Left Field- Fear

Fear affects our kidneys. Our kidneys filter, process, and recycle our vital bits. Fear is a lack of faith.

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Right Field- the science

The kidneys play a critical role in our health. They are tasked with filtering our blood and removing toxins and waste products and then recycling vitamins, amino acids, glucose, hormones, etc.

Kidneys:

1. balance Water

2. balance Electrolytes

3. balance Acid/Base in the body

4. control Blood Pressure

5. activate Vitamin D

6. remove Toxins

7. produce Erythropoietin (EPO) - makes red blood cells

So kidneys are pretty important.

You can live with one, but you can't live without one.

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Left Field- Fear, Faith, and Trusting the Power of WE

Paralyzed by fear

When we think of fear, we associate it with inaction.

The inaction is not so much fear of death, it is fear of outcome, of getting it wrong.

We are taught at an early age that there is the "right" answer and the "wrong" answer.

If you get it right, you are rewarded.

If you get it wrong, you are punished.

Simple.

The problem is that it breeds indecision.

We no longer try.

We don't explore.

We are in fact, not paralyzed by fear but rather paralyzed by over-analysis.

Paralysis by analysis.

How many times have you researched something before you made a decision?

With the entire worlds knowledge at your fingertips, you are more prone to spend days, weeks, months, maybe even years researching something so you make the "right" choice.

Example: You love red cars. But research shows that the most popular car color is white. Research also shows that red cars are targeted by police more often for speeding tickets.

After months of indecision...

You buy a white car.

Every day you are disappointed with your car but you justify your decision by spouting the research.

"Yes, red cars are cool but research shows that people who drive them get more tickets. Who wants that stress all the time?" SO... I went with the white. I really like it.

Uh-huh.

Congratulations, you, like millions of others have allowed Google to make your decision for you!

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Lack of Faith

Why do we do this?

Because somewhere along the line we lost our connection with ourselves, our gut.

We began to believe that research and scientific data could do a better job of making decisions about our wellbeing better than we could:

"95% of people who run are happier."

"5 out of 6 experts recommend you take hormones to eliminate acne."

"83% of new car buyers bought white cars."

Does it come from wanting to be accepted?

Wanting to be "right?"

Who knows.

What I do know is that data and research cannot tell me what makes me feel good and what makes me happy.

The only way I can accomplish this is to tap into myself and trust what I know and how this decision makes me feel.

Many things are still unknown to science.

Trust your gut.

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Trusting the power of WE

Sometimes nothing is known.

Everything is new.

You have no reference to guide you.

Then what?

Now you are alone and Google cannot help you.

Lean on your team.

Everyone has a team.

People who are there to support your decisions EVEN IF THEY DON'T AGREE WITH YOU.

Tell them your crazy thoughts and decisions and lean on them when you need support. Sometimes all we need is someone to lean on so that we don't fall over.

If you can do that, then you can begin the process of eliminating the power of indecision that fear can have on you.

It may just be what you need to help heal your kidney. Who knows? ;-)

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What else can I do?

Well there are always some practical things you can do along the way.

Foods that support your kidney health are-

Cruciferous vegetables- cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, etc.

Blueberries

Fish

Garlic

Olive oil

-the usual suspects really.

Supplements-

Deep breathing exercises-

I like to use a version of "box" breathing. Inhale for 4 seconds and exhale for 6 seconds. Repeat 3 times.

This not only helps relax the diaphragm but it also helps switch your brain from "fight or flight" to relax.

I would recommend doing it before meals and before bedtime to maximize those relaxation benefits.

Tapping-

Tapping has been around for a very long time, although this one may be a little different from what you may be familiar with.

In this circumstance, we will tap the area of the organ itself.

Your kidneys are located on your back, just below your ribs.

Make a light fist.

Bend over at your waist and hang your head as you gently tap your kidneys with the light fist.

You can repeat 25-30 times per session and 1-2 sessions per day.