January 2017 STARTING THE NEW YEAR A NEW WAY. It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are. e.e. cummings

Transcription

1 EMOTIONAL AROMATHERAPY January 2017 STARTING THE NEW YEAR A NEW WAY It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are. e.e. cummings

2 STARTING THE NEW YEAR A NEW WAY The season of resolutions and change is upon us. According to the University of Scranton (published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology) 45% of Americans usually make New Year s resolutions. The top three goals? 1) Lose weight; 2) Get more organized; and 3) Spend less/save more. In other words, change the way we look, change the way we live, and change the way we use resources. Isn t it interesting that the top two resolutions are outward-focused--driven by how things appear on the outside? (How do I look? How does my house look? How do I compare to people in the neighborhood and on TV?) In the process of making resolutions, we often forget to evaluate our true needs and inner desires. We simply conduct a nagging review of the year s past mistakes and failures. ~ I didn t lose that 20 pounds. ~ I didn t spend the time I wanted to with my kids. ~ I didn t get my house organized. ~ I didn t make the impression I wanted at work; I ll never get a promotion if I don t pitch some new ideas. And from this base of perceived failure, we forge a list of New Year s resolutions. This process--minimizing progress and maximizing shortfalls from the past year-- is not the way to start a new year or to make any real meaningful change. There s a better way. Discovering Where You Are Take two minutes to think about one or two of the New Year s resolutions you ve made, think you should make, or are considering. Jot down a word or two to identify them and note whether you chose it because of inward desire or outside pressure. Now, focus only on those that reflect inward desires. Close your eyes and take slow, cleansing breaths. Notice the emotions that come up when you consider each of your individual resolutions. Note them in your journal. Hopefully your introspection revealed hope and enthusiasm for the year ahead. Are you excited about the prospect of change? Do you see yourself tackling the resolution with confidence? If so, your goals are most likely in alignment with your inner needs and desires. In opposition to enthusiasm, you may have noticed a sense of discouragement. If so, you may have set a task that doesn t resonate with your whole being -- no matter how much you "should" want or even "need" to make the change. * If you re looking at change with discouragement stop. Try a different approach. Consider making new resolutions based your actual desires rather than a perceived need to change what you haven t been able to change before.

3 Finding Help in Essential Oils Review your list of resolutions and associated emotions. Are there two or three you still feel good about pursuing? Choose an essential oil to support you along the way! We ve provided a few suggestions of core oils for positive growth and change, but there are many more. Review these suggestions in Emotions & Essential Oils and make notes of those that resonate the most with what you need right now. For help with letting go and moving on Cypress To stimulate and encourage enthusiasm Melissa For support with making change Coriander If your particular needs don t fall in these categories, refer to the Emotions and Essential Oils Wheel for help. There you will find recommendations for supporting emotional states such as self-control, body acceptance, feeling materialistic, and many more. Find the emotion you d most like to cultivate or experience less of, then research the recommended oils in Emotions & Essential Oils. Discovering the Path Forward Once you ve determined the best oil or oils for supporting your meaningful resolutions, work towards incorporating them into your everyday routine. Diffuse them in your working and living spaces and apply them topically to earlobes and pulse points (as directed by the oil manufacturer). If you aren t happy with your current resolutions, or haven t given much thought to the needs of your inner self, consider taking a "deep dive with Vetiver. IF YOU SENSE THAT JOY, FREEDOM, AND LOVE LIE IN A GIVEN DIRECTION, GO THAT WAY; NO MATTER WHAT THE REST OF THE WORLD MAY OFFER.

4 Vetiver Deep Dive Make a cup of hot tea with honey. Begin with a few slow, deep breaths of Vetiver essential oil and diffuse it during your practice. Take an hour (or less if need be) to relax and remember as this is the way to consider change. As you become more quiet, prepared and open, Vetiver s positive properties will help you become grounded, centered, and present. Then, in a favorite journal or on notepaper, jot down emotions that arise, thoughts that surface, ideas that surprise you, and anything that feels true. 1. Begin by considering New Year s resolutions you have already made and jot down the emotions that arise as you do. 2. Next, ponder resolutions you considered but decided against. 2. Finally, ask yourself if there s anything else anything more you might like to work on. Vetiver, the Oil of Centering & Descent, will help you to deeply connect with what you think and feel. In this way, Vetiver is incredibly supportive in all kinds of self-awareness work. (Emotions & Essential Oils) It sustains you against apathy or despondency, or a feeling of being scattered or disconnected. If you feel that you need to let go of something and move toward something, but you don t know what give yourself some time in peaceful contemplation with Vetiver. It will ground you in the present as it helps you to be open to intuitions from your inner spirit and promptings from the Divine. VETIVER THE OIL OF CENTERING & DESCENT (CENTERED, GROUNDED, PRESENT, DISCOVERING DEEPER FACETS OF BEING, EMOTIONALLY CONNECTED, ROOTED)

5 RESOURCES Sharing the Message To teach a follow-up class on emotional aromatherapy for support with making more meaningful change, follow the outline we ve provided. Using the tools provided here you will be able to: First, teach your class the basics of emotional aromatherapy: particularly, how the emotional response cycle works. Reference the front page of our Taking the Wheel handout or visit your subscriptions section on Enlighten's website to download talking points for presenting that material. (There's also a wonderful webinar on this topic available on Enlighten's YouTube channel. Choose "Emotional Aromatherapy Webinar" to hear the content presented live.) Then, use the content here to follow the four steps on the back of the Take the Wheel handout: Step 1: Introduce the theme "Starting the New Year a New Way." Step 2: Guide your class through the process of identifying the emotion or underlying emotions that might be hindering setting "true" self-supporting goals. Use the emotions we've suggested to get started, reference the Emotions & Essential Oils Wheel and Appendices B and D of the book. Step 3: Show clients how to find the essential oils they want to read more about in Emotions & Essential Oils. Step 4: Recommend uses and practices to help clients incorporate essential oils into their regimen. Spreading the Word Download these support graphics and use them to advertise your classes on emotional aromatherapy this month. If you send out a monthly newsletter make sure to use our pre-designed header graphic. And for those who share on social media, post the graphics and use your own versions of the following ideas in the comments ~ Change for your soul's sake! Join me for a discussion on making more meaningful resolutions (it's not too late!) with essential oils. January 7:00. Contact me for details. ~ Discover the amazing benefits of aromatherapy for emotions! This month we re learning how to make more meaningful (and longer lasting) goals. Contact me for details. Note: For best results, download our high-resolution graphics from the website. You ll find them in the subscription section under your personal account.