michael's blog

In March of 2007 I attended a workshop at WCA in Portland on community acupuncture, it was the missing piece in the puzzle for me, I returned home and began the work of creating Victoria’s first community acupuncture clinic.  We opened on October 20th.  Since that time I have become very comfortable in my role as community clinician – each day feels like a working holiday, as I don my uniform of jeans and t-shirt, select a favorite CD, and greet my customers.  When I’m on, I feel so at ease, so grateful.  To me community acupuncture is largely devoid of politics, it is simply a personal preference as a way to practice my trade – it is a win-win.  One area though that I was not as well prepared for, is that of an employer.

During the last few months I have been absent from the CAN, my attention focused on home renovations.  We recently purchased a lovely old soul of a home, built in 1911.  We spent several weeks peeling away the layers of carpets, linoleum and wallpaper to reveal the history of care and craft lying beneath.  In the process I began to think about the nature of time and how we have distorted its value – always equating progress with things that take less time.   

This obsession with speed seems to permeate all aspects of our lives, and it seems to me that we have lost a lot in the bargain.  There is an innate sense of joy and pleasure whenever I take the time to create a beautiful meal, restore a wooden floor, play music, or even write a blog!  And that brings me to the subject of community acupuncture.

Last night while I was asleep, I awoke with a vision so bright and clear, it was all I could do to keep from dashing to my keyboard to plunk it out.

I was recalling a trip I took to New York City, some two years ago now. I was going to a NADA conference, (short for National Acupuncture Detox Association, or nothing), an appropriate name for such a humble but determined group of health care providers. I had spent a number of weeks in Vancouver prior to this, working at a Drug rehab center and felt called to know more about NADA and the people behind it.