The Three R's

We are well into our renovations at the upcoming new Lifehouse space and I am having a blast.  One of the most amazing unfoldings and learnings for me is in the power of the three R’s.  Over the last decade the cultural drive towards green movements have never been stronger, burning into all of our long term memories the slogan of the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.  In my life I have strived to follow the 3 R’s but never before have I seen firsthand just how crucial they are.  

We had three large concrete pads in the back yard which needed to be broken up, so we did.  The industry standards would have been to take the broken pieces to the dump and then purchase expensive slate or limestone to build our new walkway…Stop, wait… those broken pieces would make a great walkway, lets reuse them.   The current lawn was a mess:  old, dead and full of weeds.  Again the standards would have been to cut them into pieces with a turf cutter and take it to the dump… Stop, wait… I think that will make great fill for the raised garden beds.   We have also been busy recycling our old goods on Craig’s list, and also buying and even finding lots of free stuff there as well.  What a riot!

 Along the way I can see the light bulbs go off in our contractors’ heads too, hey these ideas are smart!  They see their work load simplify as well.  It’s amazing how far just a little common sense will go. This got me thinking about the value of the 3 R’s when it comes to our health.  Enjoy!

Reduce.

Most people in our population have bodies that are out of alignment.  Heads held way forward, (with many people their heads are 1 to 2 inches forward, holding a 10-15 lb head up in this position) and their shoulders and hips askew.  This takes a tremendous amount of energy to just hold in place, fighting gravity all day long.  A properly aligned spine will hold the body upright in space with the muscles hardly working at all.  Check in when you are standing, are your neck muscles tight, are the muscles in your low back tight, these are all signs that you are wasting a lot of energy.

Reuse.    
The tools that we teach here at The Lifehouse are all resources.  The more you use them the more they will work for you.  Practice, practice practice.  Imagine what it would be like to live in a healthy body and that became a habit, a lifestyle.  In our glitzy world we are tantalized by hyper-experiences, new ideas, quick fixes.  Over time this is not only more expensive but rarely will it get to the core of what is really going on.

Recycle.  

Turning wounds into gifts is the power of transformational healing.  One of the goals here at The Lifehouse is to help you reorganize the energy in your body so you can work with it better.  Many kinds of healing modalities want to take that energy away, take the pain away.  Wait, don’t get rid of it, that energy is your fuel, it is the fuel that once you open to it, bring some breath, some touch and a different perspective to it will become your gift.  I see this time and time again on the tables; those who connect, feel and heal, not only liberate their pain but through the process they also grow as a person, they get stronger, more confident, and more compassionate.  Through the process they really grow as an individual.

In the long run not only is it healthier for you, your body and mother earth to follow the 3 R’s but it will also most certainly save you in time, money and energy.  This week stop and ask yourself, am I implementing the 3 R’s into my life, how can I implement them into my health as well?

On that note you are welcome to follow the changes that are happening at our new Lifehouse as Heather has uploaded a number of pictures to our blog.  We are also open to contributions of plants, tree’s, herbs, rocks, crystals, and soil for the new space; if you have some of these items that you would like to recycle we would love to receive.

Working together for a greener you,

Dr. Norm

Introducing Troy ~ Our Guardian

The Magical story of Troy's arrival

We discovered Troy, waiting for us, at Al's Asian Treasures in Chemanius. Immediately, Norm & I were drawn to his presence and strength, but noticed the "sold" sign on his head.

We asked Al if there was any possibility to order another one, timeline, pricing, etc. Al responded with, "You're about the 30th person to ask... the guy who 'bought' it was going to exchange for a pool liner and hasn't gotten back to me after numerous attempts. If you want him, you can take him today." With that said, Norm & I browsed the rest of the store... gave it some thought and knew we'd find a special home for him.  

Yes, at first Troy has an intimidating presence... know that he is watching over our Healing Oasis and the Lifehouse Community.

