Research presented next week at Physiology 2019 – the annual conference of The Physiological Society – reveals a way to harness the target of the brain chemical serotonin to combat the obesity (and related diabetes) epidemic. (Hear a video summary of the research here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNweruBpY2o).
Professor Lora Heisler – esteemed Chair of Human Nutrition at the Rowett Institute at the University of Aberdeen – studies the precise region of the brain that regulates both appetite and blood sugar. Serotonin targets neurons in parts of the brain called the hypothalamus and hindbrain– regions involved in many body functions – that can be stimulated to trick the brain to register that food has been consumed when it hasn’t. Switching on these brain cells causes a reduction in appetite while the feeling of fullness is increased.
The positive effects of serotonin in the hypothalamus don’t stop there. Stimulating these neurons mimics the results of diabetes medications, reducing glucose production and increasing insulin action. Activation of these receptors in one of our brain’s reward centres also reduces the consumption of all types of food, including the sweet stuff, reducing temptations.
The U.S. has already exploited this discovery and the medication called lorcaserin has gained quite a bit of press as a hot new diet pill. This medication may make its way to the UK following appropriate regulatory review. Professor Heisler delves into the science of how lorcaserin works. Her lab’s research has discovered it’s also a revolutionary new way to treat Type 2 diabetes. Every other diabetes medication acts at peripheral tissues. Lorcaserin, by targeting the brain, has shown therapeutic benefits for diabetes patients. This is especially important because many long-term diabetes patients develop a tolerance to their medication. These promising findings indicate that lorcaserin may be a new weapon in the arsenal against diabetes.
Obesity is the key global healthcare challenge of this century. It causes impairments in multiple systems throughout the body, predisposing people to major illnesses such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancer. More than half the population of the UK is overweight and 25% is obese. Our sedentary lifestyle means we now live in an ‘obesogenic environment’. It’s easier than ever to gain weight; it’s our new normal.
Susan Webb, Director of Public Health, NHS Grampian, who is introducing Heisler’s talk on Monday evening 8 July in Aberdeen says:
"I am delighted to welcome The Physiological Society’s annual conference to Aberdeen. Tackling obesity is one of the biggest challenges facing public health in Scotland with two thirds of adults being overweight or obese. There are many actions underway to deliver our ambition for a Scotland where we eat well, have a healthy weight and are physically active. But more needs to be done. Research such as the work of Professor Heisler is essential to further improve our understanding of potential solutions to make obesity a thing of the past."
The Physiological Society brings together over 4,000 scientists from over 60 countries. The Society promotes physiology with the public and parliament alike. It supports physiologists by organising world-class conferences and offering grants for research and also publishes the latest developments in the field in its three leading scientific journals, The Journal of Physiology, Experimental Physiology and Physiological Reports. www.physoc.org
1 in 4 medical cannabis users say it's now harder to access cannabis since recreational legalization
OTTAWA, July 4, 2019 /CNW/ - The legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada has had an impact on access to medical cannabis, with one in four medical cannabis users saying that it is now harder to access the cannabis they need.
According to a recent survey jointly commissioned by Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana (CFAMM), the Arthritis Society and the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA), access issues are just one of the unintended consequences of recreational cannabis legalization affecting medical cannabis patients. Supply issues, the cost of cannabis, or a mix of these factors have also led 64% of medical cannabis users to under-dose or stretch out their supply.
The reality is that since legalization it has become easier for recreational users to purchase cannabis than it is for patients to access it through the long-established medical cannabis stream. Though most Canadians (83%) believe that cannabis is a legitimate medication to treat physical pain and mental conditions, many patients are now purchasing cannabis from recreational outlets or from the illegal black market, and getting health advice from unregulated sources.
Other key findings include:
The majority of medical cannabis users surveyed (61%) self-medicate, which could lead to harmful outcomes.
Respondents indicated that the most common means of accessing medical cannabis are through mail order from a licensed producer (38%) or through the illegal market (37%).
A core group of medical cannabis users (38%) rely heavily on cannabis – top conditions or symptoms treated are physical pain, insomnia, anxiety, stress and arthritis.
While 60% of medical cannabis users report taking other medications while using cannabis, a large majority of patients (76%) don't think there are any side effects from combining cannabis with other medications.
