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Hero, Villain, or Something In Between?

She is revered. She is vilified. She is someone that most of us took for granted, not realizing that she was a person with a life, hopes, and dreams before us, and plans for her own life that didn’t necessarily include us. She is Mother and this Sunday is her day.

Relationships are difficult at times, and many people have difficulties putting their “Mom relationship” into perspective. For those of us whose moms are no longer alive in a physical body, this week can be tough, and for those who resent or even hate their moms, this week can be even harder in many ways. All that serves to make this week before Mother’s Day a challenging one for many of us to find emotional peace and balance. It can be done, though – the same tools that help you put other things into perspective work for this, too.

Neuroplasticity came into being as a field of study when doctors watched patients re-acquire skills lost after a stroke. Researchers studied the process our brains...

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This Minute is About You - Yes, YOU

 

Do you sometimes feel like, no matter what you do, that you’re not making a very big difference in the world? Trust me, you’re wrong about that – here’s what’s really going on.

Our strengths and talents feel very natural and organic to us, so we take them for granted. It’s easy for me to distill brain research into concepts most people can easily grasp, and it’s easy for you to visit with a patient and feel the things that could be wrong with them even though they can’t speak words to you.

You make a difference for your patients, for their owners, for your team, for your family and friends and everyone you touch in life.

You matter, because no one else can do what you do with the heart and soul you pour into doing it.

I’m Sandy Weaver and just like Kacey, I love veterinarians!

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The Easiest Yoga Pose to Create Ease

 

Are you feeling tense and stressed with too many thoughts flying around in your head? Do you have five minutes, a private space and a towel or yoga mat?

A super-fast way to calm the chaos in your mind while relieving the stress in your back is to take a yoga break and rest in child’s pose.

Spread out your mat or towel, sit on your heels, toes together and knees apart about hip-width. If you can’t sit on your heels, place a pillow between your bottom and heels. If you’re pregnant, place a pillow between your thighs to provide abdominal support.

Exhale your arms forward and long as you gently lower your chest to your thighs, place your forehead on the mat and relax into the pose.

Breathe long, slow, deep breaths and allow your shoulders to sink towards the mat as the tension in your neck eases. Stay as long as you need to, until you feel relaxed and in control. Child's pose for the win.

I’m Sandy Weaver and just like Kacey, I love veterinarians!

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Trust Yourself, then Take It On

 

Do you trust yourself?

Seriously, do you know deep in your solar plexus that in an emergency you can handle whatever needs handling?

Think about it – in your life so far, you’ve handled everything that life’s thrown at you. Sure, some of those things weren’t fun while they were happening – look back now and I bet you can see how they were growth opportunities for you.

Next time you’re thinking about something that’s stressful – something you’ve never done before or something you dread doing – take a deep breath and remember – you’ve got this. You always have and you always will.

Then take it on!

I’m Sandy Weaver and just like Kacey, I love veterinarians!

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The Body-Mind-Soul Way to a Successful Day

 

Start your day with a body/mind/soul morning ritual.

You already have a morning ritual, so this will just be tweaking it a little bit to ensure a great start to the day.

Think about the pattern you already have established – maybe it’s get up, let the dog out, start the coffee pot, let the dog in, prep breakfast, shower, dress and head for the hospital.

Add in some stretching and bending, maybe while you’re in the shower. Read an few paragraphs of a book that inspires you, maybe while you’re waiting for the coffee to brew. Focus on visualizing a smooth, successful, happy day in the hospital, maybe as you drive to the hospital.

That’s all it takes to add body, mind and spirit to your day and a lift to your mood at the same time.

I’m Sandy Weaver and just like Kacey, I love veterinarians!

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Groupthink vs. Dissention - Which Team is Stronger?

 

Do you value groupthink on your hospital team or are you open to dissenters?

While it’s tempting to wish for a team that’s always on the same page, humans don’t do their best work that way. First, you know how tough it is to get two people to agree on everything – how can you expect your entire team to agree all the time?

Instead, be open to differing ideas and points of view. When your team trusts you enough to disagree with you right to your face, that’s when you know you’ve developed a strong team.

Celebrate differences of opinion – that’s where growth opportunities for everyone come from.

I’m Sandy Weaver and just like Kacey, I love veterinarians!

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Do You Know How Wonderful You Are?

 

You’re a veterinarian because you care about animals, right?

First of all, thank you – I love my veterinarian!!

And second of all, you know what that says about you? You are loving, kind, you care about the feelings of others and you’re a fountain of benevolent humanity.

Did you know that about you? It’s all true, so maybe write it down and keep it on your desk so you can remind yourself a lot.

You are a wonderful, loving human being who makes a difference in this world and you deserve to know that.

I’m Kacey and I love veterinarians!

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Worrying is Worrisome

 

Do you worry a lot?

Sometimes I worry about the squirrels that jump on the porch roof – I worry that they’ll get away again!!

Seriously, if you worry a lot, what you’re really doing is using your incredible imagination to create something you don’t want.

And remember when I told you that your brain can’t tell the difference between reality and the thoughts inside your head? Yep – when you worry you’re creating stress hormones, muscle tightness, and contributing to long-term damage to the cells in your body.

How to stop worrying? When you realize you’re doing it, focus on something good instead. Look around and see what’s good in your right now and focus on that. Take a few deep breaths, admire that thing you’re focused on and feel the tension melt.

I’m Kacey and I love veterinarians!

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What are You Expecting?

 

What are you expecting? And if you answered “a baby” congratulations, and that’s not really what I meant.

When you walk through the hospital doors in the morning, what are you expecting?

If you feel excited because you know it’ll be a day of interesting challenges faced with a great team, then you’re in the sweet spot.

If you feel stress because you know it’ll be a day of interesting challenges and you wonder if you’ll all be up to those challenges, you’re where a lot of veterinarians are.

And if you feel dread because you know the day will be full of things or people that make you feel bad, then it’s time to reach out for help. I know I know…it’s hard to ask for help.

You’re human and you’re great at so many things but nobody expects you to be great at everything. Was there a buddy in vet school you could reach out to? A current colleague or friend? The people at Not One More Vet?

You’re not alone...

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The Case for a Water Bowl for Humans

 

Do you drink out of your water bowl enough? OK, so it’s me drinking out of a water bowl – water is good for me, good for your patients and good for you, too.

Most humans don’t drink enough water, and can feel cranky, headachy or just mentally exhausted. You could keep a water bowl on your desk – maybe a better idea is to keep a big jug of water there and make it your goal to finish the jug each day.

You might be shocked to see how much easier your days feel when you’re well-hydrated.

I’m Kacey and I love veterinarians! ‘Scuse me…I gotta go drink out of the water bowl…or maybe the toilet bowl!!

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