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Detachment is the New Black in 2017

January 31, 2017 by jennifer mcgahan Leave a Comment

Detachment is the New Black in 2017

detachment is the word of the year

Four weeks into 2017, and I’ve come up with my Word of the Year…

Detachment

Every January I crown one word (maybe two) “Queen.” With the exception of last year, a significant word gets this honor, coupled with my intention to think, act, and meditate on it.

Previous year’s words were “Build, Listen, Thankful, Pray, Breathe, Ask, Joy,” etc. I literally apply the word (in sticky letters) to the steering wheel of my car, and post it on my office wall so that I’m reminded daily to follow it.

After several years of this practice, I know it has an effect. Adopting a word-of-the-year (a WOTY) provides a mental framework for the change you want to see and feel in your life.

In hindsight, I can identify a thread of purposeful action as a result of having an intention right in front of my face for 12 months. So much so, that I recommend choosing a single word as your focus, particularly if you’re not into setting specific New Year’s goals.

In past years, I’ve come up with my WOTY based on something I’ve been hoping for or trying to accomplish, but this year, the word chose me…

Early in the month, I had coffee with a friend, also a parent of teenagers. She showed me an inspirational card featuring the word “Detachment.” Through the lens of our teenagers’ shenanigans, we talked about what detachment might mean if applied to real life.

I thought I knew, but as the days passed, the word kept floating into my consciousness.

So many opportunities to detach…

  •      I heard a news story on the radio, and thought, “Detach.”
  •      A disturbing text from my child’s friend lit up my phone at 4:30 am, kicking off a few days of drama, as teenagers dish it up. Again, my mind presented the mantra, “Detach, detach, detach.”
  •      I read a Facebook comment I wished I hadn’t. “Detach.”

The word arose so many times in the past few weeks that I’m certain it’s my Word of the Year. Ironically, the seed of “Detachment” hitched in my brain and now I can’t stop thinking about it.

So I’m hooked. But what’s detachment really mean?

Detachment can be a negative emotional crutch, blunting feelings toward others. It can create a widening moat of isolation, a lack of empathy, or even abuse. But that’s not the kind of detachment I’m talking about.

I’m envisioning Detachment as a positive tool, and trying to employ it less as a protective device, than for moving ahead with creativity, and a “lightness of being.”

Backing up a bit, I should mention that I’ve never been known for an unwavering, long lasting attachment to anything. Fierce, yes; steadfast, not so much. Some people say my flightiness drives them nuts… “Whimsical” is a nice way to put it.

Mercury, with wings on his feetMy mom attributes it to my being a Gemini. She claims she never knew which child was getting up in the morning. Diplomatic to a fault, I’m as comfortable with ambiguity as I am with black and white. I figure it’s just natural to allow folks the right to change their minds, while expecting the same consideration in return. You don’t know what you don’t know yet. My dad calls it “fickle.” Just don’t call me shallow, though it may look that way…

An old college friend told me once that he couldn’t “just cut his losses,” like I seemed to. He couldn’t just walk away from things, people, or situations.

It was a shot to the heart, to be sure. I took it as an admonishment to take more care of people and their feelings. And when I wipe out, try not to take anyone down with me!

Skating the surface allows you to quickly cover a lot of ground. (Think of Mercury, with wings on his heels.) Luckily, so far, every time I fall, I brush myself off, and – eventually – laugh. I may lack many admirable qualities, including a propensity for serious, focused pondering; but resilience, curiosity, and invention hopefully make up for a lot of them.

The silver lining of having a mercurial personality is that I couldn’t hold a grudge for thirty minutes if it had a handle on it. I get over things pretty fast. If you piss me off or I get my feelings hurt, I might forget about you for a day or two, but when your number shows up in my contact list, my first thought is probably, “Hey! Missed you!”

