I am from store brand cold hotdogs, though I could belt out how I wished I were an Oscar Meier Weiner— which I didn’t, actually.
I am from children who didn’t wonder why anyone would wish such a thing, which is most children. I am from kick the can on a dead end street.
I am from Easter bonnets in Copley square, from bread crumbs off the sides of swan boats, from tea at The Ritz, from a cycle of brown and green station wagons.
I am from tender crooked fingers of grandmas who fill in spaces, sometimes. From homemade Halloween costumes. From daffodils.
The bulk of me is built on Oreo cookies which I hid from my brother, and diet Coke, which filled the space when the cookies were gone. I am from never confessing these things.
I am from never-missed-a-day-of-school, except when I had the chicken pox, because who wants to stay home, because who wants to get the least bit behind?
My life is one tenth longer than it seems because I sleep less. I am from fewer dreams than some, but the same worries, over and over.
I am from losing myself in so many places, which means I could not tell you where I am from, but these include: midnight, ice cream, running by the river, cheap beer,
fine wine, the first woman I dared to kiss, the memory of my mother’s tears. I came from trying to solve life on my own. I found hope in allowing someone else’s hand.
I am from noticing pain passes, loss passes, cookies pass, lust and jobs and friends and wars pass. From wanting not as much because it comes again and goes and comes again.
Or not wanting because I have it, it being words I could not speak because I am from a certain kind of silence which I forgot to name.
Last
month, a friend asked me, “When you first started writing, who was your
mentor?”
“When
I first started writing,” I said, “I was seventeen. At that time, I knew
everything there was to know in the entire world; that’s when I started kvetching about everything. I didn’t
need mentors to do that.”
He
chuckled (sneer included).
But
I have since given that question a lot of thought. Mentors are critical in any
profession; they’ve already run the race and can help novices avoid pesky
hurdles.
And
the truth is, I did have mentors. Three of them, with one thing in common: they
had no idea they were mentoring me. In fact, I never even met two of them.
Raya.
I
did meet this young lady, my first day in high school. She sat across from me
in Home Room. Cute as hell, with two features critical to any thirteen-year old
boy: a great body and shorter than I was.
Raya
showed up in my English class, where we were all assigned to give a five-minute
talk on whatever subject interested us. I chose dogs. The next day, reading
aloud our choices, the teacher said, “Well, isn’t this interesting! Raya is
going to talk about euthanasia!”
Later,
I asked Raya what the hell was so interesting about a bunch of kids in China.
She was still laughing when Home Room ended.
Okay,
I was thirteen, and had no idea that “euthanasia” meant mercy killing.
Two
years later, we met up again in another English class with Miss Drell as our
teacher. Miss Drell had established a reputation for being fair, a lot of fun
… and sort of crazy.
True
to her rep, she gave us a six-week course in humor; then made us choose a
comedian and perform a five-minute routine in his/her style. Six kids
(including me) chose Jack Benny; four chose George Burns; two, Bob Hope.
Raya
chose the ten o’clock news.
The
year was 1948: 28 years before Chevy Chase and the first “Saturday Night Live.”
Raya gave one of the funniest newscasts I’ve ever heard. A radio broadcast, of
course. Television was just peeking over the horizon.
Raya
graduated third in our class; third in her pre-med class at the U. of Wisconsin,
and fourth in medical school, where she was the only girl in the class. She
became a successful psychiatrist, a renowned expert in rape cases, and was
frequently used as a consultant by the Chicago Police Department.
In
my 50 years as an advertising copywriter, trying to solve knotty marketing problems,
I frequently asked myself, “What would Raya do?”
Raya
didn’t just think outside the box; she lived
there.
No
writer could ever ask for a better mentor.
*
Any
young person lame-brained enough to want to become a writer draws inspiration –
and indirect mentoring – from hundreds of outstanding writers.
But
of all the great writers, one will always remain important enough to me to be
singled out as a silent mentor:
Jonathan
Swift.
Known
primarily for his iconic novel, “Gulliver’s Travels,” Swift wrote a short pamphlet
entitled, “A Modest Proposal”: the quintessential cynical satire.
In
the early 1720s, a severe nationwide famine ravaged the country of Ireland. An
entire population was dying, especially children. Swift, enraged at a government
that had done nothing to try and solve the problem, wrote “A Modest Proposal”
to expose Parliamentary constipation.
