In part one of this series, I reflected (as we often do when Mercury goes retrograde) on the memories I had of my last home and how very important it was in my spiritual development.  (*If you missed it, click link here http://tinyurl.com/n4gspv7).  

Although I talked about the importance of the plants and the people associated with my sanctuary, I didn’t delve into why selling this house was a stressful yet transformative process in my life.  For me, my breaking point was pulling up roots that had been planted deep (selling my home & moving). Leaving wasn’t easy, but staying would have been a whole lot harder!  Turtle had to go, but – like turtles do – this one unwittingly carried some of her baggage with her.  The specific details of my physical, emotional, mental & spiritual challenges are irrelevant at this point.  For you,  you, AND you, your stressor may be something totally different but equally (or perhaps, more) challenging.  Yet suffice to say, know that if you don’t take care of yourself when you are going through significant life events, the changes can bring you to your knees. What does any of this have to do with acupuncture or Chinese medicine? In part 2 of this series, we will explore further how change – whether you resist it or totally cave under its pressure - can result in physical, emotional, mental and spiritual symptoms, and we’ll look at ways in which Chinese Medicine and other forms of complementary therapies may help support you on the journey.  

Stressful Effects of Change
Change is inevitable - matter of fact "There is nothing more permanent than change itself” (Heraclitus), so let’s take a look now at some symptoms that may present themselves when the stress of change affects you:
◦ Body:
Headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, stomach ulcers, GI distress → decreased immunity → quicker susceptibility to illness & infection.  Most of the patients that come to me for acupuncture primarily complain of bodily symptoms that can be traced back to the stress of trying to deal with change.
◦ Mind:
Insomnia, cloudy thinking, forgetfulness, scattered thoughts, monkey mind, mood swings, impatience, easy to anger, and emotional lability/outbursts are often manifestations of trying to keep up with changes going on around you - changes that overwhelm to the point of not being able to shut off the mind or disengage from the causative factor – if only just for a minute to “reboot” your thought processes.
◦ Spirit:
Despair, depression (note I put depression in the category of “Spirit” versus "Mind" - I will explain later), feelings of hopelessness or abandonment by God… AND man.

Role & Response of the Chinese Organ Systems:
In Chinese Medicine, we speak of various “organs”, but these are more than just the physical structure/organ themselves.  The term is used to include the channel/meridian as well as the emotions, senses or element of each system.  These organ systems play an important role in Chinese Medicine, & yes, they too are affected by the stress of Change.  Here’s a little blurb about a few of the organs from a TCM perspective (it’s waaaaay more complex than this of course).

◦ Lungs
The Lung system is the Yin (wife) pairing to the Large Intestine (Yang partner), and is responsible for the emotions of grief.  It is appropriate to mourn your losses.  In our culture, we are told to be brave, be strong, suck it up, be a big girl (be a man!), and it’s  frowned upon when we show the emotions of grief.  We feel cut off, lifeless, disconnected, empty… I’m here to tell you, a good cry can be very cathartic. Inappropriately or perpetually holding on to grief or sadness serves no purpose other than eventually lodging in your cells and manifesting in dis-ease.   In Chinese Medicine we say the Lung is a “delicate organ” that is very susceptible to heat & cold (I won’t even talk about smoking!), and when the Lung channel is stressed,  you are more susceptible to coughs, colds & flu, asthma, all kinds of breathing problems, even allergies as examples (the Lung is also known as “the container for Phlegm” :-)    Let it go….. Breathe….  Breathe deep from your belly, and on each exhale ….. LET…. IT....GO.
Helpful tip #1: 
Massage, tap or squeeze these 2 acupressure points when you feel down/blue/sad: 
a) Kidney 27:   located just under the clavicle about 1 or 2 fingerbreadths on either side of the middle of your chest (poke around until you find the most tender spot).
b) Lung 3:  Stick your thumb in your armpit, place the other 4 fingers of that hand on the upper arm (about 3” down from the armpit) & wherever your pinky lands on that bicep muscle, poke around until you find another tender spot.  Massage, tap or squeeze this spot while you take some deep belly breaths (breathe in for a count of 5, lower abdomen expands out; exhale for a count of 5, lower abdomen returns to base).  Now I must emphasize the caveat here is to seek professional help if you feel you cannot handle your grief, sadness or depression.

◦ Large Intestine
The LI system is responsible for the process of letting go, literally & figuratively - much like a two-year-old who is in potty training and learns the art of selective control which (if taken to the extreme) can result in constipation as we hold on to what no longer serves us. For example, during my move, many of my Buddha statues, china & glassware broke, and I was sooooo tempted to glue them back together, but I had to remind myself to throw away what was no longer salvageable. It is according to the Law of Impermanence: nothing lasts forever, and very much like the Turtle, we can take our home with us wherever we go, but there are some things we will need to let go of to ease the burden that we carry. On the other hand, to the other extreme is feeling so overwhelmed by the change going on around us that we feel helpless, immobilized and  totally out of control that we may have diarrhea-type symptoms. 
Helpful tip #2: 
Constipation may be due to Heat (for example excess hot, spicy foods; or not enough fluids (“Yin deficient”) so watch your diet & liquid intake.  Practice the art of positive affirmations while setting intention to release that which you have no control over.  One of my favorite techniques to use when I’m stressing out about things over which I have no control, is EFT.  EFT aka “Emotional Freedom Technique” helps to repattern the neural pathways through tapping while repeating affirmations.  The technique comes from Gary Craig; Check his website here for further info:  www.emofree.com . 

◦ Heart
The Heart in Chinese medicine is known as the Monarch, and we say it is a reflection of the Spirit. If we are stressed by change, are not content or at ease, then we can end up having insomnia, palpitations, all sorts of chest discomfort as well as circulatory system challenges. There are Chinese herbal formulas that can be used to treat insomnia (for example Tian Wan Bu Xin Dan, Suan Zao Ren or An Mian Pian), but it is important to discuss these symptoms not only with your acupuncturist (who will select the right formula for you based on Tongue and Pulse diagnosis as well as a full system review), but with your PCP (western MD) as well. The caveat here of course is to call 911 in case of an emergency!
Helpful tip #3: 
A most wonderful method of breathing & visualizing that brings the heart, body, mind and Spirit back into a coherent state and promotes a harmonious feeling can be found in a program called “Heart Math”.  Whenever my Spirit (Heart) needs a boost, I take a quick minute to practice Heart Math’s Quick Coherence Technique and in just a few seconds of breathing from my heart space, my heart is warmed and I am brought back to a state of bliss.  Visit www.heartmath.com/quick-coherence-technique/ for your step by step guide to restoring balance and harmony from within. 

◦ Stomach & Spleen
I had problems eating, actually had no appetite, and I had problems digesting.  If you're not at peace or you're stressed, whatever you eat will challenge your Stomach and Spleen organ systems.  The 2 are perhaps the most important organ systems in Chinese medicine because the Stomach is responsible for digesting whereas the Spleen is responsible for transforming everything that you ingest to support the flow of Qi (energy), blood flow & nutrients to all of the organs and the cells in your body. While the Lung is the ‘container of Phlegm’, the Spleen it’s said ‘produces Phlegm’, and so poor dietary choices (like too much cold temperature/energy foods) can result in you coming down with cold & flu symptoms, GI distress or being more susceptible to viruses, allergies and infection. There are acupoints on the Bladder & Small Intestine  channels that we can needle  to boost your immunity & fight infection or inflammation, and there are points on the Stomach/Spleen channels that - when stimulated - will strengthen the transformative powers of these 2 important meridian systems. 
Helpful tip #4:
Practice mindful eating.  Eat with your senses & take some time to look at your food, smell its aroma, savor every mouthful.  Never eat when you’re stressed or on the run – simple steps, yet when the daily grind flares up around us, we scrimp on the time we should take to enjoy our meals.  Stomach 36 – an acupoint on the Stomach channel – is a great point to stimulate (through daily acupressure).  It’s located about  4 fingerbreadths below the lower border of your kneecap (patella) & about 1 fingerbreadth from the anterior border of the tibia.  Its Pinyin (Chinese) name is “Zu San Li” - Leg 3 Li (meaning:  if you stimulate this point daily, you can go another kajillion steps – okay, I exaggerate). It is an important one for strengthening your body’s energy, preventing fatigue, building immunity, and strengthening the Stomach, Spleen & Intestines.

◦ 2 Other Organs: 
¬ The Liver is in charge of planning & strategy; The Gallbladder is in charge of decision making. At their best, they give us the courage to follow through and take action on the choices we make, and give our Solar Plexus the strength to tackle the stresses of change.  At their worst, we become timid, indecisive, wishy-washy and namby-pamby when it comes to making decisions, or stay stuck in unfulfilled desires, frustration, anger and resentment.  Some of us women even get a bad rep for being PMS-ish when the Liver/Gallbladder is not in balance. 
Helpful hint #5: 
Move that Qi!   When you start feeling cranky & irritable, go for a walk, dance around the house, scrub the bathtub.  Ok, maybe not the bathtub thing.  And be kind to your Gallbladder – drink warm lemon water 1st thing when you wake up.  It’ll help flush toxins and wake up its bile-releasing function so you can digest food better.  Practice flexibility exercises (like yoga, Tai Chi or Pilates) that promote flexibility not just in your joints but in all areas of your life.

¬ The Kidneys are very important to life.  In Chinese Medicine, some of its responsibilities include reproduction, your life force, how much stamina or endurance you have, and how well (or poorly) you age as a few examples.  The adrenals – the 2 little organs sitting on top of the kidneys contribute to the stress response (“fight or flight or feed & breed”).  Change can be really stressful, which means it can tax your Kidneys leaving you feeling run down, develop low back/knee pain, premature grey hairs, decreased hearing, and bone/teeth problems.  Emotionally, we may even feel immobilized and stuck in fear mode if we don’t take care of our Kidneys, unable to move forward in life.    
Helpful hint #6: 
Eat foods that strengthen the function of your Kidneys:  black sesame seeds, black beans, black walnuts, seaweed and kelp.    Get enough rest so you can recharge & strengthen the Fire at the Gate of Vitality - Ming Men aka “Life Gate” is a point located just below the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. Give yourself a treat and massage the entire low back area & around this point to warm it up and keep your Qi flowing.

Helpful tips #7, 8, 9..etc, etc, etc….. 
There are many other ways that you can help support yourself during stressful events and times of change, and maintaining good health is key.  We must not forget the role of right nutrition, adequate rest, prayer or meditation, the comfort of friends, and any of the numerous energy modalities that are available.   Reiki, Healing Touch, chakra balancing, craniosacral work, rolfing, massage, journaling, color therapy and essential oils (aromatherapy) are some that come to mind.  
And finally, my acronym for Change:  which do you choose?
C: compromise vs. control
H:  harmony vs. hanging on
A:  agenda vs. adaptability
N: negotiate vs. negate
G: growth & gratitude vs. growl & give-up
E: embrace vs. endure.

