Meteorologist as Shaman

Mother Nature often has a lot to do with aspects of life that occur outside of our range of control. Therefore, we look to those who seem to have the ability to communicate with nature to alert us to situations we should be aware of. Hopefully, with this knowledge, we can make informed choices to protect ourselves.

Indigenous societies turned to their Shaman. By tuning into subtle communication from the environment, he would perceive matters of importance and then advise the people. In addition, the Shaman would utilize the gifts of nature to bring healing when trouble did occur.

We have meteorologists, doctors, and ministers, priests, or rabbis.

Granted, there were times, even in indigenous societies, when people did not listen to the Shaman. And they had good reason:

• Last time he told us something bad was going to happen, it didn't. He might be wrong.
• It's close to winter and the men just returned from the hunt. We can't move now.
• But we just built these homes. It took months. They're all we have.
• Grandma is too old to travel.

Essentially, they were gambling that the Shaman was wrong.

We've all heard stories about how "those who followed the Shaman were saved, while those who stayed behind perished." No, this scenario is not new.

I had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Phil being interviewed on the Larry King show a couple of evenings ago. At the time, Dr. Phil was standing in the Houston Astrodome. He'd spent the previous hours speaking with people relocated by the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

Dr. Phil asked the question I'd been waiting to hear for several days. He asked the individuals involved, "Why did you not leave when you heard the hurricane was on its way?" Now I "thought" I knew what the answer would be, but there's nothing like going right to the source.

Dr. Phil said that over and over, he heard the same two basic answers:

1. It depletes their money. These are people who live on the margin at best. There have been so many false alarms. If you spend the money to leave and nothing happens, then the money is gone. If you stay, that same money can go to school supplies, medicine, food, rent or mortgage, etc. Necessities.
2. Resistance at being told what to do. As in "It's my home and nobody's going to tell me I have to leave."

If you look at the first reason, honestly it seems responsible. Doesn't it? Of course it does, if nothing was going to happen. Until you figure in a direct hit by a major hurricane and the flooding that no one anticipated or even imagined.

In essence, it was a gamble. If the Shaman / Meteorologist was wrong, the choice was responsible. And if not, well, then we have a problem.

I'm not going to get into second-guessing that choice any further today. I'm sure that if you would ask any number of people afflicted by this disaster, they would tell you that in retrospect, they wish they'd left when the leaving was good. And that they made the choice they thought was best at the time, just like we all do.

In our society, it's our meteorologists, doctors, and ministers, priests, or rabbis that advise us how to engage with nature. Here's the question:

Where do you gamble that the Shaman is wrong?

• Is that burger and fries on your low-fat diet plan?
• Do you recycle to the fullest extent possible?
• What communications to loved ones do you withhold?
• In what area is your integrity not squeaky - clean?
• How's your retirement plan looking? (In case you end up doing everything else right and live a long time. :-)

Take a few minutes and assess your situation. Make two short lists. One of the things you "know you should" be doing that you're not. The other, of things you "know you shouldn't be doing but are."

What are you gambling on? What would it take to get you to come clean?

You can learn to coach yourself to take appropriate day-to-day healthy action. My book, Word Cures: How to Keep Stupid Excuses from Sabotaging Your Health details 21 specific strategies you can use to overcome your resistance to taking healthy action.

If you already have a copy, and I know that many of you do, please consider offering one as a gift to someone you care about. (Or at least forward them this email.)

Believe it or not, your stress levels go way down when you "just do" what you know needs to be done. And that, in itself, is healthful.