And
his “modest proposal?” Sell children to be slain and cooked,
thereby ending both the famine … and the nuisance of children starving to
death!
Swift
wrote: “I have been assured … that a young healthy Child well Nursed is at a
year Old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome Food, whether Stewed,
Roasted, Baked, or Boyled, and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a
Fricasie, or Ragout.” (Spelling and capitalizations are Swift’s.)
Outrageous!
Unconscionable! Unheard-of!
Yet
a dormant Parliament began to stir. Other pamphleteers continued the
lampooning. Outraged citizens demanded action.
And the 19-year old Me came to believe in the power of the written word. Today, an 85-year Me believes that all writers should treat Jonathan Swift as a personal mentor.
Me and a Few of My Mentors. Photo by Karen Gonzalez
*
Albert
Lasker.
Among
professional copywriters, this genius is considered the father of modern
advertising.
I
had never heard of Mr. Lasker because I had never taken an advertising course
in college. But his exploits had already become famous by the time I entered
the advertising world.
In
the 1930s, for example, the orange growers of the country came to the Lord
& Taylor advertising agency for help. The 26-year old Lasker was both
Creative Director and president.
The
Depression had reached catastrophic levels. No one was buying oranges. Lasker
came up with the idea of marketing oranges as juice. His theme line was, “Drink
an orange every day.” (The visual, a straw inserted into an orange, is still
used today by Tropicana.) Inside of two years, orange sales had risen by 400%.
But
the event that vaulted Lasker to legendary status centers on Johnson Baby
Powder. In fact, when I first heard the following story, I thought it was
advertising myth. But it’s actually true.
Once
again, the 30s. Baby powder sales had plummeted to bupkus levels. Johnson wanted a new advertising agency, and Lord
& Taylor, among others, was invited to make a pitch for the account.
Instead
of the usual dog-and-pony show — mountains of charts, graphs, advertising ideas
and a flotilla of accompanying acolytes — Lasker showed up alone. He entered a
conference room packed with Johnson moguls, and shook hands with the Johnson
CEO.
“But
Mr. Lasker,” the CEO said, “don’t you have any charts or visuals or something?”
“No,
it’s just me,” he said. Then he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a
small can of the client’s product. “You want to sell more baby powder, right?”
“Of
course,” the CEO said.
Lasker
twisted the top of the can, exposing the perforations.
“Make
the holes bigger,” he said.
Lord
& Taylor was awarded the account, baby powder profits skyrocketed, and the
incident frequently became cited as the first time an account was won by a
marketing concept instead of an advertising idea.
More
importantly, I had found a professional mentor.
It would seem we are all talking about plant-based eating at the
moment. So is it just the latest buzz phrase and today’s trendy diet or a
long-term lifestyle with lasting benefits?
Let’s Look at the Evidence
Firstly, there is no timeline associated with plant-based
eating, it is actually a lifelong journey that, if followed, will improve your
overall health. Plant based foods are low in saturated fat and cholesterol and
rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It can help you lose weight
and lower your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
A plant-based diet consists of eating plentiful supplies of
vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, whole grains and seeds. At the same time you
should be reducing the amount of animal and refined products you eat.
No Limitations
The great thing about a plant-based diet is there are no rules
telling you that you can’t eat this and you can’t eat that such as vegetarian
or vegan diets. So if you want some chocolate, ice-cream or to join your family
for a family meal to celebrate a special holiday such as Thanksgiving or
Christmas, then you can without limitations!
The rule of thumb for plant-based eaters is good nutrition with
a balance of fat, protein and carbohydrates. The ratio of each really depends
on your personal goals. For instance, do you want to lose weight or build
muscle? Aiming for one-quarter whole grains, one-quarter legumes, one-quarter
vegetables and one-quarter dark leafy greens is a good place to start.
Simple Steps
Start out with simple steps such as choosing one day of the week
not to have meat, you can even start out only doing this once a month and
increase it as you feel comfortable. These meat-free days could end up
only once a week or a couple to more days a week. As I said no rules, it
is whatever you are comfortable doing and what makes you feel healthier and
more energized.
There are so many wonderful totally plant-based recipes out
there, that it shouldn’t be difficult to introduce wonderfully nutritious and tasty
meals into your weekly plan.