15% of medical cannabis users have either personally experienced or know someone who has experienced side effects from the use of cannabis in combination with other medications.
"For many Canadians with arthritis, cannabis truly is medicine," explains Janet Yale, Arthritis Society President and CEO. "It's time the health system treat it as medicine – and that starts with ensuring that patients have timely, reliable and affordable access to the strains, forms and concentrations they need, and that they have the guidance of a health care professional throughout the process."
"In order to have an effective medical system for the hundreds and thousands of Canadians using cannabis for medical purposes, it needs to be more accessible," says Max Monahan-Ellison, Vice President, CFAMM. "Patients need easy access to a safe, affordable, and consistent dose and cannabinoid breakdown for their symptoms and more involved support from health care professionals (HCPs). This means treating cannabis like other medically authorized treatments by eliminating tax, improving insurance coverage and HCP training, providing convenient distribution through established medical systems like the pharmacy, and more."
"As medication experts, we are regularly approached by patients about the use of cannabis for a variety of indications," says Christine Hrudka, Chair, Canadian Pharmacists Association. "It's important to understand how patients may use and access cannabis in order to help them manage their medications and treatment. While we can do our part as pharmacists to support patients, what they need is more support from the government, who has left them behind on the road to legalization of recreational cannabis."
The survey highlights some of the challenges, gaps and barriers patients are facing, both in terms of access and support from our health care system, and the government clearly needs to do more to support medical cannabis patients who have been left behind since recreational legalization.
The survey was conducted by Abacus Data and jointly commissioned by Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana (CFAMM), the Arthritis Society and the Canadian Pharmacists Association in order to better understand the experiences of medical cannabis users after the legalization of recreational cannabis came into effect in October 2018.
About the Arthritis Society
The Arthritis Society is a national health charity, fueled by donors and volunteers, with a vision to live in a world where people are free from the devastating effects that arthritis has on lives. Begun in 1948 with one very clear goal – to alleviate the suffering of people crippled by arthritis – that same volunteer-led passion carries on today in communities across Canada. Through the trust and support of our donors and sponsors, the Arthritis Society is Canada's largest charitable source of investment in cutting-edge arthritis research, and a leader in proactive advocacy and innovative solutions that will deliver better health outcomes for people affected by arthritis. The Arthritis Society is accredited under Imagine Canada's Standards Program. For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, visit arthritis.ca.
About Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana
Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana (CFAMM) is a federal non-profit, non-partisan, patient run organization whose mission is to put patients first. CFAMM is dedicated to improving the outcomes of medical cannabis patients and enabling them to obtain fair, safe and affordable access to their treatment through support, education and advocacy. For more information, visit www.cfamm.ca
About the Canadian Pharmacists Association
The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is the uniting national voice of pharmacy and the pharmacist profession in Canada. As pharmacists undertake an enhanced role in the delivery of health care services, CPhA ensures that the profession is recognized as a national leader in health care, influencing the policies, programs, budgets and initiatives affecting the profession and the health of Canadians. More information is available at www.pharmacists.ca.
SOURCE Arthritis Society, Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana and Canadian Pharmacists Association
Dr. Peter Centre's Innovative Program for Men Over 50 Living With HIV Sees Enrolment Double
VANCOUVER, BC, July 4, 2019 /CNW/ -The Dr. Peter Centre, a non-profit organization that supports innovative healthcare delivery in the Metro Vancouver area for people living with HIV, has seen major uptake for its unique Evening Program pilot project since launching in 2017. This vital program assists aging gay and bi men, and men who have sex with men, who are over 50 and living with HIV.
This program is the first and only program of its kind in Canada. The Dr. Peter Centre is a leader in HIV care, offering those living with HIV a place to connect with others in a safe, stigma-free environment.
"This pilot program started to address the unique challenges people living with HIV have as they age. As the lifespans have increased over the past few decades with improved treatment regime, this is an unprecedented and growing issue that needs to be addressed," said Scott Elliott, Executive Director of the Dr. Peter Centre.
