Facebook kindly told me today is the United Nations International Day of Peace. 

Ironically that platform is not the most peaceful place to me to spend time and I try to minimize it as much as possible. I am only on it to find out about local salsa events. It is a means to a peaceful end, I suppose.

Anyhoo, I am really grateful it was in my news feed because it reminded me what it's all about.

All the naturopathic, energetic, and medical gobbeldy gook I do with my patients. All these articles. All the things.

Ultimately all of my work is about reducing pain and suffering and bringing more love, joy, and health into the world.

You might have heard me say that before.

My work is also about peace.

At the end of the day, I want you healthy, happy and doing what you love.

Why?

Because I believe healthy, happy people doing what they love contribute to world peace.

And I figure it's high time I explain this belief of mine a little more deeply.

On the regular, I see eight common root causes of illness:

1. Emotional stressors and traumas.

2. Physical stressors: accidents, injuries, surgeries, over training, sedentary lifestyle (under training), pregnancies.

3. Nutrient deficiencies: from either not being exposed to the nutrient in the diet or the digestive system not functioning well and not giving you the nutrients

4. Dehydration. 

5. Food reactivities: junk food, food allergies, sensitivities, intolerances - essentially when food becomes a toxin to your body.

6. Environmental toxicity: Sadly the majority of the things we're eating, drinking, breathing, or touching are contaminated and dirty these days. Bleh. This category also includes smoking, drinking, recreational and pharmaceutical drugs.

7. Infections: Viruses, bacteria, parasites and the like.

8. Seasonal, weather, and climate changes.  

All of these causes are bio-individual. They differ from you, to me, to your mom, to the crazy cat lady across the street (who may very well be me. How many cats does it take to become a cat lady? Three? Lets put my life goals aside and get back to this article.) They differ in exposure and also one's tolerance.

I'm going to be bold.

I list these in this particular order for a reason.

Over the last 10 years, in my naturopathic practice, I see emotional stressors and traumas as the top cause of disease in the body. Number one. Numero uno.

And to continue my boldness and distill that even further I see a lack of self love as the underlying cause of it all. All the things.

When I see people begin to witness and accept their own worthiness and loveability, and increase their capacity to express and care for their own needs, health problems disappear.

You may be rolling your eyes, frowning, or blowing air through your closed lips. You are welcome to disbelieve. I am choosing to believe. I have a decade of data that corroborates this claim.

One patient said, "I'm not anxious if I'm being myself and respecting my needs."

Something else wonderful happens when people fall in love with themselves. They start to love other people for who they really are. Not the expectation. Not the projection. But the divine, perfect, whole soul that exists in them.

This is where the ripple effect to world peace comes in.

One self-loving human unconditionally loves all humans with the same compassion. If  you completely love and accept your self, and make choices that honour your unique needs and gifts, you are going to love others in the same way.

I think it is impossible to truly love yourself and all your nuances (even the super wacky bits or the insatiable need to snuggle with cats 24/7), and not accept others complete with their nuances.

Even if they are different from you. Especially if they are different from you. This is where judgement ends and peace reigns.

Your choice is yours.

Isn't that an amazing gift? Once you give this courtesy to your self. Extend the olive branch to others. Set yourself free. Let them be.

Their choice is theirs.

As I like to say, "You do YOU girl!"

I was truly honoured a while back, when a patient came to her appointment in her PJs. She told me, "You are the only person I feel comfortable showing up for like this." I was all, "AWWWW! I love that!" I am so glad she knew I wouldn't judge her. Her choice is hers.

So.

There it is. Healthy, happy people, doing what they love contribute to world peace.  See what I mean?

Who holds the key to world peace?

You do. I do. They do. She does. He does. But since you can only be in charge of you, lets go back to the top. You do.

Spiritual teacher Andrrea Hess says, "Your soul is here to experience itself, not to sit around and think about itself."

And with that action-driven quote on this International Day of Peace, what small step can you take to experience just a little more peace in the world? (Remember it starts with you.) Answer in the comments below.

Please share this with your peeps. The way I see it, the more people falling in love with themselves the better. Remember. It's about peace.

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To your healthy, thriving, delightful life!