When I went to the premiere of my documentary about World War II, I felt so good about the final product. The town held a lovely premiere where people dressed up and there was a buzz in the air. PBS was ready to pick up the film to air nationally. And I stood in the back of the theater as I watched people enjoy the film.

But the moment the movie was over, the very first person out of the theater came up to me upset that her husband’s story was not one that was chosen in the final cut.

At that point in my life, I knew to expect praise and criticism. And I also knew that the film was a success because I helped people gain some insight into World War II and it also gave the survivors a platform to tell their story.

Over the years of creating music, films and blog posts, I have seen my confidence build with success, but I’ve also gained the understanding that it’s not always the response of a project that makes it a success. Instead, before I even take on or begin a project, I ask myself, who will be better because of this?

As long as I can satisfy myself with that, then it’s not predicated by someone liking my work or it receiving awards. If my work, whatever it is, can make someone better then all the other noise falls away, and I know that I am making something for the right reasons.

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I heard someone say the other day, “Have you ever noticed people won’t let you finish your sentence before they jump in with what they are going to say next?”

Conversations like these are hard.

I’ve found that it is much more compelling to talk to people who really want to know what someone else is thinking, and want to listen to what someone else has to say more than wanting to reveal something about themselves or make sure that I know how they feel about issues.

The truth is those opportunities will come when you take the time to listen to a family member, a friend, neighbor or colleague.

We are all able to do it. We are all able to close our agendas and listen. Unfortunately, those who can’t let others finish their sentences are completely unaware of the power of having conversations like that. Many of them go through their lives blissfully unaware, wondering what is wrong with everybody.

I think it’s a very simple exercise to just allow people to finish what they have to say before you jump in. You will become someone who people feel comfortable with, and you’ll be surprised to learn how much more people will share with you then.

And you’ll also be surprised how much more others want to listen to you, too.

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Whether you’re still on a high from the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series or hopeful the St. Louis Cardinals will pull themselves above their lifelong rival, there is an excitement in the air. Tomorrow is Opening Day for Major League Baseball.

The great thing about the 2017 season is that, in essence, it will be similar to every other Opening Day for the last 100 years. The essential colors of the brown dirt, the green grass and ivy on the walls, the white bases and baselines are the same as they have always been. And what Jon Lester does on the mound today is similar to what Cy Young did at the turn of the century.

There’s always possibility attached to every pitch; that’s why the game has to move at the pace it does.

People say baseball is boring, but when you realize the possibilities going through the heads of every player on the field during every single pitch, you will understand why baseball moves the way it does.

The batter is trying to figure out if the pitcher is going to try to fool him with the same pitch again. The pitcher is trying to figure out if he can fool the batter with the same pitch again. The catcher is trying to figure out which pitch to call. The third baseman is wondering if he should play up or deep because the batter might bunt or swing for the fences. The shortstop is thinking about fielding a line drive and covering second if they runner on first steals the base. And every player, from those on the field to those in the dugout, is trying to figure out what their role in any of the 100 possible events that may occur within the next minute.

The great thing is that a grandfather can take his 13-year old grandchild to a baseball game and have the same experience as he did in 1966. The only things that are different, really, is the loud music and the food options. Hopefully, in 50 years, that grandchild will be able to share that experience with his or her grandchild, too.

Because unlike many other things in this world, baseball is an oasis, if you let it be. It’s a place where you can almost go back in time and the rest of the world doesn’t really matter for those couple of hours.

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The following comes from the interview with Voyage Ohio.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Faith Swartzendruber. 

Hi Dr. Swartzendruber, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has not been linear. I think that I always knew that I wanted to be a chiropractor, but as I graduated from high school in the early 2000s, the path to living your dream wasn’t as clear as it is for women today. I went into college not really feeling like I had the right answers for my life, but knowing that this is what we do: we go to college. It wasn’t until my twin sister was working on making activities for her classroom that I decided to pursue a degree in elementary education. 

While I was working on my master’s program at Eastern Illinois University, I took a long-term substitute position at a school district near my hometown of Champaign, IL. Then eventually, I took a fourth-grade position there. After a few years, I moved to fifth grade. 

It’s not that I didn’t love to be a teacher; I did. It’s just that I had another calling inside me. 

