Trust is Earned, and Often Lost

Trust or Faith?

The American people have lost their trust (based on what can be seen from actions) in our leaders and experts. Many have lost their faith (beliefs that can not be physically seen) in people having a moral compass.

Dictionary.com defines ‘trust’ as:

Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence
Confident expectation of something; hope
Confidence in the certainty of future payment for property or goods received; credit: to sell merchandise on trust
A person on whom or thing on which one relies: God is my trust
The condition of one to whom something has been entrusted

Dictionary.com defines ‘faith’ as:

Confidence or trust in a person or thing
Belief that is not based on proof
Belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion
A system of religious belief

I often see the daily news, on TV or in print and other specials on the current health crisis, but very few report why people view things a particular way. For example, why are there a significant number of health care and law enforcement workers refusing to be vaccinated and consequently resigning, retiring early or risk being fired? Reports may say that they have lost trust in government or the medical community, but why is this so? Why are licensed and long-experienced doctors opposing vaccine mandates, risking their livelihoods and reputations? One answer is long-term effects cannot be determined in the short-term.

If people are to move in a particular direction that affects the health and well-being of themselves and their loved ones, professionals and leaders need to stop doing things that make some people question these actions. If there is no medical data available yet to support long-term effects of the Covid19 virus nor the relative vaccines, let the public know this and not assume the attitude that people will believe experts if no accurate data is available. I think people would prefer to know the truth even if not good or definitive, rather than feel like the goal post keeps being moved back.

Professionals that have an audience, can start by just putting themselves out there with some transparency, honesty, humility, and empathy regarding these topics at hand. If a physician (Scott Gotlieb) is interviewed as an expert on a particular topic (appearing almost weekly on CBS’s Face the Nation), have them tell their story of being a director for the FDA and now being a board member for Pfizer, instead of people Googling this fact, seeing it maybe as a conflict of interest and then formulating their own conspiracy theory from it. Per the Pfizer investors’ site, Pfizer reported 2021 second quarter revenues of $19.0 billion, and an operational growth of 86%. For those who think that the vaccines were made free to the public, don’t quite understand that Pfizer billed the US government, who then taxes the citizens, who actually paid the $19.0 billion through taxes and loss of other potential investment or purchases.

It is worth noting that Pfizer is a sponsor for the following news media:

Good Morning America

CBS Health Watch

Anderson Cooper 360

ABC News Nightline

Making A Difference

CNN Tonight

Early Start

Erin Burnett Out Front

ABC’s This Week With George Stephanopoulos

Good Morning America’s Weather Report

Today’s Countdown to the Royal Wedding

CBS Sports Update

Meet The Press

CBS This Morning

60 Minutes

Pfizer can be seen as possibly influencing the objectivity of these news outlets, as journalists and reporters might not be as likely to be critical of Pfizer when such powerful companies are spending millions of dollars on advertising during these news shows.

https://www.addictivetips.com/news/who-owns-the-news/

Similarly, if the FDA is going to report that they took 108 days to review documents for licensing of the Pfizer covid19 vaccine and will honor a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, don’t take 55 years to fully release the information to the group of scientists that made the request. Stop creating the perfect storm of events that will undoubtedly lead to more conspiracy theories and consequently, more of a lack of trust and faith in leaders and experts having a moral compass.

I think the best way that political leaders as well as medical experts can help, is by performing any actions that can help rebuild the trust towards the medical community. Interviews, documentaries, news articles, mailing, or whatever mode of information distribution is embraced, do so with transparency, honesty, humility, and empathy.

Our next healthcare crisis is not that far in the future. I would hope that some have a moral compass that would point towards encouraging people to become healthy and maintain their own well-being before another crisis occurs.

Be well, become healthy, be wise.

References:

Elizabeth Warren tells Scott Gottlieb to resign from Pfizer board (usatoday.com) (Links to an external site.)

Former FDA Commissioner Gottlieb defends decision to join Pfizer board (cnbc.com) (Links to an external site.)

Wait what? FDA wants 55 years to process FOIA request over vaccine data | Reuters (Links to an external site.)

Meet the Santa Barbara Doctor Who Refuses to Be Vaccinated – The Santa Barbara Independent (Links to an external site.)

