If you ever wondered how to make time fly by, try the following:
- Have a new baby.
- Have your spouse start a new job.
- Remodel a house and contract out the labor yourself.
- Have a spouse who is gone a lot.
I started this Gratitude Challenge over 3 weeks ago because I was sick of hearing myself complain so much. It wasn’t easy but it has completely renewed my soul! I have become so much more aware of how many amazing gifts are all around me at all times.
One thing that I have learned over the past 21 days is that living in a state of joy is not dependent on my situation. You may have someone in your life who seems continually discontented, bitter, and just, simply, unhappy. These folks always seem to think that if their circumstances will change, they will finally find peace, and I was in danger of becoming one of them. But the problem with this outlook is that the things that bring happiness are always temporary. You get the thing you are sure will finally make you happy, and find that things, situations, other people…fill in the blank…will never fulfill or satisfy.
I read somewhere, and I wish I could remember where, that the average amount of time that people get a “happiness high” form an object or situation is 9 months. Doesn’t matter if it’s a new pair of shoes or a multi-million dollar yaht. That’s how fleeting situational happiness is. Good things will come and go, bad things will come and go, and what I have learned these past 3 weeks is that my joy does not have to be dependent on this situational sea-saw (see-saw??).
It’s a wonderful place to be, although I realize that I may need to re-do this challenge yearly as a fresh reminder! Oh how easily I forget!
So, in conclusion, here’s my day 21:
Day 21: I am thankful for Essential Oils.
I started casually using them about 10 years ago simply because I liked the way that they smelled.
You. Guys. I had NO IDEA how absolutely amazing they are.
It hasn’t been until very recently that I have experienced first-hand their power to heal, uplift, calm, refresh, soothe, and energize.
I almost don’t need most other remedies that I used to use anymore!
- I keep the air in our home fresh and clean with Purification.
- I use Thieves to ward off germs (spray, diffused, topically during illness)
- I use Peace & Calming at night on the whole family.
- I give sweet Etta a little baby massage with Gentle Baby after baths.
- Myrrh soothes gums in my homemade toothpaste.
- Frankincense gets rid of little skin blemishes.
- I have a glass of water with a few drops of Lemon each morning to support my liver.
- I drop Joy on myself and family members as needed throughout the day.
- I wear White Angelica in place of perfume.
- I use RC anytime someone in my home is congested.
- I use Melrose mixed with coconut oil on scrapes.
- I fight bacteria and viruses with Melaleuca (tea tree).
- I use PanAway mixed with arnica gel on bumps and bruises.
- I use Lavender in my dryer and in the diffuser, and internally for allergies.
- I recently bought Envision (a new favorite!), Grounding (love this one at the beginning of the day!), Clairty (I mean, I need this daily!), Abundance (as I pray or during times of stress.)
I. Could. Go. On.
My kids love them as well. MIles routinely brings me a bottle, plops down on the ground and sticks his chubby little feet in the air (where I typically apply the oils first). He always reminds me to put a drop on the top of his head as well. A few weeks ago, Henry walked into Sunday School and his teacher said “wow! who smells so great?!” ”Me!” Henry chimed “It’s me. I’m wearing essential oils!” He also always wants to wear Valor before soccer games.
These oils have truly changed my life. They have given me options for health and wellness that I didn’t know were possible. They allow my home and body to smell wonderful without using toxic air fresheners, candles, or perfume.
I’m a bit obsessed, can you tell? I just ordered Christmas Spirit and Blue Spruce for my diffuser during the holidays, as well as SclarEssence for headaches, after a friend wrote to me that it got rid of her migraine in less than an hour!
Here’s the deal. I don’t really like multi-level-marketing. It irks me a bit, because I don’t want my friends (or readers) to ever feel pressured into signing up for anything. But this company truly has the most amazing quality of oils, and have been doing it forever. I also have a friend who knows the Young family personally and can vouch for their sincerity, integrity, and quality standards.
So, here’s my big sales pitch: do it if you want. don’t if you don’t. I honestly don’t think that you will regret starting on this journey, but if you do, you can always quit. Here’s the other thing: I don’t mind buying them for my friends here in Nashville who don’t want to become a distributor. They miss out on the “perks” like free oils and checks in the mail (my last one paid our electric bill – holla!) but I get it, it’s not for everyone. What I do hope is that everyone can have access to pure, quality, potent oils like these. The grocery store ones don’t cut it. Even if the say 100% pure, therapeutic grade, they may not be! They are often heat or chemically extracted, made with conventional plants grown with the use of pesticides, unsafe for internal use, etc. So, whatever means you need to take to get ahold of these, I would encourage you to do so. They have truly changed my life, and I am willing to bet, they will yours too!
If you want to learn more, or to order your own, check out youngliving.com. If you want to become a member or distributor, you will need my sponsor code: 1404324.
live well. be well.