Gratitude for our bodies is medicine
Hello to all my wonderful patients!
We are in the darkest time of the year as we head towards the winter solstice. Embrace the dark, knowing the light will come. Winter is the time of the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder in Chinese Medicine. The element that corresponds to Winter is Water. The emotion related to the Kidneys and Water element is fear, and the balance to that is safety. This is a time for reminding your nervous system it's safe. Allow for more stillness, deep belly breathing, and nourishment. Eat warm foods, keep your low back and feet warm, and let yourself be still more often—maybe just a little less multitasking. Pay attention to the breath moving in and out of your lower belly as you move through your day. Allow yourself to sleep more, do less, and observe nature.
I have been contemplating lately on how deeply grateful I feel for the work I get to do and for ALL of my patients. Every patient that I've seen for the last 16 years practicing acupuncture, and for another 2 years before that practicing Tuina, Thai massage, and being an intern in the clinic at Five Branches, has taught me something. That is almost two decades of having the privilege of helping other people to the best of my ability and, at the same time, receiving an immense amount back. I just turned 49. Maybe being almost 50 now has made me really take a step back—or maybe a step towards—what is really meaningful to me in this one wild and precious life. ALL of my patients have meant a lot to me. I am deeply honored that so many people have trusted me with their health and hearts.
I believe gratitude is medicine. When we can all focus on what is going right, on what we do have, and on the countless miracles that happen every day, we get to change the story that the survivalist in us thrives on in order to feed the fear. When we focus on or even just find slivers of gratitude, our nervous system calms down, and we can rest and digest what is happening in and outside of our bodies. I truly believe how we speak to ourselves, and our bodies can benefit ourselves and all beings. Our bodies do so much for us every moment of every day.
May we all accept and love our bodies as they are right now, in this moment.
May we all be safe, happy, healthy, and at ease in our bodies.
Thank you ALL for being a part of this one wild and precious life with me. The deep gratitude I've been feeling has been leaving me with the feeling of wanting to give back. I'd like to give back to this amazing community that has given me so much since I moved here 20 years ago from Flagstaff, Arizona, to go to acupuncture school. I will be donating 10% of all profits in December to Shared Adventures, a phenomenal local non-profit that helps people with special needs go on life-changing adventures. Here is a link to their website if you want to learn more about them:
https://sharedadventures.org/about-shared-adventures/
So come on in, spread the love, and treat yourself at the same time! Use this link to book an appointment this holiday season: https://dradriannagonzalez.com/join
In Deep Gratitude,
Adrianna
PS: The Good Times is doing the Best of Awards differently this year. To appear on the ballot at the end of December, you must get nominated first. If you feel inspired, please nominate me for best acupuncturist with this link here: https://www.goodtimes.sc/best-of-ballot/#/gallery?group=498172
