Doc Meek

Posts Tagged ‘fear of failure’

Friday, October 19, 2012, at Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

“Today I am grateful for the Moms who asked me to share again some secrets about kids learning to run their own brains, to engage active learning skills. I first published these secrets in a series of 7 articles back in 2010 and I am re-posting them here now.” – Doc Meek

“Today I am grateful for mothers and grandmothers!” – Doc Meek

Cheerful Grandmother with cheerful child 

Image from: http://www.sunriseseniorliving.com/blog/September-2012/Stereotype-Of-Cheerful-Grandmother-Has-Basis-In-Science.aspx

This is the seventh (7th) article in a series of seven (7) articles designed to help us run our own brain, and to help our children and students do the same, more easily and have more fun doing it. If you missed the Introduction or any of the previous six (6) articles, just click on the titles below:

(Intro) Learning to run our brain: 10 minutes daily

(1) Learning to run our own brain: Fear of failure

(2) Learning to run our brain: Vital need for HOPE . . . always

(3) Learning to run our brain: What are qualifications for the daily “brain coach?”

(4a) Learning to run our brain: Simple easy examples of how to proceed

(4b) Learning to run our brain: Remembering names

(5) Learning to run our brain: The eyes don’t see–the brain sees

(6) Learning to run our brain: Tasks of the “back 90″

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Separate the Mother role from the Teacher role

When I worked with families in helping children to overcome learning difficulties, often there would be a battle going on at home which one mother described as “the homework wars.”

I would ask what was being taught. The mother would give me the school subjects being “taught.” I would then say:

Those subjects are not actually what is being taught. What is being taught is to hate learning and maybe even to hate your role in that. Is that what you want?

An emphatic “No” from the mother.

Then maybe we should take a larger perspective here.

School is not life.

Life is life.

And school–though important–is only part of life.

As Dr. Levine often says, “These kids are in general OK. We just need to get them safely into adulthood.” 

When school was taking the child’s whole day–all of it unpleasant or painful–I felt that a better balance should come into play.

The child would go to school all day and then do homework all evening until bedtime. Not good.

No more homework until further notice!

I would ask the mothers to stop trying to be the school teacher, since the child had had enough of school teachers at school, without finding one at home every day until bedtime.

I asked the mothers to do what mothers generally do singularly well: just love them! Learn to have fun with them. So at least a part of the child’s day is pleasant and enjoyable and, in particular, human and humane. 

Sometimes I would write an official letter to the school, requesting: “No more homework until further notice.”

Then the mother and the child could get on with life, while I and an external-to-the-home “brain coach” could help the child overcome his or her learning difficulties.

Grandmothers are great too

Sometimes the mothers were too busy to simply enjoy recreational time with the child and so we would bring grandma into play. If the child had no grandma near, we would borrow one from the neighborhood or even from a nearby “old folks home.”

The Grandmas loved it!

Here’s to Moms and Grandmas!

Doc Meek, Thurs, Oct 19,  2012, at Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

–

“What if you are smarter than you think?”

https://docmeek.com

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.

CANADA: Dr. Meek (587) 400-4707, Edmonton, AB

TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 81, Nuku’alofa

USA: Dr. Meek (801) 738-3763, South Jordan, Utah

For optimum brain health, ensure your heart health:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually who are you not to be? You are a child of the universe. You were born to manifest the glory of the universe that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.”
 –  Marianne Williamson (born 1952); author, lecturer

Quote from: Values.com

Thank you, Marianne Williamson, for helping us reach for the stars!

Doc Meek, Thurs, Feb 24, 2011, Calgary, Alberta, CANADA

My fears

Those small ones that seemed so big

[Of] all the vital things I had to get and to reach

And yet there is only one great thing

The only thing

To live and see the great day that dawns

And the light that fills the world.”

~ From an old Inuit song: http://www.indigenouspeople.net/inuit.htm

I have huge respect for the Inuit, for reminding us of the greatest truths of all (to live to love another dawning, and to really see the great light that fills the world)!

Doc Meek, Thursday, January 13, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

P.S. Hear “Amazing Grace” in pure-voice Inuit, and see the great aurora borealis, in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtNuELl5he0

Tuesday, August 32, 2010. Today I am grateful for the bumblebee. Aeronautical engineers have determined that it cannot fly. Its wings are too far forward and too small and the resultant weight and balance problem means it would fall to the earth, backwards, if it attempted to fly. Here’s the good news! No one told the bumblebee!