Before you know it you will be cooking plants regularly and your
lifelong path to better health will have truly began.
If you visit the
Mall at Wellington Green these days, you’re likely to find much more than
trendy stores and tempting things to buy. You might see a group of seniors
speed-walking around the upper floor or kids working out in the LIVE360 Studio or
a cluster of moms practicing their Zumba moves. These and other activities are
all part of the mall’s LIVE360 program headed up by their community liaison,
the energetic and fit-minded Meghan Buser.
Meghan is not new
to organizing exercise groups. Seven years ago when she and her family moved to
Wellington, she started MomsFit4fun—a personal fitness plan for moms (and their
babies). She also began teaching kickboxing, spinning and fitness boot camps
and continues to do so. In the midst of all these endeavors, the mall
approached her to head up a pop-up fitness studio which eventually grew into the
successful LIVE360 program.
@jakemazzone photography
Mrs. Buser joined the Wellington Chamber of Commerce (through The Mall at Wellington Green) two years ago and has already made a significant impact on the community. She sits on their Health & Wellness Committee and developed an exciting initiative called #followfittrips. Together, the group takes a class from one of the Chamber Fitness Studios, and then floods their social media platforms with reviews, feedback and photos of the experience. The committee has visited Pure Barre Wellington, Cycle Bar Wellington, Club Pilates Wellington, and Orange Theory. Hotworx, Title Boxing Wellington, and 9-Round Wellington are up next on their calendar. With the impressive number of exercise opportunities, there is something for every age group and level. Find the latest commentary on #followfittrips and the Chamber’s Facebook and Instagram feeds. Meghan recommends each studio class, but her personal favorite is Orange Theory because it requires maximum physical demands in the shortest time span.The variety of workouts that our community offers provides an excellent way for people to cross train and find their preferred regimen.
@jakemazzone photography
In addition to
highlighting on-going workout routines, Meghan and the Health & Wellness
committee promote and produce special events. Coming up March 2, 2019 at the Wellington
National Golf Club (formerly Bink’s Forest Club) is “Meet Me at the Race,
Sunset Stride Family 5-K.” Filled with fitness, food and fun, the day includes
a 4 p.m. bar-be-cue, as well as bounce
houses, vendors and adult drinks. “We really hope to promote community wellness
and encourage all levels of runners tojoin,” Meghan says. “The race is timed, so
competitive runners are welcome and beginners are encouraged to try!”
The Bacon and Bourbon Festival at the Village is another happening held March 22rdand 23rd. While not focused on health, this exciting annual fest will featurelive music, the quintessential American drink and a hundred different ways to eat bacon (including chocolate-dipped)!One festival website put it this way,“With permission from your doctor, cardiologist and mother, come out and enjoy the day.”
It is Meghan’s
personal conviction that not only does Wellington have an abundance of fitness
opportunities; it also boasts the best in restaurants, shops and community
events.“Why go anywhere else?” She asks. Residents need not venture out of the
city limits to find services, amenities and excursions that that rival out-of-town
offerings and help create Wellington’s distinct quality of life. From concerts
to festivals to restaurants to shopping, Wellington has it all. She believes
that if we support each other and ‘buy local’ we can make our village even
better.
As a seasoned community relations consultant, Mrs. Buser is available to take businesses and brands to the next level by improving their online presence, sprucing up their image and creating events that increase community engagement. Discover more at https://meghanbuser.com.
With the school year coming to an end in just a
few months, students in high school will be rushing in to school (or out of
school) to take their final exams. We all know that feeling before a test in
which we try to scramble all the information into our memory at once. It’s
important that students try their absolute best, but this can lead to a lot of
stress and can affect test scores. Throughout the past couple years I have
found out about some helpful study tips from my teachers and online that have
personally helped me survive.
Here are 4 helpful studying tips:
Exercise. Yes…. I know… it’s terrible, but
according to Research conducted by Dr. Chuck Hillman of the University of
Illinois “20 minutes exercise before an exam can improve performance”. I don’t
understand how this works but I tried this when I was in 8th grade studying for
my Honors Earth and Space Science tests and oddly enough I felt better and less
stressed, which brought my grades up significantly.
