We Are All In This Together

It is vital that we approach the future with optimism.  The world is not going to end in 2012 (I promise).  But the shiny standard of living that many are accustomed to is likely to end. I hope that we have all learned that it is not “things” and material possessions that create a rich life, but relationships and serving a higher purpose.  A severe downturn in the economy may give us the opportunity to connect more deeply with family, friends and community.  A sense of connectedness to others has been deteriorating over that past decades and it is high time for a course correction.  Which can be initiated by each of us or by outside forces. 

So here’s the good news.  If you prepare by making significant changes in the way you live, the intrinsic quality of your life will be better, whether or not times get tough.  This is important. Let’s say you make changes that result in greater family unity, greater self-sufficiency and a greater sense of community. What have you lost for all of your time and effort?  I urge you to create change in your life that will be better regardless of external events.  

There are three foundational principles that will bolster our personal and collective welfare as we relate to others and the world in which we live.  It is wisdom to focus on overarching principles rather than a checklist of activities or things to get.

These principles are 1) Self-Reliance, 2) Care for the poor and the needy, and 3) Service.

I have discussed many times various aspects of self-reliance.  This includes:

• Getting and Staying Out of Debt
• Becoming Food Secure – Storing and Producing your own Food
• Cultivating Skills that will always be in demand
• Stockpiling medical and health care supplies, including of course herbal medicines from Western Botanicals
• Personal security and home defense
• Making Friends and developing strong relationships with neighbors and community

I can go on and on, but you get the idea.

Next is caring for the poor and needy.  Imparting of our means can be as simple as writing a check or filling a box with canned goods.  This is good and necessary, but at the heart of truly caring for the poor should be much more than giving a handout.  Ideally, caring for those in need should incorporate providing opportunity for them to become self-reliant and instill within them the admonition to serve others.  The model of self-reliance and service linked with the objective of caring for those in need should also be applied to our relationship with children, family and friends. 

Too often as parents, we do things for our children that can actually dissuade them from self-reliance.  As we serve our children and those entrusted to our care, we express our love and devotion, however we must ascertain whether we are assisting in the path of self-reliance or of further dependence.  By giving and giving without the expectation that a person become self-reliant and self-sufficient, we teach (however subconsciously) to the recipient that they are to be served rather than they are to become self-reliant and give service. 

In essence, I could be creating selfish little monsters who continually demand more and more without feeling they should care for themselves or bless the lives of others through their personal efforts. Sadly, we are now seeing the results of this type of conditioning on a national and international scale.

Finally, the care of self and family must include serving others.  As we seek to bless the lives of others, our circle of influence broadens, and we also find that others' circle of influence crosses over into ours.  Not only do be bless the lives of others, but our lives in turn are blessed by them.  It is only by shedding the myopic behavior of tit for tat, that the windows of abundance open and flow into our lives.  We teach service by example.  By taking a child along when you help a neighbor or friend in need (and yes putting them to work along side with others).  We teach service by expressing sincere gratitude for those who serve and bless your lives.  Understand that a “service project” is rarely convenient.  Hopefully, you have learned by now, that not much of life that is truly worthwhile is going to be convenient.

Truly, we are all in this together.  As we roll up our sleeves and get to work by becoming more self-reliant, caring for those in need and cultivating a lifestyle of service, our lives will be blessed.  As we teach these principles to those within our sphere of influence, more lives will be blessed that in turn can bless more lives.

We give to you our sincerest hopes and prayers of peace and prosperity (not necessarily financial but emotional) during this season and for the coming months that at times may appear cold and bleak. May you find the inner strength and determination to be a light to others as you lead by example.

Dr. Kyle Christensen

Western Botanicals, Inc.  December 2011

Are You Listening?

It is no secret that most of us (all of us?) are not doing everything that we should be doing for our health and happiness. We know we should be eating better.  We know we should be exercising more.  We know we should be getting more sleep at night.  We know we should spend more time with those we love and less time on the computer or in front of the TV.  We also know that we don't have enough time to do everything we ought to be doing.  As a result, too many of us shut down in one way or another because the enormity of life can be overwhelming.

Let me share with you a secret I have learned. And like many of life's secrets, it is one of those that stares us in the face each day, but too often we don't see it.  The secret is listening.  Of course, we all have many things competing for our attention.  The pounding blare of the marketing and advertising machines persistently drums their repetitive beat to the point that it slips past our consciousness into the subconscious sewing seeds of wants and desires.  When I speak of listening, I am not suggesting that you need to isolate yourself from the chaos of the world so that you can, in a deep meditative state, seek the mind and will of God.  Honestly, it is not that difficult. 

What I suggest is simply asking a very basic question.  The question is "WHAT SHOULD I DO?"  Now this question can be modified to "What should I do for my health?". "What should I do for my relationship?" "Who should I call or visit this week?" When a question such as one of these is asked, an answer will almost always immediately pop into your mind.  All you need to do is that one thing.  Don't expect a long complex answer with many contingencies or secondary plans.  The secret is to listen to the first thing that comes to your mind and then act on that thing.  It does not matter whether you believe this is coming from your subconscious, from God or from your heart.  What matters is the message you receive is going to be accurate and beneficial. 

There is one caveat that you should be aware of, while the information you receive will be beneficial to your life, you will often be told to do difficult things.  You will be told to forgive and let go of past offenses.  You will be told to call or visit someone when it may be inconvenient.  You will be told to go to bed earlier.  You will be told to not eat that doughnut or to give the bigger piece of pie to the kid next door. 

 You will be prompted to read a certain article or to take a certain supplement (hopefully one of Western Botanicals').  You may be told to purchase something very specific that you may not understand why at the time.  Like the time my wife was persistently prompted buy cloth diapers. She couldn't get it out of her heart and mind until it was done.  Or last week, I felt prompted to share some Christmas harp sheet music with a neighbor learning to play the harp.

You will know that the message is true because it will return and won't be just a fleeting thought.  The more you act on these prompting or feelings, the more clear they will become. However, if you repeatedly fail to act on these impressions, they will grow quieter until they are no longer easily felt.  

This I can promise you.  As you ask simple questions and act on the answers you receive, you will begin to enjoy better health, better relationships and truly a better life.  Take it just one question at a time.  Then LISTEN and act. 

Dr. Kyle Christensen - November 2011