Why A Balanced Approach to Life Is Crucial To Your Health
Guest post by Dr Greg Schreeuwer.
One of the greatest contributors to cancer, apart from poor nutrition, electromagnetic radiation and a lack of physical exercise is a mental attitude of ‘all or nothing’. So often, we encounter people or come across people we love who have this specific approach to life. It could be seen as a black or white viewpoint of reality or a noticeable delineation of two distinctly separate things. In psychology, this would be termed ‘bipolar’.
It is incredibly apparent that when we become so separate in our minds or in our lives, we start excluding certain components that might be useful or required. If, for example, we are always kind and never cruel or always selfless and never selfish, it is obvious we’re excluding one side of an equation that happens to exist. We may actively even choose to express one side of ourselves or our lives more than the other for fear of what may happen to us if we express the opposite or the guilt we may feel of how it could impact the people we care about.
Human beings, on a microscopic level, have two sides working together every moment of every day. We have trillions of cells inside our bodies that have, both protons (positive ions) and electrons (negative ions). They combine together to create the cells of our bodies. These two charges help our bodies receive and emit, simultaneously, what we need and what we don’t require. The planet, is another example of a synthesis of opposites. It is both dark and light at the same time, but in different hemispheres. Opposites are always synchronous, however human beings have attempted and continue to attempt to separate them and isolate them as good or bad, positive or negative and so on. We do this with the conscious part of our brains, which only processes about 2000 bits of information per second out of, approximately 400 million bits of information per second that the unconscious brain manages and deals with. When you go into the unconscious mind, separation does not exist, no matter how hard you consciously desire it to be so.
It is important to also realise, that the body is a constantly balanced unit and system. It doesn’t matter what you do or don’t do, your body will always maintain a degree of balance. It may be in extremes, but it will be there regardless.
The more we are one-sided, the greater the experience will be of the other side. The conscious mind, in its effort to achieve and maintain forward momentum, separates what cannot be separated. With people who have or are currently experiencing cancer, it is always apparent that there exists this one-sided approach to life. A lot of cancer patients tend to be incredibly selfless. This will only lead to situations where those people will be forced to become selfish in order to preserve themselves and what they truly desire. Some cancer patients are extremely stubborn and won’t accept anything from anyone. This potentially could be fueled by ego, pride and a self-righteous persona.
Again, the more polarised a person becomes, the more they create or manifest whatever is necessary in order to balance themselves out.
Wellness is a synthesis and synchronicity of opposites. Wellness only truly exists when there is poise and balance, not only in the way you nurture yourself and not only in how you manage your body but also in how you see and perceive the world around you. Your mind needs to be harmonised just as equally as you would do with the other areas of your life.
There are a few important things to remember. Giving to yourself is equally as beneficial as giving to others and receiving from others is equally as beneficial as receiving from yourself alone. Not only is it beneficial for you, but it adds value to other peoples lives when you act in accordance with who you are and what’s important to you. Playing one side of who you are and the way you choose to look at the world, doesn’t afford you a whole and balanced experience of life. Allow yourself to be open to the other parts of you, as well as the other parts of the world and humanity.
How balanced do you feel you are? Are you afraid to show both your dark and your light?
Author bio: Dr. Greg Schreeuwer practiced as a chiropractor in Sydney, Australia for 4.5 years. He is now non-practicing. During that time, he received training in several areas of complementary healthcare including Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Principles, Reiki, N.A.E.T. (Nambudripads’ Allergy Elimination Technique), N.E.T. (Neuro Emotional Technique), N.C.R. (Neurocranial Restructuring) and he has attended Dr. John F. Demartini’s “Breakthrough Experience Programs”. He has also has a special interest in metaphysics and quantum mechanics. He has always been fascinated by the inner workings of almost everything that exists in the universe and he has constantly striven, through his own self-development and research, to uncover these underlying mechanisms. He is a focused and dedicated person who loves helping people uncover their path. The challenges he has faced to allow him to reach this point in his life are numerous yet they have been incredible blessings, opening his mind to the possibilities and endless opportunities that exist within people and within the world. His dream and hope is to help every person on the planet reveal their divine purpose by showing people how their dis-ease is not a limitation but a lesson that could liberate, inspire and empower them.
Positive affirmation for the day: I am equally selfless and selfish.
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POSTED IN: balance, cancer, Dr Greg Schreeuwer, healing, health, selfish, selfless
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Thanks for a great post Greg! Balance is key and something I am constantly working on 
Greg I have lymphoma (mainly left lymph nodes)and can totally resonate with the selfless part. What are some suggestions of helping find balance with a young family and busy full time job?
Your selflessness would make sense because your lymphoma is left sided. In chinese medicine, the left side of the body represents the female parts of ourselves which is concerned with self preservation, self care, nurturing and so on. Usually when people present with an illness or symptom on the left side it is because they are doing the exact opposite.
