I like car washes. I really like the old fashioned ones where they let you ride inside the car! What a marvelously fun time to be safely inside the cocoon of your car, while experiencing splashing all around you. The foaming bubbles, wands and brushes massaging and cleansing your car is an immensely fun experience. Just when you are having such a pleasurable adventure, out comes the suction to dry you off with a big swoop. In seconds all the suds have been wiped away and your car is now shiny and new! It was in the good old days we stayed in our car and enjoyed the marvel. Today you typically have a car wash menu where you can select various options. Do you want the basic car wash, do you want just an exterior cleaning or an additional interior vacuuming? Would you prefer the deluxe option where they clean both the interior and exterior buffing everything for optimal cleanliness and shine?
Interestingly, car washes came up in a conversation I had with my mom just the other day. My mom lives in Modiin in Israel for the past 14 years. It was my parents’ dream to make Aliya. Unfortunately my father passed away just a month before they were set to move. I give my mother a lot of credit for picking up and moving across the world on her own during such a difficult time. I have missed her terribly during this last year when we have been unable to travel and see each other. Of course we talk every day and face-time occasionally, but it is just not the same. My mother is a big supporter behind the scenes of what I do for a living. She loves hearing Acupuncture success stories but thinks I work too hard. Of course mothers are always right! She also thoroughly enjoys reading my articles. I wonder what she’ll think of this one.
I tend to call my mom just before 7:00 in the morning when I am setting up the office before beginning with patients. That is 2:00 in the afternoon her time. I hear about her day. I encourage her to go swimming outdoors, go for walks, etc. The last few months of isolation is especially trying for someone living alone. I wish we were closer to each other but it is what it is. My mom had a challenging week health wise and it led us to a discussion about body parts. In medicine today the body is broken down into parts. One can have multiple symptoms that lead to numerous different specialists in order to investigate each symptom. No longer do we have the old fashioned family care Dr. who took care of all your ailments in a one stop shop. How sweet were those days when your Dr. knew you personally? Today because of the challenges of insurance, health care has become very fragmented. I often see patients who are frustrated by their experience and lack of answers even after seeing a myriad of different specialists. It has become more about testing and black and white results, vs. listening to the patient and actually hearing and understanding their primary and secondary complaints. If we had more time to listen, how much better could we properly diagnose their ailments? How much faster would we be able to help them heal and get better? Even more so, how much better to be able to offer a natural holistic treatment without the secondary side effects of medication. This is what I strive for in my practice every day. I am grateful for my patients. I am grateful for every person who comes though my door and I am able to help. I love what I do for a living, and I believe my patients know it, feel it, and reap the benefits.
In our conversation about car washes, my mom and I were both laughing in hysteric fits. My mom could have used the deluxe car wash menu option this past week. She really needed and could have benefited from the indoor outdoor wash, vacuum, buffing etc. She needed to feel all shiny and new.
I know many of you can relate. This year has brought tremendous stressful challenges that we have never in our day experienced. Along with the ongoing emotional strain, it often causes physical ailments as well. The mind- body connection is strong. There has never been a more important time for self care. As we embark on the beginning of the Jewish New Year, we should choose the deluxe option. Utilize Acupuncture and Holistic Healing and care for ourselves both in mind, body and spirit. It is essential we take care of the interior as well as the exterior in the hopes of feeling shiny and new. Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy Healing, Shiny and peaceful New Year.