What will be your #ChineseNewYear resolution? What will you do differently to deal with the stress of change?  Drop us a note in the comment section below for what works for you.  Kung Hey Fat Choy - Happy Chinese New Year! 
2015 – Year of the Goat.  *Now accepting patients at our new location in Seminole, Florida.  Call for appointment and a free consultation to discuss how Chinese Medicine can assist you in your best health yet!  
Audrey Steele, L.Ac.
Acupuncture Physician
(727) 417-8307
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference” (Reinhold Niebuhr)

“I’m a traveler, a pilgrim. No one can hold or stop me, not the bonds of joys and sorrows, not the room I live in” (Rabindranath Tagore)

I've been told my posts are sometimes too long.  I laugh at this because it confirms for me how we live in a microwave society and everyone expects results immediately.  The same folks who tell me to make my blogs shorter, are the same ones who come to me with their chronic conditions complicated by multiple co-morbidities and expect me to "fix" them in 1 magical treatment - FOR CHEAP - and WITHOUT DISCOMFORT!  Well, Dear Friends, you'll have neither of that here, and I make no apologies for that.  When I speak, I speak from the heart, and when information comes from the Elders, I share it with you as it was given to me.  “He who hath ears to hear”….. as they say in the Bible (Mark 4:9).  And so in compromise, I give you this month’s blog as a 2-part series. It is my personal story of change, letting go and the Law of Impermanence.  It speaks to how resistance versus allowing can impact our lives on all levels – Mind, Body & Spirit – and how #ChineseMedicine can help you with any transitional challenges you may experience along the way.  It begins with me selling the home and sanctuary I had created, a space that had birthed many dreams, fed a village, nurtured many of my Kindred spirits and Soul Family…. A home that I had set intention that would be unlike any other home I had ever owned, as it would serve as a beacon of Light with intention to heal the world.  I invite those of you, Dear Friends, who are patient enough to read this blog and savor its words, if you have a personal memory or experience from having been to my home, to share your story – if you are so drawn – in the comment section below.  My story begins (as Mercury prepares to go retrograde AGAIN!) as I reflect on the day I bought this last house, 10 years ago….

It was a blank slate back then; there was nothing perfect about the house on the corner, bordered by an alley on 2 sides, and steps away from 1 of the busiest thoroughfares in the neighborhood. .  But I had a vision for the space I would create, and that in itself made it perfect. The only thing that was on the property were 2 palm trees in the front, and a Cherry Laurel & Brazilian Pepper in the back.  I didn’t even have a fence, but my sister Lesley (the designated Fence Builder in my family who has built a fence around almost every property I’ve owned) spent almost an entire weekend building me a fence that would delineate the boundaries of the property, and contain the energy of a crystal grid that I buried on the land.  I had a vision for the space that would serve as a beacon of Light and a sacred sanctuary from the outside world.  “Build it and they will come”, I was advised, and so I envisioned a Peace Garden in the front with an altar where we could congregate & gather for full moon drum circles, a feast for the senses and a balm to the Soul.  A “Shalom!” plaque hung between 3 wrought iron candle holders nailed to a stately palm tree on the front lawn.  The “Group therapy practiced here” flag with wine glasses appliquéd all over it I had brought back from a visit to a winery & friends in Indiana -  it waved unashamedly & gloriously in the breeze. One of my dear friends Robin brought me buckets of pea gravel (pea-stones à peace stones) that we put in between the pavers.  Pretty soon, each of my friends began to donate items to the space.  My friend Pam, when the house she grew up in was destroyed by a fire the night after we celebrated Obama’s inauguration, we had a blessing and release ceremony for her lost home. This 'DirtSister' of mine, before the contractors came to bulldoze the remnants of the house, helped me rescue pavers from her yard, and we recycled them to become the foundation for my outdoor altar.  It would be here that I would sit some evenings, sipping on a martini while watching the sunset, and thank the spirit of Olive (Pam’s mother) for donating these St. Pete pavers that were over 80 years old.  My friend Lois offered up a non-GMO lilac colored rose with the most beautiful fragrance, and a circular flowered paver that was placed in the center of the garden to mark the location of the firepit.  I credit my mother and all the members of my family who invested countless time & effort, as well as blood, sweat & tears in helping me create the space.

It was here that when he was a baby, I would papoose & bundle up my nephew Elijah, & take him out at night to see the moon & the stars.  “Where are you from Elijah? Which one is your home?” I would ask the little bundle.  He would look up, even then as an infant, and babble in his baby tongue.  “Then say goodnight to Moon; say goodnight to stars, Elijah; Tomorrow is another day”, I would say, and he would drift off to sleep.  The next day, we would wander around the yard, to “Peruse the Perimeter of the Property”.  I trusted his baby cells would remember these moments as he got older, and it would bring him comfort in his later years, much as I had from my early years with my Great-Grandmother in Jamaica.  It was here on the front lawn that he learned how to connect with Mother Earth, and ground into her healing energy.  As I watched him grow up, it was here on the front lawn that - with eyes closed, he sharpened his skills at sensing the color & energetic temperature of my crystals, and he would identify the plants based on their smell.  Along with the regular culinary herbs like basil, dill, oregano and thyme, I grew Jamaican allspice, cinnamon, cardamom, lemongrass, rosemary, and Ai Ye (moxa), all surrounding Quan Yin & Buddha.  Crystals got charged out there on the altar every full moon night.  Clearing & Blessing sprays matured for 9 days at the feet of Buddha & Quan Yin, amidst all that was planted for their spiritual properties, and with a central theme of attracting butterflies and tantalizing the senses. It was there that bees, butterflies, white egret, crow, frog, owl, possum and snake would visit, bringing with them the messages and wisdom of the Animal Kingdom.

On  warm summer nights, our nostrils were bathed with the scent of jasmine vines that clung to and crept silently along  the picket fence, along with citronella, gardenia, geraniums, cerassee, cinnamon, and Bay Rum.  Night blooming jasmine flanked either side of the front steps.  Birds of Paradise, day lily, ornamental ginger, Mexican petunias, Florida sunflower, purple & orange lantana, Hens & Chicks all grew side by side, like a band of gypsy travelers who find each other along the way.  A Barbados Cherry tree in the front gave us beautiful pink blossoms, an abundance of fruits that Elijah would pick, and I would gleefully watch as Lola - my friend Lois’ corgi would jump up to pick the low hanging fruits, and I would plead with the blue jays & mocking birds to please leave me some to make jam.  Squirrels danced in & out the branches of the Florida sunflower trees, & feasted on the seeds.  My cherimoya tree – like me (at times temperamental and moody)  – some years offered only 1 fruit all season, and then other years I was able to give to my friends so that they too could  partake of this exotic Caribbean fruit.  My Mayan spinach plants – the original of which was a gift from my ‘SisterFriend’, Carmen, grew to hedge height & provided privacy from the street while hosting numerous Monarch butterflies. I planted three flowering pear trees that sheltered the sparrows; a scraggly twig of an oak barely 5ft tall, donated by my neighbor, and a discarded 6ft Laurel from Lowe’s – all grew  to majestic heights & became THE spot on my block where everyone (including myself) fought to park under because they had grown to offer shade from the afternoon sun.  They had anchored in nicely and grew to become a living testimony and symbol for the magic of transformation that occurs when One is cared for, and they reminded me to stay centered and grounded no matter what storms prevail around us.

In the back yard, the 2 jasmines I planted as babies had grown up to become sturdy trees and the place that supported my colorful Costa Rican hammock.  Imagine them in bloom… combined with the heady scent of frangipani, tangerine, lemon & orange blossoms; who wouldn’t brave the mosquitoes to bask in this seductive glory on a full moon night.  Then there was the water fountain my daughter Jessica built me for Mothers’ Day when she was about 17 years old – she dug a hole & sat in it to make sure it was deep enough to hold the fountain, and I will never forget that moment of silence as we turned it on and waited for the 1st bubbling sounds to appear at which time we squealed & applauded in delight.  Avocados from my neighbor’s tree would fall on my side of the fence, and if I was lucky enough, I would get them before the squirrels went shopping & sampling each one before it would hit the ground.  Bird baths abound.  A very special mango tree now grows along the western fence – as much as I wanted to take it with me when I moved, it had rooted itself in, and I couldn’t budge it to save my life.  My dad had planted a mango tree back in Jamaica way before we were kids, and on a visit to my homeland several years ago, I snuck a mango through Customs and now it was growing nicely, a testament to the invisible strength, support, perseverance, and connection of family.  Tamarind – glorious, exotic, deliciously sweet Tamarind – flourished beautifully, providing shade from the scorching afternoon sun, and loads of fruit to the point where they just fall off the tree. 10 years ago when I planted it, it was a mere 2 feet tall, grown from seed and a gift from Tita-Lola, my adopted Filipino Grandmother who lived behind me. 10 years later, it towered above the roof of my house, and carpeted the ground beneath with a blanket of fine delicate leaves.  There’s cardamom & turmeric & Hand of Buddha (a citrus tree whose fruit is shaped just like Buddha’s hand),  sweet Sambo lemon, a Kefir lime tree that I mixed with lemongrass for my Thai curry dishes, numerous variety of mints, leeks, callaloo, and a recently planted yam and sugar cane my Hunny – himself an Earth Man – had planted that luckily bore fruit before we sold the house.

This was where my tribe would gather – we had “Dolly-Momma” retreats where my Soul Family sisters helped me make dollies to take on my medical mission trips to Guatemala & Haiti (and I got hooked on Chick Fil-A chicken minis); we had fundraisers for my birthdays where all proceeds went towards the Fistula Foundation,  an orphanage in Kenya, or a particular charity (you get to a certain age, & material things mean nothing to you when your Universal family is lacking the basic necessities to survive); we had Poetry Night, where my friends shared their favorite piece & my 5 year-old nephew Elijah became the Town-Crier who would sound the gong to announce the next featured “poet”.  There was my 50th birthday party where many were invited but exactly 50 people showed up for my Croning & spiritual naming ceremony (Sanân Nariah Shafäth – at your service), and got (temporary) tattoos that reflected their God/Goddess self.  We hosted Magda from Poland who attuned us to Reiki, and we got together every month for energy healing (Caregivers must care for Self), and Spiritual Cinema night where the ladies wore tiaras & a boa and carried their own magic wand, and Charlie – the only gentleman in the group – became “King” for the night & got to wear a Burger King crown.  We watched & discussed movies like The Secret, Blue Butterfly, Peaceful Warrior, Spiritual Warrior, Celestine Prophecy, 7 Years in Tibet, 5 People You Meet in Heaven, and the Moses Code.  This is my Soul family, and the community that became a pillar of support for me during my spiritual journey – this wonderful band of fellow sojourners like myself, who over a decade taught me the lessons of connection and kindred spirit.  Ten years later, many of us have moved on to different places, different roles and responsibilities, different relationships, yet we remain connected by the unseen Web that has no Weaver. I am grateful to them for the many lessons they taught me, for the gift of their time and friendship, for being my teacher, for loving me kindly, for holding me in their hearts yet all the while willing to let me go.   And now it is time to turn the page… Remembering always that home is where the heart is, and Turtle takes her home with her wherever she goes.   I come because I was invited; I leave when it’s time to go.
*In part 2 of this series, learn how change can manifest in bodily symptoms, and how Chinese Medicine can help you on your personal journey.
“We leave something of ourselves behind every time we leave a place… we stay there even though we go away” (Pascal Mercier). 
Audrey Steele, L.Ac
Licensed Acupuncturist
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com

 I have a conundrum: I have to have blood work done and I want to impress my PCP with some normal numbers for a change, but this past Thanksgiving ruined it right off the bat.  Mac-n-Cheese, oyster stuffing, smashed potatoes, turkey with gravy and pies stayed on the agenda (menu) up to a week after "T-Day".  And then there’s our #Christmas Day smorgasbord which includes eggnog, pot roast, shrimp cocktail and corn casserole.  My sneaky, conniving plan was to eat healthy for 2 weeks out, then get my labs drawn the week BEFORE my Thanksgiving feast, and waaaaay before Christmas dinner.  I love Christmas, but Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday of the year; not because we have a smorgasbord of food, flag football and board games, but because it's a time to gather without the guilt of gift-giving often associated with Christmas (yeah I said it;  perhaps you know/have seen the Syndrome). I was also feeling proactive about my fitness goals, and had vowed to start my New Year's resolution early.   

