Business is tough these days. Anyone who is trying to make a living knows just how tough it is. But even if you are one of the lucky ones that have the steady income you had 4 years ago, you are still affected by how people conduct business. Basically, what I see are two different kinds of business people. The first kind are those who are taking it personally. These people think that the economy is singling them out and keeping them from the lifestyle in which they have become accustomed. These people, as a result, are jacking up their prices to compensate for the decline in sheer numbers....I believe some call it gouging. Or if they aren't gouging they are getting downright angry with anyone who doesn't (or can't) do business with them. It's as if these people feel entitled to your business...perhaps because you have done business with them in the past. But we are all, regardless of our situation, being more careful about who we do business with. And competition is a good thing. The pricing issue is one thing. It's easy to just say, "no...can't afford that" and walk away. It's the attitude stuff that bothers me more. I really don't think it's fair to be hit in the face with your anger because your business isn't doing so well.
The second type of business person is the one who is grateful for what they have. These folks are understanding of the situation that so many people are in and doing what they can to, A)stay alive but B)giving people a break. I have to believe that this second type of person will come out of this recession in better shape. Maybe I am naive, God knows,....but maybe, just maybe those people that you treated fairly will be loyal customers when things improve. I choose to believe.
I can tell you that there are a few of category one people who will never get my business again after having to deal with their negativity. And, you know...these people should be upset by that because, although I don't have any money right now...I might have money tomorrow...and won't they be so sad! And there are more out there who share my attitude...and some of them do have money now.
I guess if I had one wish I would wish that there was more widespread spirit of generosity. I am trying to do my best with walking the talk. I am offering reasonably priced massage to everyone. And I keep offering affordable massage for those people who know how good it is for their health. I am not simply trying to lure in new customers, although, frankly, I could use some, so if you are reading this please come see me!
I have to believe that what you put out there is what you will get back. It doesn't always seem that way, but I'm not gonna give up. There are two old sayings that are either anonymous or I just don't know who to credit. "Like finds like." and "Giving opens the way for receiving." Believe!!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Chi
This is an article that I read on a very good website, acupuncture.com. I am posting this because I think it is a good explanation of chi, and how everything affects our chi.
Weather and Emotions Affects the Flow of Chi
By Jaseng Center for Alternative Medicine
The word chi literally means "breath" and "air," as well as "energy." And all forms of life in the universe are animated by this essential life force. According to the tenets of Oriental medicine, humans and all other living things stand between "heaven," the source of chi, and the earth, which gives life to all things on the planet. And the energy of weather, which is called "celestial energy" as it also springs from heaven, passes through the human body system like electricity moves through a conductor. Chi circulates across the surface of the body, just below the skin, protecting the entire organism from invasion by extremes of environmental energy such as heat, cold, dryness and wind.
It follows, therefore, that the human energy system - the meridians through which chi flows - is strongly influenced by the various types of environmental energy and, in particular, weather conditions. When certain climatic conditions become extreme, specific internal organs are directly affected. The energy of cold, for example, attacks the meridian associated with the kidneys, so extreme cold can cause kidney malfunction.
In addition, the energy of strong wind or brutally cold weather has a negative influence on life force energy in the body, keeping chi from flowing smoothly in the meridian lines. This sometimes causes bodily aches and pains that seem to have no other apparent cause, and in many cases brings on the symptoms of a second-stage cold like headache, chills, and fever, with no evidence of viral invasion.
It goes without saying that working outside for a long period of time in the summer or winter, exposed to extreme temperatures, is harmful to one's health. Symptoms of this type of overexposure include fever, dry lips, constipation and heaviness in the chest. Some people who sit in damp grass or get caught in the rain experience headaches, arthritis, and bodily swelling, as extreme moisture can block the flow of chi in meridian lines.