Why God made me this way is his business, but that’s the way it is and has always been. Sometimes I’d like to change…

Oh well, so much for true confessions.

detached mindset takes conscious effort

This might not be easy…

Adopting “Detachment” as my word of the year seems like it would be easy for someone like me, wouldn’t it? But it’s not.

Detachment does NOT mean you have to pretend something doesn’t matter to you. No, life is messy and wonderful. You should let yourself feel it and react accordingly.

But oh my goodness, all that advice about finding one thing you’re passionate about stops me dead in my tracks. Should I list them alphabetically, or by season?

The trick is to hang on tight to a few things that make you feel happy or purposeful, then practice those things daily. Enjoy the people you love and let them make their own mistakes and live their own lives.

Why “Detachment” is my Word of the Year

Which brings me right back to my WOTY. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been trying to practice true, eye-opening detachment, detachment that doesn’t mean cutting my losses, or jumping the track, which (for me, at least) is the easy thing to do.

Detachment, in it’s best form, requires being open to Not Knowing. It’s knowing you’ll be OK not knowing; it’s a walk in faith.

Detachment isn’t just about accepting other people and events as they are, and minding my own business. It’s not about turning away from them, either. It’s accepting that there exists an outcome I haven’t thought of yet, an outcome that means I don’t get to step out of the picture and let the chips fall; it’s accepting the task of participating in an outcome that involves everyone, just not necessarily on my terms.

Detachment is more connective than I thought, but it also means you have to get really comfortable with yourself, even the bullshit — and only you know what that is, for you. You have to stop believing all the stories you’ve come to tell about yourself and others.

A detached mind isn’t easily fooled.

Some particularly close-hitting fallout from this experiment in detachment is coming to terms with the need to temper any automatic, distorted thoughts. That means releasing my practice of defining events and concerns with emotional, value loaded words (a skill that comes easily to a copywriter); overgeneralizing a situation; or permitting a memory to loop over and over in my mind.

Just because something is this way now, doesn’t mean it’s always going to be this way.

This is nothing new to people familiar with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Healthy detachment feels more like hanging in there, and waiting to see, than like jumping out of a moving vehicle. It’s staying in place and accepting the outcome that presents itself. It even feels a bit like commitment. Ironic, huh?

Me and LisaSales expert Lisa Sasevich, a former mentor of mine, advocates being “committed, but not attached.”

There’s more creative challenge in that one phrase then an entire book of concrete advice! In business, relationships, sports, politics, and any area where you want to influence others; commitment without attachment is a lot harder than just following a prescribed list of expected behaviors.

Why? Because being committed to something means you get to (have to) define what you’re committing to without hitching your personal well being to it. In other words, beware of placing your bets on other people, physical things, and world/local events. You can lose your soul out there.

The Challenge in Detaching

The poem The World Is Too Much With Us, by William Wordsworth proves this is not just a contemporary problem. People are always looking for peace and a way to buffer themselves. Trying to find comfort in the midst of it all is the human condition, provoking the pondering of poets:

The world is too much with us; late and soon,

Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;

Little we see in Nature that is ours;

We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon.

Detachment, the way I’m thinking of it, means you take into account the chips you’re putting on the table — your experiences, values, expectations, talents, resources, relationships, etc. — and you decide the extent to which you personally own them.

By allowing a buffer between your emotional involvement and your work, you protect yourself. But this can cut both ways.

the effect of your actions

Your actions have an effect on others and your environment, but you don’t always get to own the effect they have. Sometimes, you’ll work like crazy to prevent something from happening. It looks like business as usual from the outside, but you struggle to maintain the status quo. You never get kudos for staying out of bankruptcy, paying your employees on time, keeping your family fed, and eating healthy. Yet you do it to avoid worse.

A happy soul does this work with benign detachment.

Then there will be times you are blamed for things you never intended. You can be the most generous parent, but your child remembers the rare event when you said no to his request. You can be the most productive, reliable employee, but everyone notices when you have to leave early. Your consistency is taken for granted, and you’re punished the rare moment it falters.

