And don’t even get me started on the lure of “Pinterest Perfect Living” that creates a perfect storm in too many hearts.
Don’t get me wrong. This isn’t one of those BOOOOO social media posts. Oh please.
I love Pinterest and use Social Media for my business (and have met some AMAZING people over the last few years).
But let’s be honest with how many times we are jealous, envious and comparing our reality with a “perfect face forward” image we see displayed. Best photos, best moments, never struggling… Sound familiar??
THIS is what we need to stop. THIS comparison is stealing our joy.
Let’s be clear about one thing. Comparison didn’t start when social media flew into our lives.
Nope. That little beast has been around for generations, assaulting and shutting down the hearts of men and women alike. Social Media has heightened our awareness, and we need to be on guard of where our hearts are.
But I want to address you, dear daughter, and the fight that you are in.
Did you even realize that? YOU are in a fight for your life.
There is an enemy that is hunting you, doing everything it can to steal your joy, your heart and your core identity. Evil is hunting us all and more often than not, we are completely unaware of the assault.
No wonder I feel like I can’t get out of this pit I’m in...
You, dear daughter, were made in the image of God. You were made PERFECT. Beautiful.
Don’t give me the “But I’m overweight… I’m not pretty… I’m not good enough… strong enough… smart enough” ENOUGH WITH THE LIES!
We have a choice to STOP believing them.
WE have to stop waking up every morning HATING what He so beautifully and purposefully made.
But only you can make that choice.
Please know that I get it. Its real and I have lived most of my life in that space. But we MUST believe what God says that defines us instead of believing what culture is screaming down our necks.
BE this… DO that… LOOK like this… ALWAYS be on… Never fail… SUCK IT UP… BE perfect… STAY quiet… DONT rock the boat… ENOUGH! I can’t take it anymore!
I am so tired of living up to a standard I was never meant to reach.
I am so heartbroken watching my own life and those of dear friends crumble under the weight of comparison.
I am so READY to live in the peace and freedom promised.
We were created in HIS image and if we are accusing what He made, then ultimately we are saying that He is not good and made a mistake.
Go grab your Bible and open it up to Psalm 139 right now and let the truth wash over you.
For you createdmy inmost being; youknit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts,God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.
Psalm 139 13-18 (Emphasis mine)
I want you to read that verse again and ask the Father what He was thinking about when He made you.
What were His emotions?
What was His desire?
What purpose were you created for?
Have you ever thought about the fact that you could have been born 100 years ago? 1000 years ago?
But God chose you for THIS time. To be here in THIS generation with THESE pressures and trials to give HIM glory.
We are all in the battle.
We are all in the struggle in some way.
Yet we have a God who is intentional, purposeful and perfect in His leadership.
We have a Father who sees us, knows us and has counted every hair on our heads.
This is who you are beloved. You are His and He is fiercely committed to you.
What if we actually walked in that confidence?
Believed what He said was true?
What if instead of comparing and tearing each other down, we actually spoke life over one another?
Love over one another?
Calling out the beauty we see in each other?
Offering rest to our weary souls and acceptance that we are ALL on the journey to stand before Him in love.
This is such a deep desire, and reach for my life.
I have not always loved well. I recognize this.
I have made many mistakes. I also recognize this.
But I know that God is for me and has given me grace to love, grow and lean into Him. Grace to love others as myself and speak life and truth instead of lies and accusation.
I invite you to ask Him some of these questions.
Let Him touch your heart and give you grace to love who He made.
You are enough. You are loved. You are worthy.
You are adored.
Start the dialogue and let Him pursue the deeper places of your heart.
I’ll do it with you. Who knows, maybe if we stop comparing ourselves so much, we could actually love well.
Ok yall… Before we dive into my Citrus in the Spring EO series,
(starting off with my fave Wild Orange)…
Can we just talk about SPRING for a minute!!?
ITS FINALLY SUNNY! And beautiful! And warm! And breezy!