In order to practise selfishness in a way that serves everybody, it is important to identify what it is you truly value and want for your life beyond where it’s at right now. When you are aware of what those values are, then you can start practising the art of selfishness accordingly. What most of us feel, though, is a deep sense of guilt in doing what we need to do for ourselves. The main reason for that is because we aren’t consciously able to see how serving ourselves and our values is going to help other people – particularly our families and employers. We also tend to have a fear that if we do what we truly want, several terrible things are going to occur. So, we hold ourselves back and repress our true desires in life.
Fear and guilt are two emotional states that keep us sick and in dis-ease. It is definitely wise, not only to identify what it is that you value but to be able to dissolve any fears or guilts you may have around doing whatever it is that fulfils and inspires you.
You’re welcome. Balance is definitely important when it comes to take steps forward. Very hard to do when you’re unbalanced. We tend to stumble around when we’re off centre.
Keep working on it. It’s a constant challenge that we all have to deal with as our conscious minds try so desperately to distract us from the present moment.
Timely post, thank you!
My goodness this gave me goosebumps! How many time have you noticed the people that get cancer (I know two at the moment!) who are givers will do anything for their friends or their family! It just makes perfect sense! From this day forward I am going to try really hard to devote more time for me! (I really need to print the article and give my 4 kids and husband a copy!)
Thanks Greg I needed to read your words today!
Feeling even better about taking time for myself to get a massage today. As a mother of three that is hard to do. Thanks for another great post, Greg.
This has given me something to think about. The mums at playgroup today all agreed that we constantly feel guilty if we do anything for ourselves, even read a book or take ten minutes alone time. I think selflessness becomes a habit once you have children.
When you aren’t able to see how doing what you love is going to help, not only yourself but your children too, you will always have less energy, less time, feel heavier, more resentful, full of despair, be depressed, angry, blame yourself, feel betrayed and be challenged all over the place.
Whether it’s habit or not, see how it serves your kids to do what’s important to you. Break the guilt cycle now. You’ll only hold yourself back and being unsettled, as a mother, will not benefit your children to the same degree.
I’m a wreck. I have been told I have fibromlga, bursitis in my hips & lower back, digenerative disc disease, herniated disc, ptsd. & am depressed. My 18 yr old is giving me a nervous breakdown……..Where do I begin? What should I do?
Hello,
I assume this comment will be moderated out, but will give it a try.
I am no expert but if you were a friend I would advise the following: for bursitis and issues with joints/discs, maybe initially see a physiotherapist. For PTSD, depression and family issues, you definitely should see a Clinical Psychologist, as there are tried and tested non-drug interventions for these problems. Again if you were a friend, I would advise you explore these avenues before trying drugs for any of those conditions. (Fibromalgia I am not too sure, but a GP could give further advice.)
If money is an issue, treatment by physios and psychologists is funded by Medicare, probably under programs like Chronic Illness and Better Access – I am not too sure of the names of the programs, but again a GP will be able to give you the appropriate referrals. I hope you can make a start and that things start to improve for you. Good luck.
Hi Tracy,
Student has some great recommendations that can assist you. I have some other suggestions that might help you understand a little further why you might be in this position.
Let’s start with the lower back problems. Any time the spinal column is affected, that’s a clear indication to me that you’re not supporting yourself in some way. The spinal column is the physical support structure of the human body.
Disc issues tell me that you might be putting a lot of pressure on yourself to do things that aren’t really within your set of values or priorities – which again has to do with not supporting yourself. Usually lower back problems have a connection to finances. We feel more in control and more powerful when we have more money. The harder it is to make it, save it, pay off debts etc., the more it will show up in that area of the body.
Your hips probably have bursitis because you’re putting so much pressure on your lower back to support you. The hips support the pelvis, which in turn, supports the lower back. So by overloading yourself, you’re placing a lot of pressure on those lower structures too.
Depression occurs in people as a feedback mechanism to help balance our any unrealistic expectations, fantasies or infatuations you might have. Usually when peoples expectations aren’t met, they will experience anger and aggression, blame and betrayal, criticism and challenge and depression and despair. These can be expectations you’re putting on yourself to do things outside your values, do follow someones else’s values and not your own or it could be as a consequence of you placing expectations onto others to fulfil your values and not their own. Any time you do any of the above, you will get depressed. I realise this may be a bit complicated so let me know if you’d like further expansion or explanation.
Your son isn’t actively creating nervous energy in your body. You are. He is triggering a whole bunch of chemical reactions in your body that combine together to give you a sense of no control or powerlessness.
In summary, from what I can tell, I would suspect you are probably feeling very disempowered, out of control, under a lot of pressure and unable to fulfil what’s most important to you. The two emotions that create this scenario are fear and guilt. Fear of what could happen in the future if you do what you want and the guilt, that if you do what you want, others will be hurt, upset and so on.
The only person you can control is you but I would suspect it would be very important to help you get you out of any infatuations, expectations or fantasies of the way life should be and get present with your reality and see how it is serving you.
Hello Dr Greg,
I love your posts! I was wondering if you could give me some insight.