SPEAK OUT LOUD! IT’S
CRAZY BUT IT WORKS. When you repeat a definition or formula out loud you are
more likely to remember and apply it to the test or exam you are taking. When
saying it out loud, your mind can create little tips or rhymes that can help
you in the long run. For example, I remember when I was in 2nd grade and I
needed to know my times table and for some reason I had a very hard time with
it. My mother always told me to try to make a song or a rhyme to help me, so I
used “6 when on a date with 8 and came back with 48”. Looking back on it now,
it’s a little corny but it got me that A.
Listen to some music by
Mozart. My science teacher last year told our class that if it helps you to
listen to music while studying then do it, but listen to classical music. But
it doesn’t have to be just classical music, it can be any type of music that
you are not used to. So instead of
getting a song that you know stuck in your head, you’ll get the dates on your
history quiz right. I did a science project in elementary school where I did
math problems and read a book while listening to classical and rock music, and
I found that I worked better when listening to classical music.
Study! Study! Study! I know how annoying
studying can be and trust me with things like social media and just plain
procrastination, it can be hard. So with simple study tips like making flash
cards, writing notes and having a study session with your teacher or friends
can be very beneficial.
In the past, I have struggled a lot personally
with trying to figure a method that best works for me. I feel like teens are
pressured so much in school, especially because exams and standardized state
tests are around the same time of year. I know how it feels to come home
completely burnt out and having about two hours of homework and on top having
extracurriculars. Everyone in high school is doing great, as long as you try
your best and study! So whether you use the stereotypical “chew a piece mint
gum while you study and chew the same flavor on the test” trick or just
standard flash cards, just know that teens may not always recognize or realize
that the hard work you put in now will help you in the long run. And TRUST me,
no one expects you to get a A on every test, exam, quiz or whatever silly assignment
your school gives you. Believe in yourself and you will get through it.
Every morning, I wake up and go to the fitness trail to work out and fuel my soul with the fresh Florida air. Today, as I walked up to do push ups, I saw a bottle. It was but one lonesome bottle laying there lifeless on the wood chip covered ground, surrounded by the most beautiful trees, water, and all the wonders that the majestic south Florida park provides.
With curiosity, I watched one person after another walk by
this empty water bottle and wondered why no one picked it up and threw it away. I pondered why there are no recycling bins
in the park. And, I wondered why someone
left it there on the ground in the first place.
It was but one bottle, so what is the big deal, right? It is actually a beautiful metaphor for
life. While we only see it as but a single problem, it is interconnected with
so many others.
“Why should I bother?” She asked. “It is not mine.”
Therein lies the philosophical question of whose bottle is
it, does it matter whose it is (or was), because once it is left behind, whose
bottle is it now?
And, to echo that sentiment, he proclaimed.
“It’s not my problem.” He continued. “It is just one bottle. What’s the big deal anyway?”
That is a common statement I hear over and over again, and to respond to that, I only needed to go around the lake to the playground area where my intention was to do calisthenics, but something else caught my attention. In the sand, there was a red plastic cup. Then, another and another.
Chances are there was a children’s party on Sunday, which
included both plastic cups and juice drinks in plastic packaging, and their
trash strewn across the playground. At first,
it did not look like much, but the more I walked the more I found. Not only did I discover these, but also a
plastic plate, and other rather interesting leftovers including someone who had
cleaned up after their dog, but left the bag laying on the ground.
Why?
As I was meandering through the playground picking up trash,
there was a rather intriguing scene simultaneously with a gentleman with a
metal detector searching for treasure.
How much treasure can be found in a children’s play area, I am not
sure. I did find it intriguing that he
continued to go around, over, and beside the trash that was laying next to
where he was working but did not touch any of it.
Why?
This is but one playground, but it is not an isolated
incident. Much the same event played out
the day prior while at the beach. In
fact, my friend asked me, “Do you think all of this is one day’s worth, two
day’s or a week?” How many other parks,
and beaches are there just in the area?
We encounter things in our life everyday that may or may not
be ours, but it should be cleaned up, and yet how often we do leave it to
someone else? How often do we turn the
other way? And, how often do we find someone
else is to blame?
The answer to why is rarely an easy one, because there are
many variables and layers to the question.
Why does anyone choose to do, or not do, anything?
Instead of attempting in vain to solve that, and the many mysteries of the world, we can only ask ourselves that question in order to get the real answer to why. And take the first step by picking up the stray water bottle or plastic cup that litters a beautiful area.
