[NOTE: Occasionally I have a post that applies to both blogs I write. If you happened to be subscribed to both, (thank you!) but you only have to read it once.]
It is difficult to describe the emotional deposit we all received during our most recent Design Your Life Mission trip in the central Mexican highlands.
It’s like attempting to describe falling in love, scuba diving, or eating mamey fruit ice cream for the first time. Or like the chiropractic adjustment, which has been sadly reduced to TikTok videos for its cracking sound, or the “Ring Dingbat” traumatizing people’s spines in Texas. I will do my best to put my perspective to it, but first a few comments from the amazing group who showed up:
“I experienced a surge in confidence in my technical skills, of course, but it also gave me a deeper sense of purpose within the profession and overwhelmed me with a strong feeling of gratitude.” - H.C.
“I was able to help the community of people I want to see in my future practice; pregnant mothers, autistic kids, teenagers, and babies. I now know I am enough. I have what is needed already.” -M.R.
“My heart is so full! I finally understood the phrase, ‘The more you give, the more you receive. Thank you. Thank you. Gracias!” G.G.
As we settle into our “normal” living (haha, just kidding, what’s that?) we are all integrating experiences in our own way, for our own growth. And that’s the way it should be. We adjusted hundreds and hundreds of people in four short days, transformed the lives of families with the ripple effect, and filled our hearts with love, gratitude, and peace. We experienced a ceremonial temazcal in separate groups of men and women. I wrote about one of my past temazcals here. We created new friendships, yes, but more importantly, we created the kinds of connections that time and the busyness of life cannot break. They became better practitioners, which is the reason many ventured here, but they became better versions of themselves. Stronger, more confident, more loving, and more driven. They gained but they also released unwanted patterns of behavior and thought. The lost baggage. They kind of baggage we all want to lose. They learned to be flexible and adaptable, felt safe enough to cry or expose vulnerable parts of themselves to each other for growth.
There was time to lounge at the pool, dance, sing, play games, and just be with each other. In our hectic world where many drop what they have so they can grasp what they don’t, all of them (Kim and I included) were able to connect in a way that is, unfortunately today, uncommon. They gave to the people of the community a most rare thing for them: an intentional, focused chiropractic adjustment with that something.
At our final shared dinner, which I affectionately call “The Last Supper”, we dined, laughed, cried, and sang songs. I spoke with our invited special guests, the Minister of Health, and his executive assistant, who helped me coordinate the logistics and transportation. He said something that warmed my heart: “You have changed the lives of many this week. Especially mine. I have never seen so much passion and commitment to serving our people.” He practically had to force-feed us because we were in the thick of adjusting, educating, and loving. We have plans to expand our reach into the next municipality, a community much larger than the one we were in. From mountain towns to little pueblitos, the people were grateful, respectful, welcoming, and appreciative. We saw people with cancer, autistic children, infants, the elderly, the blind, the acute and the chronic, and the poor and wealthy. One woman came to the tables in the square, skeptical and wary, but consented to have her spine checked. When she got off the table, she was smiling ear-to-ear, hugging just about all of us, kissing and blessing our hands. She then returned with her son, daughter-in-law, cousin, sister, and three of her 9 grandchildren.
It was an exhausting week and one that we are still recovering from, but our gifts are still being unwrapped. Our next one is scheduled for the end of June. I was fortunate to be able to mentor and facilitate much of this event. With that in mind, we all agreed it would be best to keep it small and intimate.
In the past, I wasn’t too keen on a Mission-style trip. I thought that the message of our LifeForce, Innate Intelligence, or Cosmic Spark coursing through us and healing us was paramount. I believed that the continuity and follow up care was critical. I felt it was a disservice to those getting chiropractic care to only receive one or two adjustments. Now I feel different. I saw first-hand the impact of a single, focused, specific chiropractic adjustment delivered with intensity and what love can do. It heals and relieves, yes, but it also transforms. No act of Love goes wasted. No act of Love dissipates. Each adjustment became a carrier wave of love, service, hope. and healing. And that’s a good thing. Even if these people came and received one mote of unconditional love, their lives are improved. We all generate ripple effects in each others’ lives, even if we've never met. Something to consider.
When the Minister of Health got up to leave our dinner (he had surgery in the morning) he and his assistant were unable to leave without a standing ovation and at least 16 hugs. He was changed. I was changed. I wept tears of joy knowing our contribution and impact on so many lives. See you again.
“You never know how far-reaching something you may say, think, or do today will affect the lives of millions tomorrow.” B.J. Palmer, D.C.