COVID: Why some doctors and nurses hesitate to get vaccinated | Germany | News and in-depth reporting from Berlin and beyond | DW | 07.01.2021 (Links to an external site.)

Many health care workers are refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccine – CBS News (Links to an external site.)

An Infectious Disease Doctor Explains Why Some Of His Colleagues Are Quitting In The Face Of Vaccine Mandates (forbes.com)

https://www.outkick.com/pfizer-apparently-now-sponsors-everything-on-mainstream-media/

___________

I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at info@mindandbodyexercises.com, 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – Brief summary

Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are probably the two oldest systems of healthcare practiced throughout the world. Ayurveda has its origins in the Hindu religion within India from 5000 years ago. Traditional Chinese Medicine also has origins from thousands of years ago (475–221 BC) but in China. Both systems have been practiced widely throughout the world, with seemingly very little interest in the US when compared to Western allopathic or biomedicine practices. However, TCM has seemed to have gained more popularity in recent years in the US, maybe starting when President Nixon visited China back 1972.

Ayurveda and TCM philosophies believe that all things alive or not, are interconnected and have relationships on various levels with one another. When these relationships become out of balance disease can occur.

Ayurveda is based upon the 5 fundamental elements of space, air, fire, water and earth. Both of these systems use this understanding of the elements as a way to diagnose and treat disease and illness. Ayurveda uses the physical and well-being constitutions of vata, piita and kapha. Similarly, TCM has 5 constitutions of wood, fire, earth, metal and water. The human life force or breath is expressed as prana in Ayurveda and as qi in TCM. Both prana or qi flow within the body, are a key component in maintaining balance of the elements and an individual’s health in regard to their mind, body and spirit.

https://acuproacademy.com/ayurveda-versus-chinese-medicine/

Both systems have components that include herbs, massage, and exercise in order to balance harmony of the mind, body and spirit.

I have and will continue to use TCM treatments and methods to help treat ailments as well as maintain better health and wellness. Less invasive methods as well as more natural ingredients are my main reasons for pursuing TCM methods. I am not opposed to Ayurveda if I had a condition that could be better treated through those methods.

Having a strong background in Korean and Chinese martial arts, which are deeply connected with TCM, I have been exposed to an education that has deep roots in thousands of years in Asian culture, science and practical practice. While some people may look at TCM as an alternative or new age approach to maintaining health, I see a time-proven system that has been practiced by probably millions of people over a very long period of time. When studied and researched thoroughly, I find the methods from TCM of acupuncture, cupping, tuina, qigong, auriculotherapy, herbology and others to make logical sense as to why these options are so beneficial. When looked at from a physiological perspective, I have found the following:

Acupuncture & Auriculotherapy – stimulates the healing response through regulation of the nervous system.

Cupping – increases blood and lymph circulation in localized areas.

Tuina – increases blood, lymph circulation and disperses adhesions in the fascia.

https://wsimag.com/wellness/55240-tuina-chinese-manual-therapy

Qigong – regulates the autonomic nervous system through deliberate deep breathing patterns, as well as some styles offering flexibility, strengthening and vestibular balance exercises.

Herbology – helps to manage systemic organ function through naturally occur plants without use of pharmaceuticals.

Be well!

References:

“What is Ayurvedic Medicine?” National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2007). 30 August 2021.

Diamond, M.D., J. W. (2001). The Clinical Practice of Complementary, Alternative, and Western Medicine [E-book]. CRC Press.

____________

I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at info@mindandbodyexercises.com, 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

Where the Rubber Hits the Road – Personal Responsibility

Personal Responsibility

We are here…right here where the rubber hits the road.

When the action really begins, is when you begin the job, when you really get serious.

So the question I have is, how serious are you folks about doing anything? Likes and smiley faces are nice, but really don’t make us healthier, more fit or more connected.

None of us really have “extra” time but rather “make” time for what we prioritize in our lives. True is true, either we walk the talk, or we talk the walk.

Talk is cheap, time is priceless.

If every person in American spent 5 minutes (or more) every day by exercising, more people could better manage their weight and suffer less from related illnesses.

If every person in American spent 5 minutes (or more) every day calming their mind by practicing deep breathing exercises, more people would be less stressed and suffer less from related illnesses.

