“The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival. ~ Aristotle”   Are You Awake? It is morning; the alarm goes off, you roll out of bed and shuffle along to start your day. But are you really awake? If you are like most of us, you resume autopilot mode as soon as your feet hit the floor. Following your routine; for meals, exercise, work, sleep and even how you deal with stress; is easy because you don’t have to think about it. But is this mechanical, conveyor belt survival...

It was a great honor for me to have worked at the 20th Annual Scientific Conference on Lyme & Other Tick-Borne Diseases on September 21 & 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, PA. It was jointly co-hosted by the national Lyme Disease Association (LDA) and Columbia University. Working this conference gave me backstage insight and a front row seat to the transformation of medical minds. I saw that because I worked the registration table and had interactions with all the speakers, scholarship winners and attendees all day long. I witnessed the shift in thinking as the conversations evolved during breaks and...

According to the publication Harvard Health, there is indeed a gut-brain connection and it can link emotions to stomach problems and vice versa. We’ve developed language that speaks to what science is now discovering: the gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to emotion. We’ve all had “gut-wrenching” experiences, felt “butterflies” before a important event or just had a “gut feeling” about a situation or person. I’ve found my gut to be more reliable than my brain at times, perhaps most of the time. My gut is more honest while my brain tries to justify or minimize the situation or action. Our...

What does Joy mean you? What brings Joy to your life? How can this Joy be expanded? Noticed more intentionally in every day? And when you notice Joy, how do you feel? References or word definitions of Joy include pleasure, delight, satisfaction, happiness, gladness, glee, elation, euphoria, and bliss. Why is Joy important? Joy can lighten our ‘load(s)’. Lift our spirit, our mindset, our outlook. Joy is essential to achieving an overall state of wellbeing, yet it at times seems elusive and this elusiveness can add to a sense of overwhelm with life. In turn this can spiral to...

In our current day, there is a robust movement to relearn tools of self-care, to reinsert them into our daily lives. We’ve gone so long in a state of imbalance. We’ve cared for others without reprieve, worked without sufficient play, parented without help, lived with chronic lack of sleep, engorged on a chronically poor diet. All, I suppose, in service of misguided ideals. And to medicate this imbalance, we’ve turned to false and artificial remedies such as pharmaceuticals, processed food, sugar, alcohol, drugs, and materialism. But, today, there is evidence of a concerted effort to bring back authentic and...

Whether you’re standing still, running to your next appointment, or dancing the salsa, think about how much time you spend on your feet. Most Americans log 75,000 miles on their feet by the time they reach age 50, according to the American Medical Podiatric Association (APMA). Healthy feet are a vital component to overall health, so here are some tips from some local experts. Take care of your feet so they can keep taking care of you! Kenny Maisak, Doctor of podiatric medicine at Portland Foot and Ankle The best treatment is also the best prevention: get supportive shoes...

The question in the title is one that I have pondered over the course of my spiritual journey. The great spiritual masters have shared that Suffering is an Option and lately, I have discovered that Suffering is NOT an Option for those who are working diligently to reach the pinnacle of their spiritual journey. This sounds like a contradiction but in reality, it is not. Suffering is an Option means that you have a choice to suffer. Pain is Inevitable because you can struggle in your mind or body or spirit or emotions but suffering from the pain is...

Cancer causes more deaths each year in the U.S. than any other diagnosis besides heart disease (cancer.org). In Maine and for women and men aged 45-64, it’s the leading cause of death each year. Approximately 38% of the U.S. population will be diagnosed with cancer at some time in their lifetime. Cancer affects us all, in one way or another. What is Integrative Oncology? Per Stephen Sagar, MD in 2006, “Integrative oncology combines the discipline of modern science with the wisdom of traditional healing. It is an evolving evidence-based specialty that uses complementary therapies in concert with medical treatment...