interesting only as long as it is a process of growth; or, to put it
another way, we can only grow as long as we are interested."
--ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
I like to hike. That is a big “hobby” of mine. Sometimes when hiking in new locations, the trails are not marked clearly and one has to choose when it is not clear which is the “right” path. This idea resonates with times in our life when the next steps are not obvious. It is also similar when we have to select among alternative treatments or providers. Making a life choice happens all the time. You make the best choice and go on. Right now and for the next months, I am mulling over the “right” next step in my life’s work. I currently get my funding from working as an engineer in the Petroleum industry. It provides a good income, doing work I enjoy, around people I like. It is a comfortable and interesting place to be. At night and on weekends I do Naturopathic consultations for friends and family. My time at home is stretched—there never seems to be enough time but I get done the critical things. I am debating taking the step of going into Naturopathy as my life’s work. My work in the Petroleum industry is important – I have installed many safety systems which help protect my fellow workers. I also know how important Naturopathic information and energy healing can be in improving one’s life. I understand that getting people to the place where they have a healed energy field is of great importance. My debate is not on the importance of alternative treatments, rather it is on my ability to make a living at this. On the other hand, I need to keep growing as an individual. I know I can “do” capital engineering projects and keep projects moving forward and see new units built. But…can I start an alternative business that successfully attracts clients, and supports me and staff members? "Nothing alive can stand still, it goes forward or back. Life is interesting only as long as it is a process of growth; or, to put it another way, we can only grow as long as we are interested." --ELEANOR ROOSEVELT So…if Eleanor’s words are correct, in order to grow, I need to do something I find interesting. My recent troubles that were brought to me from the world of nature (a humongous hail storm which has caused serious damage to my home) has set my timing of this potential venture back a little. My tentative start date for this new venture would be next year – 2013. In the mean time, among all my other time demands, I will find the time to answer such questions as to how to add new “doing business as” names to my Limited Liability Corporation and how much is leased space going for, how long do leases have to be for, how to add a second location to my business license and what is the best software to use and so on. The treatment side of the business is the easy part of all that is before me. The business side is tremendously important in a successful practice and is something that I will have to research and conquer – it is necessary but not as fascinating as the alternative energetic and frequency based treatment modalities. People are used to having insurance pay for their wellbeing. Everyone takes being well as a “right”. When people get well, they naturally forget that they were ever sick (this is a normal result for human beings). They mostly do not look back and credit any healing done for them – any discomfort, disability once it is healed is totally forgotten. People will put out a lot of money for entertainment, food, cars, etc. On the other hand, people seem to weigh every penny spent on healing. Most of the money willingly spent is for a “pill” rather than investing in a lifestyle change. The majority of people believe what the mainstream media tell them about health. They want a pill to make them well and they don’t want to pay for that pill. Then they want to continue in the folly that brought them their ill health to begin with. My term for the combined main stream medicine and pharmaceutical alliance is the “Industrial Medical Complex”. The majority do not experience any urge to deviate from the “Industrial Medical Complex” methodology or to think for themselves. A few people are pushed from conventional treatments into alternatives because there are no other choices that work for them from the conventional world, and a few are adventuresome types questioning the status quo and trying alternative methodologies to find it successful. So…I can see how hard it is for people in the alternative world to make a living. The education costs money, the tools cost money, the office and office equipment and staff, the licenses, the insurance etc. all take significant funds. The clients think the fees should be minimal since they are not used to paying. Clientele are not aware of all of the costs that have to be paid out of the fees that they pay. On the other hand, I have experienced first hand what detoxification, nutrition, life style changes and energy modalities have to offer and I would like to see this widely available and widely accepted. I have won big in the time and effort I have put in to alternative modalities – I am completely mobile and without pain (except for everyday aches from doing too much). My family and friends are beneficiaries of my knowledge and investment. I can continue to attend conferences and read literature and apply the learnings to my life and those around me benefit from my advancement also. This result is “good enough” payback for the big dollars and time that I have invested. However…offering this to more people is very appealing. In order to offer it to more people, I would have to give up my “comfortable” life as an engineer. Thus there is a “fork” in my road. Each path could be a good one for me. As I get older, I realize that I only have a limited time to offer my gifts to the world and a limited time to enjoy the world. I also know that I need to enjoy what I do in order to do it well and keep doing it. I have some mulling over to do and I am giving myself the time to consider and explore becoming an alternative provider.
|
AuthorLinda C Hess, ND Archives
December 2013
Categories
All
|
About UsThe Author
I have an interest in helping people with serious challenges to being and feeling well. The newsletter contains the latest blog and any other items of interest to the general and/or the ALS community.
|
The Webmaster"I like to make things work..." so if you find something that does not work the way you expect-- let me know through the comment field of the Contact button below.
|