Imagine…a healthcare system that works as a collaborative force to support the healing and vitality of the patient. A unified system that encourages us to make decisions rooted in feeling healthy and whole. A system of expansion that educates, guides and empowers us to make choices that have the ability to transform our lives. A practical system that is affordable and a sustainable investment. An innovative system that pioneers the science and study of healing and human optimization, discoveries that can have a significant impact for future generations. An inspirational system that focuses on lifting and shifting people in the direction of true health. Sounds impossible, unrealistic or out of reach? Well, alternatives to our current healthcare system are absolutely possible, as enough of us begin to awaken and explore potent healing tools and medicine, rooted in natural systems.

The human body, mind and spirit are nothing less than miraculous. Within us is a natural healing system that is so dynamic and capable of things far beyond the scope of our limited understanding, perceptions and opinions. Somewhere along the way, as a species, we stopped trusting this intricate healing system that is always working to bring us back to a state of harmonious balance and flow. We instinctively know at a primal level that there are simple and effective ways to activate our own natural healing, yet have found it difficult to break away from our established “cut, burn, poison” model, driven and funded in part by Big Pharma and Big Insurance. I have deep respect and appreciation for the committed and talented nurses, doctors, researchers and all other healthcare workers who support and care for the sick and traumatized every day. Many on the front lines of this healthcare crisis understand that how we “cope” with and “kill” the pain and dis-ease ultimately suppresses the real power we have within us to transform it. As we continue to bridge modern scientific discoveries in health with our ancient healing wisdom, this collective shift is gaining momentum. We are currently experiencing an accelerated technological revolution that continues to push us far above and beyond what we could have visualized as possible just a few years ago. It is an explosive time in our human history where, literally at our fingertips, we have access to an unprecedented amount of shared knowledge, ideas and people. Filtering through the information overload can be overwhelming and finding viable solutions feels like an insurmountable task.

Take a deep breath and relax. It is all unfolding as it should…

Any real change to the whole (macro) always starts with a smaller shift at the individual level (micro). So, where can we begin? With the basics, of course! Many of us are curious, conscious and clear about how we are choosing to engage with the simple “basics” in life…the subtle aspects of our human experience that often go unnoticed in our busy and disconnected world of distractions and quick fixes. I see these “basics” (the NEW Universal Medicine) as the key to unlocking and activating our own healing potential, as well as an antidote to our current healthcare dilemma.

True medicine is a remedy that goes directly into the problem/pain, in order to heal and renew. It is less about killing or suppressing the pain and more about shining a light on the source of the problem. As we know, the only real way out is through. Universal Medicine holds the potential to transform the darkness into light, the poison into nectar.

Universal Medicine:

Breath. Our breath is our life. How we breathe is how we live. It’s the first action we take when we are born and the last as we die. It keeps us grounded in our physical body and healthy in our energetic body. Our breath provides us with the essential oxygen and Qi (energy/electricity) needed to function and flow properly every day. Do we feel and connect with our breath? Do we breathe through our nose or mouth? Is our breathing rapid or labored, natural or forced? Taking the time to observe our own natural breath is an informative and powerful practice. Watching the breath is most likely the oldest form of meditation. When we start to notice and understand the deep connection between our breath and our life, opportunity for real transformation begins. How does our breath help move us forward or hold us back in life? The breathwork/pranayama world is massive, giving us access to incredible teachers, techniques, apps, research and wisdom. Pause. Breathe. Happy exploring!

*A good excuse to listen to Pink Floyd’s “Breathe (In the Air)” for a little inspiration:) Side note- one of the most memorable and magical live music experiences of my life was seeing Pink Floyd perform in 1994 outdoors in Rome, Italy…as a free spirited 20 year old!

Meditation. When we become seriously interested in meditation, we undergo a shift in mindset from “doing” to “being”, which can feel unfamiliar and uncomfortable to our conditioned minds. Meditation is really just about relaxing our monkey mind, feeling into our body and becoming natural with our breath…with ease and gentle awareness. Extensive research shows the vast benefits of meditation and confirms what has been known and documented for thousands of years. Meditation before activation brings calm, clarity and an openness to situations that require our focused presence (hello, daily life!). This essential medicine allows us to experience the phenomenon of living. A consistent practice, which requires patience and an open heart, is a powerful panacea for so many of the afflictions in our life. What does it feel like to have an open heart? There is a simple meditation that can help us experience the feeling of an open heart, even for a brief moment. The Inner Smile* dates back to the ancient Taoist sages of China and is still used in some of the older martial arts schools. These ancient schools understood that when facing a fight or fear, true courage is needed, which cannot be learned and only comes from having an open heart. When the heart is open, it also helps the flow of blood and energy throughout the body.

*Explore AcuEnergetics® meditations, include the Tibetan and Chinese versions of the Inner Smile.

