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I have found that the deeper I look for truth the more simple and straightforward it is. But like eating right and exercise, we don't always do what we know is best. The concepts may be simple, but the consistent application can be challenging. We live in a time of turbulence and transition. In this fast-paced information-overloaded era, it is easy to subscribe to whatever philosophy tickles your fancy. From the panicked cry that The End is Near to the mantra that all is Well - enjoy yourself. Remember the book and movie The Perfect Storm? The account retells how several storms all converged at once in the North Atlantic Ocean that resulted in a cumulative effect of a storm beyond the magnitude of survivability. The protagonists in the film and book did not stand a chance of escaping the perfect storm's fury.

As citizens of this country and sojourners on this planet, there are multiple storms on a variety of fronts that seem to be converging. And while many who may be shortsighted point to events over the past century claiming that we have weathered previous storms and point to world-wars as evidence that this too shall pass, never before have we faced the scope of events and stubbornness of our leaders to accept the situation that now faces us.

Let me briefly recount some of our current storms that are brewing

Climate Change: Few will disagree that the climate is changing. Rather than wasting energy pointing fingers on who or what is to blame, I think it is time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. If bitten by a rattlesnake, it is unwise to chase after it attempting to exact your revenge. The planet on which we live is one that constantly changes. Those who adapt live on and those who don't, risk becoming extinct. As leaders of the western world and culture, we have sadly set a precedent that many of the emerging countries are aspiring to. While in the US, we are now gaining respect and even admiration for the farmer and those who tend the land and grow our food, in other countries, such as China; there is a growing exodus from the farm and agrarian life to the manufacturing plants in the cities. While we try to reduce our oil dependency, modernizing countries are hungry for more oil.

Financial/fiscal irresponsibility and unaccountability: The Controller General of the United States, David Walker, has launched a campaign and taken his message to the streets to educate business owners and people of influence of the financial irresponsibility of our government because quite frankly those in the government offices (Republican and Democrat alike) are unwilling to listen or heed the warning. In January 2008, the first of the baby boomers will reach the age of 62 becoming eligible for pension benefits and 3 years later for Medicare. Simply put, we are borrowing money to pay for Medicare benefits today and are not prepared to pay for more. Our current presidency has legislated even more spending for Medicare increasing it 3 years ago adding 40% to the bill with his Medicare subscription plan. With the coming population expected to live even longer than their predecessors and with the cost of healthcare rising at a rate double that of inflation, we are in trouble. And this is just our government. The average person and family are in debt and continue to spend more each month than they take home. We want what the advertisers tell us we want and we buy it on credit.

Healthcare: while pharmaceutical companies boast of record profits, the healthcare offered in this country lags behind other "less advanced" countries. Many are duped into believing that spending top dollar on tests and procedures will afford the best of care. Studies clearly show that invasive tests and procedures are often not the best course of action. As medical costs escalate, our insurance premiums climb. And the complexities of our policies do not cover medical expenses like they used to. I always thought it a bit odd, that in a climate of unprecedented profits in the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, we see so many fundraisers to pay for expensive drugs and expenses. Our health as a nation is in crisis. We can't seems to resist the persistent drum-beat of the advertisers and are eating, drinking and smoking ourselves to the doctors office to either manage our symptoms with drugs or remove or repair the offending organ or part of the body that is failing.

Politics: I am neither Democrat nor Republican, but I vote at every election. I honestly feel that our political system has become so corrupted that a complete shake-up and new mind-set is the only thing that will get us back on track. As citizens we neither trust nor even like our political leaders and we fear that our elected officials are out of touch, exercising their own agendas disregarding the wisdom and experience of experts. We see weak political mandates to begin reducing emission or begin to cut spending within the next 15 or 25 years, I fear will be too little too late. We cannot wait for the legal or political system to mandate changes before we act. The storm continues to brew and gather.

Large Corporations: governed by greed, these multinational monstrosities are rampant as rabid dogs, gnashing and tearing at the very fabric of our society and job security. Yet, 90% of jobs are still with small companies - not multinational corporations. Who do they think they are! And because of bribes, payoffs, tax-breaks and shelters, we allow and even pay corporations to rape and pillage your natural resources and out-source to impoverished third-world countries all under the guise that the consumer wants more stuff and we want it cheaper.

