Each year about this time we are treated to lots of fireworks shows. Some are to celebrate the Fourth of July, others are just because it is summer.

The first documented fireworks displays took place in China in the 12th century. At this time it was thought that fireworks could scare evil spirits. They were also used as a sort of prayer for good fortune. In ancient China, people who were skilled with fireworks commanded great respect.

Fireworks should really be handled by experts and you need to check with your jurisdiction for rules regarding fireworks in your area.

Here are some rules for being safe while using fireworks:

Fireworks should be handled by adults only.
Only buy fireworks from reputable establishments.
Only use fireworks outside.
Don't carry fireworks in your pockets.
Read the label and follow the instructions.
Don't aim fireworks at other people.
Keep pets at a safe distance from fireworks.

Whether you take in fireworks outside or watch them at home on television, stay safe this Fourth of July.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, Macomb County!

Happiness......

     Would you agree that being happy can improve your health?  What about improve your quality of life?  

     I recently read somewhere "Happiness runs in a circular motion." So if this is true than would you agree that if your happy, everything else will come......high wages, great relationships, career advancements, contentment in your home.  

     Imagine if "happiness runs in a circular motion", that would mean no matter what stress plows into you - no matter how bad the circumstances may be, you can reach a higher level of happiness than you are already at?

     Since happiness doesn't cost a thing, and since happiness can improve your health, and since happiness can improve your quality of life, and since happiness  can attract better and bigger things into your life, why not try to include some happiness into your world!!!!!

     Go ahead try it, see how your life can be improved by a little happiness today!!

"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all of your thoughts break their bonds: your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world.  Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be."

-Patanojoli Indian Philosopher -

Here in Macomb County, we experience the same types of stress that others experience throughout the world. When you think of stress you probably think of mental stress.  Did you know that there are other types of stress that are just as damaging to your body?

3 type of stress:

1. Mental stress: This can come from your professional life or your personal life. It is all of those things that you think about that make you not enjoy your day.

2. Chemical Stress: Drugs, whether they be prescription or non-prescription, create chemical stress in the body.  Medications are considered toxins to the body and create an internal stress or an external stress(side effects).  Preservatives in our food create chemical stress and pollution in the air.

3. Physical Stress: Falls and injuries create physical stress on the body, but did you know that repetitive activities create physical stress on the body.  Such as sitting at a desk and computer all day. Dentists create physical stress, working in small spaces holiding their arms up all day.  Stylists, holding up their scissors and blow dryers, on top of standing on their feet all day. Kids that carry a back pack full of books and parents that are holding their newborns and infants continuously.  These are physical stress'.

     When the body is undergoing stress, it will cause the nervous system to go into overdrive.  If this continues to occur, than your nervous system, just like anything else, starts to break down. When the nervous system is interfered with the first thing that may take place is tissues and joints get sick.  The organs start to malfunction, (have you had any removed because the malfunctioned?).  So then medication is neeeded.  Remember when you could eat anything you wanted and it didn't bother you? You could wake up in the morning and feel refreshed?  Signs of the nervous system being interfered with is that your body becomes tired and your systems start to fail. Your entire body gets sick.  Your immune system gets affected.  Until your whole body starts to function abnormally.

     You can focus on the problem, stress, or you can focus on a solution, more health. We will always have physical stress and mental stress in our lives. You can control the chemical stress to some extent, but you can't get rid of all the pollution in the air, or the preseratives in our food.  So insteaed of focusing on the problem, more stress, you need to focus on a solution, more health.

     A nervous system free from interference will allow your body to function at the optimum potential.  Allowing your tissues, organs and systems to create optimum health, physically, mentally and socially, allowing you to be the best you can.

Dr. Wilbraham practices in macomb county. Please email me directly at drwilbraham@comcast.net with any health questions you may have to see how I can help you experience less stress on your body with improved health.

     In the 1950's an Alpha Polar Bear Cub was given as a gift to the Colorado Zoo.  They were not able to take this gift because they didn't have anywhere to put the alpha polar bear cub except for in a holding cage.  They knew that if they did this for any length of time (months or years) that they would warp the psyche of the polar bear.  They had to decline the gift, until a biologist said that if we could just take the money from the other areas of the zoo improvement and channel it to the development of a natural habitat for the polar bear, we could accept the gift.  The polar bear would be put into a holding cage for only a few months, which would not impact the psyche of the polar bear in anyway and he could still have normal development.  As we take it out of the polar bear cage and allow it the freedom of an acre and a half of tundra in its natural  habitat here at the zoo.  Note:  This polar bear was 6 feet tall and weighed hundreds of pounds.  (The book, The Holding Cage). In the holding cage the polar bear only had enough space to walk 3 1/2 steps forward and then turn around and walk 3 1/2 steps back.  This is the only space that this polar bear knew, 3 1/2 steps front turn around and 3 1/2 steps back, over and over and over and over and over and over again!  Now they said that this would not warp the psyche of the polar bear at all.  As bureacracy had it, it was 11 years before they finished the natural habitat for the polar bear.

     So when the habitat was completed, and they opened up the cage for the polar bear to come out and live in this natural habitat, you can guess what happened..........  That's right....he took 3 1/2 steps forward and turned around and took 3 1/2 steps back.

     Now ask yourself,,,..Where is your Polar Bear Cage?  It is everything that you think. Our thoughts create our actions and over time repetitive actions create our habits, there is your polar bear cage. Our comfort zone.  We all have polar bear cages.  We limit ourselves because of lack of knowledge, doubt or fear.  

     We are all born equal, The Sky's The Limit! Macomb County and the rest of the world is full of opportunity, just waiting for you (if you dare to step outside of your polar bear cage).   We sabotage ourselves, many times without even knowing it.  We are the only ones that stop us from achieving our dreams and goals.  The minute we feel uncomfortable, we get discouraged, we find excuses as to why it will not work, therefore we stop pushing ourselves.  In order to grow, you must change.  You must step out of your polar bear cage.  When you push yourself out of your comfort zone, you will actually rock your polar bear cage, and everytime you do this you you will create a larger space for yourself.  Before you know it you will have 5 steps forward and 5 steps back, then 10 steps forward and 10 steps back.  You will see that things that were once uncomfortable will now be comfortable.  

     Congratulations, you have just stepped outside of your polar bear cage.  The first step to change is awareness, once you are aware of your limits your doubts and/or your fears (your polar bear cage), do something uncomfortable to get out. Now, go out there and reach your dreams, even if it means being uncomfortable or unfamiliar to you.  You must be willing to do whatever it takes to get out of your polar bear cage.

     Health and Wellness comes from within, spiritual health is important in your overall health.  Rock your polar bear cage today!