Videos for bumble bee song

Bumble Bee 3 min – 18 Apr 2006 Uploaded by MidnightMoonlight www.youtube.com

I have taught new and seasoned teachers who are trying to learn new ways of helping kids to learn more successfully: “Go into your fear and just bumble through. Persist. You’ll feel foolish at first and fail at first. And then . . .  success.”

One teacher reported: “If Dr. Meek hadn’t told me I would fail [at first], I would not have kept trying. My class failure rate has gone from way high to way low in just one year’s time.”

Here’s to bumbling, persisting in the face of failure, and learning new ways along with our students and children!

Doc Meek, Tuesday, August 31, 2010, at Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

P.S. Thank you Anita [my older sister] for preparing a family dinner today for the extended family! I am grateful for you and your service to the whole family and to many other people as well, over many years.

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

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Thursday, August 12, 2010. Today I am grateful that I have had more than thirty (30) years of great experience with almost all aspects of education and learning. They call me the “the brain guy.” – Doc Meek

People are always asking me questions about teaching, learning, and how the brain operates. And how the school systems operate.

I am delighted to answer any and all questions! 😮

So this is an open invitation to all of you who are parents, teachers, students, or educational administrators:

“Ask me anything”

I learned that phrase from my internet mentor, Connie Ragen Green. She teaches people how to be a business success on the internet, like she is. She is a great teacher/learner. Kind, considerate, and patiently able to explain answers to all questions, including the “dumb questions” people are almost afraid to ask. That’s Connie.

“There are no dumb questions, ” Connie says, and she practices what she preaches. And she keeps learning. She never stops learning. I think that is one reason she is such a good teacher. She is a good student as well. Thank you Connie! I am grateful for your example.

Same invitation from Doc: “Ask me anything.”

“Ask me anything about education, training, the brain, the mind, behavior, emotion, teaching, teacher training, student learning problems, and so on.”

I have had extensive training and experience with almost all aspects of education and learning, including the administrative and financial aspects. (See my Qualifications Brief by clicking on the date of July 15, 2010, on the calendar on the right-hand side of the screen when you first visit THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE blog at

https://docmeek.com

There is almost nothing about education, learning or the brain that you can ask me, about which I have not had some degree of familiarity.

You can ask me with confidence and I will respond with both knowlege and compassion. If I don’t know the answer I will find it for you.

And even a little humor may go a long way, eh?

Years ago, a Calgary magazine reported:

“Dr. Meek brings a unique blend of warmth, intelligence and humor to everything he does.” Thank you, Calgary!

If you have any questions or comments, just click on the little blue word “comments” at the bottom right-hand side of this article, and a form will appear that you can use to ask any question you wish.

Doc Meek, Thursday, August 12, 2010, at Nose Hill Public Library in Calgary, Alberta, CANADA.

—————-

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

====================================

Photo from Facebook: Cynthia Charleen Alexander of “clutter-free” fame; her website: http://www.breakfreefromclutter.com/

My Texas friend Cynthia is suggesting we could help kids do better in school this fall. She says we need to set up a series of webinars (seminars or workshops anyone can attend without leaving home).

These webinars would be designed to do just that, help kids in elementary school, middle school and high school do better in school this fall, and discover they are smarter than they think!

How to do it, and how to get the word out to the parents and their kids, become the next steps.

Let’s see:

What do kids want help with?

All subjects? Or primarily reading easier, studying smarter, and remembering longer?

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE blog has addressed some of these issues. Here are some examples. Just click on the titles:

A learning brain learns best with color, movement, and gentle learning music

The learning brain needs “uprightness” for greatest efficiency

HOPE: a NECESSITY in LIFE and EDUCATION

Teachers & Parents: learning = change = learning

(Intro) Learning to run our brain: 10 minutes daily

(1) Learning to run our own brain: Fear of failure

(2) Learning to run our brain: Vital need for HOPE . . . always

(3) Learning to run our brain: What are qualifications for the daily “brain coach?”

(4a) Learning to run our brain: Simple easy examples of how to proceed

(4b) Learning to run our brain: Remembering names

(5) Learning to run our brain: The eyes don’t see–the brain sees

(6) Learning to run our brain: Tasks of the “back 90″

(7) Learning to run our brain: The role of Mothers

Way to go, Cynthia!

Doc Meek, Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at South Jordan, Utah, USA

—
J. Collins Meek III, Ph.D.
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist: https://docmeek.com
PH (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026
International callers first enter the country code (+1)

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC. (Dr. Meek)
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: P.O. BOX 60, Nuku’alofa (c/o Mele Taumoepeau)
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

Associate Links: http://www.themeekteam.info; & see
short video: http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
============================================

Back in South Jordan, Utah, USA, fresh from the beautiful red colors of Bryce Canyon in southern Utah. If you missed the photo of the stunningly beautiful Bryce Canyon, just click on this link to my previous article, posted Sunday, July 18, 2010:  Sunday: Home from Bryce Canyon country, Utah

Visiting Bryce Canyon country made me yearn for a hike in the Canadian Rockies, the majestic Rocky Mountains, in British Columbia, Canada.

Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park, near Field, BC, Canada

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My sister Anita and I used to hike the back country in Yoho National Park, near Field, BC, Canada. (See photos above.)

Back in the early 1980s we had a policy of going to the mountains at least once a year. We should get back to that, eh!?

We hiked the Iceline Trail, opposite Takakkaw Falls, and took the photo of the distant falls at left above.

Breathtaking country!

You heard the one about Yoho National Park in the Canadian Rockies?

This guy from the US had spent several years traveling all over the place and at each place he would seek out “the green phone.” For those of you who don’t know (yet), “the green phone” is a pay phone with a direct line to God. The guy would always ask the cost of the phone call to God. Prices varied from $1,000 a minute to $10,000 a minute, depending on where “the green phone” was located, eh? 😮

The guy arrives in Yoho National Park in the Canadian Rockies and of course, as usual, seeks out “the green phone.”

The cost to call God? Only 50 cents a minute.

“Wow,” says the guy. “Why so little?”

“This is God’s country.”

“It’s a local call.” 😮

To the glory of the mountains everywhere!

Doc Meek (“Mountain Man”), Monday, July 19, 2010, at South Jordan, Utah

—
J. Collins Meek III, Ph.D.
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist: https://docmeek.com
PH (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026
International callers first enter the country code (+1)

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC. (Dr. Meek)
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: P.O. BOX 60, Nuku’alofa (c/o Mele Taumoepeau)
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

Associate Links: http://www.themeekteam.info; & see
short video: http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
============================================

Sunday, a day of rest, a day for family

“Thor’s Hammer” at Bryce Canyon, in southern Utah; photo from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thor%27s_Hammer_-_Bryce_Canyon.jpg …………………………………………………………………………………………..

Returned yesterday (Saturday, July 17, 2010) from a 2-day extended family trip to Bryce Canyon country, Utah, USA. Family members hiked in Bryce Canyon, ran the 1/2 marathon (13 miles), or ran/walked the 5K. I was afraid I wouldn’t have the muscle strength to do the 5K and I did it anyway. I walked/ran the 5K and came in third in my category (70 years or older). 😮

For more information on the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon and 5K Run: http://www.brycecanyonhalfmarathon.com/

Enjoyed walking/running with family members, young and old.

Physically tired. Good kind of tired. Sleeps well. 😮

So today, Sunday, we are resting up, going to church, or remembering our wonderful time in the desert wilderness.

We hope all of our readers have an opportunity every week, on Sunday or some other day, to spend time with family, to enjoy solitude, or to enjoy the wonder of wilderness.

To rest and quietude.

Doc Meek, Sunday, July 18, 2010, at South Jordan, Utah, USA

—
J. Collins Meek III, Ph.D.
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist: https://docmeek.com
PH (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026
International callers first enter the country code (+1)

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC. (Dr. Meek)
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: P.O. BOX 60, Nuku’alofa (c/o Mele Taumoepeau)
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

Associate Links: http://www.themeekteam.info; & see
short video: http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
============================================

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” ~ Lao Tzu 

Photo from:
http://www.appliedcomputer.biz/Personal/WatertonGlacier/Waterton%20Cameron%20Falls%201963.JPG

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” ~ Lao Tzu ……………………………………………………………………………………………..

“TRUTH SIGNS” from Dr. Merrill Harmin

Most of the really important things I learned about effective education came from experience. The exception is a well-known fact — almost never applied in daily classroom realities — which was brought to my attention in a really good way by Dr. Merrill Harmin (2002), in his “golden book of education,” Strategies to Inspire Active Learning: A Complete Handbook [for teachers].

This is further developed in Dr. Merrill Harmin and Melanie Toth (2006): Inspiring Active Learning: A Complete Handbook for Today’s Teachers (2006).

My analogy is that we “cannot run faster than we are able” (which everybody knows). Likewise, we “cannot learn faster than we are able” either (which many curriculum structures and school system structures seem to ignore).

To remind us all of this basic fact, or truth, Dr. Harmin would post in his classrooms, and would ask other teachers to do likewise, “TRUTH SIGNS.’ These posters were not just wall decoration for the classroom. They were/are a vital teaching/learning tool about the fundamentals of education, the deepest need that students and teachers share: respect [and even gratitude] for each other. No matter what the behavior or performance.

Unconditional caring if you like. Uncondtional love, so to speak. Not much of it going around unfortunately. “Each of us has what each of us needs,” said a wall poster in a convent I was visiting once. “And why are we so slow to share it?” I wondered.

Dr. Harmin’s “TRUTH SIGNS” were not just for hanging on the wall. He and other teachers would refer to them frequently and point up their applicability for the moment at hand, the teaching/learning moment at hand.

Dr. Harmin (about to begin lesson, or a unit) would point to one of the “TRUTH SIGNS” and say:
“Now, before we begin, how does this truth apply to what we are about to do here?” Or more specifically, he would point to this “TRUTH SIGN”:

……………………………………………………………………………….

“We each learn in our own ways and by our own timeclocks”

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Then Dr. Harmin would say: “So why is it OK if we don’t all get all of this right away? Vika?”

And Vika might say: “Because me and everybody in this class see things differently.”

“Sione?”

“Each of us walks differently . . . we have our own learning pathways.”

Elapsed time? 20 seconds.

Value for each student?

Priceless.

These are the kinds of  gems originally developed by Grace Pilon of Workshop Way (TM), and then further developed and promulgated by Dr. Merrill Harmin and a multitude of classroom teachers, and teacher/associates such as Melanie Toth.

Thank you Grace! Thank  you Merrill! Thank you Melanie!

Love and Gratitude!

Doc Meek, Monday, July 12, 2010, at Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

P.S. Resources:

(1) Grace Pilon (1986): Thoughts on Workshop Way.  http://www.workshopway.org/resources/beginning_of_ww.pdf; also see the website on the Workshop Way today: http://www.workshopway.org/faq_1-7.htm

(2)Dr. Merrill Harmin (2002): Strategies to Inspire Active Learning: A Complete Handbook [for teachers]. https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=gmail&attid=0.1&thid=129c7ed3e80d389c&mt=application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document&url=https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui%3D2%26ik%3D1177db59cb%26view%3Datt%26th%3D129c7ed3e80d389c%26attid%3D0.1%26disp%3Dattd%26realattid%3Df_gbjnbyw20%26zw&sig=AHIEtbTn42Gw6o42QpzCMa4xdt0bWbr2Tg&pli=1

(3) Dr. Merrill Harmin and Melanie Toth (2006): Inspiring Active Learning: A Complete Handbook for Today’s Teachers. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/1416601554/sr=1-1/qid=1278955627/ref=dp_image_text_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1278955627&sr=1-1

—
J. Collins Meek III, Ph.D.
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist: https://docmeek.com
PH (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026
International callers first enter the country code (+1)

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC. (Dr. Meek)
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: P.O. BOX 60, Nuku’alofa (c/o Mele Taumoepeau)
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

Associate Links: http://www.themeekteam.info; see short
video at: http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
=========================================

Photo from: http://www.workshopway.org/workshop-way.htm

Monday, June 28, 2010: This is the third (3rd) article in a series of seven (7) articles designed to help you or your child or your student run their own brain, and have fun doing it. If you missed the Introduction or the first two articles, just click on the title below:

(Intro) Learning to run our brain: 10 minutes daily

(1) Learning to run our own brain: Fear of failure

(2) Learning to run our brain: Vital need for HOPE . . . always

What are the qualifications for the daily “brain coach?”

If you are going to be effective, you need to have a “brain coach” who will work with your child or your student (or yourself, if you are the one having fun learning how to run your very own brain). 😮

There are only 2 qualification for the “brain coach,” both crucial (not just “nice to have”):

(1) Essential: That the “brain coach” likes your child/student (or you, If you are being coached)

(2) Essential: That your child/student (or you) likes the “brain coach”

Formal credentials, training, degrees, age, gender, etc., are not relevant for purposes of being a “brain coach.” Of course it goes without saying that the “brain coach” should be responsible and trustworthy. And the logistics of being available every day are important. No one is going to drive 20 miles every day for 10  minutes of coaching. It is usually necessary to have someone close at hand.

Who can I get to help for 10 minutes each day?

A no-cost, or low-cost person is best. A neighbor? Someone from your church or club who lives nearby? An older student who is in the same school (or a school on the same block),  as the student being coached? Use your imagination. 😮

Retired people are excellent, if they have patience. Sometimes babysitters work out, if they have a good relationship with the younger one being coached, and the younger one likes them.

NRA (No Relatives Allowed) is the general rule, especially near-relatives

“Why can’t I be the brain coach? I’m here all the time,” say the mothers.

True. You are there all the time. Very handy.

“You care too much,” I tell the mothers.

Here’s the problem. Here’s why the NRA (No Relatives Allowed) rule is important for the child or student.  The relative’s “very loving and overly-concerned feelings” usually run too high, and can get seriously in the way of learning.

Usually the relative “cares too much” about the child’s or student’s responses. In sessions where the child or student is not “getting” SSS (Something So Simple) for the brain coach, the brain coach (the overly-concerned relative, remember) will often end up saying SALT (Something About Like This):

“Now, Harold, this is the tenth [or fiftieth] time we have gone over this; let’s do it again, and see if you can get it right this time, OK?” This is often said through gritted teeth hidden behind a “Hollywood” smile. Regardless of how it is said, the dire implications are crystal clear.

The translation [for the child or student] is: “I must be dumb.”

Kids have good “radar.”

A long-range radar antenna; photo from Wikepedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radar ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Brain coach broadcasting “tight tummy”=”beaten brain” for the child

The mother can easily teach the neighbor’s child. How about switching places with the mother next door for coaching/learning purposes?

What a relief! 😮

Bright brains can still need much time to “get it”

Even the brightest of  brains can take extended time to “get” some concepts. Einstein was called a “dolt” in school.

Why does it take so long to “get” some things? We do not know.

What we do know, is that every one of us has areas that we don’t “get” . . . yet . . . even far into adulthood. “Smarts” and “wisdom” don’t come easily in some areas of our lives, regardless of how intelligent and wise we are in other areas, eh?

The “brain coach” position requires high trust and easy learning strategies:

– “Chunk it down” (break everything–everything–down into small easy-to-learn segments)

– Make all the steps easier than necessary (this is easy to say, and may not be easy to do; this challenges the “brain coach.” eh?)

– Make it humorous, foolish or ridiculous if you have to, to solve the “easiness” criteria; in fact this is a good idea anytime, since the brain loves “oddball” and “far out”  as some of its best learning tools)

– Smile 😮

– Smile:o

– Smile 😮

It’s not a contest to see how much you can change the child/student (you can’t change anybody anyway, in case you haven’t noticed  . . . yet). 😮

It’s just a simple sharing of brain strategies that are fun and easy to learn. Doc Meek can teach the “brain coach” in person, over the phone, by email, or by website blogging.

Simple example of how the brain learns best . . . easy . . . hopeful

Let’s say you are teaching a child/student how to use their brain to remember the spelling of a word. In this simple example, you would teach them how to spell such words as these:

Easy, rapid, quick, bright, smart, fast, hope, intelligent, and so on. 😮

You do NOT teach words such as:

Stupid, dumb, slow, etc. (If they never learn to spell these words properly, so much the better!).

To running our own brains better! 😮

Doc Meek, Mon, June 28, 2010, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

—

“What if you are smarter than you think?”

https://docmeek.com

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC. 

CANADA: Dr. Meek (587) 400-4707, Edmonton, AB

TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 81, Nuku’alofa

USA: Dr. Meek (801) 738-3763, South Jordan, Utah

For optimum brain health, get optimum heart health: