I believe I got lost in the lilacs back in May! Something came over me as I waited for the first fragrant blossoms of spring. I impatiently watched green bushes slowly push out tight buds and finally saw the first hint of 'lavender' color finally pop. There were Facebook posts asking us about our favorite spring flowers. Lilacs were the number one answer, but they weren't blooming yet! Then someone shared a recipe to mimic their scent, and we ended up spending hours at the office playing around with it. I'll share the recipe at the end of the blog, but want to share a few more thoughts in bloom.

There are days that we "love to hate" Social Media and Facebook, then there are days that we really engage and take time to not just LIKE each other, but genuinely exchange great ideas and support. Sometimes the right question or right moment allows us to freely express ourselves in a larger community! Some of us might have been a bit "Minnesotan" in our love for spring and our childish delight at the first signs of color and fragrance, but that means we play a role of deeper appreciation, that milder climates don't experience. I was struck by the different roles that people play, but more so, the comfort we feel to have fun, stay positive, and sprinkle purple sweetness on each other from different parts of the world.

May and June, for the parents of a graduating senior are hectic! Spring sports bring seasonal endings and figure skating requires rehearsals, practice, shows, costumes, props, pictures, driving (a lot of driving) along with tears of joy and sorrow as some things are coming to an end. Graduation doubles the intensity and necessity to organize and manage a busy skating and 'oily' family. We're watching our "little Maddy" get ready for college and leave the nest to be a Rising Star!

June came so fast. It is almost half over now. The lilac bouquets only lasted a week and Tom McDermott tried distilling some oil for us in hope that we could bottle the aroma of spring., He only managed to bottle some "floral water" and said it's not that great. Lilacs don't give up their oil and it is easily tainted by the smallest amount of branch and greenery. If you look it up, you'll find that most lilac oils are "fragrance oils." That means they are created synthetically or as an absolute.

It was a reminder about why I LOVE YOUNG LIVING! We can count on 100% pure essential oils and know that the farms and the distillation processes will never cheat or lie to us to bring us what we want. We all wanted lilac oil to contain the joy of May, but we were forced to make our own, with the sources we already have in Young Living!

If you're building a business, you need to stay tuned to nature's cycles and her truths! I try not to get lost in my own desires so I can watch all the possible Rising Stars continue to bloom.... in their own way and in their own time.

Basic recipe that you can adjust for spritzers, roll-ons or add to a lotion base: 3-4 drops each of bergamot; lavender and ylang ylang. 2 drops of cedar wood or sandalwood. (Depending on your sense of smell, you may like one better than the other.) You can also download the handout on Lilacs: Keeping the Scent of Spring All Summer Long.

It's time to plant some seeds! Think about all the elements that go into having a successful garden. You need water, sunshine, fertilizer, tools, time and commitment. Without any one of those items, your garden is less likely to produce very little in the way of flowers, fruit, vegetables or grains that you wish to harvest and enjoy. It may even fail completely.

Without water, nothing lives. Without sunshine, very few plants survive. Without fertilizer, plants struggle. Without tools, it is hard work with impossible thoughts going through your head. Imagine not even having a shovel! Without time and energy to care for any garden plants, the weeds will take over. Weeds are like bad thoughts, negative voices and can take over to destroy your hope. Without commitment, a garden doesn't even get started and it definitely doesn't thrive.

We sometimes perceive that everything is against us, when we start something new, different or just plain hard, like a Young Living business. But if we put our business minds, into the context of a garden, whether we are new to gardening or a master, we can cultivate the right perception.

Young Living corporate is our water. It is deep, wide and flowing in a positive direction. We can trust the integrity of it's course. Our essential oils and nutritional supplements are our sunshine. Seriously! The sunshine is in every drop and capsule that a plant's life has transferred to us! The fertilizer we need are the people around us. They might be your Upline, a Diamond, a cross-line mentor, personal coach or anyone with a positive influence that will empower our success. The tools are abundant: books, videos, webinar, zoom, streaming, social media, classes, events, workshops, CONVENTION and can be as small and powerful as the phone you carry in your purse or pocket!

Your business success will start "growing" when you take the time and make a commitment to it every day. Just like gardeners, no two are alike. Some have a garden plan mapped out in January when the seed catalogs arrive. Some have been gardening long enough to follow a pattern, diligently selecting seeds, mindfully growing their own plants from a greenhouse. Some people wait until the last minute to buy plants, because they have organized their time differently. Can you see how personalities will always find their own path to their own goals?

In the middle of the season, you might feel like you could do things better or differently, because you learned something new. Late in the season, you might be the proud receiver of a bountiful harvest. (Are you preserving it and sharing it?) Remember there will always be weeds out there to distract you. Get them under control early on! In order to stay inspired and passionate, you still have to rotate your crops to avoid disease and nutrient depletion to maintain healthy soil - (can you see the metaphor here?)

It's officially spring. Things are growing! May is one of the most spectacular months of the year to show us how life continues to unfold and bring us hope. I Hope you have time to plant a garden and I Believe you can use the same fundamental principles in your Young Living businesses. Let's Dig In!