The population of aging men with HIV is vastly growing, with estimates that the percentage of seniors (aged 65 and older) will nearly double within the next 25 years from 14.1 per cent in 2010 to approximately 23-25 per cent by 2036. As the only HIV day health program and 24-hour nursing care residence in British Columbia, the Dr. Peter Centre is a leader in helping aging gay men overcome stigmas and barriers such as social isolation and food insecurity.
The pilot program offers a holistic approach to care for this aging population. Program members receive a nutrient-dense evening meal, art and music therapy, individual and group counselling, occupational therapy and access to other healthcare disciplines and resources.
The Evening Program supports those with multiple medical conditions who face the social stigmas of aging with HIV. A significant struggle for some of those living with HIV is adhering to a daily drug regimen and the program assists members in finding the best opportunities to access care. As the evening program has become so successful, many members have now gone on to join the day program as well.
"In the Vancouver area alone, there are almost 600 individuals that could benefit from this program. We have seen the uptake in individuals increase by nearly double over the last year and many of those individuals have now also joined our day program," added Elliott.
Stigma around living with HIV and adherence to a daily drug regimen can be problematic for those without the social supports and structure in their daily life.
"Health complications from aging with HIV/AIDS is a newer scenario. We are proud to be a trailblazer in Canada in supporting patients encountering these barriers and stigmas as they age" added Elliott.
The Dr. Peter Centre provides innovative, therapeutic care in a community environment. Since the Centre was built in Vancouver's West End in 2003, it has provided comfort care for people with multiple vulnerabilities including HIV. A total of 395 people are enrolled in our day program which offers two daily meals, recreation, music, and art therapy in addition to access to nursing staff. The Centre also offers a long-term care residence that serves people who require longer-term, medically complex care; end-of-life care; and short-term stabilization as they transition out of hospital.
SOURCE Dr. Peter Centre
Summer is here and many of us, are just now catching up with the summer body workouts that we should've started months ago! So maybe some of us pushing ourselves "too hard"…
That's exactly what fitness experts, Cat Kom and Brian LaRose, talk about in this video, and I thought you might it find useful for your work and your audience!
Below you'll find the written version of this content, so if you would like to share this video / article, please feel free to do so. We only ask you to let us know and give us some credit!
The most important thing for us is that you share with your audience that this info was provided by Cat Kom and Brian LaRose from Studio SWEAT onDemand(and add the link to our site: https://www.studiosweatondemand.com).
7 Ways to Tell if You're Pushing it Too Hard in Your Workouts
With hardcore trainers telling you to "Push harder!" all...the...time, do you ever wonder how hard is too hard? Well, you should.
If you take it too far, too often or for too long, here's what you might see:
-Regression in performance and/or gains. That's right, you can actually lose that lean muscle you've worked so hard to build, endurance you've been building, and even confidence in yourself.
-You can get injured. Over-exhaustion leads to poor form which can lead to injuries. No fun.
-Bigger issues like Rhabdomyolysis, where the muscle breaks down and releases nasty toxins in your body that can make you sick or even lead to death.
How can you tell if you're pushing it too hard? Good question. Here are those 7 ways you can tell.
1) Your Heart Rate Monitor tells you. For those using a wearable that tracks your heart rate, note that you should not be in the red (over 90%) on the regular for more than a few minutes.
2) You vomit.
3) It’s still hard to breathe when you stop the activity.
4) You don’t have energy after the workout.
5) Your form goes bad.
6) You feel any sort of sharp pain, a.k.a. bad pain.
7) You are sore instantly.
So, in the spirit of challenging your body to change your body, yes, push it! But be smart and avoid pushing so hard that you set yourself back.
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Britta Lesaux Appointed President & CEO Philips Canada
MARKHAM, ON, July 3, 2019 /CNW/ - Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, announced that Britta Lesaux has been appointed President and CEO of Philips Canada, succeeding Jeffrey H. Barnes following his retirement. Ms. Lesaux becomes Philips Canada's first female President and CEO, and will report to the CEO of North America, Vitor Rocha.
"Britta is a proven leader with experience driving growth in both the healthcare and consumer packaged goods industries," said Vitor Rocha, CEO Philips North America. "Her understanding of the Canadian healthcare system together with her extensive leadership experience will enable her to deliver the solutions our Canadian customers need to enhance health outcomes in communities across the country. Additionally, her appointment demonstrates Philips' commitment to inclusion and diversity, ensuring that our leadership and talent base reflect the breadth of the consumers and customers we serve."