Well, in the middle of this fairy tale, I decided to overwork, over stress, overthink and over-exhaust myself into a little bout of "Mama-said-knock-you-out" headachy, flu-ish, stomach virus of sorts that kept me bed bound for more days than I would ever wish for . I had no appetite or energy to eat, yet I knew I needed to nourish my body back to health. To the rescue:  *don't laugh*....;  **wait for it**....... Ramen noodles!  Yes, you heard me right; I ate a bowl of Ramen Noodles!  I forcefully dragged myself outside into the fresh air, braved the warm Florida sun, and picked a Kefir lime leaf, a blade of lemongrass, a nub of gingerroot, and a branch of Thai basil growing on my front step.  Five minutes later, I was well on the road to recovery after boiling it all up with a packet of said noodle soup ("shrimp flavored"), and I sat huddled over the warmth of this yummy aromatic broth, imagining I was somewhere in the South Pacific, tanned, healthy, giddy and stress-free. My fantasy unfortunately came to a screeching halt when I realized I had eaten the entire bowl (1st REAL meal in days!), and I seriously contemplated having seconds but decided, eh, "moderation with the sodium, Grasshopper!"

 And so, here's my point (which can also help you prep for your resolutions next month):
a) Yeah, you can follow the guidelines and eat a "healthy" diet based on the latest craze, but sometimes you have to break your own self-imposed rules.  I know several people who are strict "non-meatarians" (my made up word) who could most certainly benefit from a couple bowls of marrow soup.  I eat red meat once a year, specifically on my birthday when I celebrate with a yummy well seasoned T-bone steak (trust me; I have no guilt about enjoying that). Although you can get iron from other food sources (like quail eggs, Medjool dates, red berries, spinach and beets), to me nothing beats a juicy grilled steak or beef liver smothered with onions. Caveat:  this is my personal opinion; although I may make suggestions when solicited, I am not and will not push any particular diet on anyone at anytime.

b) There’s a time & place for everything.  I wouldn’t personally eat my noodle soup every day, as much as I love the yumminess of it when I dress it up with extra spices & herbs.  I used to knock back hot sauce like crazy until my hot flashes & personal summers got too intense & 1 of my teachers cautioned me:  “Don’t be a slave to your taste bud".   On the same token, eating too much dairy or cold foods is probably not the wisest thing to do when you’re all phlegmy (“Cold congeals”).  Everything in moderation, my Friends.
c) Speaking of moderation, don’t do like a lot of us overachievers do.  Superman (Woman) exists only in the comic books so quit doing it all, running yourself ragged, and wearing yourself down into the ground.  Pacing yourself is advised and way better than overtasking yourself which can make you ill in the long run.  Take frequent breaks – they’ll recharge your spirit, energize and inspire you.  And as much as we love hanging with family and friends at Christmas, take the time to find your “alone-time” to commune with Nature, breathe, nap, be silent – whatever it takes to reboot your inner computer.  Have a fabulous Christmas, anticipate a glorious new year, and exercise moderation in all that you do.   And because 80% of diseases begin in your gut, eat healthy, wholesome foods that nourish your Body, Mind and Spirit.    Ask your local acupuncturist how Chinese dietary therapy can help you meet your health and wellness goals.  “Let food be your medicine, and medicine be your food” (Hippocrates).  Many blessings, and here's to a healthy, happy holiday!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac.
Acupuncture Physician
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com

Are you grateful to be here?  Are you grateful for all that you [have] and all that you are?  This Thanksgiving, are you grateful for the many blessings in your life?  Or are you reminded of how much you still lack, and have your Black Friday list/route planned?  I invite you to take a moment now to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and feel your feet connected with Mother Earth below. Breathe in through your crown chakra the Divine light from above, and let those energies meet in your heart space,  as you reflect for a minute on the fact that you are here - this is now ... and you will never have this moment again. And for this and more we give thanks.

The following content is excerpted from a sermon I did at Temple Of The Living God on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.  I thought it fitting to include it here in the “Wisdom of the Elders” blog series because it poured forth after a meditation at my Shustah class there one afternoon.  I offer it here – to you – with gratitude for your continued interest in, and blessings for, the information that is brought forth from Spirit each month.  Your feedback and words of encouragement are most appreciated, and continue to feed my soul. This month we will look at the Attitude and Spirit of Gratitude.

I don’t know how many of you reading this are “old enough” to remember Robert Schuller’s “Hour of Power” that came on every Sunday morning on TV? I remember as a teenager growing up in my parents’ house having the TV on in the background and listening to Robert Schuller's "Hour of Power" while we all went about our morning rituals. He always began with the verse (Psalms 118:24):  "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!”   I never understood how he always looked so ... rejoicingly-full (my made up word) when *in my eyes* there was so much wrong with the world. I felt for sure he was too rich to know what regular folks went through and probably too rich to do anything but rejoice. Then he would go on to say "Be thankful unto Him and bless His name" (Psalm 100:4).  I would mutter under my breath & call him names like “Suzy Cheerleader”, & secretly roll my eyes at him when my mom wasn’t looking. Now I'm sure he and his family had their challenges as well, just like the rest of us and the rest of the world, but he never one Sunday appeared to be “suffering”. 

One thing I learned and I still remember from my Buddhist studies is there are no degrees of suffering.  Your experience, no matter how painful, or terrible, or devastating, is not in any way less or more than the suffering of another Being.  There is an infinite energy of Universal connection with all other Beings in this time & space,  and it is because we share the ripple effect that when one person suffers, in a sense we all suffer, because we ARE connected - no matter where we are in this world by that “Web that has no Weaver”.  The same could be said for universal Peace; the same could be said for Gratitude. And so this month, let’s look at the Attitude & the Spirit of Gratitude, and how we can move from a place of  ‘suffering’ or lack, to one where we can do as Robert Schuller did every Sunday morning: rejoice and be grateful.

Here’s an exercise for you to do if/when you can take/find the time:  On a blank sheet of paper, write the title:  “My Imperfect State”, then draw a line down the middle, and on the left side of the line, jot down all the things that bothered you this morning when you woke up, that bother you today as you are reading this, this week, this year, this lifetime even…  Include on here all the people, circumstances, or situations that really test your patience, your faith, your last nerve.  List them all on your sheet of paper; just 1 caveat:  you have to stay on the left side of the line. You can flip the paper over if you'd like, but always, always stay on the 1 side of that line.   Put them all here, as we're going to get rid of them once and for all, and you don't want to hold on our skip any of them.

Now looking at that list (or thinking about what you would have written if you had written them down – or had enough paper AND time to list them all), what on earth do you have to be grateful for when you have this list in front of you - with all the things that are wrong in your world? How can you have a spirit of gratitude when your day to day world is far from perfect? And if you can't feel (or don't have) the Spirit of Gratitude, how could you even possibly have an Attitude of Gratitude?  Let me ask you this: what does gratitude look like? What IS the Spirit of Gratitude?   And perhaps more importantly, what is YOUR personal definition of gratitude?  Let’s look now at gratitude from a Body-Mind-Spirit perspective:

Definition of Gratitude
Gratitude by definition is "the spirit of being thankful".  When you feel grateful,   you feel "thankful for what somebody did for you, and (physically) you're also pleased by the results". This of course is according to Merriam Webster.  So if this is the definition of  #gratitude, there's really no reason to be thankful for any of the things that you just put on your list, now is there?  Those things that you put on your list are not things that you wanted, asked for, or even prayed for! Yet in the Bible it says:  "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1st Thessalonians 5:18).   And in Acts 24:3 we read: "In every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude". 

As an ICU nurse, every shift that I work, I have patients & family members who pour their hearts out to me, about the pain & grief of illness or death.  These 2 passages are often very difficult for the people I talk with when they're going through situations that bring them no peace, leave them feeling abandoned or forgotten, or are far from joyful.  Those circumstances create nothing but heartache, despair and suffering.  I am therefore very careful when I try to offer words of encouragement, because in those moments of suffering it is very hard to think that there is anything in their circumstances that they could possibly be grateful for.  And trust me; the last thing they want to hear is that others are worse off than they are, that it is the will of God, or that they have to be grateful for it.

Now let’s look at gratitude from the Mind perspective.  According to the psychology experts, gratitude from a psychological perspective “is a short-term experience of the emotions around being thankful”. When we are thankful (or grateful) we express it through our facial expressions: that same joyous facial expression that Robert Schuller had every Sunday on TV.  We see it in the laughter and smiles around us, we glow, we radiate, we hug, we cheer people on, we encourage, we even cry tears of joy sometimes.  In the Bible it even says we dance.  When you came through those Temple doors this morning, deep inside, perhaps unbeknownst to you, from a Soul level, you probably had a moment of gratitude for the freedom and the ability to choose to spend your morning here with your Temple family.  You could have been anywhere else, but you CHOSE to be here today, and for this we are grateful.

The spirit of gratitude can leave us speechless with joy. It is a wonderful state to be in and one that we all strive for.  It is brought to our awareness even more so around this time - this week of Thanksgiving - as we gather family and friends together to feast & celebrate those things & people that we are grateful for. Today we will celebrate with potluck after service; we will feast on all the goodies everyone brought to share.  Yet, there are people here in our town - in our land of plenty - who don’t have anything to eat, and we pray “Give us this day our daily bread”.  We mumble about our Florida “cold snap” or our notorious heat and humidity, yet we have the ability to adjust our thermostats as we see fit, where many remain homeless and without shelter from the elements, the security of 4 walls, or a roof over their heads.  On Thursday, around the Thanksgiving table we will pause to say thanks for the year so far, for being able to get together, the food before us, etc.   And then there’s the next day, “Black Friday” (which reminds me of a joke I recently read:  “What is Black Friday?  The day where we trample each other for sales exactly 1 day after being thankful for what we already have” – author unknown).  Having the Spirit of Gratitude or an Attitude of Gratitude is not a state that should be experienced or emphasized on only 1 day of the year, annually on Thanksgiving Day. It is a state that should permeate every waking moment of every day.

