Dr. Lisa's Bountiful Life

Village Building

Building a village takes time.

It takes dedication, and persistence.

It takes passion, and enthusiasm.

It requires the hands and hearts of many.

And, above all, it calls for faith.

Deep, abiding faith.

I am--we are--in the process of building a village. In our village, we believe that health and wellness are possible, and necessary, and worthwhile.

We believe that nurturing strong bodies, and clear heads, and joyful spirits, is an honorable pursuit.

We believe in the power of relationships, and community.

We believe in love, and living authentically.

For the past year, these ideals have found voice on our radio show. Called the "Dr. Lisa Radio Hour & Podcast," our weekly show is a forum where individuals can share the ideas that have brought wellness to their lives and the lives of others.

We've had doctors and teachers; businessmen and artists.

We've had singers, and architects, and landscape designers.

We've had those who care for the land, and the water, and the air.

Each week our show connects those who have a story, with those who want to listen to that story--and perhaps be inspired to live their own stories differently.

Or be inspired to share their stories, themselves.

This village building has required the time and energy of many. 

Village building, as noted, always does.

It is the support and feedback of those who have joined our village that keeps all of this going. Support from all of the show sponsors, who have personally invested their dollars in a cause they believe in.

Feedback from guests and listeners, whether via email, or Facebook, or streetside conversation, telling us that they hear us, and they value the village we are creating.

We could not keep doing this without them--without you.

I could not keep doing this without you.

So thank you. Thank you for your words, and your prayers, and your thoughts. 

Thank you for your financial support. Thank you for your willingness to be part of something bigger.

Thank you for helping me build this village.

You, my friends, have given me hope.

You, my friends, have caused me to understand the meaning of faith.

 

Camino Seguro, 2011

 

 

 

 

Dance Party

Dancing feet?

Yes, I've got them.

Dancing body, in fact.

It takes very little to get me out on the dance floor--or on any surface, for that matter. Just give me a beat. Maybe a bit of melody.

It doesn't even have to be a recognizable melody. 

This past weekend, I went to a party with the significant man in my life, and we were hard-pressed to identify the music issuing forth from the speakers. The DJ seemed in his own private world, playing techno-pop songs that likely did not have titles. 

The man and I danced, along with a few other brave souls, in a determined attempt to enjoy ourselves.

Enjoy ourselves we did, despite the strange tunes that kept us company.

I'm not an educated dancer. I've never studied tap or ballet.

But that doesn't stop me.

Very little does.

Really, it shouldn't stop any of us. 

If we are inspired to move our bodies about, what's keeping us from doing so? 

Life gives us music. It gives us bodies that want to boogie.

It gives us a limited number of precious days.

Why not dance?

 

sundance

July 2012

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Dr. Lisa's Bountiful Blog is read on the Dr. Lisa Radio Hour & Podcast. Show summaries are available on the Dr. Lisa website. Subscribe to podcasts of the show through iTunes and let us know what you think. 

Natural Habitat & the Sweet Spot

Most of us function best in our "natural habitat."

Some of us enjoy high energy, high stimulation environments; others crave places of quiet and solitude.

The majority of individuals require a balanced sampling of each.

Typically, if we are pushed too far in one direction, we will quickly realize this and make an effort to self-correct.

When we are unable to self-correct, our bodies/our friends/our families/our lives let us know that something isn't working. 

On the other hand, if we remain too long in an "overly safe" environment, we will come to realize that this doesn't work well, either. We aren't able to stretch and grow. We are unchallenged. We stagnate.

The key  in lies recognizing and aiming for what author Susan Cain calls the "sweet spot." In her book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking, Cain suggests that each of us has a natural habitat that enables us to be both stimulated and mindful of our energetic needs.

As a physician who practices acupuncture and Qigong, I am ever aware of the importance of personal energy.

Last week, I accompanied the significant man in my life to Maine's weeklong "Kennebunkport Festival."

There was much socializing, dining and dancing. Art. Music. Happiness and fun.

This was not what I consider to be my natural habitat. I am a doctor and a mother; a writer and a wanderer. I am a quiet contemplator of life's vicissitudes.

Last week, my alter ego emerged. I went to myriad events, and met many people. 

I loved the interactions.

I also needed to opportunity to balance these interactions with retreat. I balanced the dinners and parties with meditation, Qigong and running.

And at the end of the week, I realized I had grown. I realized that I had found a new and interesting "sweet spot."

I was proud of my admittedly introverted self.

I found that it can be highly worthwhile to push the boundaries of one's natural habitat.

Leaving my comfort zone was a most rewarding adventure.

Sweet spots abound in this amazing life of ours.

 

sweet spot/Gooserocks Beach

June 2012

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Dr. Lisa's Bountiful Blog is read on the Dr. Lisa Radio Hour & Podcast. Show summaries are available on the Dr. Lisa website. Subscribe to podcasts of the show through iTunes and let us know what you think. 

Not the Only One

I believe that many things are possible, even in the face of seeming impossibility.

I have been called impractical and a dreamer. I have been called idealistic.

Those who love me become frustrated at times, because I don't do things the way they--or many others--do.

I am grateful that, despite their frustration, I continue to be loved.

And I will keep trying to do things the way a few highly select others suggest I might. I have seen them find success in their ways, and I admire them greatly for that.

I will also keep being impractical and idealistic.

I will keep dreaming.

I will keep believing that things are possible, in the face of seeming impossibility.

I can't seem to help myself. Truly. I have tried.

Is this always easy?

Is it always easy to remain tuned in to who I am, and what I have to offer the world?

No. Decidedly not.

It takes daily doses of mindfulness and inspiration. It takes concerted effort.

It requires that I keep putting on my big girl pants and showing up.

I've been told that I write entirely too often about "showing up," but honestly, that is the most important thing I do.

As is seeking inspiration.

Last night I listened to our most recent Dr. Lisa Radio Hour & Podcast ("Creativity," show #31) and found myself inspired again.

I was proud of what our team has accomplished in just over six months.

I was proud to offer a source of inspiration to the world.

Because I know that I am not the only impractical idealist out there.

I know that I am not the only dreamer. One need only listen to John Lennon to recognize that.

So as I seek the possible in impossibility, I need to keep showing up every day and open myself to inspiration.

And find hope in the certainty that I am not dreaming alone. 

 

on the prize

2012

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Dr. Lisa's Bountiful Blog is read on the Dr. Lisa Radio Hour & Podcast. Show summaries are available on the Dr. Lisa website. Subscribe to podcasts of the show through iTunes and let us know what you think.