Materialism: No longer is our populace referred to as citizens, but consumers. Slick marketing has carefully molded us, the consumer, to want more stuff. Not only do we NEED more stuff, but also we want it faster and cheaper. Gone is the saying "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do with out." Most products are even manufactured with programmed obsolescence meaning your car is designed to last only so many miles before parts will wear out. It is almost like there is an expiration date built in to the materials that will cause them to fail. When we say they don't make things like they used to, you are right. Things are now made not with our re-purchase in mind. When was the last time your shoes were re-soled? As a result of our cultural emphasis on materialism, we have become very wasteful and tend not to take very good care of "our things".

Lack of morals and values: Once upon a time, hard work and honesty were praised. An honest days work for an honest days wage. Today we are inundated with get rich schemes. Professionals are taught under the guise of practice management how to manipulate their customers to extract more money from them. Universities market to prospective students how much money they can earn with "their degree". We denigrate the study of the arts and earth sciences favoring law, business and technical pursuits. Our entertainment is fast-paced almost strobe-like. And as a culture we crave constant stimulation to our senses. Too many of us have lost the ability to enjoy the more subtle beauties and pleasures of life.

No rant is of value without some direction as to what can be done. Let me kindly suggest a few things. If a storm is imminent, whether it is great or small (or not at all, for that matter), it would do us well to become more connected to those around us.

Support your local economy and build relationships with those who provide for your needs. This includes the local mom and pop businesses, our farmers, ranchers and supplies of goods and services. Do you have something (product, skill, or service) you can barter with?

Get involved. In your children's schools, in local movements, volunteer

Get prepared. Go to the American Red Cross website. Build a 72-hour grab and go pack. Supply your home with food and emergency essentials for up to one month. Get to know your neighbors.

Get healthy. Turn a chronic disease or condition around with natural healthcare. Eat whole natural foods in the seasons they grow in your area. See your practitioner of Natural Health Care and put together a plan for renewed health.

Plant some food. Put some garlic and onions in the ground for harvest next spring. Read an article about Permaculture. There are some beautiful colorful lettuce varieties that grow in the cold of winter that will enhance the beauty of your yard or planter box.

Reduce your carbon footprint. Drive less. Become more energy efficient. Buy food produced locally when you can. Plan on joining a local farmers' CSA (Community Sponsored Agriculture), milk, cow or lamb share.

As a chiropractor, a naturopath and a master herbalist, my skill and expertise lies in restoring people to health. The goal is not to simply manage an injury, illness or disease as so often the allopathic approach does, but to strive to remove the cause and assist in the healing process, so that the symptoms that are being experienced are no longer necessary. After all, symptoms are the body's way to letting you know something is wrong. As I send out a call of preparation and change, I would suggest that you take stock of your current level of health. I urge you to take pen to paper and draft a plan. As you may know, a goal not written is only a wish. Getting healthy can be as simple as putting the good things into the body and removing the bad. Nourish and detoxify. To that end, we can assist you.

Western Botanicals is an excellent resource in assisting you to achieve your health goals. One goal that many of us who benefit from Western Botanicals products sets for ourselves and families is to have an illness-free winter. Do this by building and boosting your immune system. This can be done but taking our Immune Boost Formula (for adults/teens) or our Immune Boost Syrup (for children) once or twice daily (2 dropperfuls). Do this at least 6 days per week for the next 6 weeks. We also recommend taking Earth's Nutrition or Bountiful Blend as a daily nutritional support supplement.

EMany take advantage of the Fall season to cleanse their bodies with our Colon Cleanse Program, Liver-Gallbladder Flush and Kidney Bladder Flush. As many of us settle into a more steady routine, cleansing the colon, liver and kidneys will give you more energy and vigor as the weather gets colder. Please take advantage of our monthly specials by stocking up for "a rainy day".

And so as the black clouds of trouble continue to roil and boil in ever building turbulence, take an active and progressive stance. Become part of the solution. Become the change. I teach my children that they can do hard things. Often the first step is most difficult. For this reason, find a buddy to share in your adventure of change. Even a child can be a great resource and companion as you make some positive changes.

I promise that as you become more proactive, you will feel better about yourself and despite the rampant insecurity that is permeating in our society, you will feel more secure. The best antidote for fear is preparedness. In spite of the growing storm, we can continue to be optimistic about our future. While any change can be difficult at first, soon enough we will settle in and enjoy the benefits of a more sustainable and secure life.

~ Dr. Kyle D. Christensen ~