Neale Donald Walsch just did a webinar series last month about gratitude and he says:  “It is your job is to be grateful for every circumstance & every situation in your life no matter how imperfect it appears to be".  He tells the story of how he lost his job, his home, his family and his health all at the same time, and in his despair he talked to God over & over again.  Many times he had these “Conversations with God” (which, by the way is how his book with the same name came about), until one day, I guess you could say God ‘talked back to him’, and he finally understood the reason behind his circumstances & the meaning of his imperfect state.  And that is I quote: "Only in a room full of darkness can a candle experience its own light".  He explained that it’s very hard for us to see the “perfection” behind losing your home, your family, your health, you name it – all those imperfect things on your list – but once we can see beyond all that, then and only then can we be released from the pain of our sufferings.  He says: ‘If we pass judgment on our daily life challenges & make them wrong, or resist them, we end up feeling trapped by them & cannot see the possibility of having a life of joy’.    

Do you still have your list there in front of you? Take a look at your list again – look at everything that you’ve listed on the left side of the page; all those bits of darknesses in your life.   Be reminded that in a room filled with darkness, all it takes is the spark of a single match to bring in the Light, and ask yourself:  how can I lighten the load of all the burdens I bear?  How can I move forward from feeling trapped in a place filled with despair and suffering, to one where I can walk in blind faith, with grace and ease, knowing that there IS Divine Order in all things?  How can I shine a light on this darkness of my life?  I invite you to see yourself being that Light. And as we close with Josh Groban’s video song “Thankful” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPDimGnpv4g), I pray that you will remember always that our strength cometh from Above and Below.  I pray for God’s Divine guidance in your life, and for peace in your heart.  See, feel and know that your darknesses can be transformed into blessings and opportunities, instead of adversities and calamities, and give thanks that it is so.
Audrey Steele, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture Physician
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com

 Creator Source, Infinite Spirit:
We are so grateful for everything that you have given us – not just those gifts that we perceive as our blessings, but the opportunities and challenges that remind us to walk in faith. 
Thank you so much for the loved ones in our lives,
For the many ways in which we are cared for and supported.
Thank you for the many ways we can serve and give to others.
Thank you for the rich tapestry of  colors  in creation,
For the beauty which is all around us,
For the skies and the ever changing cloud formations,
For the breathtaking sunsets and early morning mists.
Thank you for walking with us through the seasons of our lives.
Grant that we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation, to the honor and glory of your Name, now and forever. Amen.
(adapted from: lords-prayer-words.com )

Acupeeps & Acupunks, unite!!!!
Today - October 24th - marks the day that we recognize, honor & celebrate National Acupuncture Day.  Truth be told, for me every day is Acupuncture Day, but  I prefer to call it “Oriental Medicine Day” because the Western world needs to know our medicine is more than just #acupuncture. 

By definition Acupuncture is a term commonly used to refer to the insertion of filiform needles into specific points on the body (“acupoint”) to access the energies that flow through our body. When these energies are blocked from flowing freely, our cells don’t get the proper blood flow, oxygen or nutrients required for them to perform at their optimal function, and this may result in pain, stress or even diseases.  Through the process of acupuncture, we can therefore unblock those energetic channels and support the body’s own natural healing abilities. 

“Acupuncture” is often used as an umbrella term for the practice of “Oriental Medicine”, Traditional Chinese Medicine, or Classical Chinese Medicine, but it also includes the use of other modalities in combination with acupuncture needling, such as Moxibustion, cupping, Gua Sha, Tui Na, Chinese herbal therapy, Qi Gong or Tai Chi, or Chinese dietary therapy. Besides traditional Chinese acupuncture, other therapies I may use during your session may include:   Japanese acupuncture, auricular therapy (Ear acupuncture), Acupuncture Point Injection Therapy, hand & scalp acupuncture, E-Stim (electroacupuncture), acupressure, ear seeding, or Homeopathy.  Personally,
I have used (and still continue to use) acupuncture and Oriental Medicine therapies to treat my low back pain after years of ICU nursing, a recent wicked case of lateral epicondylitis (aka “tennis elbow”), migraines, “Personal Summers” aka “power surge” secondary to hormones gone wild, weight loss, stress, sleepless nights and monkey-mind….. I could go on.  I wouldn't be such an advocate if I didn't personally believe in the efficacy of our medicine, or experience its healing benefits myself.  The most frequent questions I get related to acupuncture are:

I’m scared of needles! Does acupuncture hurt? What can I expect to feel?
This is the 1st question I usually get after “what is acupuncture?”   Our clients all have varying degrees of sensitivity and pain threshold, but in my experience, no one has said that acupuncture is painful.  Instead they describe it as an awareness of a sensation comparable to heaviness, dullness or tingling around the point, indicating enhanced energy flow.  Mostly all will agree that they do feel a wonderful difference in their mood and general feeling of well-being within 5 minutes of the needles being in (I'm happy to say I feel it the minute the 1st needle goes in!). You have to realize the size of an acupuncture needle is much smaller than the tip of a pin so if hypodermic needles have left you scared of an acupuncture session, fear no more - the needles are gently placed by the expert hands of your acupuncture physician.  Safety is our concern and as such, when we needle, we do so observing anatomical structures as well as principles of Clean Needle Technique. 

What is “Qi”?
Like the blood that flows through our arteries and veins, Qi (pronounced “Chee”), is that invisible Essence of our life, and has been called by other names such as “Prana”, “Life Force” or “Vital Energy”.  It flows in and around us and is found in every living thing.  When stress and tension knots up our muscles, for example, our tissues aren't able to get the nutrients they need and we feel this as pain, stiffness or soreness.  Through acupuncture needling or any of the modalities incorporated by your acupuncture physician, we are able to unblock that stuck energy to restore your body’s innate abilities to self-heal through the release of naturally occurring chemicals and hormones such as endorphins. 

What is an acupuncturist’s training?
The requirements to become a licensed acupuncturist includes a minimum of 3-4 years post-graduate studies in acupuncture at a school that is recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). Licensed acupuncturists have more than 2,000 hours of education and training, including 1,000 hours of clinical experience plus  hundreds of hours of hands-on clinical training and observation hours.

If you would like to find out more about Oriental Medicine and how it may support your health, please feel free to navigate through this website, drop me a line ([email protected]), or contact your nearest and most favorite acupuncturist.  We are all here to be of service to you.  In the meantime, here are some links that you may find helpful if you need further information about acupuncture and Oriental Medicine:
Links:
a) World Health Organization’s list of diseases and  disorders that can be treated with acupuncture:  
http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js4926e/5.html
b) NCCAOM: 
www.nccaom.com  (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine)
c) Finding a licensed acupuncturist in your state:
http://www.nccaom.org/find-a-nccaom-certified-practitioner
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/acupunct/acu_lic_req.html
d) Information on research and acupuncture: 
* NIH:  http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/ 
* WHO: http://www.who.int/topics/traditional_medicine/en/index.html 

To your health!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac
Acupuncture Physician – www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com
“All that man needs for health and healing has been provided by God in nature; the challenge of science is to find it” (Paracelsus: 1493-1541).

CONTINUATION OF THE “SEASONS SERIES”: 
FALL/AUTUMN FROM A CHINESE MEDICINE PERSPECTIVE 
“I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion” (Henry David Thoreau)
Fall is by far my most favorite season of the year.  It brings us the best of both worlds – warm days, cool nights; and even here in Florida, we do get some color changes in the leaves.  Big fat mums replace impatiens, marigolds and day lilies; apple cider, squashes & pumpkins take over for watermelon & strawberries;  and for true Floridians  (like I’ve now become) – we stay out of the water if it’s less than 80 degrees, while the Snowbirds (visiting northerners) find any excuse to frolic in the waves. As we move through the seasons, we migrate away from the burst of energy and forward movement of Spring (Liver/Gallbladder), the scorching heat & passion of summer (Heart/Small Intestine), to the somewhat more reflective, preparatory phase of Autumn (Lung/Large Intestine).  Here is where we begin to get ready for the “harshness” of winter (we don’t have harsh winters in Florida; that’s why I moved here from New York a decade ago :-).   Now we look forward to canning our excess summer produce, stock up on firewood (in the colder regions), and hanging out by the firepit with friends.   In #ChineseMedicine, the representative Yin organ for the Fall season is Lung with its paired system and Yang counterpart, the Large Intestine.

Organ Pairing:  Lung/Large Intestine
Large intestine is all about control and the process of letting go, or holding on to crap (literally & figuratively) that we have no control over.  Patients who present to me with Large Intestine channel pathology usually complain of constipation or diarrhea, or label themselves with IBS (Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome).  Those with Lung channel issues frequently have pulmonary symptoms such as allergies, asthma, sore throats or colds (hence the increase in sale of flu vaccines around this time of the year).  Energetically, they often suffer from unexpressed sadness & grief that – having been bottled up over time – can lead to the physical symptomatology seen in the respiratory system. The sense organ for Fall is the nose (“Lungs open into the nose”) and the representative body part is the skin (“Lungs manifest on the skin”).  During autumn we also tend to see a rash (no pun intended) of skin issues such as rashes, eczema, and psoriasis.  Probiotics help boost immunity, so we can try adding this to our diet to help prevent infections by maintaining the integrity of the gut.  A good healthy regime that is in sync with the nature of the seasons can do wonders to stave off seasonal disorders, and especially so in the Fall.  Since Fall is about letting go (leaves know this when they carpet Earth’s floor for us in a blanket of golds, reds and browns), now is the perfect time to get rid of clutter around the house (ideal time for a yard sale!), deadhead old flower blooms, weed out the gardens (our grounds here in Florida are soft from all the Summer rain so weeds come up easily now), and clean out our colons from too much barbeque and margaritas
:-)  Detox anyone?  The representative element of Fall is Metal, color is white, direction is West, climate is Dryness, and the representative time is 3am-7am
(3-5am = Lung time; 5-7am = Large Intestine time).  Metal constitution people tend to be organized and upright, precise and direct (think “sword”), while folks who wake up between 3-5am (not because of an alarm clock) probably have some loss, sadness or grief that needs to be processed.