I have a few issues but have a sense they may all be connected (well, their all apart of me so there’s the first connection). My digestive system is out of balance. I have bloating, cramping, stomach pains and constipation. I used to also have diarrhea until I took out gluten. I suffer from daily headaches ranging from dull to extremely painful, mostly just dull. I also have extreme anger outbursts. I have a 20 month old daughter who’s father is not involved. About a year ago I met a wonderful man who loves my daughter and me. However, we fight almost everyday. We seem to push each others ‘buttons’ on a regular basis. I don’t have a good track record of healthy or committed relationships. I eat a very clean, organic, mostly vegan, plant-based diet with lots of juices and coffee enemas. I see a homeopath that has helped some but it has not ‘cured’ me. I have recently incorporated yoga and meditation. I still feel very ‘stuck’. I feel I need a change… Perhaps my subconscious needs a change? Not sure where to start… Any insight is very much appreciated!
Thank you,
Ashley
Hi Ashley,
Thanks for your support.
Let’s focus on your digestive system first. The digestive system could also be a metaphor for what we ingest into our minds, through our senses, that we have to break down and digest. Problems with digestion are very much linked to emotions, psychology, beliefs or values directly through the brain/gut connection. The cramping, bloating and gas are indicative of something you’re ingesting that’s not being broken down properly and, as a result, not being assimilated effectively.
The large intestine is related to the metal element in chinese medicine which has to do with ‘control’. Constipation is another indication that you’re not in control of something because you’re holding onto things/stuff that your body or mind is having trouble letting go of.
Headaches indicate various degrees of overwhelm. The severity of your headaches will depend on the degree of overwhelm in your life. This are instances, situations, people or otherwise that you don’t have control over. As a consequence, you get overwhelmed and shut down all your senses. In other words, you stop yourself from absorbing nutrients and relevant information.
I could probably give you greater insight if I had a chat with you, but this is a good start. I’d love to get your feedback on this.
Hi Dr Greg,
Wow! Thank you! I really appreciate your response.
I’d like to say that recently I’ve been researching the gut/psychology connection and therefore altering my diet (which was a healthy one to start) to relieve my digestive problems (and therefore psychology as well) but I have seen little results. I think the reason is because I need to change my mind (psychology) along with my gut to see any real, lasting progress. I’ve always had this disconnect with how I WANT to live my life and the way my parents and society say I SHOULD live my life. I think this definitely has something to do with my digestive dis-ease and headaches. Since being in a relationship I feel like I have been gripping tighter and tighter to the need of having control but feel less and less in control than ever. This could be why I’m not letting go. But I also think I’ve come so far from the person I used to be (for the better) that maybe I’ve reached a point where I need to let go in order to finally break away. My daughter has given me the push to be the person I want to be. A part of me still feels like I’m hanging on to that old person (the one I don’t want to be).
I would love to chat but I live in the states. That might make it a bit tricky. I am working with a homeopath who is doing extra consults with me. I’d love to find someone like you here. My daughter is 21 months old and I feel like I need to get better first (kind of like the oxygen mask on an airplane… you need to first put your mask on before helping others) but after I’d like for her to see someone. She’s been around a lot of negative (AND positive!) energy since I was pregnant that I would like her to release as well. How young can someone start doing work like this? Any suggestions on how to find someone in the states?
Thanks,
Ashley
Thanks Dr. Greg.
Timely articles like this are divine messages. I’ve just spent 11 months assisting a friend transition – she was cancering and passed away Jan 20th.
In the hubbub of the activities, juggling work & personal time, I thought I was keeping myself cool calm & balanced. Well push comes to shove and at times – the shove just about pushes us over the edge. Allow me to explain;
About 5 years ago I experience a Stress Crisis, took a year off, regrouped & went back to work after hiring a personal coach, taking time to spend more time in the forests, meditating more & enjoying my time after working 35yrs. This week the company owner asked me to cancel my vacation because my branch office was too busy. I’m sch’d to visit my (1st) grandson. In reply, I said no – the time is booked & I’m on my way to meet and hold this child. As a result of feeling guilty, my body went into shock – because I broke out with Shingles. My Naturopath put me on a remedy & warned me to keep the stress levels down.
I’m 52 yrs old, work out at home (Yoga, Chi Gong & Meditate – 2hrs / day) I have a busy career as an Fire & Explosion Investigator, enjoy entertaining at home & studying to be a Certified Herbalist. Our 4 children have successful careers [1-Dr., 1- Eng., 1.Dietician, 1. musician]. Since 1975, our food is either home grown or bought at the Health Food Store. We eat organic fruit & veggies – ethically raised only – no GMO food. We own a Norwalk & juice 2-3 week, etc. …. When the stress factors build, I learned Cortisol is the culprit. My TCM moved away about 4 months ago & we live in a remote community in Northern Ontario…. Just the same, I have been healthy & plan on living for many more decades. I have much to learn about this thing called Menopause – Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Peace, Love & Be well ~