Category Archives: Self-improvement

May19

God’s Gifts

Posted on by
Standard

When I believe in something wholeheartedly, I want everyone to know about it so that they too can reap the benefits. I will go full force with a positive attitude to help and encourage others to do the same. Since I have always had a passion for happiness, health, and wellbeing, recently, I have been intrigued with doTERRA pure, natural essential oils. These oils are used for healing the mind, body, and soul. It’s funny because my oldest daughter has been using them for quite some time now, but I wasn’t listening to what she had to say about them. Then all of a sudden, I was “guided” into trying them, and pretty soon, I was wanting to know everything about them.

Essential oils are naturally occurring, volatile aromatic compounds that are found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. They can be both beautifully and powerfully fragrant. Essential oils give plants their distinctive smells and protect plants and play a role in plant pollination.

What I have experienced with doTERRA products is truly remarkable, and I believe they are making a positive impact in the world. These oils have transformed the way I manage my health. The over-the-counter medicines/products just don’t seem to be working for me, and I much prefer to go the natural route. I have been using the oils for minor issues such as headaches, skin problems, digestive tract, and lower back pain (from sitting all day). Of course, if any serious health issue arises, I will seek professional medical treatment. In the meantime, I will continue to use these wonderful natural oils that while attacking the problem, I am also calm and confident that I will be just fine.

Incidentally, there are over 200 verses in the Bible that mention the use of oils and fragrant incense. Essential oils were used by the Apostles. The Levite Priests were in charge of diagnosing and healing disease through prayer and anointing with oils. There are 12 healing oils of the Bible. Frankincense is one of which I’ve been using. This video explains some of its benefits: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-frankincense-oil. I truly appreciate essential oils, as they are God’s gifts to us.

Can you tell I’m hooked??

 

May8

Decide for Yourself

Posted on by
Standard

When growing up, my parents taught me that if I never wasted, I would never be in the want.  Last month, I celebrated Easter at my house, and I bought a bag of my favorite jelly beans.  Well… in this bag of jelly beans, there is a flavor called green apple.  This is the one flavor that I do not like at all.  Keeping in mind what my parents taught me, I would always eat the green apple ones, even though I would choke on the taste.  I’ve got to tell you… this time, I couldn’t bring myself to eat them.  I finally made an adult decision to just throw them away and never eat them again!  It is liberating to know, I will no longer be eating green apple jelly beans!  My life is so much better now lol!

Apr27

Compassion

Posted on by
Standard

Everyone is dealing with difficulties in their lives, so the least we can do is show some compassion toward others. We must override the ego and be aware of our immediate thoughts about that person or their situation. It doesn’t take much to uplift someone when you know they are in need of encouragement. Sending an inspirational card or message, attending a funeral, visiting someone in the hospital or nursing home are all signs of compassion. When you can actually relate to how the other person is feeling and what they are experiencing, you tend to have more compassion and empathy toward other people. If you want to be a more compassionate person, start with self-compassion and self-love. Rather than judging yourself harshly, practice self-compassion to change any behavior you want to change. Loving kindness and compassion toward yourself and others go a long way.

The Dalai Lama stated, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

Sep8

The Grip

Posted on by
Standard

So I asked myself… have I really changed?  Can people actually change?  Is this possible?  I know when people hit the ground hard enough, they are forced to change, but do they eventually go back to being their same, old selves?  I have been working on self-improvement for several years, but it’s hard for me to tell if I am truly changing.  I still find myself having recurring thoughts and habits.  At least I am aware of them, and I do feel a little stronger and less of a people pleaser.  I guess after all those years of having the same thoughts and habits, that they are so ingrained in me, and that change is a gradual process.  It’s sort of like an etched stone when the engraving eventually wears off.  I am practicing patience, because I am determined to break free from the grip of the mind.

Aug12

Overachievers

Posted on by
Standard

Here’s a great article I received in my email today from DailyOM.com. It is worth sharing.

Overachieving and Overreaching  A Sign of Imbalance

by Madisyn Taylor

Sometimes when we don’t feel good enough, we create imbalance by overachieving or needing to be the best at something.

Overachievers are people who have achieved but still feel the need to do more, creating an imbalance in their lives. People who exhibit this behavior may be trying to compensate for feelings of insecurity and doubts about their worth. They may be chasing unresolved issues from their past into the present, or they might not be looking at their lives as a whole, but judging themselves based only on one aspect of their being. If this is a word that we’ve heard used with respect to our choices and lifestyle, it is worth examining in order to balance our lives for a more rewarding experience.

If we find that we cannot allow ourselves to experience and enjoy the present moment, putting pleasure off into some distant future, it may be a sign that we are being driven to achieve more than is truly necessary. Pushing ourselves beyond the point of exhaustion, or to the exclusion of important people in our lives, robs us of true and meaningful joy. Once we make the connection to the eternal part of us, it can nourish us and allow our priorities to shift from chasing after an elusive feeling to being fully present in the moment so that we can live our lives in the now.

Sometimes we need to look to those we love and admire in order to realize what we value about life. We can take time to note what we like about others, and then turn the mirror to reflect the light of those same words and feelings toward ourselves. It can be quite a revelation to see ourselves in this nourishing light. When we can put the energy that we’ve been devoting to a phantom sense of achievement into the truly satisfying aspects of our lives, we can restore the balance between our inner and outer worlds and experience true joyful peace.