I left teaching to go to massage therapy school, starting my own business, Simply Well Massage. I went on to study Spontaneous Muscle Release Technique (SMRT), fascia release, cupping, infant massage, yoga, and stretching techniques. As I understood the body more, I was able to use different techniques to help clients with a variety of ailments, along with just helping them relax. 

I still felt like I could offer more, though. Throughout my life, much of the care I have received has been chiropractic care. My family has seen the benefits of allowing the body to heal naturally for generations. So, when I was a kid and had any sort of problem, I was taken to the chiropractor to get to the root of the issue and relieve my symptoms. Because I’ve found that this care has worked for me, I wanted to explore how I could help others with chiropractic care. 

My grandma always said that Palmer College was “the Cadillac” of chiropractic education. When I toured different schools, I found this to be true. 

After I graduated from Palmer in 2021, I wanted a place to call my own. I wanted to take that vision of Simply Well Massage and add Chiropractic to it. I was lucky to find a place in Cincinnati to do just that. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We have this idea that our journeys are going to be “smooth” and pain-free. While I wish it were this way, I have come to learn that everything that is worth having in this world comes through a lot of hard work. I think my biggest challenge has been believing that I am someone who can do extraordinary things. Even though I was the most requested teacher at my school, I still wasn’t sure if I measured up to what a teacher should be. Even though I watched massage clients leave my office with improved range of motion or more rested, I wasn’t sure if I could make it as a massage therapist. And even when I received my doctorate degree, graduating with honors from Palmer College, I couldn’t believe that I was a doctor. Self-doubt is certainly something I struggle with. I am now seeing that we live in a world of comparison and competition at all costs. While I think some of that, including fear, can be used for good, it certainly taints our journey. 

In the short time that Simply Well Chiropractic has been around, I can feel that this is what I am meant to do. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Simply Well Chiropractic?
Simply Well Chiropractic is located at 5721 Dragon Way # 101 in Cincinnati, OH. We specialize in chiropractic care that strengthens the body so that it can naturally deal with the stressors it encounters. Everything we do throughout the day puts stress on our bodies: we sit in front of a computer all day, we walk or jog, garden, and lift children. Everything we do is putting stress on our bodies. In that, our brain and body’s two-way communication channels can get a little muddled. When this happens, this can present as pain or present as other symptoms in the body. These symptoms can even be present in infants and will result in colic, constipation, and sleepless nights. Because chiropractors are really working with the nervous system, and the nervous system controls every system in the body, we’re looking to restore proper communication so the brain and body will properly communicate better. This means you may experience less pain, better digestion, fewer headaches, better sleep, and a host of other great benefits. 

Most people seek chiropractic care because they are in pain. And I work to relieve that pain. But what I want people to know is that routine and regular chiropractic care works to help the body function as it should. Patients report that their stress levels, digestive issues, headaches, aches and pains, asthma, and a host of other symptoms get better and don’t frequently return when they come to the chiropractor for regular adjustments. 

I have seen this myself. I used to go to the chiropractor because I had headaches. My chiropractor listened to me and got to the root of my issue, and I don’t have headaches anymore. 

I am certified in the Webster Technique. This technique focuses on aligning the bones, muscles, and ligaments of the pelvis in pregnant women. This includes massage and stretching of the attachment points of the uterine ligaments on the pelvis. This treatment makes room for the baby to properly grow and position itself correctly while providing prenatal relief that decreases symptoms associated with pregnancy and delivery. 

Simply Well Chiropractic is focused on providing chiropractic care for people of all ages so that they can meet their wellness goals and live a joyous life. I want to educate people on how to take care of their body through chiropractic care, proper nutrition, and exercise. 

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Becoming part of the Cincinnati community has been a blessing to me. I had not been to Cincy before Simply Well, but its charm is overwhelming. I love going around town, looking at the preserved architecture that makes this city unique. Its beauty goes beyond brick facades and cute doors, though. I’ve loved trying new restaurants that rival what I am familiar with back home and having entertainment and outdoor activities not too far away. Everyone I’ve met here is friendly and willing to help me when I need it. Most of my days are spent with my patients, but even at the end of my work days, I often say that I’ve had fun because people are so happy. I’ve only been here for six months, but I am looking forward to getting involved with programs that make a difference for people. I want to be a familiar face for the community I serve. 

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