- 02
- Mar
- 2020
March is National Optimism Month
March marks the beginning of spring, and spring is the season of hope and renewal. After the cold and quiet of winter, spring’s energy bursts forth as plants blossom back to life. Temperatures warm, more birds are singing, wild animals become more active, and Nature’s splendor takes on many shades of green. Spring is the season of regeneration and growth.
It is appropriate that March is celebrated as the month when optimism rises within you. There is an old saying: “Hope springs eternal”. Have you noticed that you feel more positive with the renewal of spring? It is like the seed that germinates and, with that, comes all its powerful potential for growth. The future is all in front of that seed, and its potential for growth abounds.
Like the seed, there is also a powerful possibility for growth and change within you. Your inner “germination” means recognizing your potential, setting goals, and moving toward those goals with steadfast optimism. Your future looks bright when you have a hopeful attitude. With optimism and determination, you can accomplish great things in your life.
In Chinese medicine, this sense of optimism and resolute determination to achieve your goals comes from the Wood Element. Not surprisingly, the Wood element is associated with the season of spring and the color green. The Wood element gives you a sense of optimism, hope, and renewal all year long. Wood gives you the potential for personal growth, much like the germinating seed.
There is a meridian of Qi (pronounced “chee”) energy that supplies each organ with the energy necessary to perform its vital functions. In Five Element acupuncture, each organ is given a nickname based on how it functions for body, mind, and spirit. The two organs associated with the Wood element are the Gallbladder and Liver.
The Gallbladder organ is The Decision Maker. All the decisions you make are driven by the vital energy in your Gall Bladder meridian. If you have a healthy balance of Qi energy in your Gall Bladder meridian, you can make wise and healthy decisions. That is why the ancient Chinese likened the Gallbladder to a “Wise Judge”. If your Gallbladder meridian falls out of balance, you can either become indecisive or make poor choices.
The Liver organ is considered The Planner. All of the plans that your mind makes are driven by the vital energy in your Liver meridian. If you have a healthy balance of Qi energy in your Liver meridian, you can make good plans and can effectively carry out those plans. That is why the ancient Chinese related the Liver to a “resolute general that leads its troops into battle”. But if your Liver meridian falls out of balance, you can wander aimlessly through life without purpose, make unrealistic plans, or not have the energy to carry out your plans.
To feel that sense of hope and optimism that the Wood element gives you in spring, you need a healthy balanced Liver and Gallbladder. If you believe you need to be more optimistic in your outlook, come see us at the Acupuncture & Holistic Health Center for a spring “tuneup” on your Wood element meridians. Call us at (904) 296-9545 to make an appointment today!