For over 30 years John Hicks, M.D., has dedicated himself to the practice of medicine with a targeted interest in serving individuals suffering from critical and chronic illness.  As CEO of Pathways Medical & Holistic Health Center and a key practitioner serving thousands of children and adults across the United States, Dr. Hicks has emerged as a national authority on systems-based medical care. 

 

Dr. Hicks' systemic approach bridges traditional and non-traditional worlds of medicine, including the application of subtle energy therapies and vibrational medicine.  The integration of body, mind, and spirit in both his medical practice and personal life is what fosters the Pathways' culture of "whole person" healing.

 

Dr. Hicks writes:  The human being is a marvelous creation, an energetic matrix of mind, body and spirit. When everything is in balance, and we experience optimal health, we are said to be in a state of ease. Dis-ease arises when our life and energy systems are out of balance and no longer working. I approach dis-ease from a holistic perspective. I begin with a thorough assessment of the physical state of the body. From there, I work with the patient to gently explore the emotional and spiritual side of their current situation. I believe that at the core, all illness has roots in the emotional and spiritual realms of our being and if not addressed will eventually begin the process of producing physical manifestations.

The more we learn about quantum physics, our universe and ourselves, the more we know that we are all energy. The intention to support, to love and to heal is an important step on the path to improved health. Each body has its own innate wisdom.

I know that we, as medical professionals, do not heal, but we are here to work with you to support your body so that it can do the healing work itself. I use supplements, herbs, nutritional support, homeopathy and vibrational interventions to aid in the healing process. As a medical doctor for over thirty years, I have dedicated myself to meeting each patient where they are with love and compassion and help reconnect them to their own sacred journey.

 

Remember when you were very small?  Take a moment and bring to mind your favorite spring or early summer childhood memory.  Chances are that it involves a spontaneous moment of pure fun-perhaps a last minute picnic, a pick-up game of ball with dad or the neighbor kids, catching fireflies long after your usual bedtime in the delicious coolness of a summer evening or being awakened and wrapped in a blanket in the middle of the night so you could be carried out to watch the spectacularly bright shooting stars streaking across the night sky.
As you contemplate self-rejuvenation this spring, challenge your spirit to explore how nature and children intersect in your life.  Growth and growing in nature and in our young requires us to step back from our busy lives and slow down in order to fully experience this beauty. Explore the seasons of growth and warmth by being fully present in the moment with the young and young at heart.  Gentle planning now can set the stage for wonderfully present parenting (or grand parenting) experiences that foster a sense of beauty, joy and wonder inside our spirits and our children's spirits.  These experiences in turn build positive memories and leave a legacy of beauty in the lives of those we love.
It's easy to get lost these days as we hustle from one activity to the next, stressing over phone calls, emails, camps, enrichment activities, carpools and the financial stressors of our economy.  Take the "presence" challenge and commit to one spontaneous activity per week where cell phones, email, TV programs etc. are not allowed to distract from the fun.  The options are as endless as your creativity. The central theme is to appreciate the time spent with the children you love focusing on the richness and beauty of being together.
Need help getting started? Here are fifteen low/no cost ideas that feed the soul, nurture the family and make indelible meaningful memories  
1.) Plan a Firefly Night-young ones may need a nap in order to stay up late. Fireflies peak in IL in late June but you will also find them earlier and later depending on the weather. Two fireflies will more or less happily share a medium sized jar (put holes in the lid) with some favorite leaves overnight. Be sure to release them in the early morning! Kids with fear of the dark or sensory issues may delight in working the flashlight like a big firefly.
2.) Paint the House-with soapy water that is.  Get your sponges, rollers and brushes ready for some good clean fun. Great for hot days!
3.) Make a One-on-One Camping Night-in your own backyard.  Pitch a tent and spend the night under the stars with your favorite child. If you have more than one, take an opportunity to give them each their own special night. Are you brave enough to last all night? Kids with fears and sensory issues may only last an hour or two and may need to keep the flashlight close after dark.
4.) Family Tag-When your kids least expect it, tag one, shout "YOU'RE IT!" and run off.  The rest of the details will work themselves out.
5.) Picnic-randomly select any meal or snack and take it outside. Breakfast is an extra special surprise.
6.) Dancing at Dusk (or Dawn)-Watch the sun set or rise and bring your favorite "good" music to share or just dance to the sounds of nature. Try dancing barefoot for extra pleasure.
7.) BUBBLES, BUBBLES, BUBBLES-find a special stick and natural treasures and bend your own wire to make a magnificent bubble wand.  Make your own "bubble juice" with fourteen parts water to one part soap (glycerin is optional but for best results mix your batch and let the solution "cure" overnight for bigger, longer lasting bubbles).
8.) Popcorn Party Stargazers-make popcorn, get your lawn chairs, and lay out under the stars.  Best done on a new moon or before the moon rises. Let the celestial world be your "movie."
9.) Sand Castle Surprise-use an inexpensive wading pool as a sandbox and fill with moistened play sand. Dig together or give each child their own and have a day at the backyard beach with a sandcastle show at dusk.
10.) Farm Encounter-visit your nearest local farmer and learn about the world of food raising. CSAs and local organic farmers can be met at the next farmer's market and many of them are happy to have visitors-some even have "meet the farmer" events and socials.
11.) Chalk Challenge-create some art on your driveway or sidewalk-use lots of colors and let your imagination run wild.  You will be the envy of the neighborhood-at least until the next rain.
12.) Backyard Movie Night-Hang a sheet and bring out the old 8mm films, let grandma and grandpa do the narration or set your TV/VCR up outside and use lawn chairs for a special "by-invitation-only" movie night.
13.) Lemonade for the Masses-never under estimate the power of thirst. Make a lemonade stand and help your kids connect with the community and practice their persuasive powers. Donate the money to a good cause.
14.) Pennies for a Purpose-go on a penny hunt in your house, neighborhood etc. Collect the pennies and donate them to a worthy cause.
15.) Habitat for Fairies-build and maintain a fairy house or fairy garden by gathering bits of moss, twigs, rocks, shells, pebbles etc. and creating mini-scapes in flat planters or layering the items together into 3-D house structures for your favorite flower fairies.

Contact info for Dr. Tews-Kozlowski:

Phone: 630-863-2757
Fax: 630-897-9620
E-mail: rrt_phd@hotmail.com