But when you are detached, you can simultaneously give it your all, and hold it close to your heart. You know — and God knows — even if others don’t.

It’s a mental trick that comes with personal responsibility, padawan. One you master with practice.

Abe Lincoln: A Master at Detaching and Staying on his True Course

As I read Team of Rivals, The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, a few excerpts moved me to tears imagining the steady detachment Abraham Lincoln. Most people know he lost more elections than he won, but are less familiar with his other personal and professional trials.

In 1855, as the popular candidate of the Whig party in Illinois, and a leader in the anti slavery movement, Lincoln ran for a Senate seat. A major blizzard prevented several supporters from showing up to vote on the designated date. Due to the storm and to a few men who would not vote across party lines, Lincoln could not gain the majority vote. Ultimately, Lincoln forfeited his candidacy to a candidate with fewer votes in his party, in order to uphold the cause of anti-slavery in general.

His supporters were crying over the loss, but Lincoln was not crushed. He magnanimously put aside his personal ambitions and committed to a cause, when it would have been easy to confuse the two.

We tend to think our involvement is so crucial to an outcome, that there should be some reward and rest at the end. Laying down your sword before the end of a hard-fought battle sucks. It’s only possible if you are able to detach, and offer up your hard work as a byproduct of your life’s trajectory.

Lincoln knew his path as a leader and a politician. He would unite the country over the slavery issue. Setbacks and slights were bumps on the road to achieving that dream. He couldn’t have known, or even hoped that slavery would be abolished, yet he persisted.

let it go: the secret of healthy detachment

In another situation, a colleague treated Lincoln horribly, but he took it on the chin and transformed an injustice into one of his most elegant career moves.

Right after the Senate seat letdown, a prominent patent case was to be tried in Lincoln’s home state of Illinois. In spite of Lincoln’s lack of a formal, prestigious education, the lead lawyer, George Harding, chose Lincoln to assist him in the case because he “understood” the appointed local judge. Soon after Harding hired Lincoln, the case was moved to Ohio, where Harding changed his mind and hired Edwin Stanton, the star attorney he really preferred.

Harding neglected to inform Lincoln that he wanted no further further help from him, so Lincoln continued to do the legwork he was hired to do, and showed up in Cincinnati on the designated day.

As it turned out, Harding and Stanton dissed Lincoln hard. They made it clear that Lincoln should withdraw from the case, which he did. They also treated him with such rudeness; it would have made a lesser man react in anger and spite. Lincoln never lost his composure, nor did he take offense. He had no negative words regarding the snub. Instead he endured the scorn of the man who had hired him to try a case; who not only sent him on a wild goose chase gathering material to try the case, but ignored the fact that Lincoln had spent months working on it, and had traveled far from home to help.

To add insult to injury, Stanton made fun of Lincoln’s clothes, his posture, etc. and even excluded him from taking meals with the legal team. Basically, their behavior was despicable and immature.

Lincoln responded by simply showing up and being 100% present, a true indication of a positive, detached mindset. He bore the mistreatment with poise and grace, and even stayed to watch the trial.

Afterward, he had not one negative word regarding the experience. Instead, he praised the quality of the lawyer’s expertise in trying the case and stated that he was heading back to Illinois to study law and improve his skills.

The whole nasty experience was a low personal blow, but Lincoln didn’t show it. Rather, he expressed admiration for Stanton’s professional prowess. Six years later, as president, Lincoln would appoint him to his cabinet as secretary of war.

Stand solid against the wind
Stand solid against the wind

The example of detaching from an outcome means that you’re going to be neither crushed nor elated. Detachment in the face of unanticipated results requires dogged endurance and quiet optimism. Lincoln never stopped pursuing his ambition for higher office. He encountered setback after setback, without letting them fester.

On his path toward excellence, Lincoln refused to let his failures take root or shred his resolve to make good. His unwavering detachment divested power from his past failures and opened doors to his future success.

