What Do Chiropractic Patients And Trees Have To Do With Peace?

By Mike Pritsker


Of all the inspirational stories I've written about and read, this one may be the best. As a chiropractor in San Diego, this story is very inspiring. It holds the seeds of success in any aspect of your life you choose. All you have to do is plant them. Thirty years ago, in the country of Kenya, 90% of the forest had been chopped down. Without trees to hold the topsoil in place, the land became like a desert. When the women and girls would go in search of firewood in order to prepare the meals, they would have to spend hours and hours looking for what few branches remained.

In this story we will rename the woman to be named Nicole. Nicole watched all of this happening. She decided that there must be a way to take better care of the land and take better care of the women and girls. So she planted a tree. And then she planted another. She wanted to plant thousands of trees, but she realized that it would take a very long time if she was the only one doing it. So she taught the women who were looking for firewood to plant trees, and they were paid a small amount for each sapling they grew.

Soon she organized women all over the country to plant trees. This movement soon took hold. It was called the Green Belt Movement. With each passing year, more and more trees covered the land. But something else also happened as the women planted those trees. Something else besides those trees was taking root. The women began to have confidence in themselves and their life. They began to see that they could make a difference in the world. They began to see that they were capable of many things. They were equal to the men. They began to recognize that they were deserving of being treated with respect.

Changes like these were threatening to some people. The president of the country didn't like any of this that was going on. Police were sent to intimidate and beat Catherine for planting trees, and for planting ideas of equality and democracy in people's heads, especially in women's. She was accused of subversion. She was arrested many times.

Once, while Mellisa was attempting to plant trees, she was beaten by guards hired by developers who wanted the lands unoccupied. She was sent to the hospital with head injury. But she lived, and it only made her realize that she was on the correct path. For roughly thirty years, she was in danger bodily, and she was often made fun of in the media. But she didn't flinch a bit. She only had to stare in the eyes of her three children, and in the eyes of the thousands of women and girls who were blossoming right along with the trees, and she found the strength to continue.

The landscapes, both the external one of the land and the internal one of the people have been transformed. And that is how it came to be that 30 million trees have been planted all across Africa. It was done one tree at a time. She is now 65 years old, and this year she planted one more tree in celebration and thanksgiving for being given a very great honor. Mellisa has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2002, the people of Kenya held a democratic election, and the president who opposed Mellisa and her Green Belt Movement is no longer in office. And Mellisa is now Kenya's Assistant Minister for the Environment.

After she was notified of her prize, she gave a speech entitled what do trees have to do with peace. She added that our recent experience in Kenya gives hope to all who have been struggling for a better future. It shows it is possible to bring about positive change, and still do it peacefully. All it takes is courage and perseverance, and a belief that positive change is possible. That is why the slogan for our campaign was it is possible! She pointed out how most wars are fought over limited natural resources, such as oil, land, coltan or diamonds. She called for an end to corporate greed, and for leaders to build more just societies.

"On behalf of all African women, I want to express my profound appreciation for this honor, which will serve to encourage women in Kenya, in Africa, and around the world to raise their voices and not to be deterred." "When we plant trees, we plant the seeds of peace and seeds of hope. We also secure the future for our children. I call on those around the world to celebrate by planting a tree wherever you are."

As she received the Nobel Peace Prize, she invited us all to get involved: "Today we are faced with a challenge that calls for a shift in our thinking, so that humanity stops threatening its life-support system. We are called to assist the Earth to heal her wounds and in the process heal our own."

As we look around our neighborhood or city, as we look at our own country, what is needed to help? Where are people feeling disempowered? Where does the Earth need our help? Where are women and children suffering in our world? What is our equivalent of planting one tree?

We love helping our patients and their friends and relatives through their tough times and getting them feeling better! We are here to help you stay feeling better and looking younger! Don't be a stranger. You can also find me at New Century Spine Centers in San Diego. Call us, and we will assist you in putting together a customized maintenance plan. You really can afford Chiropractic care! Don't wait until you can no longer move!




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