Representative Flavor/Taste/Food:  Spicy/Pungent
In keeping with the inward (and downward) nature of Fall, we now trade in our watermelon and strawberries for apples, figs, fat Concord grapes and root vegetables.  Those beautiful Autumn squashes, carrots, beets and pumpkins are not just for decoration y’know?  Roast them & sprinkle with a little olive oil and some warming spices, or warm them up in a stew with some beans.  For a seasonal treat, bake up an apple “pie-let” or fig tart (skip the crust & just chop up the fruits with a smidge of brown sugar/molasses, jazz it up with a dash of cinnamon or ginger & warm up in the oven (there are so many quick & simple recipes out there on the Web).  Or enjoy Nature’s sweetness  by tossing back a handful of luscious Concord grapes while lounging around like the Emperor/Empress that you are (while reflecting of course). I can’t have enough of black Mission or brown Turkey figs this month; thank goodness they’re available and on sale everywhere I go.  White mushrooms nourish Yin, and pears are perfect this time of year as they nourish Lung Yin and relieve Dryness, but you definitely want to limit cold temperature (& cold energy) foods like ice-cream, milk, yogurt etc. as they produce Phlegm (Lung is “the container for Phlegm” – you wouldn’t want to do that to Lung, would you?).

Representative Emotions:  Grief/Sadness; Representative Sound:  Crying
Now is the time for being introspective - turning inward & for reflection.  Ask yourself:  who or what do I need to let go of?  What losses have I refused to mourn and release so I can move on?  Many people have what’s been termed “Seasonal Affective Disorder” or SAD syndrome, and legitimately don’t like this time of year (and even further into the winter season) because the days are shorter so with less sunlight around, they tend to feel a little blue.  Acknowledge this, take 15 minutes walking around in the fresh air (if you’re able to do this early in the morning, your Lungs will LOVE the crisp coolness of the clean Autumn air), and watch how Nature honors the Fall.  Be sure to avoid too much wind though, especially on the back of your neck, so nice idea to carry a scarf with you (my daughter is a pro at wearing a scarf that she deftly tosses around her neck with the ease & expertise of a 5th Avenue Fashionista - *you go, Girl!)

As Fall begins (at time of writing, yesterday actually marked the first day of the Autumn season), we have a chance to reflect on all the wonderful, seasonal/celestial events going on this week: Pluto went direct (thank goodness!),  Fall Equinox  was 9/22/14, and today there’s a New Moon in Libra - official time was 2:13am this morning. See your local #Acupuncturist for a Fall tune-up to prepare you for the upcoming winter.  In the meantime enjoy these last few days of September; October’s gonna be a doozy with 2 eclipses lined up to help move things along.  Check back in October for more on THAT!  For now, let’s reflect…….
Audrey Steele, L.Ac
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com 

"Love the trees until their leaves fall off, then encourage them to try again next year" (Chad Sugg) *Image complements of moi - taken on my '1st Day Of Autumn' walk around the park :-)

The Elders speak… “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns.  Yet your heavenly Father feeds them – are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:26)… “Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31). 

The rains have stopped, and the silence that follows our afternoon summer thunderstorm is suddenly broken by a steady “twit, twit, twit” - a sound I quickly recognize as that of Cardinal.  At this time of the year, my cherry tree is loaded, and there is usually a daily feeding frenzy as cardinals, sparrows, blue jays, and doves fill up for breakfast.  More recently a Crow and a Mockingbird have been the loudest partakers of this feast, & I have watched for the last 3 days in a row as this unlikely pair screech loudly at each other with a cherry between them.  Hmm…. There’s enough to go around, yet I wonder at the significance of this 3-day message from the Winged Ones.    Messages come to us in all forms, and so listening to the cacophony of my two feathered friends bickering over a single cherry, I watch from the privacy of my screen door and wait….. And then I hear the song my Great-Granny would sing:  “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches over me”. 

His eye is on the sparrow
This song, if you’ve ever heard it, is a beautiful gospel hymn sung by many and is a great source of comfort for those who understand (see link below).  And so today I hear Granny softly humming to me: Yes, my child; you are not alone. Take comfort knowing that you are watched over and cared for.  I smile at the memory of her voice, and turn away from Crow and Mockingbird as they finish their debate, knowing that all God’s creatures - even the sparrows - are cared for.  I pause by the table in the foyer, and there is my sand bowl, feathers collected from my daily walk proudly displayed with donations from the Winged Ones in my neighborhood.  There’s blue jay, duck, geese, egret, ibis, wild Florida parrot, and yes, Crow and Mockingbird.  I remember my then 5 year-old nephew pausing at this same table, inspecting my feather collection.  “Whaddya think, Elijah?” I asked.  He contemplated for a minute before wisely replying: “I think you have enough to make a bird”.  I laugh to this day, and whereas a moment before, I was feeling lost and alone, my heart is again warmed by a love I know is ever present - even in the innocence of a child (he still brings me feathers, by the way :-) 

Lessons from the Winged Ones
Each bird brings a message. For me, these messages have personal significance, just based on my daily observations and the passage of time (you can read about my experience with Anhinga here: http://tinyurl.com/md9ze3r). Crow tells me to take a closer look at what lies below the surface. Blue Jays are fierce when it comes to their territory and will fight back at birds larger than they are when their home or loved ones are threatened (I learned the hard way mowing the lawn one day!).  Ducks advise me to not let things bother me & just let it “roll off my back”.  Owls remind me to trust the wisdom of my inner knowing.  My lovebirds demonstrate unconditional and lasting love.  I love listening to the sound of the morning doves – they remind me of the first sound I heard when I woke the morning after my move to Florida a decade ago.  I know I will miss the sound of the seagulls; wherever I am and I hear them, I immediately taste the salt of the ocean, smell my piña colada flavored Coppertone, and feel the warmth of the Ft. DeSoto sun.  That familiar “twit, twit, twit” of  Cardinal encourages me to be my unique, colorful self, and the squawk of our wild parrots declare “speak your truth!”  And then there’s sparrow:  the sunflower trees in my garden shelter several families of these delicate little birds, and they reward me with a frolic in several birdbaths placed around the property. 

A Gift from Above
Next time you’re out and about, see which bird calls to you during the course of your day, and if you should look down and “find” a feather, consider it a message from the Winged Ones.  Pay attention to not only the type of bird who gifted it to you, but also whether the feather is that of a wing feather (strong and stiff to support the bird in flight), secondaries (that allow the bird to soar), or coverts & down feathers (on the underside & lower body) that provide insulation. If you are interested in the hidden meaning and symbolism of the Animal Kingdom, start your search with 2 great reference authors on the wisdom of birds (and other animals): Steven Farmer and Ted Andrews.  For now, enjoy Lillie Knauls and friends with my favorite rendition of Granny’s song:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kaxliheB7w. 
Audrey Steele, L.Ac
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com

His Eye Is On The Sparrow (Civilla D. Martin & Charles H. Gabriel)
Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely
And long for Heaven & home?
When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches over me.
I sing because I’m happy!
I sing because I’m free!
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches over me.

“There may be a great fire within our hearts, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the  passer-by sees only a wisp of smoke” (Vincent Van Gogh)

Continuation of the Seasons Series - Summer from a Chinese Medicine perspective:
Five Element (Wu Xing) theory helps us understand the world around us through a series of phases (seasons) and their associated correspondences and interrelationships. This month, we focus on how to work within the Summer season for best balance and harmony of Body, Mind and Spirit.   The nature of Summer is Yang, high energy and expansion, which means this is the time when excitement abounds: kids are out for the summer; you can hear their excited squeals as they tear about, blissfully ignorant of the heat of the afternoon sun.  We feel light and airy and free – rising as heat from a flame, or wilted and scorched when done to excess.

* Representative Organ System for the Summer Season:  
- Heart (aka The “Monarch”, “Emperor” or “Ruler”).  Organ time = 11am – 1pm
- Heart opens to the tongue and controls speech:  Have you ever wondered why your Acupuncturist looks at your tongue?  The tongue tells a lot about particular organs and their pathology, Heart included as well.  Because the Heart controls speech, we also pay attention to the content and the pattern of your speech.  On one hand, people may have pressured, rapid speech or appear to speak incessantly, whereas others may be somewhat aphasic or stutter when the Heart is in disharmony. The Heart “hates” (doesn’t care for) Heat so the Pericardium (Heart Protector) does serve to some degree to protect the Heart from this pathogen.   There is also a relationship between the Heart and Small Intestine (another Yang “organ”), and it is said that the 2 work together to ensure clarity of the Mind in order to have proper judgment and right decisions.  San Jiao (Triple Burner) is associated with the Fire element also, but is a puzzle to the general public as it is not an anatomical “organ”, but this is the beauty of Chinese Medicine:  the interrelationship of the various systems. 
- Heart governs Blood and blood vessels.  At its worse, think the physical disease of heart attacks or circulatory disorders; at its best, our circulatory system is able to meet the body’s needs as the heart pumps out blood and life-giving nutrients to every cell.  Energetically, the Heart is poetically said to be the “residence of the Mind (Shen)”,   although several of the other organs affect our Spirit-Mind as well.  When the Heart is in harmony and functioning at its best, we have great spirit & vitality, are able to fall asleep easily and have deep, restful sleep.  A disturbed Heart causes difficulty falling asleep, interrupted sleep, and vivid dreams that bother you long after waking up.

* Representative Color of Summer is red; Heart manifests in the complexion & controls sweat. 
We see this clinically when our patients present to us with red complexion (although other organs can cause Heat as well), or a red tongue tip.  Some may even have a scorched smell to them, while a lot of Heart patients will complain about the heat.  A common complaint I often hear has to do with spontaneous, random sweating, or having to change pajamas from waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat. One of the reasons for this may be because Heat injures Heart-Yin and causes sweating which weakens the Yang aspect of the Heart, or just really poor Heart Qi (other organs can act up too & cause problems with sweating so talk to your Acupuncturist about this).
.
* Representative Sound:  laughter; Representative Taste:  bitter; Representative Emotion:  joy. 
Laughter is the best medicine they say, and I have laughed till I cried; but people with a Heart disharmony usually have inappropriate laughter (like the nervous kind), or disruptive loud outbursts and “joy” that almost seems manic.  On the other hand, when we hold on to feelings of frustration, resentment, jealousy, or guilt for too long, we can also injure our Heart.  These patients often complain of palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia or a really bad night’s sleep, and waking up with a bitter taste in their mouth.  Some may swing to the other extreme and actually feel depressed – joyless.

* Representative Element/Climate of Summer:  Heat. 
Excess Heat in our bodies will dry up our Yin fluids, and may show up as acne, headaches, constipation, fever, irritability, heartburn; some may even literally have a heat stroke. 

