The Best Advice I’ve Heard This Year (And How It Can Help YOU)

There are times that one becomes reflective about life…times of transition, times of challenge, as the seasons change, as the people in one’s life change, and for me, as of late, a time of transitioning to being a parent of older, more independent children.

Questions that arise include:  What is next for me? Am I doing meaningful work?  Am I helping others enough? Are there things I will regret not doing when I die? Am I happy?  Do I feel fulfilled? Are there new things I would like to learn?

The good news is that I have positive answers to all of these questions!

I love Bergen Family Chiropractic, all of the practice members, my amazing staff, and the meaningful work of helping people to be healthier and happier.

The memorable advice I recently heard from two special people…

First, on the way to Brazil last October, I watched the film “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” about Mister Rogers. In that film, he recalled his mom’s words, that during times of stress or strife to remember to “look for the helpers.”

That advice struck me.  She is so right. In any challenge, stressful time, difficult transition, or even disaster there are always helpers present.  You just have to look up and look around and YOU WILL FIND THEM. You will!

Reflection on Mister Rogers’ mother’s words lead me to think, “I am a helper to many people.”  I want to be a helper in as many people’s lives as possible because that is my calling and my vision of how to fulfill my own purpose on this planet.

The second piece of advice I recently heard that struck me was while listening to an interview of author Debbie Ford by Oprah on her SuperSoul Conversations podcast.  Debbie Ford at the time was fighting a long battle with cancer and she said, “If you don’t have a doctor who inspires you, find one who does.”

Wow! That is great advice that seems obvious on the surface yet some people don’t realize they have both a choice and an obligation to their own well-being to find a doctor who wants health for their patients, not just a good plan for fighting diseases.  I hope that makes sense to you. There is a difference between the creation of well-being and fighting diseased states.

This makes me want to shout out “I want to be your helper AND I want to inspire you!” 

It is my opinion that a road map to who you want to be, to how healthy you want to feel, and to the energy you want to have, can be an easy and enjoyable journey.  There is no guarantee of getting to the destination  that we may imagine for ourselves, yet it’s the journey that matters the most anyway.  How do we get up in the morning and live according to our intention of a content, happy, healthy day?  How do we forgive ourselves and self-correct when we screw up?  How do we envelope ourselves in a blanket of love and self-care?

Much of the “Ra Ra – You Can Be Perfect, Amazing, and The Best if you JUST DO WHAT I SELL TO YOU” rhetoric that is on the internet, in books, and on tv, just gives me heartburn and stress.  It feels like the horrible thinking of “I’ll be happy when… insert accomplishment here.”  (Which means you can’t be happy RIGHT NOW.)

We are taught to always be striving for more but I want to challenge that thinking.  We are enough right now. You are enough. Finding contentment and gratitude while inviting in continuous improvement, if you want that, doesn’t require making a project out of yourself and your life.  It only takes discovery and maybe, some helpers and a doctor that inspires you.  Maybe.

In summary:

• • Look for the helpers.

• • If you don’t have a doctor who inspires you, find one who does.

• I am here for you as both a helper and an inspiration (aka your personal health cheerleader).

With much love, gratitude, and contentment,

Dr. Amy Mercovich