Dr Sara’s Office News - April 2026 Edition
Featured Article: Seriously
We have a quote of the week in the office - outside on the sandwich board. This week's quote was from the developer of chiropractic, BJ Palmer, about being serious.
"Don't take yourself too damn seriously."
BJ Palmer's Rule #9
Law of Life
This got me reflecting on seriousness and what I've seen with clients and their health when you take yourself or life seriously. When you make something mean a lot.
Those who know me know that I find life in general to be funny. I find it hard to take things seriously. I've gotten in trouble for not being "serious enough". Ha!
I remembered a quote from somewhere about seriousness being the worst sickness there was. I can't find the quote. But the sentiment has truth in it.
In over twenty years of working with people, I find that things we take seriously in life show up in the body and the spine as tension and a locked-up stiffness. If seriousness becomes a habit, more of a lens or perspective on life, then we mirror this in the way we hold our bodies. Over time, our bodies won't be able to repair as easily, and it starts to break down. We have pain. Maybe a diagnosis.
For us to feel the feeling of taking something seriously, we have to tighten up in our bodies. Otherwise, we wouldn't feel it.
I've also noticed that people who tend to take life more lightly have more fluidity through their bodies and spine. Their bodies just work better. They are holding less. They are more relaxed. You might perceive them as light-hearted about things. They can be appropriate to a situation without it having to be heavy.
We even describe seriousness with words like heavy because that's how the body literally creates that feeling.
I have found that the Network Spinal entrainments intervene at the level of the nerve system and disrupt the message to "be serious". It allows the body to reassess and lightens you up. You relax, and your body unwinds.
You just feel lighter and more energized with less tightness. Less pain.
I looked up some other quotes on seriousness and came across this one by spiritual teacher Alan Watts.
"This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play."
Our health and our bodies enjoy it when we are fully engaged with something, and so it feels like play. It doesn't have to be heavy.
When we hold something in life lightly, our body is light. When we take it seriously, our body is serious and tight.
And to be clear, when I say "taking something seriously", I don't mean responsibly or appropriate to the situation. We can give something the needed focus and attention (like a child engrossed in playing) without making it "serious".
There's a massive difference to the body. A light-hearted approach will speed healing along so much faster than intensity of seriousness.
So, maybe you notice that you are making a habit of seriousness, and you're all tense and sore. Probably exhausted. "What do I do?" you say.
"Just wait. Relax. Stay still. Wait until the wisdom talks to you, as it will.” – Syd Banks
Once you notice, take a minute. Breathe. Wait.
Ask yourself, "Do I want to lighten up about this some?" If yes, then simply by recognizing that, you will begin to relax and then come in for an entrainment to deepen the lightening up for your body.
I'll leave you with another seriousness quote from Investor Naval Ravikant, "Don't take yourself so seriously. You're just a monkey with a plan."
Happy exploring, stay curious and see what comes next!
With love,
Dr. Sara
Updates and Upcoming Events
Office Hours
We are open on Easter Monday, April 6, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
All other office hours for the month are our usual hours.
You can always find our hours here: https://www.drsaraoneill.com/hours
Upcoming Events
The Listening World Summit
At The Listening World Summit (May 23–25, 2026), voices from around the world come together to explore the power of deep listening - in our relationships, our communities, and within ourselves. We would love for you to be part of this global listening community ❤️ I'm presenting again this year!
Join us online from anywhere (FREE!): https://thelisteningworld.com/2026-en/onlineregistration/
Or join us in-person in Prague: https://thelisteningworld.com/
Recipe of the Month - Fluffy Yogurt Pancakes
We thought this would make a great Easter breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients
½ cup (113g) whole milk greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)
½ cup (120g) unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or dairy free milk of choice)
1 egg
1 tablespoon coconut sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon almond extract
1 ¼ cup (119g) old fashioned rolled oats, gluten-free if desired
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
Optional mix-ins
Blueberries or chocolate chips
Butter or olive oil, for cooking
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients (except optional mix-ins) to a blender and blend on high until completely smooth, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Let the batter sit in your blender for 10 minutes; this is important to allow the batter to thicken up properly, so please do not skip!
- After 10 minutes, lightly coat a griddle with butter or olive oil and place over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add approximately 1/4 cup of the batter to the griddle for each pancake. Immediately add 5-6 blueberries or chocolate chips per pancake and cook for 2-4 minutes until pancakes slightly puff up and you see a few bubbles along the edges.
- Flip cakes and cook until golden brown on underside. If you find that pancakes are browning too quickly then you need to lower the heat. I normally start on medium heat, then decrease to medium low later so that my pancakes don't burn. If at any point your griddle starts smoking or if your pancakes are quickly burning, it means your pan is too hot.
- Wipe skillet clean and repeat with more oil and remaining batter.
Makes 6 pancakes total. Serves 2, 3 pancakes each.
Note: It's important to use a greek yogurt with some fat content in it to ensure the pancakes don't get gummy. Feel free to use any flavour you'd like!