If every person in American spent every day becoming more conscious of their nutrition habits, more people would be able to maintain their health through the choices they make while eating and drinking, and suffer less from related illnesses.

If everyone could assume personal responsibility for their own health, our nation would not have to spend as much time, effort, energy and money trying to keep people healthy.

These concepts seem easy enough, but in reality, most people lack the desire or self-discipline to take the effort and do what it takes to stay healthy, prevent illness or cure their own ailments. Self-discipline is one of five steps known to help achieve better mental and physical wellness.

1) Respect – This is where values begin. You must understand and have respect for yourself (self-respect) before you can demonstrate it to others. Taking the steps to take care of your physical and mental well-being effects you first and then those closest to you second.

2) Discipline – Developing control of one’s own desires, commitments, and ultimately your own actions, leads to self-discipline. Control of physical exercises can lead to management of thought and emotion.

3) Self-Esteem – As you review your achievements of respect and discipline, your sense of worth is elevated and appreciated.

4) Confidence – Understanding and accepting your weak areas as well as your stronger aspects removes insecurity. When you feel that you are physically well and mentally sharp, confidence can fill your personality. You can accomplish whatever goal you set out to achieve.

5) Determination to Achieve Goals – The positive sum of the previous aspects leads to one’s determination. Good judgment and focused effort toward positive goals result in true personal success.

Qigong, Tai Chi and Yoga all are methods to achieve these traits.

It doesn’t matter so much that you do these exercises, as much as it matters that you do some type of exercise. Walk, jog, swim or whatever – just get going and do something. 5 minutes here and there can quickly turn into 15 or 30 minutes at one time or over the course of a day. Once you are moving or mentally engaged, it is much easier to stay motivated and try a few more exercises for a few more minutes.

Be well, become healthier, be wise.

___________

I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at info@mindandbodyexercises.com, 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

Intro to Transcendental Meditation

The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1917-2008) is known to have founded Transcendental Meditation or simply TM, inspired from his teacher and guru Swami Brahmananda Saraswati (who died 1953), and drawing upon the ancient Indian traditions of Vedic. He introduced the technique to the United States in the 1960s, where the British rock band the Beatles and other celebrities embraced the teachings adding to its popularity.

Transcendental Meditation is a meditation method that attempts to avoid distracting thoughts while promoting a state of relaxed awareness. Somewhat different from other types of meditation methods, TM teaches practitioners to stay focused on a mantra which is a specific phrase. The mantra is then repeated internally within one’s inner dialogue of their thoughts. Transcendental Meditation came to be taught and practiced as a non-spiritual nor religious path toward mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

The goal when meditating, is to “transcend” the regular thought process. It is replaced by a state of pure consciousness. In this state, the practitioner seeks to achieve perfect stillness, rest, order, stability, completely without of mental boundaries. This state of being is thought to lead to increased contentment, creativity and vitality.

From a physiological perspective, Transcendental Meditation can relax and revitalize the body and the mind by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system where stress and anxiety are reduced, blood pressure (hypertension) decreases, and changing the blood chemistry to help relieve depression.

A typical TM practice session might follow this progression:

Sit in a comfortable chair keeping the feet on the ground and hands in your lap. Legs and arms are uncrossed.
- Eyes are closed while taking a few deep breaths in order to relax the body.
- Repeat a mantra in your mind.
- When you recognize you’re having a thought, return to the mantra.
- After about 20 minutes, begin to move the fingers and toes, easing yourself back to the world.
- Open your eyes.
- Sit and relax for a few more minutes until ready to continue with your day.

References:

https://themindfool.com/transcendental-meditation-and-its-various-benefits/

Edlin, G. PhD, Golanty, E. Phd (2020), Health & Wellness, 13^th edition, Jones & Bartlett Learning

https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/transcendental-meditation-benefits-technique

How to Practice Transcendental Meditation – DOPE YOGI

__________

I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at info@mindandbodyexercises.com, 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com

Short Podcast Interview on Tai Chi & Qigong

Listen to my short podcast interview regarding mind & body exercises such as tai chi and its parents of qigong and ultimately yoga and Ayurveda.

https://tunein.com/search/?query=jim%20moltzan

___________

I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga.

For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at info@mindandbodyexercises.com, 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com