Spring colors, spring cleaning, spring nights and cool mornings…
Well, enough about ME. I’m sure you get it… I LOVE SPRING!
So let’s get started and kick off this “I love Citrus in the Spring” series with my best pal WILD ORANGE! Mmmmm. I love orange. OK, here we go!
Meet your new BFF. Seriously. In a few weeks you are going to ask me how you survived as long as you have without this gem of an oil. And oh boy is it a happy one!! I’m sure we can all use a little mood boost with a daily dose of vitamin D after those cold winter months, right!? RIGHT!!!
This is going to be a family favorite in NO time!
BASICS:
Wild Orange Essential Oil (Citrus Sinensis) is extracted from the rind of the orange and cold pressed. It is such a dreamy, lovely, intoxicating oil. If I am travelling and even crack the lid open, (heaven forbid I actually place a drop or two in the palm of my hand!) everyone around me sighs and says “ohhhhhh wooooow… that smells SO good!” AND RIGHTLY SO! Wild Orange is an uplifting, invigorating and renewing oil that is quite creative. Creative you ask? Let me explain…
Most oils in the citrus family (Lemon, Lime & Grapefruit) have a predominant uplifting effect on the body, mood and energy levels. Wild Orange not only has that ability but can ALSO have a lovely calming effect when the body calls for it. I like to think of it this way: Some of us are wired with a ton of energy and an INVIGORATING BOOST is not exactly what you need but RATHER a gentle, natural, calming effect. Wild orange does that and more! Many have found it to be helpful to lull them to sleep by diffusing it before bedtime AND help wake them up in the morning. Give the body what it needs and it works the way it is supposed to! Pretty cool huh!!?
TOP USES:
• Powerful cleanser and purifying agent
• Contains powerful antioxidants*
• Supports a healthy immune system
• Energizing and revitalizing aroma
EMOTIONAL BENEFITS:
How many times have you cut into an orange (or tried to peel it with your fingers) and that zest from the rind invigorates your senses?! That is your nose interacting with the essential oils! SO cool! Something that I LOVE about an orange peel is that the scent is so HAPPY. This energetic oil is often known for these amazing uplifting properties and can support and foster creativity, boost physical energy as well as inspire abundance. Simply breathing in this oil can affect many different things we might be emotionally going through. Wild Orange aids in letting go of fear, scarcity, poverty mindsets and so many more. When we breathe in these amazing oil molecules, they are actually affecting different parts of our brain that control our mood and emotions. Wild Orange helps us to connect to the playful part of our hearts, allowing us to walk in joy, fun and spontaneity!
BLENDS WITH:
One of the best part of using essential oils to support different parts of the body is that you can LAYER them with others! Not only will you SMELL SO GOOD but you will be layering the benefits one by one! I like to massage an oil into a reflexology point or desired area of the body for about 30-45 seconds before I layer another one on. This helps to increase circulation, allowing the oils to penetrate deeper into the skin. ALSO it is good to remember that these oils are so power packed that one drop goes a looooooooong long way. So only use 1-2 drops at a time, remembering that as soon as 15min has passed, DON’T BE SHY, REAPPLY!
(In case you are new, some EO Basics can be found HERE)
SO back to what blends BEST with Wild Orange!!? Nearly EVERYTHING! When you are looking at scent compatibility, Cinnamon, Lavender and Peppermint are your top winners! Looking for deeper emotional balance? Try Tangerine, Ylang-Ylang, Lemon or Peppermint. Some of my personal favorites are Frankincense, Bergamot, Clary Sage and Arborvitae. Discover what works best for you and have fun whipping up your own favorite blends!
TOP USES:
We have talked about a TON of different ways that you can use Wild Orange, but here is a snapshot of my faves!
All citrus oils are AMAZING at cleansing and purifying surfaces naturally. Place a couple drops in a spritzer bottle with water and a little white vinegar and VOILA, homemade all-purpose cleaner!