Ms. Lesaux joins Philips from 3M Canada, where she most recently served as Executive Director of the Health Care Business Group (HCBG), responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of four business unit divisions, including Medical Solutions, Oral Care, Food Safety and Health Information Systems. In her time with 3M, Ms. Lesaux was also accountable to oversee various functions including marketing, sales, customer service and operational excellence. Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Ms. Lesaux is a bilingual graduate of McGill University, where she specialized in Business Management, Marketing and Organizational Behaviour.
Over the next few months, Ms. Lesaux will work closely with the Canadian team to ensure a smooth transition for customers, partners and employees so that Philips Canada can continue to focus on strong delivery of long-term strategic partnerships and new solutions [1] in the Canadian market.
Ms. Lesaux will continue to serve on the Board of Directors at Medtech Canada (formerly "MEDEC"), the national association representing Canada's innovative medical technology industry.
[1] Suites of systems, smart devices, software and services that Philips offers with its partners that are designed to improve people's health, enable better outcomes and enhance productivity across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care.
About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2018 sales of EUR 18.1 billion and employs approximately 77,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.
SOURCE Royal Philips
Probe that lights up when detecting cancer could help surgeons more accurately remove tumours during surgery
RCSI study has potential to transform surgical management of cancer
DUBLIN, 2 July, 2019: A study led by researchers at RCSI’s Department of Chemistry has the potential to help surgeons more accurately remove tumours and detect cancer in lymph nodes during surgery. The research, led by RCSI Professor of Chemistry Donal O’Shea, has been published in Chemical Science.
Bringing together expertise in chemistry and biotechnology, the research team has identified the potential benefit of fluorescence imaging as a way of detecting cancer cells during surgery, developing a probe that lights up when it detects cancer.
According to Professor O’Shea, “This is a very significant development which has the potential to transform the surgical management of cancer, improving outcomes for patients. Almost 60% of all cancer patients will undergo surgery as part of their treatment.”
“A new technology that could improve surgical outcomes by giving the surgical team real-time, informative images during the surgical procedure would have a wide-ranging and sustained impact on the care of cancer patients.”
Addressing the next steps, Professor O’Shea said, “At the moment, this is science. A clinical trial is our next goal and that would allow the full potential of this discovery to be realised for patients, enhancing detection of life-threatening diseases and improving outcomes of surgical procedures.”
The team has recently secured funding for a project on colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment under the Project Ireland 2040 Disruptive Technology Innovation Fund in collaboration with leading cancer surgeon Professor Ronan Cahill in the Mater University Hospital, UCD and Dublin based industry partners IBM-research and Deciphex.
The project will look at combining tissues responsive probes, artificial intelligence and machine learning to transform medical care for colorectal cancer patients
This paper, RGD Conjugated Cell Uptake Off to On Responsive NIR-AZA Fluorophores: Applications toward Intraoperative Fluorescence Guided Surgerypublished in the current edition of Chemical Science, is part of a series of research outputs on the clinical potential of fluorescence. Dr Dan Wu, Postdoctoral Fellow in the RCSI Department of Chemistry, is the first author on the paper. Another paper, on PEGylated BF2-Azadipyrromethene (NIR-AZA) fluorophores, for intraoperative imaging, was recently published in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
RCSI is ranked among the top 250 (top 2%) of universities worldwide in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2019) and its research is ranked first in Ireland for citations. It is an international not-for-profit health sciences institution, with its headquarters in Dublin, focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide. RCSI has been awarded Athena Swan Bronze accreditation for positive gender practice in higher education.
For Chiropractors, Naturopaths, Acupuncturists and Medical Doctors, Functional Medicine Offers an Advanced New Paradigm of Holistic Treatment
Greer, SC, July 2, 2019 – Holistic health care treatments often hark back to practices from hundreds or even thousands of years ago, such as hands-on manipulation, the stimulation of energy points or herbal remedies. In contrast, a new diagnostic method called Functional Medicine provides a 21st century scientific avenue for getting at the root cause of illness and bringing a patient back to optimum functioning. Functional Medicine University starts a new class in July 2019 of online training for health care professionals in this cutting-edge, evidence-based diagnosis and treatment system (www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com).
