“I read Dr. Bynum’s book. I loved it! I wish I had written it. I really like his use of symbolism and his common sense advice about taking personal responsibility for your life and health.”
~Dr. William Trumbower, M.D.
Women’s Health Associates, Inc.
“Streaming Lifestyle: Healthier Living by Choice” delivers practical yet motivational information that transcends the knowledge level of the reader. Those with a broad background in health and lifestyle theory will enjoy its easy, inspirational tone, while those with less knowledge will gain concrete insight and tips for better living. Dr. Bynum’s way of conveying hope through visualizing a flowing stream is one to which we all can relate, while his personal story makes the journey seem manageable. We all need encouragement from time to time, and encouragement is what this book offers.”
~Deborah Barger MSN, RN,
Certified Holistic Health Coach
“I was so pleased to see a medical doctor addressing wellness and prevention of illness through proper nutrition and hydration, stress reduction, physical activity and the belief system. All of the information was thought-provoking and simplified, which made it very empowering for someone who is searching for how to begin to take control of their own health.
It is encouraging to see Dr. Bynum stepping out of the western medicine tradition of treating symptoms with pharmaceuticals and empowering people with positive alternative therapies!”
~Pamela Heyen,
Certified Holistic Health Practioner
Streaming Lifestyle:
Healthier Living by Choice
Dr. Robert L. Bynum
with Nancy Arant Williams
© 2013 Robert L. Bynum
Streaming Lifestyle, L.L.C.
Writing assistance provided by
Nancy Arant Williams
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, or by any information or storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the author.
The material in this book is not intended to replace regular advice from a health care professional of the reader’s choice. The sole intent of the author is to offer information of a general nature to help the reader in the quest for a healthier lifestyle through promotion of research and education. The author and publisher assume no responsibility for the reader’s personal decisions on health care based on the information set forth in this book.
Published in eBook format by AKA-Publishing
Columbia, Missouri.
Converted by http://www.eBookIt.com
eBook ISBN 978-1-936688-65-4
Dedication
My brother, Bruce Bynum, had a passion for natural surroundings. He found that he was able to share this closeness to nature with his family by creating water features in the back yards of each of his homes. Pictured on the cover is the flowing stream at his most recent family home, completed just prior to his death.
His generous and creative spirit lives on in the memories and hearts of those who knew and loved him. This book is dedicated to him.
Acknowledgements
Each and every person throughout my life is part of my personal flowing stream, for it is the interactions with others that help create who we become. I appreciate the opportunity to realize the value each and every person has. You have the capacity to change another flowing stream in a positive way by paying it forward.
With that I want to acknowledge you, and hope that you find the will and way to encourage a positive change in yourself and others.
Many have touched this book in the making and I want to thank them all!
I want to extend my thanks to Lisa Bynum for providing water feature photos, and to all those who took time to read, provide feedback, and review the book.
A special note to Marty for planting the seed, Rachelle Kifer for being the ground to make it grow, Nancy and Yolanda for watering it, and my family, friends, and patients for being the sunshine!
Finally, thanks to the Stream Team—Deb, Tammy and Chris!
Your Streaming Lifestyle: It’s a choice
Try to imagine your body as a crystal clear stream high in the Colorado Rockies where the snow and ice begin to crack as they melt and begin a rapid downward descent. You can almost hear it now, can’t you? And if you look closely you can see clear to the bottom of the stream bed, where there are rocks of all sizes, as well as a wide variety of plant life and colorful fish of every description.
The sound of a babbling brook is remarkably therapeutic—even comforting, isn’t it? These days, people find it so appealing that they are building water features in their yards in record numbers, in order to relax and recover after increasingly stressful days at work.
With that word picture in mind, let me ask you a question: Has anyone ever told you that you’re a walking miracle? A walking, talking, thinking human being—a phenomenon like no other? Well, it’s true!
Just think of it—you are a one-of-a-kind individual, with DNA and fingerprints all your own. Your body is made up of billions of microscopic cells, each working in sync with the others, yet each one serving a very specific purpose. Like tiny, super-efficient factories, each cell is designed to function independently at peak performance, so that you can be the person you are meant to be. And like nearly all industrial processes, this feat requires a staggering amount of water to accomplish.
Human blood is actually made up of 92% water and delivers nutrients, enables cell function, removes toxins, and aids in repair and healing on a grand scale.
From the time we’re able to choose for ourselves, it’s up to us to decide what to do with our “stream.” Over time, if we’re not careful, it can fill with sharp rocks, accumulate sediment and debris, and ultimately lose its ability to flow freely. At that point it becomes slow-moving, somewhat stagnant, and not very appealing. As pollutants increase, the color changes from clear to murky brown, and the smell…well, you might want to think twice before drinking it.
Take a moment to consider this question: If I imagine my body as a stream, what does my stream look like? Is it crystal clear and free-flowing, or is it murky and slow-moving?
***
“I didn’t think I needed to be humbled but I guess God felt otherwise”
~ Dr. Robert L. Bynum
How this concept began
Perhaps this would be a good time to introduce myself. I am Dr. Robert Bynum, a practicing family physician for thirty years. I see patients in my office on a daily basis, and like to think of us—that is, my patients and I (and in this case you as well)—as team players in the health care process. Our greatest desire is to be well and flourish as we face the marvelous adventure we call life.
Like most other doctors, I’ve offered advice to patients over the years, suggesting things they could do to improve their overall health. And even if they didn’t say a word, I could almost hear their responses in my head, and it wasn’t a pretty sound. Of course,