Two Qi’s Are Better Than One
“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." – Lao Tzu
Did you own a piggybank when you were a kid? I did. Mine was a beautiful white porcelain pig, adorned with delicate aqua-blue accents on its ear tips and tail. Though I eagerly fed it with pennies, they never stayed put for very long. Once I yanked the cork from its belly and gave it a shake, coins spilled onto my mattress, ready to be spent on a cheap scoop of ice cream from our neighborhood drugstore.
Our life force, known as Qi (chi) in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is similar to those pennies, continuously flowing in and out of our bodies.
Qi Whiz
Qi represents the vital energy that courses through us and surrounds us, much like an electromagnetic vibration. We are born with ancestral Qi, which we inherit from our parents—a precious gift beyond our control. However, post-natal Qi is different. It is the energy we generate through lifestyle choices, such as our nutrition, exercise, sleep habits, and more. Think of this Qi as pennies we collect and save during our lifetime.
Our Ancestral Qi is limited in quantity and can be depleted if we lead an unhealthy lifestyle. Choosing donuts over vegetables, the couch instead of a brisk walk, and allowing stress to control our lives, drains our Ancestral Qi. It cannot be replenished. Deficient Qi can lead to fatigue, weak immunity, depression, and other diseases. On the other hand, Post-natal Qi, is restored by mindful living. Clearing our negative thoughts, getting to bed earlier, and spending time in nature are powerful ways to restore this Qi and harmonize our wellbeing. When our post-natal Qi flows effortlessly and in balance, we experience increased happiness, improved health, a feeling of empowerment, and, yes… more pawsitivity.
When I was an acupuncturist in private practice in Marin County, I witnessed the profound impact that pets had on my patient’s wellbeing. Whether it was a beloved dog helping a mom recover from cancer or a cat comforting a teenager struggling with their sense of belonging, the stories were abundant and unique. Laughter, smiles, and tears accompanied my client’s stories. These responses alleviated stress, reduced high blood pressure, and triggered the release of feel-good hormones. It left them feeling hopeful, connected, and more fully alive. These four-legged dog doctors and cat nurses played a one-of-a-kind role in nurturing my patient’s Post-Natal Qi in a way that conventional medicine would be hard-pressed to match.
Youthful Folly
There have been times in my life where I’ve taxed my Ancestral Qi, by taking out more than I added. During my twenty-year stint as an editor in the film industry, the long hours pushed my health and wellness habits completely off my radar. Years of poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, and sky-high stress eventually caught up with me. So, I rescued two stray cats—Cody and Jester. You can hear more about the transformative powers of my two feline healers in my TEDx talk entitled, The Life-Changing Powers of the Animal-Human Health Connection.
Today, my relationship with my rescue dog, Grace, is an integral part of my wellness protocol. She motivates me to walk every day, a habit I’d neglected until she came to live with us. During the day, she sits at the foot of my desk as I write, her wet nose reminds me that frequent breaks are not only good for body and soul, but a fabulous incentive to clean our house. Most evenings, Grace and I watch Santa Fe’s magical sunsets in silent awe. I relish this quiet time together, experiencing a bond that is uniquely our own. It’s yet another way to fill our longevity piggy bank with Post-natal Qi. Because in these moments of profound connection, one of the most powerful forces to nourish our wellbeing comes into play. Unconditional love. Is there anything better than that to help us feel truly alive?
Stay healthy and stay pawsitive,
Carlyn MDO 💜
PS: Did this post resonate with you? If so, I’m curious…what is your favorite way to connect with your animal companion?
PPS: One of my greatest joys is being able to donate to worthy animal causes. For every one of my books that you purchase, a portion of the proceeds go to help animals in need. Check out my books below. I suspect you will really enjoy them!