Recommendations for the Summer season:  
- A normal state of joy is necessary for life, so go ahead: en-Joy life! It’s okay to live a life of pleasure, but remember anything in excess can be of detriment so appropriate moderation versus wanton abandonment is advised :-D.  With more hours of sunshine available during summer, it’s easy to lose track of time and go-go-go all day, but get up early, take an afternoon nap if you can (I love visiting countries that have siestas), and hang out a little later at night.
- Foods that are considered hot in nature (e.g. red meat, chicken, greasy fried foods, heavy or spicy hot sauces, even alcohol!), should be minimized as much as possible during the summer months (Rutrow! There goes the family barbeque! =D).  Eat foods that are cooling, light and easy to digest like watermelon, cucumbers, berries, bok choy, summer squash, cilantro and mint.  A small amount of bitter foods like dandelion or chicory leaves, and even a little spice (pepper, ginger, horseradish) can also be beneficial in the summertime.
- It’s easy to visualize the concept of  “water puts out fire”  - in Five Element theory, this is the “Ke” or “Control” cycle and so no wonder we are drawn to the beaches or swimming pool (just avoid hanging out too long in the sun as this creates another form of Heat problem (sunburn).  We just recently had a water fight with the garden hose, and I am famous for dancing in a summer’s rain - probably to the amusement of my neighbors :D.  It is highly recommended to drink lots of water to prevent dehydration and replenish any fluids lost through excess sweat; just be sure to avoid sweetened beverages in excess.  I don’t particularly care for electrolyte enhanced water no matter how good they say they are for you (blech!).  I much prefer water infused with slices of fruits, cucumbers, lemon or mint – these are the latest rage, and they make a refreshing and healthy drink alternative in these dog days of Summer. Be careful though as we get into the later days of Summer as too much cold, sweet or damp foods can create more problems.
- See your Acupuncturist for a Summer tune-up.  With Chinese herbs, dietary therapy and acupuncture we can help you clear Heat, nourish Yin or calm Shen (settle the mind).  Not only will you have more energy and feel more vibrant, but you will sleep better, awaken feeling more refreshed and joyous to greet the day, and your Heart will thank you for it.   Here’s to your health! May your Fire continue to burn bright within!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac
Acupuncture Physician
www.Acupuncture4YourHeath.com

Simon & Garfunkel knew what they were talking about when they sang those words.  Our world is a busy, noisy, erratic place, and often it’s only when we are pushed to the limit that we vow to find a moment’s peace.  Sadly, not everyone knows that this is even an option.  We go/go/go and then we go some more, all the while listening to the voices inside our head that subliminally demand of us to do more/be more/live less.  Live less?  Yes – when we spend all that time listening to the ceaseless chatter of the monkey mind, we miss the silence of this moment.  For some of us, when we’re not listening to the voices in our heads, we resort instead to speaking without filter.  As a kid, when we got too rowdy or pestered my mum with a kajillion questions, she would say “Please let my ears eat grass!”  My Granny would calmly look at us and quietly murmur: “It is better to be silent & thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt”  (aaaah, the wisdom of our elders!).  I remember too when I was in Acupuncture school, if any of us students whined too much about one test or another, a particular teacher would caution us: “If you don’t stop on your own, then I will personally sedate UB 10”.  In other words, “Be silent please?” Apparently, silence is golden; apparently silence is thing to be desired.  In silence is where our Truth lies.  What does the sound of silence look like to you?

All different kinds of patients present to me looking for Chinese Medicine to provide a quick fix answer to their latest health challenge.  I explain to them there is no quick fix (surprise!) and more often than not they walk away with homework to do.  One such exercise I assign them is to take 5 minutes of every day until their next visit to be in silence.  This doesn’t mean they have to be sitting still; it could be in the form of a walking meditation, a mindless task, just before dozing off, any 5 random minutes will do.  And in those 5 minutes of silence, they ask no questions, they look for no answers; they’re tasked with “just Be”.  Most find this very difficult.  Many can’t even make the time.  Several feel guilty when they do.  By day 4, they report they start to anticipate taking the 5 minutes.  At the end of the 1st week - on their own accord - they add another 2 minutes.  By day 10 they smile going into their 5 minutes, and beam coming out.  They thank me profusely on their next visit, and then they get another silent task – I call this “Grasshopper Training”. 

Grasshopper Training came about when I was growing up in New York City.  We learned to not stare at people on the train; instead, with our eyes closed we listened for the energy, emotions and unspoken words behind the conversations around us.  With our eyes closed we noticed the smells, felt the rhythm of the train tracks, and imagined how that hoagie, pizza slice or knish the guy 2 seats over was having for lunch actually tasted.  In Grasshopper Training, my patients now are instructed to take those 5 minutes & be active in the silence.  In this silence, they cannot listen to their minds’ chatter; instead they now must discern the sounds around them:  that chirp or tweet – is it of a cardinal, blue jay, crow, mocking bird or dove? Is it a blue jay mocking a mockingbird or a mockingbird mocking the blue jay? Is that helicopter zipping by overhead our local Coast Guard, news station or Trauma Center?  Just before the afternoon thunderstorms pop up, can they hear the change in the pattern of the wind, the silence of the birds, or that sudden stillness just before the rains begin? They leave flabbergasted at the impossibility of the task, but then I get an email or phone call excitedly telling me about their latest accomplishment or discovery.  I share this now with you hoping that you too will take the time to make this your practice, and that you too can find the benefits of being still.  One of my favorite passages from the Bible offers this counsel:  “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).  I am a very busy, Type-A personality who used to stop when it was time to sleep.  Now I like being still.  Being still is the grownup’s time-out, except this is a treat, not a punishment.  My perspective shifts, I’m like a new person, and I always feel better after 5 minutes of silence.  My 5 minutes now can involve cloud watching, listening to fishes swim in the koi pond at our local Sunken Gardens, watching a slug leave its shimmery trail, or a lizard breathing in the heat of the sun. 

When you come to me for an acupuncture treatment, somewhere between when I first put the needles in and when you catch yourself snoring, you too will have those 5 minutes of silence.   This is where you let down your guard, you release all expectations, and your mind gives up control of writing your body’s agenda.  It is in this silence that the Healing begins.  What is your experience with silence?  If you currently have no similar self-care routine, I invite you now to give yourself a 5 minute gift of silence.  Try my Grasshopper Training exercise above for a week and then let me know how it goes (comment below or shoot me an email). I now give you permission to hum along in your mind’s eye the tune of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence” as noted below. Om Shantï!
Audrey Steele, Acupuncture Physician
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com

"The Sound Of Silence"
(Simon & Garfunkel)
Hello darkness, my old friend,
I've come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence.

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone,
'Neath the halo of a street lamp,
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence.

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence.

"Fools," said I, "You do not know –
Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you.
Take my arms that I might reach you."
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made.
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming.
And the sign said, The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sound of silence.

This month’s blog is dedicated to those who Mother (verb), to my biggest inspiration – my daughter Jessica (pictured above), and comes from the wisdom of the Winged Ones, specifically Butterfly.  Those of you who know me, know I love, respect and follow the symbolism of numbers, and so again it is no coincidence I’m posting today: 5/5 (5 = change!).  And boy am I ever ready!  Taking a mental health break today, I decided to ‘peruse the perimeter of my property’.  I had had enough of being locked up for hours on end behind the technological demands of a computerized world, ringing phones, 12 hour shifts, and gloomy wet rainy days that never seemed to end.  My physical, mental, emotional & spiritual ‘Selves’ longed to be free of the demands placed on me…. I wanted to be carefree, unfettered by responsibilities, to awaken just 1 morning without an agenda or an obligation – to just…. “Be”. 
 
Dance of the Butterfly
And so, sitting on the grass, basking in the warmth of today’s long-awaited Sun, I connect with Mother Earth, Father Sky & Spirit all around me.  I have no agenda.  There is no deadline.  I am still….. And Butterfly approaches, cautiously at first; then it playfully decides to tease & flirt with me, delightfully dancing in between the leaves and flowers of my garden, then soaring gracefully to the blue skies above.  I can’t help but feel happy.  My face breaks out in smiles, I feel like skipping, and my heart is full.  I want to grow delicate wings and dance among the petals like Butterfly. Silently I wait, knowing the lesson was still to come.  And then it hits me:  the natural order of the circle of life is for the Caterpillar to experience 1st a state of being an egg, then it is restrained by the ‘chrysalis-tic” trappings of the pupa stage, until finally it emerges transformed into that which it was destined to Be: Butterfly. I don’t know if at any point, She just decided “That’s it! I’m tired of being Caterpillar.  I’m tired of crawling around on leaves.  I’m ready to grow wings &  dance amongst the flowers!”.   It  IS  the nature and timing of Divine Creator that – much as our Ego Self allows us free will – our destiny is as it is supposed to be.  Caterpillar can at no point skip the period of dormancy in preparation for the next phase; it  must endure the process and natural order and timeliness of growth and transformation.  Neither can it at any point decide to not BE Caterpillar, and strive instead to become an Eagle. 

And thus whispers (screams) my lesson today, Friends:  I will respect the role of Divine Creator in the Universe’s plan for me, while accepting full responsibility for my part (action or anticipation) in the necessary and orderly steps of its unfolding, and I will cherish the transiency of the Truth of this moment, and just “Be”.  Happy #Mothers'Day, Om Shantí, & Namasté!
“The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.” (Rabindranath Tagore)
Audrey Steele, L.Ac.
Acupuncture Physician
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com

As far back as we can recall, Man has always  sought advice and direction from one source or another:  The ancients looked to the moon & stars; Cultures observed  the elements of Nature as well as our friends from the Animal Kingdom; Kings and rulers consulted their astronomers; Feng Shui experts offered guidance  in proper placement even before building homes, offices and temples; The Three Wise Men followed the Star in the East purportedly at Christmastime; and my personal favorite quote from directional expert Martha Beck:  “Many people experience their true path not as something that happens to them, but as the simultaneous loss of self and complete connection with the universe…..so Find (I further interpret it to include) and  Follow your North Star”.  I was recently at dinner at one of our delightful outdoor-dining restaurants in town, and was waxing poetic about my journey thus far, the direction in which my life had taken, and wondering where the path would eventually lead.  I turned around just randomly looking out at the water, when I “noticed” the directional sign jokingly displayed on the handrail. I say “noticed” because I’d eaten there before and had seen the sign previously, but for some reason on this particular day it seemed as if the Universe was again whispering gently in my ear.  I thought for sure how I felt like I was being pulled in numerous directions at various times in my life, and yet the signs were always there to guide me - if only I stayed still long enough to pay attention and truly listen to Spirit…. Truly follow my North Star.

Full Moon, Eclipses, & Grand Cardinal Cross… Yipes!!!!
Soooooo……. if you’ve not heard about how important this month of April is to those of us who trend specific dates, planetary activities, numbers and astrology, then  may I remind you that it is no coincidence that I am posting this blog today (4-14-14), or that I feel I must remind you of the #FullMoon (Libra) AND total  #LunarEclipse tonight into tomorrow morning  (beginning around 2am and taking on a reddish glow, thus giving it the nickname “Blood Moon”). Full moons are about endings, releasing and letting go, but note that this may just mean ending the way you currently think or do things and so this is healthy and timely.  Libra is about partnerships, so seek to create balance & harmony in all your relationships. I can hardly contain myself at the time of this writing thinking about all the other exciting events bringing about change this month: 
- Pluto (transformation, letting go, endings & beginnings) turns retrograde today in Capricorn (work, career, power & ambition);
- Mercury (communication) squares Jupiter (benefactor) & Pluto but conjuncts Uranus (change, change, upheaval & change!);
- The #GrandCardinalCross (April 23rd) which already has my phone ringing off the hook with questions about “What does this mean for me?”.  With 4 planets sitting exactly equidistant from each other, they form a giant square (looks very pretty when seen from a “chart” perspective) and so now everyone’s worried about Mercury (communication) squaring Mars (action – perhaps “inaction” is more like it since Mars is still in retrograde phase until 5/19) squaring Pluto (in retrograde phase), squaring Jupiter (in Cancer) and squaring Uranus!  Huh??!!  Yup! If any of this has your head in a tizzy, you are in good company.  Don’t give up.  This too shall pass.
- Holy Week (commemorating the Passion of Christ) began Palm Sunday (4/13) and ends Holy Saturday (on 4/19) as Christians remember the crucifixion & resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday (4/20);
- Jewish celebration of Passover/Pesach (begins today at sundown and ends sundown 4/22);
- Earth Day some celebrated in March, others on 4/22 (advocating environmental protection); and last but not least:
- Solar Eclipse in Taurus 4/29.  Eclipses (both lunar and solar) have a 3 month effect so don’t necessarily expect any major changes this exact moment.  Just know that things will not be the same before the year is out - especially since we have a total of 4 this year – I would suggest consulting a trusted astrologer to look at your natal chart to see how all of the above has the potential to affect you.

