I love the new year as it a great time to look back and reflect on the year you’ve had and it’s a great time to look forward and ask yourself what you can do better and set some new goals.  As I sit here to write this and reflect on 2021 I can't help but to say "what a crazy year”.    

We've been dealing with Covid-19, new variants, a possible economic collapse, social divide and a lot of unknowns.  Overall, I think I have handled 2021 pretty well and focused on things I am grateful for. I’m happy, I’m healthy and my family is doing great.  I’ve tried to keep my life as normal as possible, spent some extra time with the family and somehow kept things in perspective.

The team here at IWC has also done a great job, they’ve worked hard, dealt with all the new changes in stride and have kept great attitudes during all of this.  I really can’t thank them enough for how hard they work to help our patients live their best lives possible. 

As a clinic, in 2021, we were able to help a record number of patients get and stay well.  I feel so blessed and humbled to see so many people finally get the answers they so deserved.  We saw patients overcome debilitating health issues like PCOS, endometriosis, fatigue, migraines, depression, anxiety, diabetes, fibromyalgia, thyroid disease, insomnia, autoimmune disease and so much more.   

It's great to see patients who are able to face life with a renewed sense of self, who are able to go back to work, who have reconnected with their loved ones, who feel that they are better parents, who are excited about what life has to bring instead of dreading another day.

It really has been amazing and for those of you reading this I want to say "THANK YOU".  Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to help you, thank you for trusting us, thank you for trusting your body to heal, thank you for taking ownership and deciding to take control of your life and health.  Thank you for sharing your stories, for referring your friends and family.

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How would you say you've held up?  Are you happy with the way you have faced the adversities of the year, or do you have some work to do? Have you kept up with your health?  Is your family doing well? Are you doing well?  

Now comes some homework, I want you to reflect on your past year and think about the year to come by answering these questions now. Take the next 2-5 minutes and invest some time in YOU. 

• What do you love about your life?
• What are 1 or 2 things you could actually do that would have the biggest impact in helping you achieve the life you want?
• What is 1 promise you’ve made to yourself that you haven’t kept?  Now what would happen if you would dive in and just do it?
• If there were no barriers or limitations to what’s possible, what would you want your life to look like?  (It’s ok to dream big! Go for it!)

So often we live in the “someday's”…. Rushing around in chaos, rarely taking the time to step away and brainstorm, to plan, to dream about what’s possible… and thinking that “someday” will come.. “someday I will make my health a priority”, “someday I’ll exercise”, “someday  I’ll lose weight, “someday I’ll live the life I’ve been dreaming about”….

Every moment, every situation, every opportunity provides a choice. A choice to take those moments and change your life or to let them slip away and wait for another “someday.”  If you’ve been using the “someday philosophy”.. then guess what.. I have good news, someday has arrived, it's here! 

Imagine how the answers to the earlier questions would be different if you stopped waiting for “someday” and started taking advantage of today. 

If you are a patient, I want to congratulate you on taking action and control over your health.  For those of you who are not patients and have been thinking about it, it is time to stop waiting for the “right time” because there is no right time like the present. Stop waiting for someday and start taking action today. 

You have the opportunity to start now and attend our free New Year, New You seminar on January 12th or you can go ahead and schedule a free consultation by going here. 

Let this be your year! 

Yours in Health,

Dr. Josh Shields
Integrative Wellness Centers of Michigan

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