In an effort to expand my knowledge (and subsequently, my offerings at Tri State Holistic Wellness) I enrolled in ‘Anatomy and Physiology’ at Ivy Tech in the Fall of 2021. The purpose was to take the year long class so I could get into an Iridology class offered by a woman in Canada. She requires A&P as a prerequisite to her course. Iridology is the practice of analyzing the iris (colored portion) of the eye to discover inherent weaknesses, predispositions, organic malfunctions, and other issues related to health concerns. A practitioner would then determine the proper diet and supplements needed to promote wellness.
I’ve known an Amish healer since 2009 who is a third-generation practitioner. I sent my dad to his dad in 2007 when my dad developed colon cancer that metastasized to his liver.
When I became sick in 2020, I went to see my Amish friend. He used iridology and muscle testing to determine the source of my problem and applied herbal supplements to correct the situation. I also studied several different alternative methods which were added to his suggestions.
While learning all I could about health and wellness, I started collecting books on iridology and began selling the same herbs sold by my Amish friend. This led me to desire to become more acquainted with iridology, thus the purpose behind my original intentions of taking the A&P class.
Along the way, I met some people at Ivy Tech enrolled in the Therapeutic Massage Program. Instead of continuing with my initial goal of iridology, I took time away from that goal to finish a certificate in Therapeutic Massage.
Today, Sept, 28, 2023, I passed the mblex, a test that will allow me to seek licensure in Indiana.
I’ve been doing some bodywork at my business, along with Chinese Cupping and Gua Sha, Acupressure, Tuning Forks, and vibration therapies. Now I will add Therapeutic Massage.
It’s funny that sometimes, when we set out on a goal and aim our sights toward a specific end, but are led to follow a different path.
This reminds me of a phrase I read recently. I’ve changed it a little bit.
Goals are for people who prepare for one objective – winning once. Systems are for people who prepare for any objective and are always ready and willing to be challenged.
I’ll compare it to something I know a little about – martial arts.
When a person begins martial arts training, they have a goal – get the Black Belt. Along the way, they learn that to perfect something, they must do it over and over, again and again. Through this process they either learn self-discipline or they don’t. If they don’t learn self-discipline, they quit soon thereafter and are never seen again. If they do learn self-discipline, one of two things happen. They attain the prize they sought – Black Belt, and are never seen again. They got their reward. Or, they realize that Black Belt is simply the beginning of learning. They use the self-discipline developed of years of training and continue to learn more and more of the art. They will soon (hopefully) discover that the martial arts doesn’t only teach fighting, it teaches perfection of character. (That’s another article).
The self-discipline acquired along the way to Black Belt carries over into all parts of our lives. We are then prepared to take on any challenges. The goal wasn’t the belt, the goal was learning and becoming a better person.
Similarly, my goal during my schooling at Ivy Tech wasn’t the certificate. My goal was to add more knowledge to the ways I can improve human health and wellness. It was one more step I needed to continue to offer more ways I can help people. I’m not going to quit now that I’ve got a certificate, because my goal was never the certificate. My aim was for the knowledge I would attain. Knowledge I can use in the future.
Just like my goal while training in karate was never a Black Belt, but the knowledge I attained about myself, who I am, and what I am capable of accomplishing.
We never improve our lives on the couch. The boob tube will never teach us how to be better people; to excel, to achieve, to accomplish. We might watch documentaries about goal setting, habit forming, mind mapping, etc., but if we don’t go out there and forge through it, it is all for naught. You’re watching someone else achieve and excel.
There are gates of action through which we must pass to become a better version of ourselves.
Motivation: doing something only when you feel like it.
Discipline: doing something even when you don’t feel like it because you promised yourself you would do it.
Habit: doing something without thinking about it because you’ve been motivated and disciplined enough to repeat something until it’s a part of who you are.
These gates apply to everything we do in life; diet and exercise, studying and learning, perfecting a skill or talent.
Don’t let yourself become lost in a goal lest you quit after the goal is attained. Concentrate therefore on building the habits that will allow you to accomplish any goal.
If you decide to run a 5k, you might go on the internet to research the training methods, the protocols, the type of shoes, the proper stride, things you’ll need on race day, and so forth. But you’ll need the motivation to get started running. You’ll need to decide that you’re going to run the next day. But if it’s a little cooler than normal, you need to find the motivation to do it anyway. The next day, you’ll be sore, but you will need to dig deep and forge the motivation to run. After some time, you’ll have the discipline to run no matter what the weather brings, and you’ll have adapted to be less sore each morning. Over time, you may have even developed the habit of running every day. Then you race. If your goal was to run a particular 5k, you may be tempted to celebrate and then quit. You have done what you set out to do. You’ve got the T-shirt. You’re done.
But if you set out to develop a system or habit that drives you to run every day despite circumstances, you will be prepared for any race. Your friends will ask you if you want to run a race a week from now, and you’ll be ready. You won’t have to train or prepare, you’re already prepared. You’re always ready.
That’s the difference between a goal and a system.
Ultimately, do not seek to attain a goal, you might quit once the goal is attained. Seek instead to become more, to perform at a higher level, to learn more, and to experience growth. In this manner, you will never quit. The goal should be to develop a habit, not to win a prize.
Sure, my time at school is over. Yes, I graduated. Of course, I got my paper and I’m on my way. But it’s a part of a habit of learning and applying skills so I can always be useful when people need me.
Perhaps I’ll start that iridology course …
Keep going,
Weeg
Joe “Weeg” Weigant is a Holistic Health Practitioner, Metaphysician, and Empowerment Coach. He combines bodywork, energy work, and coaching to relieve anxiety and depression and balance the nervous system. Weeg coaches his clients to drop the white flag of victimhood and pick up the banner of empowerment, inspiring them to stop riding in life’s trunk and take the wheel of their lives.
Weeg sells herbal products by Nature’s Sunshine, Pure Herbs Ltd. and Juice Plus. He teaches Karate and Tai Chi, Reiki Certification, as well as seminars and workshops in metaphysical and spiritual matters. Weeg is available for sessions at Tri State Holistic Wellness by appointment only.
Contact by text 812.568.5356, or Facebook Messenger to set an appointment.