“Functional Medicine considers the whole patient and many times finds that conditions in one bodily system produce puzzling symptoms in what appears to be a very different bodily system,” says Dr. Ron Grisanti, D.C., a pioneer in Functional Medicine who heads the Functional Medicine University program. “By using advanced laboratory tests, Functional Medicine practitioners act like medical detectives and are able to identify and treat conditions that stumped many other health care professionals.”
Functional Medicine University’s holistic training takes place through video, audio and PDF teaching modules, an interactive online forum, clinical case conference calls and more. The rigorous no-residency training costs $2,495. Graduates include physicians, chiropractors, acupuncturists, naturopaths, nutritionists and other healthcare professionals who have learned not only how to use Functional Medicine principles to diagnose and treat patients but also how to integrate it into their existing practice.
The next round of Functional Medicine University training begins in July 2019. For further information or to be added to the notification list so as to register when enrollment opens, visit www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com.
About Functional Medicine University
Founded in 2006 by Dr. Ron Grisanti, D.C., Functional Medicine University is the oldest online Functional Medicine certification training school, serving healthcare professionals from 81 countries and all 50 US states. Functional Medicine emphasizes scientific diagnosis of an individual’s unique biochemical relationships, then encouraging the body to rebalance itself naturally instead of through surgery or drugs. Founder/director Dr. Grisanti is a board certified chiropractic orthopedist with a master's degree in nutritional science from the University of Bridgeport. He also holds a diplomate degree with the American Clinical Board of Nutrition.
KushCo Holdings Partners with C.A. Fortune to Expand Retail Opportunities for CBD Brands
GARDEN GROVE, Calif., July, 2nd 2019 – KushCo Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: KSHB) (“KushCo” or the “Company”), announced that it has partnered with C.A. Fortune, a leading full-service national consumer products sales and marketing agency focused on lifestyle brand partnerships, to provide viable CBD companies access to large scale, conventional retail channels.
The groundbreaking partnership will be the first large scale go-to-market operation focused on helping compliant CBD brands achieve mass distribution across legal markets in the U.S. The combination of KushCo’s extensive network of brands and specific hemp industry knowledge paired together with C.A. Fortune’s industry-leading reach into all retail channels, will offer KushCo clients an additional avenue to activate their CBD products.
“One of the challenges of building a national CBD brand is obtaining mass distribution into mainstream retailers across the U.S. and this partnership immediately upgrades the go-to-market plans for CBD brands.” said Jason Vegotsky, Chief Revenue Officer and President of KushCo Holdings. “There is no better time to be a part of the KushCo ecosystem. In addition to our unrivaled ancillary product offerings, we are now expanding into value added services, none greater than this partnership, which puts our client’s brands in position to dominate mainstream retail.”
Since its launch in 1977, C.A. Fortune has grown into a national sales and marketing agency supporting major consumer packaged goods brands. Through its platform, C.A. Fortune works with brands to help them achieve nationwide coverage across the grocery, natural, big box, and e-comm channels.
“Our priority is to help bring long-term growth and value to our customers by elevating brands and positioning them to stand out from the competition. We are excited to partner with KushCo so that the growing CBD industry can have more sustainable and fruitful points of access to conventional, natural and e-retailer channels,” added Tyler Lowell, Managing Partner and CEO of C.A. Fortune.
To be added to the distribution list, please email ir@kushco.com with “Kush” in the subject line.
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About KushCo Holdings
KushCo Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: KSHB) (www.kushco.com) is the premier producer of ancillary products and services to the cannabis and hemp industries. KushCo Holdings' subsidiaries and brands provide, product quality, exceptional customer service, compliance knowledge and a local presence in serving its diverse customer base.
Founded in 2010, KushCo Holdings has now sold more than 1 billion units to growers, processors and producers across North America, South America, and Europe.
The Company has been featured in media nationwide, including CNBC, Los Angeles Times, TheStreet.com, Entrepreneur, and business magazine Inc. While KushCo Holdings provides products and solutions to customers in the cannabis and CBD industries, it has no direct involvement with the cannabis plant or any products that contain THC or CBD.