Nature. Earth is our real home. This abundant home of ours provides the most potent medicine for our healing and growth…simply because we are not separate from nature, we ARE nature. We are made of the same elements that are the foundation for sustainable life on our planet- Water, Earth, Fire and Air. When an obstacle or challenge comes along our path, health related or otherwise, nature’s pharmacy and bountiful wisdom offers the remedy, if we are open to receiving it. When we interact with and become more connected to natural rhythms and cycles, we begin to understand our own cycles of growth and transformation. Don’t take my word for it…start to develop your own relationship with nature by observing and exploring it with all of your senses- sight, sound, smell, touch, feel, taste, and any other sensation. Our planet is alive with vital plants, birds, trees, insects, animals, mushrooms, rocks, and insight waiting to be exposed in magical ways, always revealing a message and potential medicine for us. How has nature been a source of medicine for you in your own life? Wherever you find yourself in the world, get out there and EXPERIENCE the simple pleasure of being present with nature, in all of its wonder. It could be as simple as noticing a single tree along a bustling city street or a beautiful flower sprouting up in the most unexpected place. Over time, watch how your life transforms and becomes a reflection of that natural beauty. Feel the earth beneath your feet, the sun touch your face, the air caress your skin, water saturate your bones. As we are more connected with the natural world that sustains us, we make choices in our life that support and empower us. How and what we consume, absorb, digest and allow in our life and body becomes essential medicine for us.

“Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better.” -Albert Einstein

Play. It is easy to observe in children their natural desire to play. To play is to engage with the world from a place of wonder, curiosity and imagination…for nothing more than the simple pleasure and enjoyment of it! Studies highlight the importance of play in child development and is viewed, from pediatricians to educators, as a vital part of a healthy childhood. As we grow into adulthood, we start to resist and control our natural desire to play, until one day we wake up and have forgotten how to truly play in the world! Natural, uninhibited play can feel silly, vulnerable and unnecessary in the serious and busy adult lives we have created. Structured games and sports, with their rules and restrictions (and many benefits!), often become our only form of play. How could something that is crucial for our growth and wellbeing as children become so insignificant as adults? Spending time with children can help us rediscover our innate connection to joy and magic. With a little remembering, courage and practice, we can start to reap the positive benefits of play offered to us now. As we reconnect with our natural playfulness, life becomes a fun and interesting playground.

What and how did you play as a child when you felt free, uninhibited and without restrictions? Can you remember how it felt to play in that magical way? Was play encouraged and modeled by the adults in your life? When and how did that change for you? Do you give yourself permission to play now?

To cultivate more play in our life and experience this powerful medicine, it helps to be anchored in the present moment, giving ourselves the space to feel the freedom and flow of PLAY!

*Create* Magic* Wild* Sing* Explore* Laugh* Dance* Imagine* Joy*

Laughter. Genuine laughter truly IS the best medicine. Next time you have a REALLY good laugh, you know the kind- not a chuckle, giggle, or snicker- take note of how your body feels. It is with this understanding that we start to harness the power of laughter to transform the pain and heartbreak we encounter in our lives. Plus, it just feels great! Did you have a good laugh today? I think we could all agree that our serious world needs more of it:)

Movement. Life is in perpetual motion. Movement of the physical and energetic body as a daily medicine helps us build the inner and outer strength, flexibility and resilience needed to fluidly move through all areas of our life. Through our own exploration of movement (not limited to traditional “fitness”) , we discover and define what supports our individual needs and desires. How do we move in ways that give us the spark, strength and stamina needed to live the life we choose?

Flow. Adapt. Turn. Stretch. Open. Up. Down. Pain. Release. Strong. Courage. Kick. Go. Grace. Focus. Flexible. Trust. Transform. Surrender.

Food. The Ancient Greek physician and “Father of Medicine” Hippocrates wise words “let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” have stood the test of time for a reason. Just like the air we breathe, what we eat/drink becomes our daily fuel and contains the necessary nourishment and Qi (energy/electricity) our body needs to function. It not only keeps us alive, but also has the potential to transform illness and restore homeostasis. In our modern, advanced world, we have incredible access to pretty much any type of food from around the globe, grown in wildly diverse environments and conditions. This gives us an opportunity to choose the most supportive “medicine” for us, based on our individual needs. There are also major issues that arise from this level of access that must be considered, including quality, denaturing and a disconnection from where and how our food has been sourced. As we develop a deeper awareness around what we choose to ingest and digest, we need to remind ourselves to be curious, release judgment, have fun…and SAVOR the experience.

Sleep. We all have experienced sleep deprivation to some degree and understand how crucial sleep is to our mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. The science of sleep explores the myriad ways that sleep and lack thereof can help or hinder us. A good sleep cycle resets our entire system and gives us the space needed to recover, renew and restore health and vitality. It is true that we spend one third of our life sleeping, which every successful mattress salesperson already knows, so how do we make the most of this invaluable chunk of time? How do we support and align with our natural circadian rhythms?

There are so many engaging books and resources dedicated to the art and science of sleep. The Sleep Revolution is an insightful exploration into how sleep shapes and influences every aspect of our life.

Love. Last, but definitely not least. Love medicine is the source of all healing and a powerful force for transformation in the world. Love is our natural state of being. It is infinite and sacred. To understand and access the alchemical magic of love in our own life, we must cultivate a deep sense of self love, which can be challenging and requires patience and commitment. This ongoing process of self discovery will include a fair amount of unlearning, unblocking and untaming of subconscious beliefs and patterns that do not serve our most healthy and vibrant self. These constricting beliefs stem from something we have picked up along the way- old stories we attach to that are not rooted in truth. Loving ourselves fully is a daily practice of compassion, forgiveness and honesty. Trust that you are exactly where you are supposed to be.

Real love is not romantic love (although a lovely by-product) and is not conditional. When we love and respect ourselves more, we make choices that create deeper joy, meaning and healing in our life, which radiates into the world around us. From this open place, we begin to experience and see how true love is pure alchemy.

Be kind and gentle with yourself as you explore and experiment with the Universal Medicine that resonates with you. Life is your laboratory…

With an open heart and curious mind,

Gretchen

“As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.”

— Rumi