Two Qi’s Are Better Than One

Did you own a piggybank when you were a kid? I did. Mine was a beautiful white porcelain pig, adorned with delicate aqua-blue accents on its ears and tail. Although I would eagerly feed it with pennies, those coins never stayed put for long. With a single tug of the cork stopper in its belly and a shake, the coins spilled onto my mattress, ready to be spent on a scoop of cheap ice cream from the neighborhood drugstore. Our life force, known as Qi (chi) in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is similar to those pennies, continuously flowing in and out of our bodies.

Qi Whiz

Qi represents the vital energy that courses through us and surrounds us, much like an electromagnetic vibration. We are born with ancestral Qi, which is akin to the pennies we inherit from our parents—a precious gift beyond our control. However, post-natal Qi is different. It is the energy we generate through lifestyle choices, such as our nutrition, exercise, sleep habits, and more. Think of this Qi as the pennies we collect and save during our lifetime on this planet.

Our Ancestral Qi is limited in quantity and can be depleted if we lead an unhealthy lifestyle. Choosing donuts over vegetables, the couch instead of a brisk walk, and allowing anger and stress to control our lives, drains our Ancestral Qi quickly, and it cannot be replenished. Deficient Qi can lead to fatigue, weak immunity, depression, and other diseases. On the other hand, Post-natal Qi, is restored by mindful living. Clearing negative thoughts, good sleep habits, and spending time in nature are some powerful ways to restore our Qi and harmonize our being. When our post-natal Qi flows effortlessly and in balance, we experience increased happiness, improved health, a sense of empowerment, and, yes… more pawsitivity.

When I was an acupuncturist in private practice in Marin County, I witnessed the profound impact that pets had on my patient’s wellbeing. Whether it was a beloved dog helping a mom recover from cancer or a cat comforting a teenager struggling with their sense of belonging, the stories were abundant and unique. Laughter, smiles, and tears accompanied these stories; responses that alleviated stress, reduced blood pressure and triggered the release of feel-good hormones, leaving them feeling hopeful, connected, and more fully alive. These four-legged dog doctors and cat nurses played a one-of-a-kind role in nurturing my patient’s Post-Natal Qi in a way that conventional medicine would be hard-pressed to match. 

The Folly of Youth

There have been times in my life where I’ve taxed my Ancestral Qi, taking more out than I put back. During my twenty-year stint in the film industry, the long hours pushed health and wellness concerns off my radar. Poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle and sky-high stress eventually caught up with me. So, I rescued two stray cats—Cody and Jester. You can hear more about the transformative powers of my two feline healers in my TEDx talk, The Life-Changing Powers of the Animal Human Health Connection.

Today, my relationship with my rescue dog, Grace, is an integral part of my wellness protocol. She motivates me to walk every day, a habit I’d neglected until she came to live with us. During the day, she sits at the foot of my desk as I write, her wet nose reminding me that frequent breaks are not only good for body and soul, but a fabulous way to clean the house. We watch Santa Fe’s magical sunrises and sunsets in awe, relishing our bond in a silence of understanding and friendship that is uniquely our own. Together, and for the precious time we have, we will fill the longevity piggy bank with Post-natal Qi, hers and mine.

Stay healthy and stay pawsitive,

Carlyn MDO 💜

PS: What is one way you can boost your pawsitive qi and that of your beloved animal friends?

PPS: One of my greatest joys is being able to donate to worthy animal causes. For every one of my books that you purchase, a portion of the proceeds go to help animals in need. Thank you for your continued support!