Unicorn Children’s Foundation Gets Down with Motown
The Unicorn Ball “Get Down With Motown” gala at the The Polo Club of Boca Raton on Feb. 16th, 2019. Michael & Heather Fairs, Gail Wasserman, Felette Branch, Nicole Flier, Marianne Conigliaro. (Photo by MagicalPhotos.com / Mitchell Zachs)
Boca Raton, FL – February 16, 2019
– On Saturday, February 16, 2019, The Unicorn Children’s Foundation,
along with co-chairs Julissa Caballero and Phillip DiPonio, hosted its Unicorn
Ball: Get Down with Motown at the Polo Club of Boca Raton. The evening was a resounding success, and funds
raised will create cradle to career pathways to help people with autism,
attention deficit disorder and other special needs excel in their communities.
Haley Moss, a South Florida woman
who was admitted to the Florida Bar 21 years after she was diagnosed with
autism, was honored with the prestigious Occhigrossi Family Youth in Service
Award. “I am completely honored and very, very excited to keep spreading the
message and hoping to inspire and bring hope to Boca Raton and our surrounding
area,” Haley proclaimed. The award recognizes young people who are doing
exceptional work to increase acceptance, support and opportunities for
individuals challenged by special needs.
Guests were treated to a live
performance by Carlos De Antonis, America’s Got Talent contestant and
world-famed opera tenor. The event consisted of an exciting live auction
including 7th-row tickets for Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour in
Sunrise in March, and an exclusive Opera Chef Experience by Carlos himself. Another
exciting live auction item was a Marilyn Monroe print on brushed metal, worth
$25,000 by artist, Arthur J Williams. He was there at the event telling his
fascinating story of his journey of being one of the greatest counterfeiters of
modern history to now being a professional artist. During the After Party, a
live band performed all of the classic Motown hits, where everyone danced and
enjoyed delicious Motor City soul food.
A portion of the proceeds from
this event will benefit Unicorn’s very exciting new program: the Special Percs
CaféTM, a café that will provide vocational training and employment
options for young adults with special needs. Unicorn hopes to create a
path for these individuals to become more valued, accepted and included within
the community through meaningful employment options in a competitive
high-demand industry, as well as give their lives meaning and purpose one cup
at a time. Guests had the exclusive opportunity to take home a one-of-a-kind
Special Percs Café mug donated by FarFromBoring, and the FIRST bags of “Coffee
for a Cause” Unicorn Dream Makers Blend by Mammoth Coffee Roasting Co. If you
couldn’t attend the event but would like to donate towards the launch of
Special Percs CaféTM or purchase a bag of coffee, please visit UnicornChildrensFoundation.org/SpecialPercs.
A big THANK YOU to this year’s sponsors:
Gail Wasserman Family Foundation, Sunshine Health, Silvana & Barry
Halperin, Stanley & Marilyn Barry, Angela Fisher, Skyjet, Saks Fifth
Avenue, Wyndham Boca Raton, Club Managers Association of America- Florida
Chapter, Boca West Children’s Foundation, TD Bank, Gregory’s Fine Jewelry, Mammoth
Coffee Roasting Company, D3 Advertising, Motiv8, The Winebow Group, Palm Bay
International, Republic Distributing Company, Simply The Best Magazine, Toshiba
Business Solutions, The Happy Printer, FarFromBoring, Cakeballs Inc., and
Oceans234.
With 1 of every 6 children affected by some form of intellectual or
developmental disability, most of us have experienced the challenges first-hand
or know someone who has. There are a wide range of opportunities to be involved; to connect
and learn more about the Unicorn Children’s Foundation please visit www.UnicornChildrensFoundation.org.
About the Unicorn Children’s Foundation
Unicorn
Children’s Foundation is a non-profit organization providing education,
awareness and funding opportunities to organizations for special needs children
in an effort to help them excel in the community. For millions of special needs children with
developmental, communication and learning challenges, finding a cure is like
chasing a rainbow in that a cure remains elusive. The Unicorn Children’s
Foundation is expanding the collective special needs community to help
acknowledge, celebrate and integrate the special qualities possessed by neurodiverse
children with Autism, ADHD, Bipolar, Asperger’s, Dyslexia and other learning
disorders.
Historically I’ve been a big
advocate of being “in-tune” with your body. For the most part, I do think that
a generally healthy person can benefit from developing a better awareness of
what their body is experiencing. It’s a good guide for adapting your training
and developing a meditative practice like breath awareness.