The griffin, griffon, or gryphon (Greek: γρύφων, grýphōn, or γρύπων, grýpōn; Latin: gryphus) is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. As the lion was traditionally considered the king of the beasts and the eagle was the king of the birds, the griffin  was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature. Griffins are normally known for guarding treasure and well valued priceless possession.[1]
Adrienne Mayor, a classical folklorist, propounds the griffin was an ancient misconception derived from fossilized remains of the Protoceratops found in conjunction with gold mining in the Altai mountains of Scythia, in present day southeastern Kazakhstan.[2]
In antiquity it was a symbol of divine power and a guardian of the divine.[3]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffin


Or Winged Lion ~ Symbolic Meaning of Wings on Lions:

In alchemy, the lion is symbolic of gold - a spiritual quality that is lusciously luminescent and gloriously rich in value. Bling of the heart. Alchemical texts and artwork will depict a lion when a specific magical/spiritual goal is to be achieved.

Conversely, winged eagles in alchemical texts are symbolic of the beginning of a process. Alchemical eagles are symbolic of youth, initiation and the unbridled exuberance felt when launching in a new direction.

So, when we see winged lions (a mix of eagles and lions), it's a message of combination - a juxtaposition between beginnings and endings, fact and potential, the seeker and the accomplished.  Griffins are considered a version of winged lions. They're typically viewed as guardians of sacred places.  Griffins guarding transformed souls, honoring what has passed and protecting what is yet to be.

The Lifehouse is all about Transformation.  Troy is a perfect fit for our front yard.

Heather

Healing Oasis ~ Before "Adjustments" and During...

This is a rough view of our backyard with 3 pictures merged - (quite poorly... but you get the general idea of where we were starting from)

Basketball hoop, backboard and stand for sale.

Salvaging old concrete for our walkway

Bart is doing such an AMAZING job!

Studio Space ~ Before Renovations & Transformations

Adjusting Space facing South towards Jingle Pot

Adjusting Space facing Northwest

Adjusting Space facing West

Private Room

Family Room

Joe removing an extra sink

Entry Way/Reception Space

Reception Space

Hallway to Private Room & Adjusting Space

Reception Space with Vision Boards

Moving Day ~ July 29, 2010

Official "Sold" sign in our New front yard.

 

 

 

Celebrating with part of our crew, after a full day!

Much Thanks to You Chiropractic

 As many of you know I have recently begun scheduling every third Wednesday a month off as a professional development day.  On these days I travel to Vancouver where we have a large Chiropractic gathering of close to 100 chiropractors, who bring in some of the most inspiring and informative teachers in our field to speak. This has also given me the opportunity to make it to Vancouver to be adjusted by a couple of extraordinary Chiropractors on a more regular basis to compliment my current ongoing care here in Nanaimo.  I would like to share with you a little of my last adjustment on Wednesday.

I had the good fortune of being adjusted by both Dr. Kevin Ehl and Dr. Jay Lepp in Port Moody.  Their work is extraordinary and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to receive what I offer in my practice on a daily basis - Pure Chiropractic is so powerful!  During one of my adjustments I could feel layers upon layers of stress being released.  I could feel old energy moving through me, finally, energy which I had been holding on to for quite some time, layers peeling off like layers off an onion.  During the adjustment my sinuses opened and released three times; mucus pouring out of my nostrils.  As the work continued, I felt lightness filling my being… I simply felt lighter, and I am certain in many ways I was.   This lightness began to enter my emotional body as a big smile travelled through my entire being.  I could feel my body open, I could feel my energy open, I could literally see my nerve system start to grow again.  The smile changed to deep gratitude as this feeling translated into a deep knowing of how this 20 minutes of my life was helping to evolve me as a human forever. 

Dr. Norm Adjusting At The Lifehouse

 Once you really get the big idea and then you feel it happening inside yourself it is SO humbling to experience.   I am very grateful to have been introduced to this most powerful art, science and philosophy of Chiropractic.  Feeling myself heal, feeling myself open, feeling myself evolve and transform is the greatest feeling I have ever had.  Giving myself this time and care is such a gift. 