So What Does This Mean For Us?
Change is inevitable - whether you like it or not, whether you’re prepared or not - so I write this today, not to scare you but to remind you:
a) Be flexible & open to the possibilities tomorrow brings. The upcoming planetary changes are going to push us to transform in ways that may not be familiar to us; resistance brings unnecessary pain so be a little more yielding and patient with yourself and the world around you. 
b) Be aware; Knowing what’s going on within and around us prepares us so we are not caught off guard with the changing tides, but can ride the waves and adjust the sails until the “storms” pass.
c) Be at peace; Those of us who work the healthcare field swear by the Full Moon that it’s gonna be crazier than norm so remember: don’t get caught up in emotional outbursts and power plays.  Stay centered & grounded, and let your outbreath be from a place of love and serenity.
d) Be grateful – Caterpillars turn into butterflies; seeds become that which they’re destined to become; night eventually turns into day, and the moon waxes and wanes.  I particularly love Full Moons as they are pregnant with promise, so set intention to release with gratitude that which no longer serves you, in anticipation and preparation for the new.
e) Be bold! Many moons ago, I read a quote from the I-Ching that asked: “When Spring comes, does the grass plan to grow?”  In last month’s blog post (“Spring Has Sprung”- http://tinyurl.com/me8j8h4), I alluded to the fact that Spring is a time of growth, change and rebirth, and that like the bamboo, flexibility and resiliency are key to survival.  #Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can help you deal with the stresses of these changing times.  My challenge for you this Full Moon is this:  Grow where you are planted, but “Find (and Follow) Your North Star”, and while journeying, let Oriental Medicine be 1 of the tools you use to get you through this phase of change and transformation, growth and expansion.  Namasté!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac
Acupuncture Physician
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com

Today - March 20th- - marks the beginning of the March/Vernal/Spring Equinox in our little part of the world, and heralds the beginning of Spring, a time when the Earth renews itself, both physically and spiritually.  Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Southern Hemisphere welcomes the Autumn Equinox and the beginning of Fall.  In many parts of the world, cultures still continue to honor long-time traditions associated with springtime, and many of our current rituals are reflections of these ancient festivals honoring fertility and the return of Light & life after the stillness of winter. The ancient Egyptians celebrated Isis as a symbolism of rebirth, for example, and the Germanic festival of Ostara was created to honor the goddess Eostre .  Our Passover/Easter in Judaic/Christian faith, the New Year in Iran, and ‘Earth Day’ (today) are all examples of Springtime practices based on historical, cultural and spiritual beliefs.

Springtime from a Chinese Perspective
In Chinese philosophy, “Wu Xing” (or Five Element) theory can help us to understand life and the world around us through these 5 series of phases (seasons) and their associated correspondences and inter-relationships.  In previous posts on this blog site, I’ve alluded to this before, and what follows below is a quick summary of how to work with the Spring season for best balance and harmony in Body, Mind & Spirit:   
* Representative Color of Springtime:  
Green is associated with Spring in 5 Element theory.  
Rec:
Take a break from all that computer work &  rest your eyes by gazing at the surrounding greenery of Mother Nature.
* Element/Climate:  Wood/Wind
Rec:
◦ Be out in Nature more; take a walk in the woods, hug a tree & reconnect with the Earth.
◦ Avoid being exposed to too much wind on extremely windy days; if you have to, keep the back of your head & neck covered.  There are acupuncture points along the DU and Bladder meridians in that vicinity that are susceptible to Wind invasion.
* Direction:  East
Rec:
◦ Honor each new day by taking a moment to face the East when you arise, or on your way out the door.
◦ See each sunrise as a new beginning; feel the warmth of the Sun on your face & be grateful for its energy to propel all things to grow.
* Challenge:  Growth vs Feeling Stuck:
◦ Are you charging blindly ahead without careful thought (the Fool in the tarot deck), or have you carefully planned your strategies to move forward in life with grace, ease & control (Chariot in tarot deck)?
◦ Physical ailments:  Allergies, coughing, sneezing, etc.  Take good care of your lungs!  Ginger is a great anti-inflammatory agent, pears will help moisten any dry cough, foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids and quercetin have antihistamine properties and can all help to support your immune system to fight seasonal allergies.
◦ Liver overacting on Spleen → stomach pains, acid regurg, diarrhea (no control) or constipation (holding on, stuck on what no longer serves you).  Try a detox shake (the internet is loaded with suggestions) and minimize/eliminate any chemical (i.e. alcohol, cigarettes) that taxes your liver.  A fast  - even for 1 day - in keeping with the spiritual history of this season is highly recommended.
* Organ: 
Liver:  
◦ Opens to the eyes – do you have clarity of vision for the season ahead?  Are you predisposed to dizziness, red eyes, dryness or frequent tearing, mood swings, headaches?
◦ Governs blood, manifests in nails, sinews & tendons (just how flexible are you?)
◦ Is the “General in charge of Strategic Planning”  – do you have the ability to make decisions, set direction for the season ahead?
Gallbladder:
Judgment, courage & determination to follow through on decisions made – do you sit on the fence, namby-pamby, wishy-washy, vacillate on moving forward; or are you brave enough to forge ahead?
* Time:  Liver = 11pm - 1am; Gallbladder = 1am - 3am
Rec: 
Make note of what happens during these times that may be disturbing or stressful (e.g. disrupted sleep, vivid dreams, or any physical symptoms).
* Sound: Shouting
Rec:
It is important to speak your truth but instead of shouting in anger and rage, find more appropriate ways to communicate and express yourself.
◦ Lift your voice & sing!
◦ Let the windows down & jam while you’re driving!
◦ Om in the shower! 
* Release the emotions of your Liver through the sound of your voice.
* Flavor/Taste/Food:  Sour
◦ Sour flavored foods support the Liver,  but a sour taste in the mouth is not healthy.  Talk to your Acupuncturist about this.
◦ Eat lots of green leafy vegetables (young dandelion leaves are a great Liver detoxifier), sprouts (mung & adzuki bean, sunflower seeds), asparagus, broccoli, kale, milk thistle, watercress, Shitake or Reishi mushrooms,  and fresh fruits & citrus like lemons & limes.
* Emotions: 
◦ Anger
◦ Self-assertion
◦ Patience (or lack thereof)
◦ Frustration
◦ Hopelessness
◦ Irritability
* An unbalanced Liver leads to depression, anxiety, outbursts.

The 5 elements all inter-relate & depend on each other.         
Please note however, that the principle of 5 Element Theory is more complex than the above suggestions alone, as each phase is inter-dependent on the one preceding, following and interacting in cycles known as mutual generating/nourishing (aka “interpromoting”), and controlling/restraining (aka “interacting”).  There are many other aspects to this cycle as well, which make it even more intricate in designing & individualizing an acupuncture treatment plan for our patients.  Your local acupuncturist will design a treatment plan individualized for you in relation to the Spring season, whether it’s to detox the Liver, strengthen your decision making skills, help bring clarity of vision (literally & figuratively), nourish Liver Blood/Yin, or release stagnant Liver Qi so that you may grow 'confidently in the direction of your dreams’.  Here’s hoping that the seeds of health that you have planted will spring forth this Equinox in a healthier, balanced You!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac.
#Acupuncture Physician
"Earth, teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life…. teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring" (William Alexander).

Wellness:  Resolution or Revolution? Gong Hey Fat Choy! (Happy New Year!)  新年好
by Audrey Steele, L.Ac., DOM
Acupuncture Physician

When you see the word ‘wellness’, what images come to mind?  Actually, the more important question should be:  What is YOUR personal definition of ‘wellness’?  I recently celebrated my B-Earthday, and a very special gift given to me was the gift of personal time and self-care, with no demands placed on me by the ‘outside world’.  For over a week, I was without Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linked-In, email, or cell-phone. Actually the cell phone was on stand-by (for other people’s emergencies – I say “other people’s emergencies” because I realized a long time ago that as long as I was at the beck and call of those around me, I would never really commit time to care for myself because I was always called in to put out fires or listen to their latest personal crisis).  This may sound cold to some of you, but for those of us who call ourselves caregivers, it is the unfortunate truth.  The term  “caregiver burnout” may even sound personal and familiar to you.  And so for many years I would take the week of my birthday off, grab my passport and backpack, & disappear to some foreign country (to the worry of my dear mother).  It was the only way I could get some ‘me’ time:  to unplug, recharge, pray, meditate, be in silence, breathe, and to see the world through the eyes of a newborn.  This annual ritual became a birthday gift to myself – the gift of health, and it never failed that on my return, I would be in a better position to be of service.  This, dear friends, is my other truth: I have absolutely NO problems  taking  time off to care for myself, without feeling an ounce of guilt.   Even Jesus took time away from His disciples and the multitudes to reflect and  reconnect with Spirit…..  Wonder if Mercury was ever retrograde during any of those times J?

Resolution vs. Revolution?
So for me – having a birthday in January  means it’s the perfect time at the beginning of a new year to take stock of my life and reevaluate all those things we typically resolve to do on the 1st of  January.  I bring to mind all the people that have graced my life, the lessons I’ve learnt over the past year, the challenges and successes, my hopes and dreams.  Like you, I make resolutions to be a better me.  And like many of you, some of my resolutions become revolutions and I end up doing a whole 360º, having to repeat them again, this time with the next new  moon.  Within this past week alone we have experienced several significant events that stimulated either a resolution or a revolution:
◦ Venus (relationships; old lovers reappear; what/whom do we value?) thankfully came out of its retrograde phase (12/21-1/31);
◦ New moon (also known as a Black Moon; 2nd in 1 month! – sudden change, new beginnings);
◦ the astrological shift from hardworking Capricorn to humanitarian freedom-loving Aquarius; 
◦ Mercury retrograde 2/6/14 (until 2/28 caution is advised since Mercury messes with anything related to communication so best to reassess before making any major commitments or purchases); and
◦ the  start of the #ChineseNewYear – signaling springtime and the year of the Green Wood Horse in the Chinese calendar.    