Did you know there are some essential oils SO pure that you can take them (in moderation) internally!? YES! Its true and I want to tell you ALL about my yays and nays of why I believe some brands are safe! (Make sure to click the link below to learn MORE!) BUT if you have a bottle of essential oil that has a supplement fact sheet on it, then you are cleared to put a drop or two to flavor water, boost smoothies, heighten the flavor of foods and SO much more! (Stay tuned for more into coming your way about the safety of essential oils!)
OMG diffusers. I will eventually post on why they are so magical, but trust me. You have to have one. I promise. I have like 5 and seriously they are the best things ever to dispense essential oils into the air! Boosting moods and cleaning the airways one tiny molecule at a time!
Last my but not least, just take a drop, place it in the palm of your hands, rub together, cup to your nose and inhale gently but DEEPLY! Try and do this slowly, holding your breath for 10 seconds and repeat 3-4x. I promise if you are a cranky bunny it’s only a matter of time before you are soaring with smiles! I keep wild orange in my purse just for those moments I get CRAZY!
WRAP UP:
Wild Orange is your BFF, your mood radar, your mid day energy booster and your super awesome kitchen cleaner. I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about this AMAZING and favorite oil of mine and will go grab yours RIGHT NOW and breathe it in deeply! Trust me, you will be glad you did!
Make sure to join the conversation and comment on my FACEBOOK page your FAVORITE way to use wild orange!
Are you new to this Essential Oil journey and want to learn more about how to empower you and your family with these amazing natural solutions!?
Make sure to fill out the link below and you will see some GREAT info flying your way!!! HAPPY OILING!
Have fun, stay healthy and smile big with WILD ORANGE!
My heart feels like it is might burst; expanded to a capacity where I know something deep has taken place.
Why? I did something CRAZY!
I journeyed with a few women away to the mountains this past weekend and turned everything OFF.
Cell phone. Computer. Email. Social Media. OFF
MAGICAL.
Have you done that recently? Taken a day or two and unplugged?
Let go of the tangled web of comparison…
I can’t begin to tell you how clear-headed, clean and energized I feel.
Life comes at us at a million miles an hour.
Work demands our strength.
Family requires our attention.
Friends desire our time.
Daily tasks delay without attention.
But what about your heart, dear daughter? Is it alive?
Do you remember glimpses of YOU before the swirls of life took over with its needs?
Are you living from your heart?
In returning home from this weekend, I am pondering the idea, the notion, the audacious and terrifying longing of living from the WHOLE heart.
Not living from my daily task list, work demands or even family necessities. (They never seem to stop, do they?)
But the heart? I’m not sure I have time for all that…
In Biblical language, your heart is the center of the human spirit, from which spring emotions, thought, motivations, courage and action; thus it is the ‘wellspring of life’ (NIV Study Bible Note on Psalm 4:7)
Our heart houses so many beautiful aspects of our identity. It is the source of our thought life, what we feel and all of our deepest desires. How many of us feel like our heart is barely beating, our dreams have fallen under piles of laundry and the feeling of opening up brings up pain and heartache.
All too often we hear voices scream “Suck it up… You don’t have time to feel… You are too much and no one cares…”
Yet God, in the riches of His goodness, has called us to live wholehearted, alive in love with Him. He has crafted us to represent His glory and beauty, aspects of His nature that only women can display. Our heart is essential to our very being, the core of who we are. Without it open, tender and vulnerable, we fall into deception, confusion, isolation and despair. (Anyone else out there??)
Yet there is a Father who loves, sees and cares.
A Father in heaven who wants to take us on the journey to discovering how we can learn to love US.
To be patient with the process, gentle with the journey, humble in the breaking and loving what He intentionally made.
You, beloved, are not a mistake.
You, dear daughter, are not too much.
You are bright, beautiful, astounding, capable, tender, fierce, courageous, inviting, beautiful and life-giving.
