Last month's column was about communicating with others in order to deepen your relationships.
This month, the focus is on silence.
How often do we speak quickly, needlessly, only to ruminate later about interrupting others before they've had a chance to finish what they're saying.
How often do we say things we don't mean, out of anger, or habit?
How often do we deplete ourselves, talking excessively, needlessly, only to feel exhausted at the end of the day?
When we practice silence, we allow others to be who they are, and to respect them for just that, instead of trying to make them be what we want them to be.
When we practice silence, we come to know ourselves more deeply, and to recognize why we often find it difficult to be quiet.
When we practice silence, we practice quieting the gremlins running through our minds that cause us to fall out of alignment with our highest selves.
Practicing silence looks like-
- allowing someone to finish their sentence before we interrupt.
- pausing before we give guidance to those we love, to see if maybe they can figure things out for themselves
- less is more- choosing grace and wisdom versus needless chatter rooted in control
- quiet time daily to sit by yourself in prayer, in meditation, in exercise, to align with who we want to be
This month, consider practicing the art of silence with the intention of living a richer life and to to deepen not only your relationships with others, but with yourself.
Happy March!
Jill
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Essential Oils:
Big Benefits in Small Bottles
By Malia Curran MS, MPH
National and Regional Nutrition Consultant
for Whole Foods Market
It's no secret that plants are powerful. Research continues to reveal how plant essences bring physical and mental benefits. We've simplified the world of essential oils to help you get started with this natural approach to self-care.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are very concentrated aromatic plant essences derived from the leaves, flowers, stems, roots or other parts of plants.
Why do they exist?
The plant essences from which essential oils are derived are indeed "essential" for a plant's survival. They attract pollinators, influence nearby plant growth, and protect the plant from insects and animals.
What can they do for us?
Essential oils are popular for soothing stress, improved mood, restful sleep, enhancing skin, general wellbeing and even household cleaning.
 The experts at Aura Cacia suggest these common reasons to use certain essential oils:
- Energize - peppermint
- Relax - lavender, chamomile or sweet marjoram
- Cope and Balance- Rose absolute, geranium or clary sage
- Purify and Cleanse - tea tree oil or eucalyptus
Read the rest of Malia's Blog
Learn how to use Essential Oils, where to find them and much more......CLICK HERE
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