ARE YOU THE BEST DIRECTOR YOU CAN BE?

I am sure you will agree with me when I say that assumption can be a dangerous thing. In fact it can be a really, really dangerous thing because, by definition, it is the belief that something is true without having any proof that this is the case. In other words assumptions are made either because no proof or facts are available or they do not exist. And without proof, well, anything can be said to be true even if it is not!

Why do I say this? Well, I am specifically thinking about the assumption, since the discovery of the helical structure of human DNA by scientists Watson and Crick, that our DNA or genes control our lives. Where did this assumption come from? From Sir Watson himself! In fact he stated this to be a dogma or doctrine, the “Central Dogma” as he put it, in a speech he made in 1953. Why was this an assumption? Because neither he, nor anybody else, ever proved - nor provided any scientific evidence - that it is true! They provided no facts to back up their claims.

Now Watson’s false assumption or belief has not only been misleading but has also had a major negative impact on the lives of millions, if not billions of people across the globe. Ever since Watson published his “Central Dogma of Molecular Biology” a large number of human beings have become programmed with the belief that their DNA or the genes they inherit from their parents, determines everything about their lives, from the illnesses they get to their personality characteristics and “everything in between”. In fact the “primacy of DNA” has ruled supreme for many decades now, with genes being praised or blamed for much of the experiences of humankind, from academic and athletic achievement to the hopelessness associated with diseases such as certain cancers for example. Even medical doctors hold the false belief that genes control virtually everything about our lives. This is not surprising given the fact that medical schools have been programming future doctors with this belief for many years now.

So what is the truth then? The truth is your genes do not determine your fate in life, or who you become. Your environment does. A person is not a “born loser”, a “born leader” or a “natural-born killer”. At best genes only contribute to our characteristics but do not determine them. Certainly genes do determine certain physical characteristics such as height, eye color and skin color. However other aspects of our lives such as our personality characteristics or psychological makeup, the length of time we will live and our propensity to get sick or remain healthy and well for example are largely determined or controlled not by the genes themselves but by factors or signals outside of them. These signals originate from the environment outside of the genes (or more accurately outside of the cells which contain them) and the phenomenon whereby genes are controlled or directed by factors external to themselves is known as “Epigenetics”. “Epi” means above.

Now these environmental signals that direct the selection and expression of our genes are categorized into internal and external. Internal environmental signals that turn genes on or off are those that arise from within the individual and include their own thoughts, beliefs, biochemistry (hormones, neurotransmitters etc), emotions, intentions, spirituality and electromagnetic energy flow for example. External environmental signals on the other hand include the society in which the individual lives and works, the food they eat, the toxins or pollutants they are exposed to, the habits they engage in and the parenting skills of those entrusted to their care and upbringing amongst others. These environmental signals may impact on our genes second-by-second, minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour, day in and day out. For example, persistent negative thoughts in the form of worrying contually activate those genes which produce the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Continual flooding of the body with these stress hormones is extremely destructive to it, and ultimately results in both emotional and physical illness. And the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke cause damage to certain genes resulting in the formation of damaged cells which grow uncontrollably to form cancerous growths. And cancer of course often kills people.

So what can you do to epigentically control your genes to work for you rather than against you, to provide you with the healthiest body and mind possible, to help you achieve your goals efficiently and effectively and to enhance your performance significantly? In other words what do you need to do to be the best director of your genes, the best director of your life, you can possibly be? Here are some of the things that you should do:

1. Eat correctly – only good, nutritious food

2. Drink lots of water – 8 or more glasses per day

3. Eliminate stress from your life

4. Don’t smoke anything or use illegal substances

5. Minimize, but preferably eliminate, your negative thoughts

6. Identify your destructive beliefs – then eliminate them

7. Meditate, meditate, meditate regularly – preferably every day

8. Get your electromagnetic energy to flow freely

9. Become physically and mentally fit - engage in regular physical and mental

exercise

10. Free yourself from negative emotions

11. Have a positive attitude

12. Visualize

Of course some of these, such as eating correctly or not smoking, are things your doctor will advise you to do. But chances are your doctor has never prescribed a new set of positive beliefs for you, or advised you to visualize often or to become a more conscious and spiritual person. Now there are some physicians who already do practice epigenetic medicine. But this discipline is, unfortunately, not widely practiced…yet. Given the undoubted benefits delivered by epigenetic medicine it is not long, I think, before it becomes as commonplace as conventional, allopathic medicine. So don’t be surprised the next time you visit your doctor he or she prescribes an energy routine or advises you to perform EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) regularly on yourself or to meditate. Adhering to his or her advice will go a long way in helping you become the best director of your genes you could possibly be.

So, here’s to a future of successful control of your genes in the best direction possible for you.

And, as always, wishing you a life of Optimal Health, Wellness and Performance!