In recent years, I’ve come to
the conclusion that there are situations where a patient can be TOO in-tune
with what their body feels, and this perception of what their body feels can
actually create fear, apprehension, and further harm to their mental state and
quality of life. Today we’ll discuss some of these types of situations and what
a patient can do to help themselves break a negative connection with their own
self-awareness.
When Listening to Your Body Goes Wrong
There’s a lot of research
that shows that paying attention to inner body activities can be extremely
beneficial for you. Things like being aware of your breath, meditation,
counting your heart beat are all tools used in yoga and mindfulness practices
that really help people a lot!
The concept of listening to
your body has been popularized in the circles of fitness. It’s a phrase used to
guide people in sport or exercise to recognize when their body may not be in
the best state to complete a task.
It involves feeling out
different aches or pains, observing where the body seems to be putting a
restriction on movement, or just an inner awareness of fatigue. It’s supposed
to be a guide against overtraining and possibly develop an awareness of
impending injury. In cases where this is an otherwise healthy person with no
history of chronic pain problems, it serves a good purpose.
However, in my experience
seeing patients with chronic pain daily, a heightened attention and awareness
of their own pain can be very counterproductive to a patient’s recovery and
progression. Let’s talk about why.
Being In-Tune With Body Pain
It’s natural for your brain
to pay attention to areas of your body that are in pain. It’s one of the ways
your body protects itself whenever it has suffered an injury like a sprained
ankle or a large cut on your hand. By avoiding contact of the injured body
part, you are allowing your body to temporarily immobilize an area so that the
natural healing responses can have time to fix the damaged tissue.
This is a necessary and completely normal response to physical injury. While this is a big generalization, the healing time for various tissues is shown in the graphic below. You can see that most minor muscle and ligament injuries can take a few days to heal while moderate to severe injuries can take several months.
Image Credit http://drcalebburgess.com/ and Instagram @drcalebburgess
So even in a worst-case
scenario where you have an unstable injury that needs surgery, it takes about 2
years for a tissue to heal completely. If we know that these are the general
healing times for people, then what explains the pain patients can feel for
several years?
However, for some people
there can be problems that develop in neurological pathways that perceive pain.
What seemed like a simple, straight forward injury leads to chronic or
persistent pain that lasts long beyond the normally allotted time for tissues
to heal.
The problem in these cases is that many of these patients will avoid movements or activities to protect an area of injury that may not need protection and avoidance. So there ends up being a cycle of injury, stopping exercise, followed by deconditioning from lack of exercise leading to more risk of injury and pain.
The brain can learn to fear movement to avoid pain creating
a vicious cycle often seen in persistent pain patients.
This is the result of treating the pain issue as a muscle or
joint problem, when it’s really a brain and neurologically rooted problem. The kicker is that while
avoiding movement is necessary for true joint injuries, avoidance may actually
make a persistent pain problem in the brain even worse.
Many times when someone
suffers with persistent pain issues that have no diagnosable injury, being too
aware of your body’s painful triggers can be detrimental to healing and
recovery.
Pain Science
One of the more popular concepts in pain science is the idea
that chronic pain can develop from factors known as hypervigilance, catastrophizing, and fear-avoidance.
Pain Hypervigelance – “when there is an
excessive tendency to focus on pain or somatic sensation, or an excessive
readiness to select pain-related information over other information from the
environment.” [1]
Catastrophizing – “an concept where
people show exaggerated thoughts and descriptions of the negative consequences
of pain featuring magnification, rumination, and helplessness” [2]
Fear-Avoidance – a model of chronic
pain that describes how people develop and maintain chronic pain as a result of
attention processes and avoidant behavior based on pain-related fear. [3]
Those are nice academic
definitions, but what do they mean for us? A lot of it comes down to being
really fixated on how bad the pain is and avoiding anything that might be
associated with the pain. And we now know that the fixation and avoidance
behavior can reinforce maladaptive patterns in the way the brain is working.
So it is to say that being
too focused on your pain when you are trying to heal can reinforce the cycle of
staying in chronic pain.
Fostering an Anti-Fragile Mindset
One of the big things that
drew me to chiropractic was a philosophical idea that the body is strong and
has a remarkable ability to heal itself. It’s a mindset that I’ve had growing
up while playing sports where my coaches would see someone get injured and
they’d always say to just walk it off.
