In American culture, we tend to consciously think about gratitude and “giving thanks” around Thanksgiving and other designated occasions. However, multiple studies show the benefit for mental health by having daily gratitude practice. This can be very difficult, especially for those of us undergoing any physical or emotional struggle.
In our office, during the early days of COVID, each of us went through our own personal challenges. Through these challenges, We learned a lot about gratitude to help us get through those difficult times.
When Covid first began 2 years ago and we shut down our office for 2 months, we were scared. We worried if we would ever be able to go back to work again and were afraid of how things would change. For me, I realized how much practicing Chinese medicine is part of my identity. And now, over 2 years later, our schedules are busy and our patients are achieving their health goals using acupuncture and Chinese medicine. We are so grateful for our patients who put their trust in us—who spend their time (and money) to see us regularly, who drive near and far to come to see us and who send their friends and loved ones to our office.
I’m so grateful for my patients who share their stories and I learn so much from them. (Both spiritually and mundane—I learn about great restaurants and new books to read from our chats) I cannot explain the joy it brings us to see our patients succeed—to be free of pain, to have a baby, etc. The practice of acupuncture is indeed a practice, and we cannot do it without our patients. We are grateful!
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