Jars Full of Rainbows and Rising Stars

There's something about August that always makes me feel excited, like I'm in transition. Maybe it's embedded in our DNA to start harvesting all the fruits and vegetables that were planted back in May (or heading to the farmer's market to purchase the bounty of someone else's efforts). Maybe it's the circadian rhythms that are beating on our bones: the sun is moving southward,  days are getting shorter and nights are clear and cooling down fast. Maybe it's the ability to stand outside at night, gaze up at the stars, take a deep breath.... and feel incredibly  grateful!

The 'essence of August' this year is mixed with drought and smoke and some challenges. But, it is the 'constant, repeated and everlasting things' that keep us going. Nature doesn't quit! August always follows the cycles of the season and the cycle that life demands: seed to harvest, birth, growth and a purpose fulfilled. While garden rows and  leaves begin to curl up and dry out, fruit appears that was hidden under the great umbrellas of midsummer. If you look out at the trees, the dominant dark green colors are now fading and there's more contrast that allows us to distinguish the variety of life! The light and shadows are changing. The fruits and vegetables are ripe for picking. The jars and blenders are permanent fixtures on the countertop now. The best days are the warm, gentle, August rains that always leave a brilliant rainbow. (Wish I could put one of those in a jar:)

August pushes our 'inner survivor' to start gathering the fruits that summer fed, while we were at the beach. If you are a farmer or a hunter, your instincts are even more profound to gather and preserve food for your family or community. So how does Young Living fit into these thoughts? They continue to follow the cycles of nature and business. While they hold their commitment as the world's leader in essential oils and cutting edge science of plant-based, organic products, they are also number one in sales of all 10,000 MLM companies launched in the past 27 years! Young Living is going through inevitable cycles to keep up with technology, compliance and the demands of an ever expanding wellness market.

Approaching autumn, we can feel lucky and safe that Young Living is part of our lives and lifestyle! We swap recipes,  products, thoughts, stories and hope with our current members, family, friends, teams, leaders and corporate staff. We have an incredible garden that keeps growing, incredible farms and incredible people we can rely on in uncertain times. We keep going, in person, on the phone and virtually to pour on our essential oils, share our colorful, healthy ideas, and educate others about a lifestyle that can keep us above the wellness line during the  bumpy cycles of life.

Much of the United States is experiencing a drought. Many of the western states are fighting record breaking temperatures and fires. The heat and smoke have kept lots of people indoors this summer. But, the sky is blue again. The stars are bright and clear again and our Young Living members are Rising Up to the challenge. Let's fill our jars with rainbows, fruits and vegetables and more Rising Stars!