By adopting an air of detachment, you learn who you are and what you’re made of, in spite of extenuating circumstances, and you reveal a calm face to the world.

This self-knowledge seems to manifest as reliability and prudence.  It’s as comforting for others to see, as it is for you to feel, even if you don’t always like what you learn.

It’s the journey. It’s like being on a train and knowing your destination. You’re free to engage with other people, enjoy the scenery, get up and walk about, or doze off for a while. You’re assured of where you’re going.

Let me tell you, I’m not even close to having this down. It’s easy to get swirled into a conflict you can’t resolve.

The Inherent Rewards of Detaching from Your Emotions

Conscious detachment, while not necessarily uncommon, is not easily recognized nor frequently rewarded. Why do we crave recognition and reward anyway? Because that’s what ultimately puts food on the table and assures us there are people to eat with. Most everyone wants to feel simpatico with others. We want to know that all is well, that we belong.

Although practicing detachment keeps you steady on your path to excellence, but it is also a misunderstood source of personal power, which means sometimes you’ll end up just barely scraping by, or eating alone.

You’ve seen all those signs riffing on the British adage, “Keep Calm and Carry On,” right? Well you can’t keep calm without a sprinkling of detachment…

  •      Boss ignored your request for a meeting? Whatever, you’ll find another way to get the job done.
  •      Child chooses goofing off over studying, and gets a D on a math test? It’s his lesson to learn.
  •      Tree falls on your roof? That’s nature.
  •      Crappy customer service? It’s not you.
  •      Coworker bailed out again? Bring it on.
  •      Candidate lost? Get back in the saddle and work harder.

Masters of detachment have reserves of calm and quiet optimism.

The people who get the most attention in the news, the boardroom, and the playground are those who throw fits, and embroil themselves in messes trying to assert their will and personality on others. They’re not always the most effective, though.

Even if you don’t outwardly show distress, detachment keeps you steady. When you are inwardly involved in a negative or positive outcome, it’s easy to get whipped around by your own emotions. The stress that doesn’t serve you.

Yet who hasn’t experienced that? I’ve been there a thousand times, interpreting others’ actions or comments as personal slights, allowing events and circumstances to blur my core intentions and values.

Detach, and stop fighting paper tigers

This year, I’m keeping the word Detachment close, like a secret charm.

I’m hoping this theme takes effect in several areas of life, enabling me to peel away too much association with physical possessions, wasteful professional pursuits, unhealthy relationships, and even, to some extent, unnecessary personal goals.

While I’d never want to ditch the important things, I do want to create a healthy space in my mind and spirit where there’s no fighting paper tigers to maintain fleeting happiness and peace of mind.

With a long-overdue divorce finally on the horizon, some new resolutions regarding work, and my physical environment settling down after years of upheaval; it’s more important than ever to keep my little boat from capsizing in this swift-moving river of life. A little cheesy, maybe? I’m done protesting too much.

I hope a healthy detachment translates into growth this year. Having made some decent progress, I certainly don’t want to lose any ground.

It’s time to balance the paddling with the natural current; detach, and go with the flow.

 

Filed Under: Health and Lifestyle Tagged With: detaching from emotions, detaching from your feelings, detachment, emotional detachment, emotional health, healthy emotional detachment, healthy mind, healthy mindset, new years goals, Team of Rivals book, the new black, what is detachment, word of the year, X Abraham Lincoln and detachment

The Top Twelve Essential Oils That Support Freelancers

August 8, 2016 by jennifer mcgahan Leave a Comment

The Top Twelve Essential Oils That Support Freelancers

essential oils for freelancersYou may have seen those little brown bottles on the shelves of your grocery store, or maybe you’ve heard people talking about the wonderful effects of essential oils on their physical, mental and even spiritual health.

With the growing popularity of essential oils, isn’t it time you at least looked into them?

I discovered essential oils a little over two years ago, and have since incorporated them into many parts of life. One of the areas essential oils have made a huge difference is in my work as a freelance copywriter. From creating a better work/life balance, to helping me focus and concentrate on tasks at hand, to improving the health of my body as I deal with ergonomic challenges of working at a desk all day… they’ve changed the way I enjoy my work and lifestyle.

Sharing 100% pure essential oils with others is important to me, as I see so much improvement in people who begin using them. Today, if you work as freelancer, or solopreneur;  I know you juggle work and personal life as you serve your clients and customers from your home business, just like I do.

My Favorite Essential Oils for Freelancers

I’d like to share my favorite essential oils for work, and how they help me be more creative, balanced, happy, and focused on copywriting and content marketing projects, while also managing a busy household of three teenagers.

As a distributor of Young Living Essential Oils, I have access to all of them, but I do have some go-to oils, and everyday favorites.These are my top “Twelve Can’t-Live-Without” Essential Oils.

#1 I couldn’t live without my Lavender

… because it’s the “Swiss Army Knife” of Essential Oils. When you body needs zigging, it zigs. When your cells need zagging, it zags. When you’re depleted and exhausted, it invigorates; and when you’re revved up, it relaxes you.

Not to mention its soothing comfort to skin, it’s traditionally been known to balance the body and to work wherever there is a need.

If in doubt, use lavender.

I keep this oil on my person at all times. You can use it topically, and aromatically. Whenever I want to feel better, I place a drop in my palm, rub my hands together and cup my hands over my nose and mouth. Then I breathe slowly and deeply for about 20 seconds. I usually say a little prayer, too. After that, everything is alright again.

#2 Frankincense

… was that rare oil-gift the three kings brought Mary for a very good reason! Back in the days when people valued essential oils for their medicinal uses, Frankincense was a wonderful gift for a new mother. I like to imagine that they brought enough for Mary to use it every day with her little baby Jesus, and for all the little postpartum nuisances new moms face. I like to think the kings brought a giant jar that lasted throughout Jesus’ childhood, too.

“Frank,” as I like to call it, is great for modern life as well.

It grounds you spiritually, and gives you the focus to hum along writing all day with a sense of peace and goodwill. It’s really earthy, so if you think all this spiritual jabber is nonsense, then just know that it reduces “brain noise” and enhances calmness, allowing the brain to better use its own innate abilities for learning and decision-making.

I love Frank. You would love it too. Everyone I’ve ever seen exposed to this rare oil… literally swoons.

Purify your hotel room

#3 Purification

… is an oil blend that consists of Citronella, Lemongrass, Rosemary cineol, Melaleuca (Tea Tree Oil), Lavendin, and Myrtle. This is a fresh, purifying scent that makes my office come alive with a bright, cleansing aroma that everyone loves. Well, almost everyone. Rodents, pests, and insects hate this stuff; so does bacteria and icky smells of all kinds.

Any mildewy smells, stale odors, lingering cigarette smoke smells… nothing can last when my little diffuser is pumping out Purification. You can also use it in a hotel room when you’re traveling for work or pleasure (because freelancing requires travel sometimes), a garage, barn, even the car. It smells wonderful, and even improves air quality as all those refreshing molecules are emitted into the atmosphere!

 

Make some Thieves Tea

#4 Thieves

Let’s just say I have this oil blend in a number of different forms (housecleaner, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc. But my favorite is the simple oil blend. It cuts through gunk, cleans everything (I keep a little spray bottle of thieves and water on my desk for spot cleaner), and when I’m not feeling great I diffuse it, rub the bottoms of my feet with it (covering all the vitaflex points that lead to other parts of the body), and even drink it in a warm water tea. Just a drop or two with a drop of lemon is all it takes to soothe a throat and keep those mucous membranes healthy through all the winter months. So cozy and nice.

By the way, the “thieves” that this oil is named for, were grave robbers during the plague. Guess what? They never got sick, and succeed in raiding many a tomb before the King (which king, I don’t know… there are many versions of this story out there) finally captured them and demanded their secret. What was the secret recipe?

