Synergy's online newsletter for December 2017
THE SPECTATOR
DEC. 2017
Coming Into Our Own
What 2017 Meant to Me
A s we celebrate an amazing five years serving the community, we also celebrate what this past year has meant to us. The first couple of years in business, Synergy was in its growth phase and trying to figure out its place in the world. Our focus was on recruiting staff, training them, and keeping up with the demands of being new business owners, all while serving our patients. mentioned in the past. We have a very mobile community. With the military bases nearby, people are always coming and going, and it’s up to us to adapt. And adapt we did. We didn’t let turnover or other challenges get in the way. In many ways, 2017 was the year we really found ourselves and achieved the stability we had been searching for. This year, I was able to catch my breath and take a good look at what we had accomplished for ourselves, the community, and our patients. I look back on the year and I see the amazing team that we assembled to meet the needs of our patients. We’ve worked through the growing pains, worked out many of the kinks, and figured out just who we are. During this time, we experienced our fair share of turnover, as I’ve
This year, we also implemented many new systems. While there weren’t any dramatic changes, we did realize our potential in several areas. We observed which processes were working, we built on those systems, and we used those successes to inspire new ideas and services. Now, during the holiday season, I’m excited to take some time off to be with my kids and family. It’s been a
while since I’ve been able to take time off during the holidays. Thankfully, the staff is in place, so I can take a few days off, knowing that everything will continue to run smoothly. All of our patients will be taken care of, and we won’t skip a beat. Even better, we’re to the point where our team can do the same. Family is incredibly important to everyone at Synergy, and we want to make sure everyone can be with their loved ones when they need to be. Plus, with much of our staff from out of the area, many have to travel a bit further to see their family, and every day they can take off means that much more.
life. This wasn’t just a goal for myself; it was a goal for everyone here. Having a strong work-life balance can make a significant difference in someone’s life. For many people, it’s a balance that allows them to pursue life’s true loves and to spend more time with family, friends, and to just get more out of life. That said, from all of us at Synergy PT, we hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Kira Boyd
One of my goals with Synergy was to achieve a balance between work and
1
910.238.2259
Achieving Your Goals ... TOGETHER
Creative
Gift Wrap Alternatives
alternatives to consider this holiday season. Brown Paper Bags
And don’t worry if there are notes scrawled across the paper. Old events or directions will add some unique flair to the presents. Furoshiki Fabric is an excellent substitute for wrapping paper. You can use a scarf to create two gifts in one or pull out scraps of fabric from old projects. The traditional Japanese practice of furoshiki is all about wrapping goods in fabric. Described as “functional fabric origami,” you’d be amazed at how a few well-placed folds can turn your gift into a work of art. Learn how to wrap anything, from boxes to bottles, at ceas.ku.edu/furoshiki-instructional-videos. You don’t have to follow the same gift wrap habits year after year. After the effort you put into finding just the right present, you should be able to make your gift wrap just as special. Find a method that’s uniquely you and get started!
With the holiday season comes holiday shopping, and if you opt out of plastic grocery bags, you’re sure to have a surplus of brown paper bags in the pantry. Drop a present into the bag, tape it shut, and you’re good to go. Add some simple lace or a ribbon for an old-timey feel or get creative with stamps and hand-drawn artwork. This wrap job lets your imagination run wild. Old Maps and Calendars These days, pretty much every phone has a built-in GPS, so you probably won’t need the map from your 1999 road trip anytime soon. If you still have an old map, why not use that for wrapping? The unusual designs guarantee your gifts will be one of a kind.
There’s something magical about seeing a stack of presents wrapped in bright, multicolored paper. However, that enchanting scene quickly evaporates a few hours later when all those wads of wrapping paper and plastic bows are chucked unceremoniously into the garbage. What if we told you there are countless ways you can still enjoy wrapping and unwrapping presents, without all the waste? Here are a few creative gift wrap
TESTIMONIAL “I have been divinely blessed to have Synergy in my life. I remember the first day I walked into the facility with excruciating pain equalling a 10. By the time my appointment was over, my pain level had subsided to ZERO. This was unheard of in my world of daily chronic pain. I was under the impression that I would never be back to normal. However, the power of prayer and God — using people in my life — helped me get through to the other side.
