Over the past year or so, I have been so frustrated!!! I feel like a broken record as I work with my clients. Having been a practicing Physical Therapist for the past 17 years (holy cow, time has flown!!!), I have discovered certain key aspects of the healing process that I believe are the most valuable in undergoing a full healing and recovery from injury and muscular imbalances, and I am glad to share this valuable information with my clients. I have had hundreds, if not thousands, of conversations over the years and shared ideas about how to best manage musculoskeletal concerns including pain, inflammation, tightness, weakness, posture, and body mechanics. My frustration has come as I can't keep track of whether or not I have already had a conversation about a certain topic or technique with one client, as so many of my clients face similar issues along their healing journey. Sure, I can usually remember how many kids you have, their names, your dog's name, or your birthday, but I can't always remember if I have shared specific wellness-related information with you yet. This drives me crazy!!
In focusing my efforts on helping others heal over the years, I have been "conveniently" distracted from recognizing and then working through some of my own personal struggles, mental, physical and emotional, which are similar to what many of my clients are facing. Maybe it is because I am over 40 now, have more life experience to draw from, and am much more confident in who I am, but I have finally decided to take the time to get to the root of some of my own issues and try to find a way to move forward in a healthy way. I believe I have found a solution to my frustration that will also help me grow, both personally and professionally!
As you may know, I have a "thing" for numbers. I like to make sense of the world in mathematical, systematic, and logical ways. I have always been intrigued by Numerology, the study of numbers and their divine, energetic connections. Everything is energy, everything has a vibration, including letters and numbers, and all of the cells of our bodies. This may sound like I am getting "new age-y" but hear me out. I am not the type of person to make huge life decisions based on what I learn from reading my horoscope or studying numerology connections, I just find the information fun! Each number resonates with a certain vibrational frequency, and we can ALL learn to tap into this energy to heal or move forward in our lives.
In decoding my own personal numerology, I have learned that this year is a 6-Year for me. (To get your Year Number, add the number of your birth month, plus the day, to 2016, then keep adding the numbers together until you get a one digit number). Check out this website for more information on how to learn about your own personal numerology: http://karisamuels.com. A 6-Year is all about Balance! I have always struggled with this concept. Yes, I know all sorts of great exercises and techniques to improve physical balance in the body. Heck, my specialty is all about bringing muscles back into a state of balance in a very unique and customized way. But, when it comes to juggling my own life's responsibilities, daily duties, family time, friend connections, career endeavors, leisure time, desires, and dreams, I have been very challenged at striking a good balance. I now realize that there is no such thing as a "perfectly balanced" life. No one and no-thing is perfectly balanced EVER! But, "well-balanced" is a much more attainable goal. I'd like to be more "well-balanced," wouldn't you??
Over the past 20 years, through thousands of client sessions, my own reading, research, and life experience, I have discovered 8 key elements of a well-balanced life. This year, I put all the pieces together and realized that the first letter of each these 8 elements makes up the acronym: BALANCED. I have found the solution for my frustration in this WORD, as I NOW have an organized, systematized way to present this valuable, healing information with my clients!!
For the next 8 months of 2016, I am going to share with you what I believe to be the 8 elements of a "well-balanced" life, one month at a time. Next month in May, we will begin with the letter "B" and we will end with "D" in December. By the end of 2016, I believe you will be well on your way to discovering what YOUR well-balanced life looks and feels like. My hope is that the rest of 2016 moves us ALL forward toward living out our unique, divine life purpose!
MOVE WELL my friends!