Creating Healthy Communities

Posted by on June 4, 2014 in Healthy Community, Ken's Blogs

Creating Healthy Communities

I was at a local screening of the movie “Vanishing of the Bees” last night, and two weeks ago saw a screening of the movie “Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives”.

The message that is incredibly clear to me is that, because very (make that VERY) large companies are focused on bottom line and shareholder value, there is little or no thought to the consequences of their actions. But the Side Effects of their actions are showing to be disastrous. Dis-ease rates are climbing like crazy, there are many “new” dis-eases that didn’t even exist not that long ago. The bees and other beneficial insects are dying, threatening our ability to grow fruits and vegetables.

We then compound the problem by masking symptoms with prescription drugs from large pharmaceutical companies. While there have been lots of successful drug inventions that target symptoms, the track record for finding cures is disappointingly low. As dis-ease rates continue to soar, pharmaceutical companies continue to prosper, and health care systems around the world continue to spend money at alarming rates, the prognosis is not improving.

Large companies don’t seem to have the solutions or the desire to find them. They continue to mess with nature, with no recognizable concern for what’s really happening to people or the planet.

The sad part, in my opinion, is that we KNOW what the root causes of the problems are. We could stop the madness, but who’s going to do it? It sure doesn’t seem like it’s going to be BigMoney. And given their ability to lobby governments and spend money to support their causes, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be BigGovernment.

So who’s left? You and me. I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. The only way that I see changes happening is when an entire group of educated consumers start to make a difference by changing the way we shop. If we stop buying processed food, they’ll stop making it. If we start improving our health and don’t need to mask symptoms with prescription drugs, the market won’t be as big. And the side effects including us being healthier, health care systems becoming sustainable, and even a healthier planet.

Yup, it’s you and me. But we can’t do it alone. We have to do it as a group. It’s not good enough if you start eating healthier, without getting other people to also get involved. It’s not good enough to watch a documentary and make small changes yourself without helping others learn why you’re making the changes, and allow them to make their own decisions and choices.

Many companies have started to save big money in benefits costs by implementing wellness programs, and I think there’s a “next step”. I believe that by activating a community, to get community members to truly come together, to understand the problems that are in front of them, they will take action and solve the problems.

I am but one man, but I believe with all my heart that “this is the answer”. We can stop the madness. We can make a difference. We can heal ourselves, and together we can heal the world.

I have a plan that I am taking to communities, I call it “Creating Healthy Communities”. I believe that I have a series of action steps that can be taken to activate a community. I am doing what I can in my community, and I’d love to help in your community.

We’re at a tipping point. Many people know this. Many people around the world are getting involved, not sitting back any longer, and making a difference. There is a “wave” that is growing, and it’s getting bigger every single day. Lots of people are sick and tired of being sick and tired.

It’s time folks. Get involved. And as the saying goes “be the change”. If you change even one person’s thoughts, it makes a difference. Together, we can change a lot of people’s thoughts and actions in ways beyond our wildest dreams.

Feel free to Share this post. You just might get one more person to join the wave.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the Comments section below.

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Namaste, Ken

Written by Ken

Ken Jaques describes himself as a Health Care Evolutionary, Community Builder, and Speaker. True healing begins when we treat root causes instead of just masking symptoms. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 2008, Ken has experienced many facets of the health care system. As “the only patient who ever lost their hair on this low of a dosage of chemotherapy” – as spoken by his rheumatologist – Ken has been on an amazing journal of self-discovery, a journey of true healing. In his blog, Ken shares stories of how his beliefs have changed over the past few years, and how they are still changing. Is it possible that our bodies can heal themselves? Do we really have to live without hope after we receive a chronic illness diagnosis? These are the types of questions that Ken encourages people to ask themselves as they embark on their own physical or emotional healing journey.

Ken is creating a platform to connect People, Patients, Practitioners, Partners and Promoters, enabling a collaborative effort to help shift the focus on health from I-llness to We-llness. Check out the pilot at www.myHealthyCommunity.ca.

“When ‘I’ is replaced with ‘we’, even I-llness becomes WE-llness” ~ Malcolm X

7 Comments

  1. Awesome blog Ken, and I join you in your drive to eradicate the ignorance and tolerance of our generation that has allowed Big Companies/Big Government to poison our environment, and ultimately our bodies and our health. It is already evident that many consumers are becoming “smarter” as the fresh produce section in grocery stores buzzes with shoppers carefully selecting raw, unprocessed foods.

    Despite the higher cost of organic and whole foods, we simply can no longer afford NOT to purchase these healthier foods. Our bodies were not designed to recognize foods full of toxic additives that we cannot even pronounce and are certainly not recognized in Canada’s Food Guide. Dr. Oz is a wonderful way-shower and has been teaching people for years how to purchase “real” foods that can maximize overall wellness. I believe the momentum is picking up as WE ALL unite to demand clean air, pure water and whole foods. It takes just one thought, one word, one action, and one person at a time to grow this momentum and I thank you for your courage and commitment to this challenging but most worthy task. Namaste

    • Thanks Carol,
      And people like you as well, we are making a difference and I’ve seen indications that it’s going far faster than we may have believed possible :).
      Cheers, Ken

  2. You nailed it Ken, I am constantly reminding the kids that every time they make a purchase they are casting a vote. As individuals all we need to do is spark an interest in two or three peeps…. As Carol mentioned above there is some good programming such as Dr Oz and Oprah, I think we should also show support by tuning to thier programming to let the producers know we want more of that.

    • Thanks Paul,
      And I totally agree. The marketing plan for the Healthy Community includes TV and radio, as well as social media. It really is about “growing the wave”, the one that already exists.
      Cheers, Ken

  3. Hi, Ken,

    Desire is a curious space in which to be, isn’t it? I wonder how the desire of greed can be transformed into the desire of generosity.

    I think desire can bring goodness.

    • Well said Midge <3

  4. Ken, I have learned a few things about dis-ease through your blog and else-where. They are simple as you say, eat well, lower stress levels, exercise and care for others. Of course that doesn’t sum up everything and isn’t always 100% practical to follow but is a start. Thanks for your help and advice.

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