Obviously it’s not something
you want to do with an unstable or serious injury like major sprains or a
concussion. However, for things like scraping our shins, getting hit by a pitch
in the back, pulling a muscle, or having a mild ankle sprain this approach trained
our young minds to:
Understand that the pain will go away on it’s own in time
That our body and mind is strong enough to will away pain
That we aren’t fragile
Ultimately, we came away with
the mental state that we will feel better and pain goes away with time. This
also meant that we were pushed towards our normal activities as quickly as
possible.
As a chiropractor, a big part
of my job is to foster a sense of strength and resiliency in my patients. It
means that I want my patients to foster a sense of independence from their
pain. That means I don’t want my patients to fear doing activities or to be
dependent on any intervention whether that’s a drug, massage, or even
chiropractic adjustment. I want my patients to never need me, but they can certainly
count on me to be there when they want to be better.
Nuance
So before anyone takes my
points to the extremes, let me just say this.
Mental state won’t cure every pain
Don’t avoid doctors, especially with serious injury/illness
Many people will still have chronic pain even without a sense of
fear avoidance and catastrophizing.
So with that out of the way.
Mental state can be a powerful influence on the development and resolution of
pain, but it can be really, really difficult. When we know there no longer a
risk of worsening an injury, in order for patients to make the next step in
their recovery, we have to engage them in doing the normal activities that they
have avoided.
That might mean lifting some
moderately heavy objects, bending their back forward, turning their heads, or
getting back into exercise. Yes, sometimes that means we have to make patients
revisit their pain and forcing their brain and nervous system to adapt and stop
fearing it.
It means they have to stop
listening to their body for a bit, and actually push through the false alarm
signal so they can adapt.
It’s not easy, and it doesn’t happen quickly. But when patients are able to get there, the whole world opens up again, and we can start to pop the bubble that they’ve lived in because their brain is free again.
Dinosaurs Invade
Palm Beach Again, Only This Time Bigger, Badder and With More Teeth!
Get ready to dig up some of the most interesting creatures this world has ever known! The Dinosaur invasion is back at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium in Palm Beach! Only this time they are bigger and badder, since making an appearance more than 5 years ago!
Step back to a land before our time and witness 20 different species of animatronic dinosaurs from the Tyrannosaurus Rex to the Velociraptor, unlike anything you’ve ever seen! My husband and I took my 6-year-old boy and 2 year-old girl to see the exhibit firsthand and it definitely aimed to please!
When you walk in, these larger than life re-creations take your breath away and as you meander through the exhibit. Not only are you transported to a time when humans weren’t even close to making an appearance, but you travel through different countries to learn about which species made their home in certain areas of the world. It was quite the incredible educational experience, that taught our little ones about what dinosaurs ate, to how much they weighed and their place of origin. This time around there’s an eerie hallway that leads out to the unexpected. The most giant alligator you have ever laid eyes on, a T-Rex that will literally give you the chills to think something so large and frightening ever roamed the earth to begin with and a number of interesting creatures, I for one had never seen before. The kids had a blast in the sand pit, digging for fossils and brushing the bones in an effort to piece to together which monsters made their way through through the earth millions of years ago. Definitely a major upgrade from the first exhibit!
“Guests will get an up-close view of the amazing creatures, while
learning about the most recent discoveries in the world of paleontology. We
want to ‘open every mind to science,’ and this is the perfect way to get
visitors excited with this part of history,” said President of the SFSCA Lew
Crampton. It most definitely got us excited about a time when these smart and
quick-witted creatures dominated the world for well over 150 million years,
until an asteroid wiped them out of existence.
However, scientists believe dinosaurs aren’t totally extinct and
many of their descendants are
among us today. We had such a great time walking the exhibit and getting a
chance to experience the recent improvements to the science center, we can’t
wait to go back! Why not take this chilling and thrilling tour for yourself and
make up your own mind? Catch the exhibit before it stomps out of here now
through April 21st.
The exhibit is presented by Palm Beach Illustrated, The Palm
Beach Post, WPBF Channel 25, Estrella TV, Outfront Media, Gast Construction
Group, Quantum Foundation, B/E Aerospace and The Tourist Development Council of
Palm Beach County and Discover the Palm Beaches.