5 Tips For Going From Bench PlayerTo Star In The Business World
Sports history is filled with the heroics of substitute players coming off the bench and playing a big role in a victory. Likewise, in the working world, being a dedicated and consistent role player can prepare someone for a promotion that entails bigger responsibilities. The key, as in sports, is being ready when called upon. “Understanding and fulfilling your role as you await your opportunity is a critical aspect of truly growing so you are prepared to make good on that opportunity when it happens,” says Grant Parr (www.gameperformance.com), a mental sports performance coach and the author of The Next One Up Mindset: How To Prepare For The Unknown. “Athletics is filled with role players ready to meet the demands and the game speed of competition. The mental preparation is equally important in the workplace for those aspiring to climb the ladder and be continually successful.” Parr offers five ways to spend time wisely while waiting in the wings and how to be well-prepared for the next, bigger opportunity: Maximize your role. The path to promotion, Parr says, starts with the right mindset in lower positions. “Training the mind for success is essential,” Parr says. “It begins with fully understanding and embracing your role. Doing that consistently gets you ready for the next one. Your role will be what you make of it — a launchpad for future success and a support to others while you learn, or a holding pattern leading toward stagnation and frozen development.” Set achievable goals and commit. “How you approach your goals matters,” Parr says. “You need to write them down, including all the tasks required to accomplish them, and you need to visualize the feeling of reaching them.” Remove negatives. “These invariably come up,” Parr says. “Be aware of the obstacles, people, and thought processes that can derail you, demotivate and distract you from making the most of your opportunity. That way, when those things appear, you are prepared to manage them and stay on track.” Lead and set an example. “In sports, always being one of the first to practice and among the last to leave, and being the one who always encourages others — all those qualities stick in your teammates’ minds as a disciplined, winning example they can count on,” Parr says. “In the business world, your chances of reaching the next level are greatly enhanced when you exemplify a team-first, cheerful attitude on a daily basis, always being helpful to the levels above you as well as your own team, and going the extra mile.” Study good examples/role models. It certainly helps in sports, and the corporate office is no different, Parr says, when it comes to the benefits of learning from mentors or reading up on achievers who had humble beginnings. “Watch, listen to, read, and learn from the advice and experiences of those who have excelled,” Parr says. “Moving up in the world entails lots of things that can knock you down,” Parr says. “Embracing your role, whatever it is, means embracing the struggle to get where you want to go. You are working toward something higher, preparing for the unknown, and it requires diligence and commitment.” About Grant Parr Grant Parr (www.gameperformance.com) is a mental sports performance coach and the author of The Next One Up Mindset: How To Prepare For The Unknown. Parr owns and runs GAMEFACE PERFORMANCE, a consulting firm that enhances mental skills for athletes and coaches. A recruiter and sales leader in the corporate world for 17 years, he now works with a wide variety of athletes including Olympians, professionals, collegians and high school athletes. His podcast, 90% Mental, provides a window into a broad range of athletes’ and coaches’ mental games and shares their insights around mental performance.
Miracle-Minded Government? Really?
In the 1970s, Helen Schucman, a Jewish, atheist, professor of Medical Psychology at Columbia University, began hearing a “voice.” At first, it frightened her, and she was resistant. Then with the encouragement and support of a colleague, William Thetford, she let down her defenses and started listening. The voice said, “This is a course in miracles. It is a required course. Only the time you take it is voluntary.”
Seven years later, A Course in Miracles was published. It consists of a text, a workbook for students with 365 lessons, and a teacher’s manual. Today, the Course has helped millions of people find inner peace and improve their lives by adopting a new thought-system – a thought-system of love rather than fear. It is also believed by many to be a direct channeling of Jesus.
One of the candidates for President of the United States in 2020, Marianne Williamson, is well-versed in A Course in Miracles (ACIM). She has written books about it and lectured on it for many years. The question many ask now is, how might ACIM apply in government – a system currently ruled by fear and divisiveness and finger-pointing and defensiveness. Is it possible to lead from a foundation of love rather than ego?
I believe so. As a management consultant, teacher of ACIM, and transformational leader, I have witnessed countless “miracles” in the business world – shifts in perception and behavior that lead to astonishing results. Today, these occurrences are sometimes referred to as paradigm shifts, innovations, or synchronicities – outcomes that seem to come out of nowhere at just the right time. Seldom do people refer to them as miracles. That’s something people talk about in church or synagogue or temple.