You have much to offer and much to experience.
Find a safe place to sit in silence, even for just a few moments, and ask your Father to take you on a journey of discovery. A journey into the place of loving yourself, accepting your faults and patiently opening your heart to His love.
The adventure is worth it.
You have a huge part to play in the most beautiful of stories.
YOURS.
With Valentines Day less than 2 weeks away, are you ready for the heart gushing day of looooooove!!?
Mmmmmmm. L O V E.
Chocolates, Roses, Dinner out, the works!
(I know, I know, love isn’t defined by this… But I still love the oooey gooey nature of it all.)
But do any of you need some inspiration to help set the mood once you get back home!? The aromatic benefits of using essential oils to enhance the atmosphere are quite LOVELY.
Here are some of my FAVORITE diffuser blends for a romantic and *AHEM* inspired evening <3
Frankincense is an amazing oil that assists in promoting focus and attention while also calms ones emotions as well as balances mood. The rich, earthy smell blends well with Sandalwood, Myrrh and Lavender Ylang Ylang is a complex, calming, floral scent that surprisingly has uplifting properties as well. When used aromatically, this soothing scent promotes a positive outlook and aids in reducing the effects of daily stress. Patchouli is known for its calming and stabilizing properties as well as being known as a base note in many perfumes with its musky, sweet aroma. Emotionally it can help to bring balance and grounding, naturally. Sandalwood is wonderful for promoting relaxation and reducing stress as well as enhancing ones mood. Frequently used in meditation, Sandalwood has been used for its grounding and uplifting properties. Clary Sage is a musky, feminine flower that has incredible balancing properties to it. Not only can it aid in promoting a restful nights sleep but also assists in relaxing the body and mind, stabilizing (women’s) emotions. Orange is one of the most versatile, happy oils to help energize and revitalize your body! Its uplifting aroma is invigorating and renewing, blending perfectly with many of the rich and musky oils. Bergamot is one of the only citrus oils that actually has calming and soothing effects to the emotions. (Most citrus oils invigorate!) Its great in tense, stressful situations as well as a promoting calm and harmony and self-confidence. Lavender is a common favorite of many and the most well-known fragrances of essential oils. It is widely used for its calming and relaxing properties but is also good for easing feelings of tension and melting away stress.
So many options! So much luxury! Have fun and get creative 🙂
Make sure to comment below your FAVORITE blend and don’t forget to pop over to Facebook and join the conversation!
Happy Oiling!
*If you want to know more about my faaaaaavorite essential company click HERE <3
I don’t know about you, but most years I have struggled with my birthday.
The longing to feel celebrated… but the fear of being seen.
It is a tension I’ve known all too well.
But this year is different. This year is full of beauty, wonder and freedom from fear.
Freedom from the fear of being truly known. The fear of walking with an open and vulnerable heart, fierce in love.
The fear of rejection and abandonment. The fear of being truly seen for me.
“Show me your face, let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet and your face is lovely.” -Song of Songs 2:14
This year I am on the journey towards releasing fear and entering into the adventure of living from the heart.
Truly letting my heart believe what God says about me and allowing my heart to feel and believe that truth.
Living from the place of total surrender.
Living free from comparison, performance and striving.
I want to come to learn how to live a beautiful life.
Did you know that your beauty is shouting and beckoning those around you.
Your beauty speaks. Your beauty is inviting.
Your beauty is real, raw and vulnerable. Your beauty nourishes those around you.
Your beauty is comforting and alluring. Your beauty is meant to inspire, encourage and bring life.
Your beauty draws those around you to God.
This year I am choosing to live open and vulnerable, and I want to invite anyone willing to embark on the journey.
Living with the goal to know and be known by those around me.
Taking down the walls of preservation and letting the gift of love soften me.
Sometimes life hardens us, shames us and causes us to hide. Not anymore. I welcome you 34, with a heart tender, open and expectant ❤
