I have been peeling back yet another layer. For those of us who have long been dedicated to our own personal growth work, we know it never ends. There is no “done” when we commit to living an authentic and mindful life. Much as I would like it to be so, “done” is just not an option.
Oh yes, I have been able to numb for a time- even for long stretches- but at some point I always come back to the need to know myself and to understand what motivates me- both toward joy and light and down into the dark abyss. We all have moments of joy and darkness- hopefully, more balanced than not. I don’t shy away from sitting in that dark place when needed because sometimes that is what we are called to do. And yet, I am learning to intentionally reach out toward the light and to find my joy even in the darkest of moments.
I have always considered myself open to difference. Difference in others, difference in lifestyles, difference in cultures, difference in beliefs… but most recently I was faced with my own inability to do so- to accept someone straight out, for who they are. I am learning to fine-tune what it means to accept someone and still hold on to my own personal boundaries. I remember hearing from my mother as a teenager, “I love you but I don’t love what you are doing.” That was a passing phrase that made me curl up my adolescent lips at the time but now I get it. I can accept someone but not necessarily accept their behaviors into my life. I have that choice- that right. And it leaves me to love more unconditionally while getting down to the bones with what I want from those people in my life I am deeply connected to.
Knowing that acceptance was a theme at this point in my journey, I decided to let essential oils “do the heavy lifting” for me. I ordered Young Living’s essential oils blend, Acceptance and when I received the bottle, I immediately placed a few drops in my diffuser. If you read my blog you know I occasionally post about my emotional and spiritual reactions to oils- not just how the oils support my physical health.
Within 10 minutes of diffusing Acceptance, I felt the overwhelming desire to nap. I am not one to nap. Napping usually occurs when I am seriously run down- not something I have ever been able to indulge in just for the sake of it. But this day, I felt myself drawn to a relaxing nap and as I lay my head down, it was as if I was in the calm of a storm, safe and peaceful while the world swirled around me. I told a friend about it and said the words to describe it escaped me, and she said, “It sounds kaleidoscope-y.”
Why yes! Yes! That is what it felt like! I was in the middle of the kaleidoscope swirls seeing the pretty colors all around, able to view it, sense it, without the heaviness that swirly, stormy events can bring. The experience was all very peaceful and it is clear to me that i have rounded that growth corner! This for me, is a perfect example of using the oils to set an intention.
Want to know more about Acceptance?
Acceptance™ stimulates the mind with oils specially blended to promote feelings of accepting ourselves and others, regardless of perceived barriers. This blend also helps overcome procrastination and denial.
Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, Coriander, Geranium, Bergamot, Frankincense, Royal Hawaiian™ sandalwood, Neroli, Grapefruit, Tangerine, Spearmint, Lemon, Blue cypress, Davana, Kaffir lime, Ocotea, Jasmine, Matricaria, Ylang ylang, Blue tansy, and Rose.