 During the adjustment I also recognized that these changes weren’t going to just affect me, there were going to make me a better person, a better chiropractor, and a better partner.  The gift that keeps on giving!  My smile got bigger, and soon my joy evolved into childlike giggles, my entire being overflowing with gratitude.  My chiropractor then tapped me on the back, thanked me and let me know that I was done.  The giggles turned into appreciation for the doctor for being the clear vessel that he is for delivering such a pure and purposeful adjustment.  I immediately jumped to my feet, gave him a hug and without thinking, kissed him on his feet in appreciation.  A gesture that was inspired deep from within, one that afterwards feels goofy to share about, but one that was so divinely right in the moment.   And the appreciation that I felt was little to the man who delivered the adjustment, and mostly (we both would agree) to the principle and practice of Chiropractic coming through him.  And this was just the start of my day, it only got better from there…

Chiropractic I am so deeply touched by your profound impact in my life and in the lives of the millions of people that you touch.  Thank you for your healing presence in my life.  And thank you community for affording me the time to make it to my professional development days on a regular basis.  I know that we are all better for it.

With gratitude,

Dr. Norm

Here is what some of our clients are saying about their experiences:

I mentioned to you that I found last night (SRI Workshop) very effective in providing me with some new tools to assist me into better health. I have been working on my health for so long, with exercise, good nutrition but seem to be treading water and not reaching my goals.
      Working with Dr. Norm is a benefit to me so far! I think that I mentioned it (chiropractic) might be the missing link in the puzzle...so thank you, to Alita, Heather and Dr. Norm for providing that nurturing space that one needs to fulfill that basic need to allow healing.

~Debra

Get The "Big Idea"

To the world you may be just one.  However when you begin to understand the nature of the universe you begin to see yourself as the world.  There is a natural phenomena called the butterfly effect, in which it is understood that seemingly small events can and do produce large effects down the road.  For example, a butterfly flapping its wings off the coast of Japan can be a contributing factor in a tsunami on the coast of North America. 

The same is true in all of our lives.  What may seem like small changes in your body, in your health, in your perspectives, in your behaviours can and do produce a tsunami of effects both inside and around you.  Know this.  Below I have included a beautiful piece by one of my heroes, B.J. Palmer, to further outline this effect.  I encourage you to recognize all the seemingly small things you choose to do and to celebrate the potentially enormous effects they contribute to your transformation. You are the change you wish to see in the world! 

Blessings,

Dr. Norm

Small Things Are Large ~ BJ Palmer

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    A slip on the snowy sidewalk, in winter, is a small thing.  It happens to millions.
    A fall from a ladder, in the summer, is a small thing.  That also happens to millions.
    The slip or fall produces a subluxation.  The subluxation is a small thing.
    The subluxation produces pressure on a nerve.  That pressure is a small thing.
    The pressure cuts off the flow of mental impulses.  That decreased flowing is a small thing.
    That decreased flowing produces a dis-eased body and brain.  That is a big thing to that man.
    Multiply that sick man by a thousand, and you control the physical and mental welfare of a city.
    Multiply that man by a million and you shape the physical and mental destiny of a State.
    Multiply that man by one hundred thirty million, and you forecast and can prophesy the physical and mental status of a nation.

---

    Now comes a man.  Any one man is a small thing.
    This man gives an adjustment.  The adjustment is a small thing.
    The adjustment replaces the subluxation.  That is a small thing.
    The adjusted subluxation releases pressure upon nerves.  That is a small thing.
    The released pressure restores health to a man.  That is a big thing to that man.
    Multiply that well man by a thousand, and you step up physical and mental welfare of a city.
    Multiply that well man by a million, and you increase the efficiency of a State.
    Multiply that well man by one hundred thirty million, and you have produced a healthy, wealthy, and better race for posterity.
    So adjustment of the subluxation, to release pressure upon nerves, to restore mental impulse flow, to restore health, is big enough to rebuild thoughts and actions of the world.