Yet while people may privately believe in miracles on Sunday, they find it difficult to recognize them in their own lives. Stress has taken over and countless people live with fear, anxiety, and quiet desperation. The time is now for “miracle-minded management,” a shift in thinking from fear to love, in business and in government. How long can we go on fighting with people on our own team? How long can we survive with an us-them mentality and an attack and defend approach? Our current management system, or paradigm, in business and in government is driven by the ego thought system. This means it is fear-based and dualistic. It doesn’t understand true inspiration and love. The ego sees everything and everyone as separate, unique, special and independent. It worships heroes and idols, including itself. It compares one thing to another, judging right and wrong, good and bad, us and them. It feeds on criticism, judgment and condemnation. It competes with “the other side” and promises to protect us from attack by using attack on “the enemy.”
Step back and think about this. The ego thought system is the root cause of all shame, guilt, grief, fear, lust, anger and pride. Whenever we are worried or stressed, you can bet it is the ego behind it all. These negative projections of the mind are simply a reflection of a fear-based mindset. The problem is we have become so accustomed to this habitual way of thinking as human beings, calling it human nature, we have lost sight of an alternative - miracle minded management.
ACIM teaches us to shift our basis from fear to love. This leads to miracles, where we see the world in an entirely new way, a peaceful way, with beautiful harmony and contrast. People who used to annoy us are now seen with empathy and compassion, as teachers of patience. Negative outcomes are viewed as blessings in disguise. Drama no longer attracts our attention. Inner peace leads to outer peace and we no longer feel afraid or stressed. We feel positive, eager, enthusiastic and inspired.
I do believe that with miracle-minded leadership we can pull together as one powerful global force by aligning with the one powerful force that already exists. Rather than resist it, deny it, challenge it or doubt it, we can join it with a common mission, a mission of authentic peace, despite our human differences. ACIM teaches us that we are not separate. We are all connected, energetically and spiritually. We are not unique and special because we are all unique and special, making no one more special than anyone else. We are all children of God – and beyond our human personas we are eternal spirits, extending from one common source.
ACIM has indeed changed my life and empowered me in ways beyond my imagination. I was getting in my own way and I didn’t even realize it. In retrospect, I was going through life with the breaks on, trying desperately to find my own way. Then I learned to “let go and let flow.” As counterintuitive and weak as this may seem, I surrendered the ego to a far more intelligent thought system, and this has made a massive difference. Can this work in government? That depends. No leader can do this for you and no leader can do it alone. The best any world leader can do is lead by example and demonstrate what sacred love, genuine peace and authentic power look like. Consider this. World peace cannot be accomplished if you are not at peace. Peace is not an external affair. It is an internal state of mind. No wonder ACIM is a required course. Sooner or later, we will all return to where we came from.
John J. Murphy is a global business consultant, speaker, spiritual mystic, "zentrepreneur,” and award-winning author. He is Founder (1988) and CEO of Venture Management Consultants, Inc., a firm specializing in creating lean, high performance work environments.
As a business consultant, Murphy has delivered services to some of the world’s leading organizations, including ADP, AlliedSignal (Honeywell), BMW, Chase, the CIA, GE, GM, GSK, Hilton, Lockheed Martin, Merck, the Michigan State Senate, Perrigo, Prudential, Raytheon, Spectrum Health, Target Stores, Teva, and the US Navy. As an educator and Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Murphy has trained thousands of people from over 50 countries, including Fortune 500 executives, project leaders, military leaders, managers, and black belts. He has mentored dozens of project teams in Organizational Development, Operational Excellence, Business Process Innovation and Lean Six Sigma applications. As a speaker, Murphy has delivered keynotes and seminars worldwide. A critically-acclaimed authority on peak performance, transformational leadership and healthy mind-body-spirit, Murphy is a best-selling author who has published 19 books and appeared on over 400 radio and television stations and his work has been featured in over 50 newspapers nationwide.
Murphy is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (BBA Finance) and the University of Michigan’s Human Resource Executive Program. He is also a former quarterback for Notre Dame.