“Because of the chronic pain syndrome, I experienced insomnia, was unable to do minor household chores, and driving was something of the past. I am grateful to the world’s greatest physical therapist: Mary Beth! She has healing hands, powered by God himself. I must say the entire staff has been very professional and compassionate. “Excellent customer service is what I have experienced from day one. Additionally, I recall Haley was the first person I spoke with to make an appointment, and they didn’t have anything until the following week. She heard the desperation in my voice and they scheduled me that same week! Synergy, keep doing what you do!” –Million Heir-Williams
2
www.synergyptnc.com
THE TRUTH ABOUT
Running Shoes
Over the past few months, we have explored major features you need to consider when buying running shoes. We started with dropping the heel. Then, we considered losing excess cushioning. This month, we are looking at the third “truth” to keep in mind as you shop for your next pair of shoes. This truth is all about your toes, which play a significant role in the way you run. Take a look! 3. Don’t Cramp Your Toes Many traditional shoes are made with a narrow toe box. If your toes are cramped while running, or even during regular daily activity, it can lead to serious problems. To ensure you are fitted with a correctly shaped running shoe, try the following.
Take out the insole of the shoe you are thinking about buying. Then, step onto the insole with your bare foot. If the outer borders of either your first or fifth toe extend past the edges of the insole, the shoe will not allow appropriate spreading of your toes during the push- off phase of your running cycle. This will cause problems.
the foot, which influences stability of the lower leg. Do yourself a favor and find shoes that accommodate the shape as well as the mechanics of your foot. When your toes have room to move, the rest of your foot will thank you. Give this tip particular consideration if you have bunions or metatarsalgia, or if you are a midfoot or forefoot striker.
The toes naturally spread while running. This allows for improved leverage of
Next month, we’ll be looking at our fourth and final truth about running
shoes. You won’t want to miss it!
Holiday Star Cookies Ingredients
Laughter Is the Best Medicine
• 2½ cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal) • ½ teaspoon Celtic sea salt • ¼ teaspoon baking soda • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • ¼ cup coconut oil, melted • 5 tablespoons agave nectar or honey • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions 1. In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. 2. In a small bowl, mix coconut oil, agave, and vanilla. 3. Mix wet ingredients into dry. 4. Roll out dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper until ¼ inch thick. 5. Refrigerate for 1 hour. 6. Remove top piece of parchment paper and dust dough with almond flour. 7. Using a metal spatula, place stars on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 8. Bake at 350 F until edges are lightly browned, 5–8 minutes.
3
Recipe inspired by elanaspantry.com/star-cookies
910.238.2259
Achieving Your Goals ... TOGETHER
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
233 E Bell Fork Rd. Jacksonville, NC 28540
IN S I DE
1 2 3 4
A Look Back on the Year
Stop Wasting Gift Wrap! Testimonial
The 3rd Truth About Running Shoes Holiday Star Cookies
Give Up the Search for Happiness
Give Up the Search for Happiness … And Look for Meaning Instead
How many books have you seen with the word “happiness” in the title? A lot, right? It’s such a popular topic because the pursuit, journey, and, ultimately, achievement of happiness is supposed to be the key to a fulfilling life. Happiness is the ultimate human condition; reaching it is our purpose and will bring us contentment. But before you pick up that guide to happiness, there’s some new data you need to pay attention to. Turns out, we’ve been focusing on the wrong goal. More and more research is supporting the benefit of pursuing a meaningful life over a happy one. Viktor Frankl could be called a leading expert on the topic. Frankl lived through the Holocaust in a concentration camp and saw firsthand how humans deal with unhappy circumstances. As a respected psychiatrist, his observations became the basis for his book,
“Man’s Search for Meaning.” Frankl found that the people who stood the best chance of surviving the horrific experience were those who saw some sort of meaning for their lives, even in the bleakest conditions. For Frankl, this meant providing therapy to others in the camp. As Frankl describes, once a person finds meaning, he knows the “why” for his existence, and he will be able to bear almost any “how.” In the years since “Man’s Search for Meaning” was written, it seems we’ve forgotten a lot of its advice. The Centers for Disease Control found that 4 out of every 10 Americans do not have a satisfying life purpose, and yet, 60 percent of Americans say they are happy. What gives? It comes down to the pursuit of happiness versus pursuing meaning in life. It’s the difference between “I’m going to buy this
dress because it will make me happy” and “I’m going to volunteer at a shelter because it will be meaningful.” Happiness involves satisfying an immediate need, whereas finding meaning focuses on making choices that give us a sense of purpose. Even more telling, the Journal of Positive Psychology found that meaningful acts usually involve giving, but reaching happiness often means taking. Because of this, leading a meaningful life, while often more challenging, is also more satisfying. Is it possible that the pursuit of a meaningful life will lead us to happiness? Absolutely. Just don’t expect it to be an everlasting condition. Think of happiness the way psychologist Frank T. McAndrew does: “Recognizing that happiness exists — and
that it’s a delightful visitor that never overstays its welcome — may help us appreciate it more when it arrives.”
4
www.synergyptnc.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker