The Magic Number
Even if it's not my favorite number
I used to — and still do — buy things in threes.
Three avocados. Three grapefruits. Three tubes of toothpaste, pairs of socks, bars of chocolate. I’d wonder why, especially with two kids in a family of four.
But three just felt right.
It made sense when I opened my first acupuncture practice and wanted to name it Three Treasures.
In Chinese Medicine, the Three Treasures — Jing, Qi, and Shen — form the foundation of life. Jing is your essence, the deep vitality you’re born with. Qi is your life force, the energy that powers every breath and movement. Shen is your spirit, the light of your mind and heart. When these three are in balance, you feel grounded, alive, and at peace — body, energy, and spirit in harmony.
It made even more sense when I remembered that in Buddhism — the philosophy of my motherland — the number three represents wholeness, balance, and awakening. The Three Jewels — the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha — reflect the harmony of body, mind, and spirit. True wisdom arises when understanding, practice, and compassion come together.
Now, in both my clinical and coaching work, I ask patients and clients about their Three Pillars of Health in every session: movement, nutrition, and sleep. It’s not a “Kit Concept” — it’s common sense. Without these three, the body (our vehicle) and mind (our driver) can’t function well.
When I recently shadowed a doctor for my doctoral program, it was clear that no matter the diagnosis — diabetes, pain, fatigue, anxiety — the same three pillars were often cracked. Patients didn’t always realize that by tending to this trilogy, they could reduce inflammation, decrease pain, balance blood sugar, manage weight, and restore vitality — often without adding more medications or side effects.
Because I was only observing, I couldn’t share my thoughts then. So I’m sharing them here with you in hope that it may be helpful for you and or your loved ones.
It’s really just a reminder of what you already know.
The Three Pillars of Health — simple, powerful, and foundational.
Nutrition: Eat mostly whole, unprocessed foods. Choose plants often. Avoid eating too much of what isn’t useful or kind to your body.
Movement: Stay active in ways you enjoy and can sustain. Walk, swim, bike, dance. Take the stairs. Park farther away.
Sleep: Prioritize rest — at night, during naps, or simply through stillness. Let your body recover and reset.
Three — as you can see — is more than a number.
It’s a rhythm, a reminder, a return to balance.
When you’re feeling off balance, return to your three pillars of health. If it feels hard to manage them on your own, seek support or accountability. That’s not failure — it’s wisdom. You’re setting yourself up for success!
With love and gratitude,
xoxo
Kit
P.S. Book a private Holistic Acupuncture session with me here.
Book a Community Acupuncture session at OSU Integrative Health with me by calling: 614-293-9777.