A study I saw recently revealed that the top three temptations we have
are materialism, pride and self-centeredness. Since this is part of our
human nature, we have to work on moving beyond these temptations to a
greater place of service. When we look at the beginning of
chiropractic, we see a culture created in the health care system focused
on serving humanity by correcting spinal alignment for nerve integrity, to
improve health potential.
However, as we examine the evolution of chiropractic we
observe a cultural shift led by the three temptations of human nature.
Chiropractic needs to position itself as a part of the health care team
for maximizing wellness -- not as condition treatment. Medicine has
already established its cultural roots in that. If we lose sight of our
course as chiropractors, we lose direction and perception. This, in turn,
leads to selfish and destructive pursuits.
Overcoming self-centeredness comes from serving. Serving means
sacrificing yourself, listening, understanding, giving mercy, kindness,
gentleness, and patience. Most of all it means being accountable to
others.
Temptation comes from three things: a) human desire to satisfy self
first; b) feelings of emptiness and doubt; and c) negative thinking and
environment.
Overcome temptation and develop a serving attitude by:
1. Filling your mind with truth. The purpose of chiropractic is
to optimize spinal alignment to improve body function, health, and
wellness. The purpose of medicine is to treat conditions and save lives in
times of crises. Both need to focus on serving, not self.
2. Filling emptiness with knowledge. Study chiropractic, its
principles, and how science substantiates its principle. This is how you
gain certainty and lose doubt. Doubt tempts you to do things outside the
purpose of chiropractic.
3. Flying with eagles, not walking with yardbirds. Turn from
environments that are self-driven, to ones that are service-driven. Hang
with serving type people. When you find yourself in a negative environment
and your heart discerns wrong, don't justify the feelings to make it right
just for you, don't flirt even a little with the temptation. Turn and run
towards truth, purpose and the cause -- serving others.
4. Loving your patients as you love yourself.
A better understanding of the cultures of chiropractic and medicine
will cure the temptation of pride. Chiropractic and medicine will never be
the same culture, but can participate on the same health care team. The
sooner certain we D.C.s stop trying to change our culture to match that of
the M.D.s, the more people we serve will benefit.
Holding to the cause of chiropractic will secure our heritage and make
the difference for our having lived. The solution is in serving not self.
(If you want to expand your ability to serve, join Dr. Nikitow along
with Dr. Rob Schiffman and many others at the first "ChiroKeepers
Seminar" in Orlando, Florida, October 25th and 26th, 2002, where
learning how to serve will guarantee your success in life. To learn more
about Certainty Practice Products and Dr. Dennis Nikitow's upcoming
seminar schedule, call 800/544-3884. Outside the United States,
303/721-6202.)
