I’m excited to have a new home for my “Wellness Warrior” column…thank you Valley Sentinel staff for graciously offering to host it. For those of you new to my column, here’s a bit of an introduction:
Several years ago I returned home to my roots here in Richland Center after a career in the Air Force as a nurse. After remodeling my house, I was eager to complete my e-book titled, “Wellness Warriors”. Beyond this, I was excited to continue educating folks on holistic wellness options we all have in addition or instead of allopathic or traditional medicine. When I began my column, the only restriction I was given by Dawn Kiefer — the Richland Observer editor at the time — was the number of words to use.
To date, I have authored 293 Wellness Warrior articles, one of the last articles was titled “Holistic Wellness: Voting Your True Beliefs/Values”. However, that column did not appear in the Richland Observer like it usually does. After speaking to newspaper staff here in Richland Center, as well as the gentleman acting as our publisher (who oversees several small newspapers here in southwestern Wisconsin), I was told my column was “too political” and that “politics has no place in a wellness column” (even though it was a paid, sponsored space). Realistically, I knew I grew up in a conservative community, however, I was totally saddened by my freedom of speech being silenced by what used to be my hometown newspaper, not once, but three times. Obviously, the rules of engagement have changed! What’s a “Wellness Warrior” author to do? Not let the conservative turkeys have the last say (I have reported these infractions by the Morris Publications to the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.) Nevertheless…onward!
Is it possible that wellness or holistic wellness needs to be better defined so we’re all on the same page? Holistic wellness to me has a huge umbrella encompassing the three-legged stool of mind, body and spirit. The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as “the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health”. So that’s what I intend to explore in future articles as well as whether politics should be included in our wellness discussion. I’m always on the hunt for ways to improve my wellness journey and guess what, you get to come along for the ride. As I often say, take what you like and leave the rest, however, if you gain at least one thing…that’s a win! It’s about progress…not perfection.
Now for the elephant (versus donkey) in the room…by the time you read this, we will have a new president of our country. Admittedly, I was not only shocked, but saddened in terms of how many voted this person into office once again given the lack of ethics, criminal behavior, disrespect for women, and having led a government insurrection to turn over the election results…shall I go on?
Being a retired military member, I will also add his seeming disrespect for those who have served…calling them/us suckers and losers. In addition, he would not allow the flags at half mast to honor our past president, Jimmy Carter, had his inauguration been outside…how simply pathetic.
However, moving on, how do we find and maintain our serenity and hope of better days to come? We have the option of distancing ourselves by putting our heads in the sand and denouncing him as “my president” …I think that’s called detachment without love. Currently, I’m not planning to watch the inauguration tomorrow…it seems like too much reality so I may tune into an entertaining commentary tomorrow evening so I get some well-needed humor out of the deal at least.
Realistically, I totally get that changes to our government, immigration, etc are necessary…however, at what cost? Time will tell…it will be an “interesting” period of time for us all. We all deserve nice things plus competent, ethical, inclusive, and kind leaders that respect and uphold the democratic process.
Let’s join the resistance movement as needed…let’s make our voices heard by making positive changes where we can, locally and nationally, Wellness Warriors…our Holistic Wellness will benefit by having a voice and taking action…our journey continues…thanks for coming along!
“I find hope in the darkest of days and focus on the brightness.”
and
“Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.” – Dalai Lama