What did you not do this week because you didn't think it would be important to anyone but you? What do you not do because you don't think it matters (to anyone but you)? What do you imagine that your life could look like "if only"? What do you dream about that you aren't doing? What do you hope one day that you can do that you feel like you can't do now?

There is a quote that is attributed to George Eliot (the pen name of Mary Ann Evans), that goes like this, "It is never too late to be what you might have been".

I was looking into the origins of a quote that I heard today and it led me to The Poems of Adelaide A. Procter. I'm so glad that I do this... looking into the context of quotes. I discover so much treasure here!

This is the poem that has me held captive today. So much hope, all mixed with reality here. Our journey moves in so many directions that we often cannot control or predict. The tendency or temptation is to give up on that which God has put in our heart. Instead, let's hold tight to what we have been shown is possible, holding on to the hope, that is the life we are called to. Let's not stop. Let's not give up. It's never too late. What it actually looks like may morph along the journey, making it more beautiful than we imagine. Because, He is able to do much more than we are able to imagine or think...if we just don't quit. Show up with your gifts, your passion, and give it all, receive it all.

“Have we not all, amid life's petty strife,
Some pure ideal of a noble life
That once seemed possible? Did we not hear
The flutter of its wings, and feel it near,
And just within our reach? It was. And yet
We lost it in this daily jar and fret,
And now live idle in a vague regret.
But still our place is kept, and it will wait,
Ready for us to fill it, soon or late:
No star is ever lost we once have seen,
We always may be what we might have been.
Since Good, though only thought, has life and breath,
God's life--can always be redeemed from death;
And evil, in its nature, is decay,
And any hour can blot it all away;
The hopes that lost in some far distance seem,
May be the truer life, and this the dream.”
― Adelaide Anne Procter, The Poems of Adelaide A. Procter

...wash your hands! 

According to the CDC - if you really need the CDC to say it for it to be true, "Handwashing is like a "do-it-yourself" vaccine—it involves five simple and effective steps (Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry) you can take to reduce the spread of diarrheal and respiratory illness so you can stay healthy. Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. It's quick, it's simple, and it can keep us all from getting sick. Handwashing is a win for everyone, except the germs." 

Whether you are at home, at work, traveling, or already sick, good hand hygiene can protect you, your family, and others.

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

About hand sanitizers... the FDA recommends a concentration of 60% to 95% ethanol or isopropanol, as the concentration range of greatest germicidal efficacy. Recently there has been some controversy surrounding the products that are marketed for home and school that don't meet those standards. Testing has shown them not as effective as they are trusted for. 

Regardless of how you think or feel about these products... there is a better way - natural! Did you know that essential oils are very well known for cleansing properties? Melaleuca is one of the more powerful oils, with benefits for skin health. At pennies per drop, it's an economical choice too! 

Making your own foaming hand soap is incredibly easy to make. You probably already have all the ingredients, too! You can use any empty foaming hand soap bottle you have laying around the house. Mix and match your favorite essential oils to create your own custom soap. The options are endless!
 
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons liquid castile soap (unscented)
1 tablespoon Fractionated Coconut oil
10 drops essential oils of choice
Water
 
Note: We used five drops of Peppermint and five drops of Melaleuca essential oil
 
Directions:

1. Pour castile soap and Fractionated Coconut Oil into bottle.
2. Add essential oils.
3. Slowly add water into bottle making sure to leave room for the foaming pump.
4. Add lid, shake, and you are good to go!
5. When ready to use, just pump 1-2 times into hands and wash with warm water.

(this recipe was found on doterra.com/blog)

This doTERRA On Guard hand cleansing spray is an easy and convenient way to clean your hands. Keep a bottle in your purse, car, or office for any time you need it.

Ingredients:
4 ounce spray bottle, glass 
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
20 drops doTERRA On Guard Protective Blend
Water
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Directions:

1. In spray bottle, combine aloe vera and doTERRA On Guard.
2. Fill the rest of bottle with water. Shake until combined.
3. To use, spray on hands and rub together.

