Have you ever been to a circus and wondered why such a big animal doesn’t just break that tiny little chain around its ankle? The answer is that the elephant is living in a state of what is called “Learned helplessness.”

The way to train an elephant is to begin by attaching a very big, very strong chain to its leg and then forcing it to go to the limits of the chain over and over again. Since this is such a strong chain, the elephant can’t break it and it quickly learns not to even try anymore. IT LEARNS TO BE HELPLESS!

After awhile, the trainer uses a slightly smaller chain, one that is not quite as strong. He/she then progressively moves to smaller and smaller chains over time until one is reached that is the size you see in the circus. The elephant has the power to knock down a house, but because it believes it cannot break the chain, it doesn’t even try. In fact, this is so effective that the best-trained elephants only need a thin piece of string to keep them in line!

“Fascinating,” you’re probably thinking, “But what in the world does that have to do with me and my kids?” Most kids are raised in the medical mindset. They are taught from a very early age that they have been given bodies that are defective, weak and need constant help from the outside in order to function well. In fact, the main goal of most people raised in this way is not even optimal function; it is simply to NOT GET SICK!

This belief that we are weak is passed on from one generation to the next almost at birth with the use of vitamin K shots, antibiotics in the eyes, vaccines, formula instead of breastfeeding, Tylenol for the fevers associated with the normal development of teeth, fluoride treatments in our water and toothpaste, etc. Our kids grow up believing that we must rely on something from outside ourselves in order to function well and it is reinforced year after year after year. This is not dissimilar to the method used by our elephant trainers.

Chiropractic raises kids with the exact opposite mindset. Chiropractic teaches us that we are all individuations of the one, Perfect, Universal Intelligence that pervades everything. It says that the expression of the Intelligence we are through our bodies is the chiropractic meaning of life!

Basically, it says our bodies are the vehicles we have been given in and through which we express whatever God intended us to be. It also says that a CLEAR CONNECTION between our brains and bodies is necessary for us to adapt to all of the physical, chemical and mental stresses we face each day, heal from any damage that may have occurred, and continue growing toward the full expression of our purpose and potential in life.

The specific chiropractic adjustment process makes sure that the flow of life between YOU and your body remains as complete as possible!

You see, chiropractic helps people to understand the awesome power they actually are! It helps them “break the chains” of believing they are defective and weak and allows them to give up their reliance on outside remedies and drugs. But more than that, it helps people move beyond a goal of simply “not getting sick” and onto a higher vision of what is possible with their lives, because the full expression of this perfection within automatically brings with it optimal health…AND SO MUCH MORE!

How are you raising your children? Do you know someone who is living like an elephant on a string? If so send them on over – I know where they can get some scissors!