FAU Brain Institute Announces ‘Brainy Days 2019,’ a Celebration of Neuroscience Sponsored by Palm Health Foundation
JUPITER, Fla. (February 25, 2019) – Florida Atlantic University’s
Brain Institute is proud to announce “Brainy Days 2019,” a celebration
of neuroscience throughout the month of March sponsored by Palm Health Foundation. From understanding autism,
addiction and Alzheimer’s disease to exploring how the brain processes violent
behavior, researchers hope to engage, empower and educate the public on brain
diseases, promote brain wellness and ultimately reduce the stigma associated
with brain disorders.
The programs kick off on Friday, March 1 at 5 p.m. and go through Saturday, March 30 at various locations around Palm Beach County. For a full schedule of events, visit http://ibrain.fau.edu/brainydays/.
“The
‘BrainyDays’ program represents a focused
opportunity for Brain Institute scientists and their trainees to move out of
the laboratory and connect with members of our community, young and old,
concerning the many exciting developments in brain science and medicine,” said Randy
D. Blakely, Ph.D., executive director of FAU’s Brain Institute and a professor of biomedical science
in FAU’s Schmidt College
of Medicine.
“Our activities range from hands-on science experiences with kids to
health-oriented lectures for adults, and everything connected with brain
science, in between. Neuroscience is in a state of great ferment, with
fascinating new technologies and insights emerging daily. We have a lot of
fascinating stories to tell, and excitement to pass along to the next
generation.”
“Palm Beach County is well-poised to become a
hub for advancing brain health with incredible assets like the FAU Brain
Institute. At Palm Health Foundation, we are working with our partners to
realize the exciting potential of neuroscience and brain health, right here in
our own backyard,” said Patrick McNamara, Palm Health
Foundation president and CEO.
“Brainy
Days”exemplifies FAU’s commitment to
providing the community with the knowledge needed to maintain brain health and
lower one’s risk for brain diseases. Scientists at the FAU Brain Institute are
committed to conducting world-class research, the development of cutting-edge
technologies, and training the next generation of neuroscientists.
For
more information on “Brainy Days,”
contact Nicole Baganz, Ph.D., director of community engagement and programming of
FAU’s Brain Institute, at
BI-Outreach@fau.edu or 561-799-8100.
– FAU –
About
the FAU Brain Institute:
Inaugurated in 2016 on the John D. MacArthur Campus in
Jupiter, Fla., the FAU Brain Institute, supports research, education and
community outreach among more than 100 faculty level researchers at FAU and its
affiliate research centers. One of FAU’s four pillars that guide the
University’s goals and strategic actions, the Institute seeks to unlock the
secrets of brain development, function and plasticity and how the mechanisms
uncovered can be compromised to drive devastating brain disorders. From the
study of neuronal development and signaling to investigations of brain diseases
including addiction, autism, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, researchers
from FAU’s Brain Institute seek to generate knowledge that benefits society.
For more information about the Institute and its members, visit www.ibrain.fau.edu.
About Florida Atlantic University:
Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially
opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the
University, with an annual economic impact of $6.3 billion, serves more than
30,000 undergraduate and graduate students at sites throughout its six-county
service region in southeast Florida. FAU’s world-class teaching and research
faculty serves students through 10 colleges: the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of
Arts and Letters, the College of Business, the College for Design and Social
Inquiry, the College of Education, the College of Engineering and Computer
Science, the Graduate College, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, the
Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, the Christine E. Lynn College of
Nursing and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. FAU is ranked as a High
Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of
Teaching. The University is placing special focus on the rapid development of
critical areas that form the basis of its strategic plan: Healthy aging,
biotech, coastal and marine issues, neuroscience, regenerative medicine,
informatics, lifespan and the environment. These areas provide opportunities
for faculty and students to build upon FAU’s existing strengths in research and
scholarship. For more information, visit fau.edu.
About Palm Health
Foundation: Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s community
foundation for health. With the support of donors and a focus on results, the
foundation builds strong community partnerships, respects diverse opinions,
advocates for its most vulnerable neighbors and inspires innovative solutions
to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. The
foundation supports health equity for Palm Beach County residents of all
backgrounds, heritage, education, incomes and states of well-being. Palm
Health Foundation has invested more than $78 million in Palm Beach
County health since 2001. For more information about Palm
Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.
