I’m by no means perfect in this respect, and am quite capable of having a ditzy brunette moment now and again, but I’ve noticed recently that many people don’t seem to pay enough attention to things. For example, we recently advertised for a part-time administrator and receptionist to replace Anna, who’s left Phoenix to pursue her dream of a career in interior design. Our head office relies strongly on IT, and we use a wide range of online computer applications to run the clinic, so we decided to ensure that applicants have the necessary computer know-how by asking them to download, save and complete the application form digitally, and email it back, or download a copy, print it out and complete it manually.

This was all clearly stated clearly in the adverts, but countless applicants have just sent us a cv instead, effectively disqualifying themselves from consideration for a job that requires excellent attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions to the letter.

Paul, our office manager, calls this ‘not being awake’, and although this is rather harsh, I suppose I know what he means. He’d be the first to admit that he spent years and years not paying attention to how bored and unfulfilled he was in his old job, and he only started to pay attention to his need to get an education after being spurred on by his first couple of homeopathic consultations and remedies prescribed by his homeopath. Whenever I see an advert saying that a product is “up to 100% better”, or “improvement noted in up to 85% of users”, I’m struck by the meaninglessness of these words: after all, “up to” 100% better might just mean 1% better, mightn’t it?

In health, too, it’s worthwhile paying attention: it’s sensible to pay close attention to the expert advice that conventional doctors and specialists give, but also to the (side) effects of orthodox drugs, to complementary and alternative approaches, and to what our own bodies tell us. One of my colleagues considers that one reason why homeopaths are sometimes unpopular with conventional medics is that we encourage our patients to think for themselves: what Paul would call being wide awake.

As a homeopath, I’m trained to pay extremely close attention to what my patients tell me about themselves during their in-depth homeopathic consultations: after all, I might be more of an expert in homeopathy, but my patients are definitely the experts when it comes to how they’re feeling.

For more information about how homeopathy may be able to help you to take charge of your health and wellbeing, visit www.phoenixhomeopathy.com.

Disclaimer: Any views or advice in this weblog should not be taken as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, especially if you know you have a specific health complaint. Prescribed medication should not be stopped or varied without conventional medical advice. Please remember that homeopathic remedies and other health measures should be individually-selected to match the whole person, not just the unwelcome symptom. Seek professional advice rather than self-prescribing if your complaint is chronic, severe or long-standing, or if you are pregnant, elderly or on orthodox medications.