebirth for the new day. Your energy level, strength, and peace will be reflected in your overall being and health. You and those you love the most will all benefit from the new you. It will enable you to experience a deeper, more fulfilling life. Give yourself the gift of quiet time with God, and never give it up. When times are difficult, it is most important to maintain the discipline. That is when you will receive the most strength and guidance, Isaiah 40:25-31. First you build your FAITH by spending time with your creator one day at a time. It truly is the Secret of Life. The secret is offered very plainly in Philippians 4. It's a wonderful chapter to start with. I'd recommend a NIV life application Bible. It provides footnotes on how to apply each verse to your everyday life. Enjoy this spiritual experience, and pass it on to your kids and those you care about the most. 3John 1:4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
Return to this site for Spiritual Updates and Email me at StopTheHeadache@mac.com and let me know how the experience has changed your life and the lives of your family members.
