A muse is by definition as a noun means a person – especially a woman – who is a source of artistic inspiration. My fiancé tells me I am his muse. What an incredible compliment! It’s simple and unconscious for me. I love and support him unconditionally for whom he is and in return I am fulfilled, loved, and nurtured. Reflecting back, which interestingly enough is the archaic definition of the verb tense of the word muse, I inspired him from our first date. He had a successful business but nurturing him not only through love, but by also helping him make small dietary changes he has become the best version of himself. He has truly blossomed in creativeness and success, and is ready to take his business to the next level.
When you think about it, so many of us need support like this. I am just as guilty as anyone when it comes to people and if someone doesn’t quite fit the norm it can be easy somehow to not see who they really are or worse suppress them because of it.
There was also a recent article in the New York Times about ADHD and how this was a wonderful trait to have thousands of years ago when people were nomadic hunters, but became more of an issue when societies began to settle. Thinking about the diagnosis today, I wonder what is more normal; a child who likes to run around and play, stimulated by an exponential number of things in the environment, or the one who sits at attention in school not moving for hours at a time. The article also addresses some research topics relating people with ADHD to a lower number of two types of dopamine receptors. Dopamine is the hormone and neurotransmitter released by the brain in the reward pathway. Further, the suggestion is that people with ADHD are overall less sensitive with regard to this reward pathway, so this may explain to some degree why repetitive and or routine tasks are boring.
What I find interesting is that sugar also triggers the reward pathway in the brain to release dopamine. This is the same pathway in the brain that is affected by narcotics. The people in my life deemed as having ADHD or ADD love their processed sugar! I have also seen people with a history of ADD/ADHD sustain an even mood long term by returning to eating basic foods, i.e. fruits and vegetables and whole grains and eliminating processed chemicals and dyes. Does this mean that by “eating clean” that a person changes their make up at a molecular level? Of course not. It just means that they become the healthiest version of themselves, and by being in tune with their bodies they are able to maintain this level of health by making small adjustments rather than experience dramatic flares.
As a society we can support each other in eating healthy and exercising, but I ask you now to bring unconditional love and universal acceptance. Go find your health muse, or perhaps allow yourself to be a muse to someone else. Maybe even I can be your muse. Inspire each other to be the healthiest version of who you are and if someone doesn’t confine to the societal norm, than instead of focusing on where they may seem weak encourage them in the areas and environments where they excel. Allow the freak flag to fly if you will. Can you even imagine what that may bring to your relationships and how good that will feel for all involved? Imagine the beauty of this unfolding before you.
I’d love to hear your comments and suggestions.
In Love and Health,
-Dr. Heidi
www.drheidiburry.com
[email protected]
References
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muse
Friedman, R.A. A Natural Fix for ADHD. New York Times Sunday Review, Opinion, 11/2/2014. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/02/opinion/sunday/a-natural-fix-for-adhd
When you think about it, so many of us need support like this. I am just as guilty as anyone when it comes to people and if someone doesn’t quite fit the norm it can be easy somehow to not see who they really are or worse suppress them because of it.
There was also a recent article in the New York Times about ADHD and how this was a wonderful trait to have thousands of years ago when people were nomadic hunters, but became more of an issue when societies began to settle. Thinking about the diagnosis today, I wonder what is more normal; a child who likes to run around and play, stimulated by an exponential number of things in the environment, or the one who sits at attention in school not moving for hours at a time. The article also addresses some research topics relating people with ADHD to a lower number of two types of dopamine receptors. Dopamine is the hormone and neurotransmitter released by the brain in the reward pathway. Further, the suggestion is that people with ADHD are overall less sensitive with regard to this reward pathway, so this may explain to some degree why repetitive and or routine tasks are boring.
What I find interesting is that sugar also triggers the reward pathway in the brain to release dopamine. This is the same pathway in the brain that is affected by narcotics. The people in my life deemed as having ADHD or ADD love their processed sugar! I have also seen people with a history of ADD/ADHD sustain an even mood long term by returning to eating basic foods, i.e. fruits and vegetables and whole grains and eliminating processed chemicals and dyes. Does this mean that by “eating clean” that a person changes their make up at a molecular level? Of course not. It just means that they become the healthiest version of themselves, and by being in tune with their bodies they are able to maintain this level of health by making small adjustments rather than experience dramatic flares.
As a society we can support each other in eating healthy and exercising, but I ask you now to bring unconditional love and universal acceptance. Go find your health muse, or perhaps allow yourself to be a muse to someone else. Maybe even I can be your muse. Inspire each other to be the healthiest version of who you are and if someone doesn’t confine to the societal norm, than instead of focusing on where they may seem weak encourage them in the areas and environments where they excel. Allow the freak flag to fly if you will. Can you even imagine what that may bring to your relationships and how good that will feel for all involved? Imagine the beauty of this unfolding before you.
I’d love to hear your comments and suggestions.
In Love and Health,
-Dr. Heidi
www.drheidiburry.com
[email protected]
References
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muse
Friedman, R.A. A Natural Fix for ADHD. New York Times Sunday Review, Opinion, 11/2/2014. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/02/opinion/sunday/a-natural-fix-for-adhd