- See more at: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-make-your-own-on-guard-hand-sanitizer#sthash.rpMLW9eV.dpuf

We all can and should feel good enough to walk the dog, paint, design, cook, dance, play with the kids, go hiking, write, work long hours...whatever it is that you wish you had more time and energy for! 

This morning I go to the kitchen, fill my water bottle and take my supplements. To be quite honest, I had never been someone who takes supplements very seriously. Even when I started this morning ritual, over 2 years ago, it was for the promise of "feeling better, sleeping better and having more energy" AND the money back guarantee that motivated me to begin taking them. I didn't really perceive any dramatic change, but I would finish them so if they didn't "work", I could get my money back! One day a couple weeks after taking them every day, I came home from a typically busy shift at the hospital, walked up the 3 flights of stairs to my apartment, got the dog and went for a walk. On that walk I noticed - I felt great! I was not tired, my feet and knees didn't hurt and I was not mentally exhausted.... So, of course it wasn't the supplements - right? So, I stopped taking them. 

Never again. 

It did not take more than 2 days to notice the pain had returned, I was tired and back to sitting in my car after work wondering how I was getting from here to there. Which is ok because all my coworker said they felt the same, it is normal. Really?

No.
​

I did make it back home and when I did - I took my supplements and have not been without them since. I credit these supplements with being foundational for being able to address a multitude of health concerns - healthy body weight, circulation, digestive health, mental / emotional health. I feel empowered to tackle any goal that I set - feeling great is such a big part of our fulfilling our mission, our calling. I'm always sad to hear my friends being too tired to really be who they really are - to do the things they dream about... I was there. I thought it was just part of getting older. Nonsense. Our bodies are amazing, if we give them the right environment to thrive, we set ourselves up for success. 

This week, I have been taking inventory and evaluating how I'm doing - with my goals, dreams, vision, mission... I had a birthday and I still have many things to do before I'm 50. It's closing in on me.

One of the most powerful tools I have discovered - not to diminish some of the other cool tools, swiss army knife, duct tape and WD-40 - is essential oils!

Essential oils are so versatile! I literally can address every issue I face - physically, emotionally, spiritually, with these natural aromatic compounds that we find in nature, all around us! For fun, I'm going to share one daily essential oil practice every day this week.  I get asked many times what oil I would attribute the most success to. I'm not really sure - so I'm going to unpack my daily routine a little. Like any routined, sometimes I don't think about why any more - I just keep doing it because it is working. So.... a little more intention and paying attention and gratefulness! 

This morning, I am grateful for Lemon! I was drinking my water with lemon, as is my morning ritual :-) I decided to read a little bit about Lemon (Citrus limon). the main components in this beautiful oil is terpenes hydrocarbons. Why do we care about that? Well, it is this that makes it perhaps the most effective oil for disinfecting the room air using a diffusor - helping us to prevent all of those yucky symptoms that accompany seasonal threats. Lemon Oil enhances immunity by stimulating white blood cell production. 
This is one of the oils that were diffused in our hospital to reduce stress and was shown to be highly effective. Many European hospitals use this oil as their disinfectant. 
Fun tip, next time you have a little bleeding from a small cut, apply lemon oil and see if you need the bandaid as much. 

Due to its’ ability to improve microcirculation, Lemon Oil can support the circulatory system, urinary tract, lymphatic congestion, digestive system and can relax stiff muscles. It is also useful in skin care to brighten the complexion, and is indicated for oily skin and acne. (Remember it is phytotoxic - don't go out in the sun after applying it to the skin, just to be safe.) 
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We drink this in our water throughout the day. 1-2 drops in a glass or stainless steel container. We both take up to 8-10 drops daily - I'm not recommending a particular amount, I wouldn't exceed 10-15 drops. Just sharing what we do. We credit this with energy levels, the ability to resist multiple caffein doses through the day, lack of seasonal downtimes, relief of respiratory an digestive discomforts. And, at $10 (wholesale)/ bottle - it is one of the most affordable wellness practices - one the most awesome ROI I know! :-)