Sudden shifts in emotions can also trigger a chain-reaction of energy imbalance throughout the body. And these reactions are just as strong as those caused by extreme climatic conditions. It is a well-known fact that a person suffering from extreme personal grief, such as the death of a spouse, becomes highly vulnerable to all sorts of disease. Fear is a symptom of temporary kidney dysfunction, but prolonged chronic fear can actually cause permanent kidney damage. Frequent fits of anger reflect liver problems, but a person who is almost constantly angry will damage an otherwise healthy liver. This then generates even more anger, creating a vicious psychosomatic circle. So, when you are angry, try to stop thinking about what is making you angry. You can do this by meditating, sitting in a quiet place, or simply listening to calming music. In the same sense, mental shock or psychological disorders - which can stem from anything from bad childhood experiences to watching too many horror movies - can also hinder the growth of the body. When the pathways and meridian lines of chi are disturbed by mental illness, they directly influence the condition of the bones, disrupting or even stopping normal growth.
Chi energy moves similar to how electricity moves through a computer, along a well-defined circuit, the meridians. And this energy can be manipulated to release blockages and increase health through meditation, acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. With moxibustion, moxa (artemisia) sticks are burned close to the skin over certain points on the meridians. Moxibustion and acupuncture are especially effective in treating breathing problems, pains in the chest and the back as well as disturbed chi circulation caused by an imbalance of energy in the meridian lines. These Traditional Chinese medicine modalities can be very helpful for many other health conditions that are caused by either weather or emotions.
Weather and Emotions Affects the Flow of Chi
By Jaseng Center for Alternative Medicine
The word chi literally means "breath" and "air," as well as "energy." And all forms of life in the universe are animated by this essential life force. According to the tenets of Oriental medicine, humans and all other living things stand between "heaven," the source of chi, and the earth, which gives life to all things on the planet. And the energy of weather, which is called "celestial energy" as it also springs from heaven, passes through the human body system like electricity moves through a conductor. Chi circulates across the surface of the body, just below the skin, protecting the entire organism from invasion by extremes of environmental energy such as heat, cold, dryness and wind.
It follows, therefore, that the human energy system - the meridians through which chi flows - is strongly influenced by the various types of environmental energy and, in particular, weather conditions. When certain climatic conditions become extreme, specific internal organs are directly affected. The energy of cold, for example, attacks the meridian associated with the kidneys, so extreme cold can cause kidney malfunction.
In addition, the energy of strong wind or brutally cold weather has a negative influence on life force energy in the body, keeping chi from flowing smoothly in the meridian lines. This sometimes causes bodily aches and pains that seem to have no other apparent cause, and in many cases brings on the symptoms of a second-stage cold like headache, chills, and fever, with no evidence of viral invasion.
It goes without saying that working outside for a long period of time in the summer or winter, exposed to extreme temperatures, is harmful to one's health. Symptoms of this type of overexposure include fever, dry lips, constipation and heaviness in the chest. Some people who sit in damp grass or get caught in the rain experience headaches, arthritis, and bodily swelling, as extreme moisture can block the flow of chi in meridian lines.
Sudden shifts in emotions can also trigger a chain-reaction of energy imbalance throughout the body. And these reactions are just as strong as those caused by extreme climatic conditions. It is a well-known fact that a person suffering from extreme personal grief, such as the death of a spouse, becomes highly vulnerable to all sorts of disease. Fear is a symptom of temporary kidney dysfunction, but prolonged chronic fear can actually cause permanent kidney damage. Frequent fits of anger reflect liver problems, but a person who is almost constantly angry will damage an otherwise healthy liver. This then generates even more anger, creating a vicious psychosomatic circle. So, when you are angry, try to stop thinking about what is making you angry. You can do this by meditating, sitting in a quiet place, or simply listening to calming music. In the same sense, mental shock or psychological disorders - which can stem from anything from bad childhood experiences to watching too many horror movies - can also hinder the growth of the body. When the pathways and meridian lines of chi are disturbed by mental illness, they directly influence the condition of the bones, disrupting or even stopping normal growth.
Chi energy moves similar to how electricity moves through a computer, along a well-defined circuit, the meridians. And this energy can be manipulated to release blockages and increase health through meditation, acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. With moxibustion, moxa (artemisia) sticks are burned close to the skin over certain points on the meridians. Moxibustion and acupuncture are especially effective in treating breathing problems, pains in the chest and the back as well as disturbed chi circulation caused by an imbalance of energy in the meridian lines. These Traditional Chinese medicine modalities can be very helpful for many other health conditions that are caused by either weather or emotions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
