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52 Ways To Make A Difference: #16
By Amina Cisse Muhammad
02/08/2001
Often, when we think of how we might somehow make a difference in someone else's life, we think of only the "big ways." Although it is great to strive towards the ideal, we are often stopped from trying by considerations such as a lack of time and/or money, or we are discouraged because we don't believe we will get the results that we desire.
In this column, we will feature discussions of "small ways" that each of us, as Muslims and as human beings, can seek to contribute to our families, our communities, our societies; and indeed, Insha'Allah, to the world. And we urge you to take a moment to reflect on these words, and to contemplate how you might put them into action in your own life to benefit humanity. May Allah bless each and every one of us!
#16: De-stress yourself.
Sometimes the best way to take care of the world is to be sure you are taking care of yourself. You are an environmental hazard walking around as a stressed-out time bomb. Learn to recognize your own signs of being overly stressed, and do something about it before it seeps out while driving, at work, or at home.
Although it's great to be oriented toward caring for others, it is essential that you know when to make yourself a priority
(Gordon, 1996).
As a mother of four (three of whom I raised almost single-handedly as a widow), only recently have I truly begun to understand the wisdom of these words. It seems that mothers particularly have a hard time striking the balance between taking care of others and taking care of themselves. I am always hearing 40-plus (and younger) mothers speak of physical, emotional, and spiritual burnout.
However, burnout doesn't just afflict mothers. Many fathers work long, tedious and stressful hours to provide for their families. The hectic lifestyles that most of us lead in America and other western societies do not leave much time for rest and recuperation, spiritual rejuvenation, exercise, recreation - all things that are vital to sustaining health.
In my own quest to take better care of me, I am turning more and more to alternative (actually, ancient) health practices such as homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, and yoga. And today, I visited a reflexologist for the first time. I'd like to share that visit with you in this column.
Sister Dayeenah is a walking example of the benefits of "living according to the laws of nature." At 73, she is vibrant, radiant, wrinkle-free, and full of health. She has been practicing the art of reflexology for almost thirty years now, and she exudes the immense joy she feels at having been blessed by Allah to help others reduce their stress and illness.
I have practiced reflexology here and there over the years - typically, just to treat a headache or other minor discomfort or two. Most notably, however, during the birth of my last three children, I used a hand reflexology technique that greatly facilitates the speed and ease of delivery (in fact, it is so effective that expectant mothers are warned not to use it before they get to the hospital). But it was not until another sister shared the news of this "jewel" in our local community with me that I committed to adding reflexology to my growing list of health maintenance activities.
Sister Dayeenah was trained by the International Institute of Reflexology based in Petersburg, Florida, which teaches the Ingham method of reflexology. Eunice Ingham, who lived from 1889 to 1974, is credited as being a pioneer and the greatest developer of the science of reflexology.
The premise behind reflexology (as well as that of acupuncture, chiropractic, and many other healing sciences) is that our life energy often becomes blocked because of negative lifestyle practices such as eating unhealthily, not getting proper rest and exercise, and lacking an overall balance between our spiritual, physical, mental and emotional selves.
There is evidence that its practice dates back to ancient Egypt - inscriptions were discovered in Saqqara in what is known as "the physician's tomb".
Source: History of Reflexology
The Zone Theory, the precursor of reflexology, was founded upon the discovery that the application of pressure on certain zones in the body not only relieved pain, but in a majority of cases, the underlying cause as well. After treating hundreds of patients utilizing the Zone Theory, Eunice Ingham determined that the reflexes on the feet are an exact mirror image of the organs in the body. Expanding on the Zone Theory, she documented her cases and carefully mapped out these reflexes in her first book,
Stories The Feet Can Tell.
When I asked Sister Dayeenah for her advice on relieving stress, she emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to health, and recommended several books on natural eating and natural healing practices (refer to list below). She said that once her clients have gotten a "good foot working", she recommends they have a maintenance treatment every three months or so.
"If you're feeling out of kilter - don't know why or what about -
Let your feet reveal the answer; find the sore spot, work it out" (Eunice D. Ingham).
Note: This list is being developed partially from the card set,
52 Ways to Make A Difference, authored by Lynn Gordon and published by Chronicle Books of San Francisco in 1996,
available at Borders Book Store in the mini-book section.
Visit IslamOnline's Health & Science archives for numerous articles on natural healing. Section Editor, Sister Karima Burns, MH, ND, has a Doctorate in Naturopathy and a Masters in Herbal Healing. She has studied natural healing for 12 years, published a natural healing newsletter for 4 years, and writes extensively on natural healing and herbs.
Other Recommended Books and Websites:
Complete Illustrated Guide to Reflexology (Therapeutic Foot Massage for Health
& Well-Being) by Inge Dougans, published by Element Books
Eat Right 4 Your Type by Dr. Peter D'Adamo, published by Century Publishing Co.
History of Reflexology
Home of Reflexology
One Touch Healing by Mildred Carter and Tammy Weber, published by Prentice Hall
The Original Works of Eunice Ingham by Eunice Ingham, published by Ingham Publishing
(Stories The Feet Can Tell, Stories The Feet Have Told)
Pacific Institute of Reflexology
Reflexology Today: A Family Affair (A Self-Help Guide For Family Wellness) by Njideka N. Olatunde, published by Focus on Healing, Inc.
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