Dr. Kenney’s Friday 5 Spot
On Fridays I like to share experiences I’ve had during the week with patients and in my personal life that I’ve found significant. I like to share them in hopes that you might find value in them and have something resonate with you in your life.
Something that being in practice has taught me. I have seen thousands of patients in my career in debilitating pain. Some are from serious accidents, injuries, or conditions they did nothing to cause themselves. However, the majority are from long term damage that could have been prevented with even basic steps being taking physically and nutritionally.
When most reach this point, they wish they could turn back time and make better decisions. No one wants to live in pain or be unable to enjoy their life. The lesson is to take every step possible now so that you can be at your optimal level of health for as long as possible. That means making (at minimum) decent decisions regarding what you put into your body and how you care for it through exercise, stretching, chiropractic, massage and more. The small decisions that may seem a hassle now, will earn you more quality time later in life.
Something I believe. In any endeavor with the goal of making you better, there is a “positive point of no return.” This is a phrase I use to mean the amount of time necessary to start seeing a result that will provide you confidence and hope. “A positive point of no return” can be powerful because it helps us to prove to ourselves that something is possible.
For example, when working with someone that needs to lose fifty pounds, if they can stay consistent long enough to lose the first 5-10, it becomes much easier thereafter. Thus, ten pounds of weight loss can be their “positive point no return” where they’ll keep going and not quit on their goal. The point is, it is important to remain steadfast and patient when working toward a goal of self-improvement. It will not be easy, but if you can stay committed long enough to reach the point where you see results and believe in yourself, you will feel like anything is achievable.
A common question I get. People that know about my races, training, and regimen often ask me if I worry that I’m taking too much time away from my family. Usually this is asked in a passive-aggressive manner by someone that does little to care for themselves, wanting me to feel selfish. My answer is that I do not worry at all.
First, no one in my family would ever tell you that I sacrifice time with them to work out, run, or train. I simply complete those activities around my responsibilities and commitments. If I must get up at 2am to train, I will, but I will not miss games or events to do so. Second and more importantly, I am proud of the example I set for my children to follow. Speaking this lesson to them may help, but showing them is much more effective. My hope is that my kids understand that taking time for family is just as crucial as taking time to care for yourself, and that they help each other.
Something I believe. Years ago, my wife taught me the concept of life having “seasons.” This means that some periods of life are great, and some are not. For example, a bad year that you’ve gone through would be a tough season. Getting engaged, married, or having a child are likely to be great ones, however.
I believe the concept of “seasons” is accurate but would also add that the “weather” in those seasons may vary. In other words, you may have two great months then a brutal two week stretch. That does not mean the entire period was horrible. I encounter people regularly that go through a brief, tough time and lose sight of all the good things happening to/for them. They fall apart because things are not perfect. Tough times and challenges happen to all of us, we just need to deal with them. Always remember that your life will have “seasons,” and even within those times you will experience good and bad “weather.”
Some quotes I love.
“Some people are investments, and some people are bills.”
“Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.” – St. Augustine
“Be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.” – W. Clement Stone
“Two traps you need to avoid: 1. Caring what they think. 2. Thinking that they care.”