Each one of us knows someone who is suffering from or has died from one of the killer diseases. Over 4000 people per day are dying from cancer and cardiovascular diseases in the United States. During the past year, I have had my share of family and friends that have suffered, are suffering, or have died from illnesses related to these two causes.
Though I am saddened by this, it has strengthened my resolve. If each of us would only adopt a few vital behaviors, we could greatly reduce a lot of unnecessary suffering and early death.
My vision is the creation of a culture of wellness in our homes, our workplaces, our institutions, and our communities. Culture is defined as the ability to pass on learned information. In a culture of wellness, we will pass on our learned vital health promoting behaviors to our children and loved ones. Therefore, creating a culture of wellness is simply the ability to pass on the behaviors that rebuild and renew the body’s cells for nine decades or more.
Massive problems require a community of influencers working in concert to solve them. You can help me partner with these influencers by recommending people who have influenced you – people you truly respect. These influencers are people who are committed to serving others, who are willing to adopt vital behaviors for improving their own health and personal economy, and who are willing to encourage others to adopt these behaviors for the good of all.
I am willing to meet with the opinion leaders that you recommend and train them, if they are willing to join our influence community. Please provide their names and contact information with the best time to call them. Also, send them a introductory note with this message and let them know that I’ll contact them soon.
I am reading a statement from the president of the University of Western States on the lifestyle and nutritional management of hypertension. I have included it here for your perusal.
“Dr. Vasquez artfully contends that chronic hypertension is a clinical finding of vascular dysfunction that is best managed with exercise and dietary measures, and that chiropractic doctors are uniquely positioned to provide such management. I wholeheartedly agree with him.” Joseph Brimhall, D.C. President, University of Western States, 2010
In his forward to Functional Integrative Medicine for Chronic Hypertension, Dr Vasquez states,
“…heart disease and vascular disorders cause tremendous losses in quality of life for a large segment of the population and are the primary causes of death in our society. Chronic high blood pressure is both a cause of and an indicator of vascular dysfunction and disease. For the most part, these health problems are self-inflicted, meaning that they are the result of how we live, what we eat, and how we view health (and healthcare) in general. Consequently, Dr. Vasquez submits that patients with vascular problems as indicated by chronic hypertension are best managed through dietary changes, nutritional interventions, exercise and other lifestyle modifications. These natural approaches are almost always more safe and effective than conventional drug-based therapies.”
A few years ago, I read Wayne Baker’s “Achieving Success Through Social Capital.” In the book, he outlined a relationship grid which described four types of relationships. Three of those relationships did not have a mutually beneficial vested interest.
The first relationship described is called a spot market deal oriented relationship. There is no history and no expectation of commitment to future transactions. I get what I want. You get want you want. Each person has a vested interest only in himself or herself. These relationships are short-term, fleeting transactions.
The second type of relationship is an exploitation relationship. You get exploited by others who don’t make investments in the relationship and who take advantage of the investments you make. You are looking to build a relationship (friendship, business, etc.) and the other is looking to make a deal. Over time, you begin to have the uneasy, gut feelings of being taken advantage of. To protect yourself, you withdraw from this relationship.
The third type of relationship is much like the second. It is called an exit relationship. In this relationship the roles are reversed. The other person is willing to make investments in you, but you are only in it for what you can extract from the deal. The other person will exit sooner or later.
The fourth type of relationship is a partnership relationship. Both people are relationship oriented. In a partnership relationship each person desires loyal, mutually beneficial, long-term relationships. These relationships are sustainable because each person has a vested interest in each others’ success.
Stay well and prosper.
