March 2005

Feed the soul

by Dr. Madeline Behrendt

It's March and the weather taunts us with hints of spring, each day teasing our bodies with escalating increments of light. Restlessness is setting in.

It's time to take a break and feed our souls.

One of my favorite ways to do this is through books and a recent favorite is "The Medici Effect: Breakthrough Insights at the Intersection of Ideas, Concepts and Cultures" by Frans Johansson. I like this book so much because the author proposes that creativity escalates in a specific zone where different industries intersect ‑‑ what he describes as the "Intersection: a place where ideas from different fields and cultures meet and collide, ultimately igniting an explosion of extraordinary new discoveries."

The book is a delight for those thirsty for knowledge. It encourages readers to reach outside old habits and explore new fields and relationships, then bring back the gain from these mental adventures into their own lives and careers. So this month I'm going to introduce you to books I'm currently reading.

Are they chiropractic? Well, actually I think of everything as chiropractic whether it's labeled that way or not, don't you? While I hope all of you are reading chiropractic books, I think you'll enjoy these reads. These new worlds provide me with fresh insights and a deeper understanding of how to connect with people, as well as entertainment. Enjoy the intersection.

"All I Did Was Ask: Conversations with Writers, Actors, Musicians, and Artists," by Terry Gross ‑‑ Many of you may know Terry Gross as the highly acclaimed host of NPR's "Fresh Air" program. This book is a collection of fascinating interviews and what I found most interesting was her interactions with her guests, both questions and responses. Being in practice isn't so different from hosting an interview show, is it? While Ms. Gross may be asking about an  individual's artistic work, what chiropractors seek during our daily "interviews" is the art created from a person's subluxation‑free life.

"Will in the World; How Shakespeare became Shakespeare," by Stephen Greenblatt ‑‑ I find myself drawn over and over to biographies and autobiographies of the great, especially those "who were not born on third base" but created their own significant place in the world. After all, one person can really change the world. But how did these individuals step into their greatness? What was their family like? Were they driven or did they lead balanced family lives? Did their greatness come through admiration and support, or was it shaped through fire and adversity? How much of person's life is revealed in his or her work, or are work and personal separate "files"? This book explores these questions and more through the life of one of the greatest writers of all time. It describes how Shakespeare's "works appeal to the learned and the unlettered, to urban sophisticates and provincial first‑time theater goers." Imagine having Shakespeare's touch and being able to connect with so many people. It's so easy to think about that while reading this book.

"Downtown: My Manhattan," by Pete Hamill ‑‑ For anyone who has a strong sense of community, of place, and of how multiple generations of a family can shape a city, this is for you. And the fact that it's written by one of our country's best writers, well, that's just a bonus.

"Broken for You," by Stephanie Kavalos ‑‑ An emotionally gripping book that explores "what penance looks like" and resolves the burdens of penance with grace, beauty, and economic bounty. For fiction lovers, a great read.

"Finish Rich Series," by David Bach ‑‑ Many of you will love the latest book in this series, on how to finish rich after starting late. Chiropractors begin their economic lives late and often behind, as active income is interrupted for school, and many leave with tremendous student loans. This book deals specifically with those who got a late start either from mistakes, unexpected life challenges, or from long years of education. But no matter what a person's past is, he or she can create a better future through solid information on how to claim his or her economic power. Bach deals with many topics that chiropractors can relate to and spends a great deal of time on details for business owners.

"The Rise of the Creative Class," by Richard Florida ‑‑ I've recommended this book for years. It's one of the most powerful books written on our lifestyle. The author is brilliant and he has triggered economic ripples all over the world by detailing the economic power of creativity. I describe him as "BI‑lingual" for he speaks the language of business and money, as well as the language of art and creativity. It's easy to read, you feel like he's talking about you.

Happy reading!

(Dr. Madeline Behrendt is chair of the WCA Council on Women's Health and associate editor of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation (JVSR). An author and speaker, she is committed to connecting women to chiropractic and chiropractors to women, and may be contacted at drmadeline@drmadelinedc.com)