If anyone kept a journal for the winter of 2018/2019, Thank You! I didn't record this particular winter and all it's challenges, so if I need to reach out to you, to remind me why I'm looking for a place in Florida, Keep In Touch!

Every season has it's beauty and I'm pretty good at finding things to be Grateful for and I never forget, that I am living a life of Abundance! I was recently reminded about how "our feelings" are at the core of what we receive in life. If you express "Gratitude," more things will unfold to show you, you have much to be thankful for. If you are stuck on thinking that "Abundance" means financial security, you are missing the big picture of how blessed we all are, even during challenging times.

Close your eyes and open your arms out wide. Take a deep breath and create a mental picture of all the abundance in your life. It could be a wonderful family; large circle of friends; a great career; a deep spiritual practice; a healthy body; endless energy and inspired life. As you flip through all the images you came up with, take another deep breath and say, "Thank you!" You are abundant! You have much to be grateful for!

I could list dozens of Young Living blends to align with this season's emotions: Believe, Stress Away (stress gone:), Inspiration, Hope, Joy, etc. Don't forget to diffuse them. Put them on your feet, the back of your neck and over your heart. Remember that essential oils raise our vibrational frequencies. Thank the plants for sharing their energy with us.

New life is emerging from the soil, birds are singing in the trees and the first thunderstorm is on the horizon, waiting to saturate the earth with an electrical charge that life requires. Spring is an Awakening and an opportunity to see, hear and feel how we can be in Harmony with all living things. After a thunderstorm, go outside barefoot and fill up with energy! If a gentle rain is all you get, go outside and dance in it!

The Law of Attraction is at it's strongest. Meter your thoughts, words and actions. Cultivate lots of good feelings and watch everything you love, expand and grow.

What is your heart's desire?

We all fall off our path now and then, but most of us have deep desires that we are always trying to fulfill. I have to admit, that winter in Minnesota, really makes me question my path and where to put my heart! I've been pretty clear about working for my dreams, finding success and helping others. I've usually been grateful seeing  my heart's desires come true and I enjoy watching my family, friends and Young Living team  fill theirs.

The state of Minnesota has been pretty clear lately about how many obstacles will get in the way of my future! Starting in mid-January the arctic air dropped in for the Passion Rally and every day there were colder and colder temperatures plummeting down to break records, along with icy roads that didn't stand a chance to melt. This was all followed by piles of snow, which hid the ice underneath so we could forget about it. Growing up in the midwest, being a figure skater, I can usually handle cold temperatures,  ice,  snow and slick surfaces. What really gets me down are the short days, cloudy days and lack of sunshine.

We moved back from Bellingham, Washington precisely because I don't do well without sunshine. My brain and my body just want to sleep. I want to succumb to the circadian rhythms and hibernate until spring. Thankfully, February gives me that little hint, that spring is just around the corner and I will survive! I will shovel that snow, clear that path and hold tight to my dreams.

Meanwhile, I booked a ticket for Florida to maintain my heart's desire and sanity. Wanna come along?

 In spite of the cold, cloudy days and long, dark nights of winter.... January 1st does give me hope! It's an opportunity to dream again and plan again for another year. There's actually some time to organize your home and office without the distraction of sunshine, that makes you want to be outdoors. That's the flip side.... I keep telling myself as I also 'plan another trip to the Bahamas.'

In reflection, not everything I planned in 2018 went according to the blueprint. But in a deeper way, my reality unfolded beyond my control and sometimes I thank God, that it's not all up to me!

There are so many variables that can shift a plan or even an idea. There are other people in our lives. People that we love and have to adjust to the roles that they play in our lives. There are events that interfere or shift our paths, sometimes small and sometimes monumental! There are "side dishes" that call to our taste for all that life has to offer and there is always OUR HEALTH that can disrupt the timelines we have for ourselves and others.

My one constant goal every year, is WELLNESS, for me, my family, friends and really.... the world. I try to 'pre-plan' for my health and that's why I love Young Living! I have products that work, products that are safe and sustainable and essential oils from around the world. My plan continues to coincide with my hope, to bring essential oils and the wisdom of the people I have learned from,  to others.

​For 2019, I hope you and your loved ones are well, living purposeful lives and allowing the abundance to flow through you! I'll be planning some educational events to support the growth we all chart at the beginning of a New Year!

For those of us in the northern part of the world, snow and cold are eminent. Days are shorter. Nights are longer and it feels like we should slow down, sleep more and nourish parts of our selves that need tending to. My hunger pains are stronger and my mind is still thinking..... but there is so much to be done! I keep wondering if I should move to a warmer climate so I am not bound by the weather to accomplish all the things on my list or in my head. Or.... am I missing a greater message from a greater source.... to be here now!

​I traveled a lot this fall and I even carved out some "vacation time" mixed in with Young Living events and continuing education for the things I love. I wish I could string it all together like popcorn and cranberries to hang on a tree. I wish I could sit by the fireplace with a view of Medicine Lake and tell you all my stories and adventures. Lots of stories as a skating family.... but, my busy life always includes a deep desire to help more people adopt a healthy lifestyle!

