We get our energy from the food we eat, and we need energy to get through the day. But, how does that energy flow throughout the body? 

Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that just as blood flows through blood vessels, life energy flows throughout the body via meridians. Meridians are a network of channels connecting all parts of the body, distributing energy to where it's needed. 

Meridians can become blocked, which creates pain, muscles spasms, inflammation, joint stiffness, fatigue, and other physical discomfort. These energy blocks can be caused by poor physical care, unfavorable environmental conditions, and persistent mental/emotional stress. 

To help remove blocks from the meridians and keep energy flowing throughout the body, many have turned to:
• Acupuncture, acupressure, or reflexology: inserting needles into or applying pressure to points on the body to break up energy blocks.
• Qigong or Tai chi: using physical movements to help move energy throughout the body.
• Reiki: channeling and delivering life energy to the body to restore energy levels and proper energy flow. 

With these techniques at your disposal, don't suffer unnecessarily with discomfort and sluggishness. Treat your mind and body by boosting your energy flow.

When things don't go according to plan or become uncomfortable, it's easy to get caught up in anger, fear, worry, sadness, or feeling defeated. However, if we take a breath, pause for a moment, and observe things neutrally, we can find a lesson in every situation.

You had a performance review with your boss. You did not meet expectations, and you spent an hour going over what improvements are needed. You may feel sad; ashamed; or angry at yourself, the boss, or the job. You could also see it as a chance to learn how to grow in your job role.

Are you afraid to live the life you dream of? Does it feel daunting to try something new that calls to your soul? Are you fearful of people judging the authentic you? Do you worry about failing to reach new heights if you try? There is no need.

Trust that because you've had ideas, epiphanies, ah-hah moments, dreams, and imaginations become reality, it will happen again.

Trust that because you overcame challenges before, you will do it again.

Trust that because you've had family, friends, coworkers, mentors, neighbors, and strangers support your goals in the past, they will do it again.

Trust that because you've previously found tools, materials, supplies, and other resources to bring your visions into reality, you will find them again.

You've done it before. So, there's nothing to fear. Do it again.

Whenever I decide to make gumbo, Bolognese meat sauce, or oxtails, it's after I build myself up physically and mentally for the process and remind myself the results are worth it.

By building myself up, I mean thinking through all I need to do throughout the process and commit to it. Commit to setting aside time to buy the ingredients, clean and season meat, clean and chop vegetables, combine the ingredients in the right order to get the best out of them, and let them simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours. I then just take a deep breath and get to it. As I leave the pot to simmer, the smell of the food wafts throughout my home, letting me know the fruit of my labor is almost at hand; but, I still have to clean up the kitchen, wash dishes, take out the trash, etc. Then, when the food is cooked and I take my first bite, I'm reminded it is all worth it.

The process is the same for going after anything that you feel is your life purpose or makes your heart sing. Creating a fulfilling life involves grueling work when preparing and taking action. Regardless of what you choose to strive for, the journey will be littered with doubts and moments that fuel your passion. So, if what you really want is truly worth it, accept the process for all it is and get to it.

I hate to break it to you; but, our lives are built on failure. You wouldn't have known how to walk without falling on your diapered baby bum a few times first. So, if failure is required to learn the basic human function of walking, why is failure considered a bad thing?

Thomas Edison failed ~1200 times to create the light bulb; but eventually, he and his team created one that worked and brightened billions of human lives from flashlights to photocopiers to the screens of our smartphones.

Failures become successes when you see each one as a learning opportunity and are open to the possibility of successes greater or different from the ones you imagined:
What does success look and feel like?
Why did this not work?
What have we not tried so far?
Who can help?
When is the better time to act?
Where can we get what we need?
How will this change create success?

When your work performance takes a plunge, the seam you stitch on that pillowcase is not straight, or you do not pass a test, remind yourself that you've failed many times before, and those failures eventually led to a success. Look at the situation as a learning experience, and you may achieve a greater success than you bargained for.

The ability to get as many things done as soon as possible to everyone's satisfaction has become a daily expectation in modern society. Multitasking and exceeding expectations is now a measuring stick for success and worth. In the midst of this growing need to be perfect in other people's eyes, we have become willing to sacrifice our energy, time, money, and self-respect in the process.

What's really interesting about this human phenomenon is that we somehow lose sight of our needs until we have sacrificed too much. It's not until we have developed high blood pressure, are $50,000 in debt, started missing important family events, or have twice as many projects as your coworkers that we realize we've gone overboard and caused damage to ourselves.

Let's not go overboard. The limit should not be, "I stop when I get high blood pressure." The limit is "I stop BEFORE I get high blood pressure." Otherwise, you would then have to add "managing high blood pressure" to your list of things to put your energy into. Know what your ACTUAL limits are so that you can take care of and protect yourself. This will be key to living as long a happy and healthy life as possible.