Facing the Darkness: A Surprising Path to Better Health
Carl Jung once wrote, “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.”
He may have been speaking about spiritual awakening, but his words echo far beyond metaphysics. They reach directly into the heart of health and wellness — into the parts we often overlook when we talk about nutrition, chiropractic care, or detoxification.
Because even the most disciplined lifestyle can be undermined by the unexamined emotional and spiritual burdens we carry.
The Weight of What We Don’t Acknowledge
We all experience strong emotions: resentment, grief, anger, bitterness, disappointment. They’re part of being human. The problem is not the feeling — it’s the holding.
When these emotions stay buried for months or years, they dysregulate the nervous system. They keep the body in a low-grade “fight-or-flight” state where healing is slowed, digestion is affected, immune function declines, and stress hormones run high. Over time, the body simply wears down.
This season, with its early sunsets and reflective energy, naturally invites us to look inward. It’s a good time to take a personal inventory — not to beat ourselves up, but to be honest about what we’re carrying.
The Shadow Isn’t Always Emotional
Sometimes the “darkness” shows up in behaviors or habits rather than feelings.
Maybe it’s a nighttime dessert ritual — like a bowl of ice cream before bed — or a comfort food you rely on to soothe stress. Many people do this, and it may not seem like much… until you stop for 30 days and notice what rises to the surface.
Without the comfort behavior, the deeper emotional patterns become easier to see. That’s where growth begins. That’s where healing begins.
Health Is Multifaceted — Body, Mind, and Spirit
I love chiropractic. I love whole-food nutrition. I love the work I get to do every day. But after decades in practice, I can tell you something with absolute confidence:
Health is not purely physical. It never has been.
Your spiritual state — your inner peace, your clarity, your honesty, your willingness to grow — is every bit as important as what you eat, how you move, or how well your spine functions.
As your spiritual life settles, your mind settles.
As your mind settles, your body heals.
It’s all connected.
A Personal Note
I’ve been blessed with good health, and I am grateful. But I’ve also worked very intentionally on myself — on my own shadow, my own habits, my own blind spots. That work is ongoing. It always will be.
And while I don’t usually talk about this in the office, I’m willing to if it helps someone else begin their own journey to healing.
Ready to End the Year on a Healthier Note?
If you feel the nudge to go inward… if you’re ready for change… if you want to take better care of your body, your mind, and your spirit — I’m here.
Make an appointment, and let’s start building a healthier, more grounded YOU.