Anew in my hometown, I began reorganizing my life. I introduced myself to local colleagues. Two said, “Don’t come here, it is pretty full,” implying the city reached a saturation of Chiropractors. There were about eight or nine at the time. The others embraced me with open arms. I thought, “Humm, interesting,” making a mental note of the two with a scarcity complex.
I was granted a bank loan – but only with the co-signing of a male. Although very thankful to my father for co-signing, I wondered if the same would have been required if I was male. It only fed my determination. I made my own bench tables and upholstered them myself, acquired used office furniture, then hired an assistant – the small business grant affording the initial months of her employment.
I opened my small practice and attended my first Carter Program. Formidable, it addressed full-on responsibility, commitment and accountability in everything we think, say and do. The top three ‘take home lessons’ from the program included:
1.Practice reflects me, and professional growth is in accordance to personal growth.
2.If I do not like an outcome, I change something; only I can foster change, no one else.
3.Practice is about being of service to patients first. Meet them where they are; listen, educate, provide choices and guidance. Service to others always comes first. Everything you think, say and do is intended as benefit.
At times, we have all been in circumstances of absolute frustration, fear and despair. I testify I would not change one part of this process, for the lessons promoted my growth.
Responsibility On A New Level
I learned responsibility is a duty first to oneself to commit fully to what one says one will do, and having the discipline to live by one’s word. Responsibility makes us trustworthy, reliable and solid. Responsibility means when one commits to something or someone, it is seen through. If things should drastically change and a commitment is broken, then one is upfront and honest to modify the agreement.
The change I yearned for presented within each part of my day. Implementing organizational procedures, I reduced my hours, served more people, attended seminars and still had time to read and exercise. Within six months, I developed my practice to its full capacity, which has been maintained throughout my career. I met wonderful like-minded colleagues and we gathered for philosophical discussions. To gain clarity, we asked why we do what we do? We had regular mastermind meetings, challenging each other to be better, to serve in more ways. As I grew, so did my practice. I am grateful to Jim Carter and remember fondly and cherish the colleagues I met during the ‘Carter Days.’
Ask For Help And It Will Appear
I was delivered into a higher sphere of influence. My study of the works by Dr. John Demartini in the latter part of the Eighties continued to expand my mind: Breakthrough, quantum healing, spiritual healing, speed-reading. I attended DE’s in Atlanta, Sigafoose’s Gathering, “Little Crow,” also known as Ron Gentry. Gentry was an apprentice to an elder in the Choctaw tribe, and lead me through arrowhead and Native American teachings.
Each of my breakthroughs connected me more intimately with my heart and intuition, guiding me towards yet more lessons for growth. Over this time, I met my current husband Barry, who continues to offer great influence in my life.
When I was the ready student, the teachers appeared. In the early Nineties, I started attending Seminars, such as Total Solutions, Pure and Powerful, and have continued regular attendance at Parker Seminars since 1990. The seminars I attended early on in my career were most impressionable. Without question, I admit any seminar could have inspired the creative change needed within me. I eagerly ran after my dreams and the vision of my practice.
Passion For People, Profession And Principle
The combination of the colleagues I spent time with and the seminars I attended filled my heart and stirred a serious passion to serve my community, as well as the profession. While also being very serious, I certainly have fun while serving both.
My vocation exists due to my community – specifically, the patients I serve daily. I offer gratitude to patients and the community at large for their support and for providing a wonderful lifestyle and surrounding environment for living. With thanks I give back, maintaining the flow and balance of what comes in with what goes out. If I covet what comes in, the Universal Principle of motion is broken. As B.J. Palmer said, “Motion is Life and Life is Motion.” His thought applies on both a macroscopic and quantum level. Involvement with supporting groups and charities is one way to complete the cycle of giving and receiving.
The ability to practice relies heavily upon governing bodies and associations. In support of the growth of my profession, I am compelled to serve on a variety of committees as opportunity arises. I feel strongly about stepping forward to serve on behalf of a cause greater than myself.
A profession is a reflection of those within it, every voice and opinion matters. Each quantifiably adds up to determine the tone and direction of a profession. We are carrying a torch from forefathers before us, persecuted and jailed merely because they were Chiropractors. What if they gave up on their ideals, or allowed their Principles to be over ruled by the masses? Where would we be today?
Sitting on numerous boards and committees in many ways has been an eye opener, providing visibility of the various schools of thought. I have gained appreciation of others’ perspectives, even if I may not fully agree with them.
Within our profession exists a remarkable breadth and depth to naturally attract different populations of people. The organizing Principles of D.D. Palmer, B.J. Palmer, and Stephenson lay our ground. Fundamentally, we are based on a Vitalistic model. The daily practice and application of the Laws of Life and Vitalistic Universal Principles distinguish Chiropractic within the field of health care. Our celebration comes with being able to maintain our uniqueness to manifest a divine shift in flow of current health systems.
To understand how we have been delivered to where we are today, and to connect with our pioneers, I joined groups with a long list of our professions’ historical figures. I met some really old, old-timers and felt blessed to break bread with them, hearing their stories before they passed.
Now, I realize sitting on committees or serving in elected offices is not for everyone. There are many ways to serve and make an impact. Being supportive of like-minded individuals, attending meetings, asking questions, donating to schools, research groups, and other similarly resonating organizations are all models of service. When financially supporting a group, you have the right to ask questions, as you are a co-partner, on some level. Invariably, when one asks a question, others are wondering the same thing. Posing and answering questions creates clarity.
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!
~ John Anster, in a ‘very free’ translation of Faust from 1835
In practice, when I kept rooted in our philosophy and talked the ‘TIC,’ I saw miracles; if I strayed or began to coast, I did not. In accordance with the founding Principles, I asked patients why they lived the way they lived, and what they thought about how they lived their lives. I asked them to consider if there might be better ways. I asked them to connect with their feelings and become aware of their body through the course of their day. I invited them to be accountable for their life, how they were living, and to spend time in it. If they did not like their results, I asked them to use themselves as their own experiment to monitor change.
I asked patients where they would rank themselves on a sliding scale ranging from death to super-ideal