Application to Chinese Medicine:
Springtime in the Chinese culture is represented by the color green, and is symbolic for growth. Just like in springtime, the leaves/wood burst forth in bloom, everything is green, and life begins to stir after the sedentary reclusive period of winter.   In Chinese Medicine principles, springtime is associated with the Liver and emotions such as anger, resentment, irritation, frustration and indecisiveness.  When your Liver is healthy and in balance, your thinking is clear, you make decisions easily and confidently, and there is a healthy outlet for the emotions.  To help your Liver flow smoothly, eat as much organic produce as possible, switch from the heavier soups and stews to more lighter fare such as leafy green veggies; detox if you can, exercise, and drink lots of water to keep that Qi flowing.  A good  thing to do is to schedule yourself a session with your #Acupuncturist to get the Chinese New Year off to a healthy start. With this Green Wood Horse year, we can expect 2014 to be a year of action, adventure and forward movement.  The 2 horses pictured in this blog are of 2 of my favorite totems I have at home, for the simple reason that they are in motion and exude strength and wellness at its best. Like the horse, I don’t like to be constrained, I relish my freedom, and I find it hard to sit on the sidelines and wait for life to happen.  This Horse year is perfect for me and the plans I have for my life.  The caution for me (and you too, my friend) is to not be too reckless, impatient or high-spirited, and especially with the upcoming Mercury Retrograde period, take the time to reassess before making any sudden decisions.  Yes, I am rearing to go with my dreams and resolutions for this Chinese New Year, and I wholeheartedly commit to this Wellness Revolution!  
Mǎ nián dàjí! Best wishes for the Year of the Green Wood Horse!   马年大吉  
Audrey Steele, L.Ac. DOM
Acupuncture Physician

January 1st, 2014.  Goddess’s log……
The day dawns bleak, dismal & dreary by all appearances.  Here in my little part of the world, a light rain has graced us on this New Year’s morn - not what I had anticipated.  I had big plans to celebrate the #NewMoon – honored in native traditions as a time of new beginnings.  How apropós that it should land on the 1st day of a new year, when we make resolutions to create change for the betterment of our lives.  My typical ritual on any Moon is to go to the water’s edge and honor the importance of that moment in time.  Through prayer, meditation, reflection and ritual, I review the past, appreciate the present, and anticipate the future.  I am comforted on my journey, as I reconnect with my ancestors & Spirit, knowing that They support me in all my endeavors.  Today, therefore, is no exception.  I am again drawn to the water’s edge and the drizzle has now become my blessing, my medicine… cleansing me of the old, preparing me for the new.  I am grateful. 

And so with this New Year, on this New Moon, the advice I offer is that which you have heard before and know in your soul:
1) Your thoughts - becoming your intention – manifest in your reality.  In my Buddhist meditation classes, I am reminded that “thoughts come, thoughts go”.  When seemingly random or annoyingly repetitive thoughts pop in your head, be aware of the energy they contain.  Like a garden, with conscious intention eliminate the ‘weeds’ that stunt your growth, and nourish those elements that feed your soul.
2) Change is good.  The #resolutions we make on this day are a promise that we make to improve or make a difference in our day-to-day world.  Have a specific goal as to what your final outcome will look like; be realistic in the steps you need to take to get there; and be kind to yourself when you encounter those pieces that are beyond your control.  Here at the water’s edge, I watch in silence at  the reeds’ graceful dance as they move and yield to the gentle power of Brother Wind.  Let flexibility be your motto while you change and grow.
3) Choose good health as the foundation on which to build your dreams. Your body is your Temple. Your career, relationship, finances, your sanity even… are worth nothing without a healthy Body, Mind and Spirit. Go forth into this new year with the firm conviction that this will be your best year yet, and you will have the best health ever.  In Chinese Medicine, the Yin-Yang symbol as applied to the Body represents good health and a life that’s in balance and harmony.  #Acupuncture can help you maintain and restore your health.

Now on this rainy New Year’s Day, I leave you to contemplate an excerpt from “The Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon of St. Francis of Assisi”:

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, All praise is Yours, all glory, all honor and all blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.
Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,
Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all weather's moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious and pure.
Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister,
Mother Earth
who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Praise be You, my Lord, through those who grant pardon for love of You and bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace, By You Most High, they will be crowned….

… Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,
And serve Him with great humility.”

Blessings to you all!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac, Acupuncture Physician
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com

Take a moment before you read further to go back to the picture at the top of this month’s blog.  Pause for a second & take a closer look - what do you truly see?  Those poles sticking out of the water:  splotches of rust, peeled paint… reflection of months/years of not being cared for or maintained? How about that murky water:  even through the stagnant sludge, can you can see the breakthrough patterns of light reflected beneath the surface?  And what about how much of the pole you can’t see…. the portion submerged below, that part whose true surface is unseen - hidden from the naked eye?  Now go back again, and from a place deep within the peace and quiet of your heart, REALLY look at that picture again.  What feelings or thoughts are evoked as you look at the image?  Looking at this “story” of rusty poles & ragged pilings, light reflecting off of water, the interplay of light versus shadow, how are you moved?  Is there sadness or gloom because of the “darkness” of the water and the dock?  Or does this feel like a welcome reprieve from the heat of the afternoon’s sun, where you are soothed & calmed by the cool, quiet stillness of the healing energies of  Water?  Is there an analogy between this dock and how you see your physical Self? 

At this time of the year, we all make resolutions to change our lives for the better in the upcoming New Year.  It may be that our physical bodies feel battered & scarred by the stressors of daily living complicated by poor choices, and so we resolve to lose weight, eat right, exercise more, sleep later.  Or it could be that our Emotional/Mental bodies have been worn down by stress, despair, loneliness and loss, so we affirm our intentions to meditate, cuddle, release and ‘let go’.  During the holidays, we have a tendency to forget the true spirit of the season, getting caught up in the glitz, glamour and bling of lights, gifts, and excess.  We outdo our neighbors in our decorations, and we buy love with gifts that put us under unnecessary financial stress the minute the magic wears off and the bills come in. Some of us withdraw from the festivities and hide away, cocooned within our feelings and emotions.   It is no wonder so many people are left with a sense of dread each time the holidays roll around.  So was this a blog to bring you down?  No!  You know as well as I do the truth of what was just said. There were many times where I, myself, was limited by the emotional, mental and physical aches, pains and scars of my very own body.  I have felt like that dock in the picture – a little “beat-up/run-down”, uncared for.  And so, because “Namasté” means “Thee in me I see”, I usually get a patient (or two, or three… :-)  who comes to me seeking the “MagicOfChineseMedicine” to fix physical, emotional, mental and Spiritual complaints. 

Now,  back to the picture above:  at the top of 1 of those poles, what you can’t see is a sign that  says “Resume normal safe operation”.  So one of my patients comes to me with musculoskeletal symptoms and says he is limited by his budget and time, but wants me to fix him so he can go back to normal again, i.e. “Resume normal operation”.  Like the pole sticking out of the water and the rusty pilings of the dock in the picture, he’s got visible signs of wear & tear: a guarded limp, bags under the eyes, brittle hair, and numerous varicosities to name a few of his visible battle scars. And – like the pole in the picture – beneath the surface lie all the factors that make this request a real challenge for me, his #Acupuncture Physician:  age, years of dietary indiscretions, minimal & interrupted sleep, repeated overuse & strain on the musculoskeletal system, and several internal medicine diseases (obesity, diabetes, tobacco use, and high blood pressure) . All of these darn inflammatory factors compound the problem, contribute to further dis-ease and challenge the wellness plan I want to create for him.  So can I fix him in 1 magic treatment? Uhmmmm….. .... Nah, I think not! So in our first visit, we spend some time talking about his multiple TCM diagnoses, treatment plan, projected number of sessions, and expected outcomes.  We work together to set goals for him that are measurable and attainable, and spaced out over a realistic time period (sorry Buddy, there’s no magic bullet here today!).   As his Acupuncturist, can I help him “resume normal operation”?  

Well,  for starters I am limited by several factors in his constitution and lifestyle that I cannot change, but here’s where his, your <and my> commitment to wellness begins: 
a) Be committed to the wellness plan – this means you have to make wellness your priority: show up for appointments, take your medicine, do those physical things you resolved to do for the New Year, like exercising, making healthier food choices, detoxing, going to bed on time…. etc.
b) Be patient  - it took time for you to develop these health challenges so I have no special abilities to turn your life around in 1 or 2 treatments.   Situational or acute crisis challenges (e.g. stress, ankle sprain) can be significantly minimized or eliminated in fewer treatments than constitutional, chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes, substance withdrawal).
c) Be willing & open to change  – I’m going to ask you to do some things that some may consider far out or spacey.  Energy is like the wind  – invisible to the naked eye but boy, can you feel its power when it unleashes its force!  I may suggest rolfing or EMDR; I  may ask you to do some tapping exercises (EFT), chakra balancing meditation, journaling, or grounding techniques, for example.  Amongst other things, you are a product also of your thoughts, beliefs and feelings, so we will work on physical, emotional, mental and Spiritual levels.
d) Be brave – the space I have created for you while in my care is a safe place.  It is where you can let your guard down and trust me as I care for you during our time together.  And although I am no psychotherapist, it is where you can bare your soul. Deep within the recesses of our minds (as in the picture above where the poles lay buried below the surface), are the thoughts & feelings we hide  that contribute to making us feel not complete, not lovable, not good enough, or not worthy.   They weaken our resolve so that we make unwise choices.  They are masked by the external trappings of the clothes we wear, or our outside appearance, as we project a certain image to the people who “see” us.     

There is an old spiritual song that says “Wade in the water; Wade in the water children; Wade in the water, God’s gonna trouble the water”.  I know the cultural history of this beautiful song, but for some Medicines, the Water element represents the emotional plane, so I’m challenging you now to take a step into looking at how your emotions enslave you and cause you to make the wrong decisions.  Let the energy of Water cleanse you as you prepare for the New Year: go to a body of water, listen to it; look deep into the stillness of water; inhale its Essence, wade in it, bathe in it, and set intention to release – through the power of water – all that bogs you down on the emotional plane.   As your Acupuncturist, I can help polish the barnacles off your exterior, but through the power of Chinese Medicine, I will have to go below the surface to stimulate and move Qi, tonify Spleen, drain Damp, transform Phlegm, nourish Yin, Invigorate Yang, soothe Liver, calm Shen, strengthen ligaments, bones & tendons, warm the Gate of Vitality – whatever it takes, to correct those imbalances that have accumulated over the years, so that Yes, you can have a healthier New Year.  With the holidays coming up and 2014 only weeks away, go ahead and  make those resolutions for living a fuller, healthier more balanced lifestyle. Chinese medicine can help you do all of that, and I am here to serve. 
Audrey Steele, Lac.
Acupuncture Physician
The moon does not think to be reflected, nor does the water think to reflect in the Hirosawa Pond.(Tesshu)