This is the season of "Celebrating and Giving" for me and my family! We have received so much from our work and our relationships in the field of natural health, that our thoughts turn toward those who will still benefit from the great products and our leadership in the world of essential oils. We are blessed and will continue to extend our gratitude for all "the Rising Stars" and the future of Essentials for Healthy Living as we turn the page in 2019.

We have great plans for the coming year. I hope you can stop by our office in Golden Valley (weather permitting) to meet our staff, hang out, brainstorm your goals, rent space for an event, participate in a video or zoom call as we expand our community in Wellness, Purpose and Abundance! And let us find "The Light" in everybody's dreams.... together.

November is a time for gratitude! With the Thanksgiving Holiday just around the corner, we have had so much to be thankful for all year long! While we do our best to practice gratitude everyday, it is wonderful to gather those closest to us around the table for a Thanksgiving meal.
  We have had our share of both, lessons and blessings in 2018. We like to pause and think about how abundantly blessed we have been in our relationships. At the end of the day- it is the the people in our lives  that enrich our world the most.   We enjoy creating a warm and loving atmosphere in our home, especially as we embark on the holiday season. Young Living Oils used in a multitude of ways helps us to do just that! A favorite combination on our diffuser is Thieves with a few added drops of Cinnamon, Orange and Clove- it is fresh and cozy at the same time.

The  Orange Vitality Essential oil is a must-have culinary tool, especially at this time of year! A few drops added to your favorite pumpkin pie or squash soup recipe creates a bright contrast to the warm spices traditionally used. 
We asked our staff  to share ways they incorporate Vitality Oils into holiday recipes. Here is a fresh new twist on cranberries  shared with us by Cindy Monten.

Cranberry -Jicama Salsa
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 red jalapeno pepper, seeded -minced
1 cup diced jicama
1/4 cup fresh mint chopped
1/4  cup fresh cilantro chopped
2 tsp sugar, maple syrup, or agave
1 tsp.salt
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
2-3 drops Young Living Orange Vitality

in a food processor coarse chop cranberries add onion and jalapeno pulse a couple times to combine
remove to a bowl toss with all other ingredients 
cover and refrigerate if not using right away

Note: try adding this to a turkey sandwich or create turkey & sweet potato quesadillas

It is NOT too early to be planning holiday events for your Young Living business and your family! Every year it seems that the holidays sneak up on us. Let's PLAN better, together and avoid the feeling that we are STRESSED OUT. Let's start with a dose of Stress Away, roll it over your heart, your neck and shoulders, if you don't have your shoes on yet, roll it all over the bottom of your feet. Ahhh! 

So what do you need to make the upcoming events feel more like fun and joy rather than work and anxiety? PEOPLE! We spend too much time worrying about having everything just right instead of hitting the 80% mark and get going. Instead of comparing ourselves and our abilities to host a small class or big event with the queen of perfection (________________ fill in the blank), be yourself! What do you want to accomplish? How do you want your guests to feel? Where is the best environment to make people feel welcome and loved? When will you commit and not worry about getting a 100% return on your investment. 80% is perfect! So are you!

Here's a few topics for the season that I have always found successful: Thieves product line; DIY Make & Takes; Emotional Release with Essential Oils; Savvy Makeup with a Holiday Glam Setting; Oils of Ancient Scripture; and always..... Essential Oils Introductory classes! 

Our office is open for ideas and supplies! Please feel free to contact us and remember you can host your small events right in our beautiful, fully stocked, Young Living display room!

How many of you can "feel the cycles of Mother Nature?" Do you pay attention to the sun? Do you celebrate the Winter Solstice as the last long, dark, cold night of the year? Do you step outside for the Spring Equinox with a smile on your face as the first green shoots of life emerge from the cold ground? Do you rejoice in the Summer Solstice for all the bright, warm, sunny days ahead to go out and play! Did you "feel" the shift from summer to autumn on September 22nd? And are you preparing for the changes that the Autumnal Equinox will bring?

Sometimes I embrace change, because I know it will result in a better way to do things, to structure differently and to define what I want in life! There's an underlying energy that fall creates to clean the garage, harvest fruits and vegetables and set some goals. It's kind of like a window that is wide open, but we know we'll have to shut it soon enough so we tend to hustle to get things done.

There are classes and events every weekend now. My calendar and planner already look like a 'crazy person's psyche assessment' that might require some help! It actually reminds me that my Young Living business is still my passion and that I have surrounded myself with thousands of like-minded souls to do things that I alone could never do.

As I watch the first yellowing leaves drift to the earth, I have a sense of Gratitude that I'm on the right path. When changes seem difficult and untimely, it's just a sign that the journey is complex, but good, and will continue to be colorful and abundant. My team, my members, my office support, my family and friends keep me going as I prepare for new projects.

We're just stepping into a new cycle, with new people, new ideas and a breath of cool, fresh air that will 'naturally' change things, whether I embrace it or not. On the days that I don't, I'll wear my new fall sweater.... or put on a jacket if I have to!