Take control of SOMETHING! I’m a control freak, so when things are happening around me that I can’t change, I master something. Clean a closet, purge the pantry . . . anything that gives you the feeling of order.
We all know that stress, sleep, and sadness are three words that don’t pair well together. Too much stress usually equals too little sleep, which in turn leaves us more tired, more cranky, and more stressed. So how do we stop the vicious cycle? Get my free guide to learn how we can stay more calm and relaxed during the day and enjoy better sleep at night to live a happier life.
My favorite book is The Noticer by New York Times best-selling author Andy Andrews. I read this book during the first quarter of every year because it's packed full of life lessons that help me keep my own life in perspective.
One of my most valuable takeaways from the book is a story told by one of the key characters, Jones, about the power of intention. Jones tells the story of five seagulls sitting on a dock and one deciding to fly away, and he then asks his friend, Henry, how many seagulls remain.
Henry replies with the seemingly obvious answer of four seagulls, but Jones corrects him by saying, "No. There are still five. Deciding to fly away and actually flying away are two very different things."
He then explains that there is absolutely no power in intention. The seagull may really want to fly away. He may intend to fly away. He may decide to fly away. But until he spreads his wings and takes flight, he is still on the dock. There is no difference between that gull who decided to fly away and the others who never even thought about it. They are all still on the dock.
Many times we are like that seagull—full of great intention with little action. We make resolutions each January, and by March, they are long forgotten. What were your intentions for 2020? Did you intend to have a healthier lifestyle, a leaner body, fewer toxins in your home? If so, you can still take action to make 2020 great!
I have found simple solutions for a healthier lifestyle with fewer harsh chemicals, and I would love to help you get started too. Wellness, Purpose, and Abundance are within reach if you will just leave the dock. Let’s chat!
If you're a parent, you KNOW the importance of having a nightly routine with your children, and that routine (or lack thereof) will not only determine your child's mood, but also the peacefulness of your own sleep, your stress level, and the quality of your upcoming day.
Usually the routine goes something like this: change into pajamas, brush teeth, snuggle during a bedtime story, sip a little water, sing a song or two, pray, get tucked in tight with a lovey, then lights out. That little routine usually sets the stage for the sandman to do his thing. But . . .
My little one, even at the age of five, was still waking up once every. single. night. at about 3:00 a.m. Which means my husband and I were also waking up every. single. night. at about 3:00 a.m. It was quick . . . she just spoke a couple of words into her monitor. But then one of us would have to trudge all the way upstairs to see what was wrong, and she was often sound asleep again or just wanted to have a sip of water.
We were at our wit’s end. Begging didn’t work. Bribery didn’t work. (Please don't judge me . . . I was tired!)
And then something magical happened . . . I added something extra to my daughter’s nightly routine. I placed my brand-new essential oil diffuser beside her bed, filled it with water, and added a few drops of sweat from an angel’s wings (aka essential oil).
And the very first night, she slept all night. All night. Her room smelled like a divine mixture of flowers and citrus, and our lives were transformed.