No one knows for sure, but this effective blend includes the pure essential oils of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus radiata, and Rosemary cineol. If you are looking for bodily protection, immunity from all the weird stuff going around this season (especially if you have school-aged kids or aging parents in and out of doctors’ offices), then this is your oil!

#5 and #6 have to be the one-two combo of essential oil blends Clarity, then Brain Power.

I can’t remember who taught this to me, but I love this combo at around 3 or 4 o’clock in the afternoon when I’m starting to fade.

I inhale Clarity first and it’s like a cleansing blast to the brain. It really sweeps all the cobwebs out and helps me focus. Then I follow up with the driving, and wonderfully warm Brain Power for a solid finish. After the two oils hit my system (it usually takes about 2 minutes) I’m refreshed and wide awake again. It’s a no-brainer for writers who need to, well… write!

I’m also a single mom, and the primary chauffeur for several people in my family. If you’ve ever been on the road in the afternoon, and have experienced falling asleep at the wheel, then you know why I keep these two oil blends in my purse at all times.

I can take a good whiff of these oils at a red light, get an instant, powerful boost, and be on my way again. I promise you, the jolt-iest energy drink has nothing on this combination. No jitters; just pure, healthful, open-eyed wakefulness.

Pliny liked peppermint oil#7 Peppermint.

As I write this, I keep thinking, how could I ever pick just one? It would be like trying to choose your favorite child!

I’d be so sad without invigorating, refreshing Peppermint in my daily water bottle. For fresh breath, mental acuity, digestive health, even as an appetite suppressant, Peppermint is an everyday oil, for sure!

Not only does it keep mice and spiders out of the house (just spray a few drops in water around the floorboards or wherever they get in), it is so invigorating to the human body! **Don’t use this on kids, or if you’re pregnant, by the way. It’s a doozy!

#8 Lemon.

We live in an environment that is just plain toxic. There are so many weird, lab-invented toxins that are floating around, it’s impossible to isolate yourself. And who’d really want to? You don’t want to live in a bubble. You want to live in the world and enjoy it!

But still, when I go into a big box store and my eyes water like crazy, and my nose tingles, I wonder what strange chemicals are getting into my and my kids’ bodies. Yikes!

Here’s my antidote. The limonene in lemon oil is a powerful antioxidant. Think of rust on a car. That crap just eats away at metals, right? Well, the very same thing happens when your body is highly acidic. Most of the average diet is pretty conducive to cellular oxidation — and you don’t want your cells rusting from oxidation! Lemon oil quickly raises your body’s alkalinity (the opposite of acidity), lowering its susceptibility to acidic influences and balancing out all your cells.

It also destroys petrochemicals in your home and your body. A few drops in your water or sparkling water is refreshing and OH so good for you!

joy in my office

#9 Joy.

Do I really need to tell you why I love this? Want to be grinning like a fool in happiness in no time? Then just inhale some Joy. Really. You’ll start smiling.

If you’re working from home, and everything is piling up on you, you need more joy in your life. The easiest way to get it is in a little brown bottle. (Yes, you can BUY Joy!)

Why does this stuff work? One of this blend’s oils is rose oil, the highest-frequency oil on the planet (by a long shot). It makes you vibrate with good energy.

I had a 100-year-old friend, Jane, that I shared some Joy with. She said, “OMG, I can’t smell this stuff, [her smeller had gone out years ago], but I can FEEL it!”

I swear by the stuff when I’m down. And being a solo-preneur is all about keeping yourself UP. At least it is for me. You can’t be sad with Joy on your heart — yes, put it directly on your heart and temples — or diffuser. Everyone who comes in your office will be happy, too. If you’re working from home, this could be your silver bullet!

 

#10 Aroma Ease, Relieve It or Pan Away (depending on the muscles involved)

… because working at a desk all day is no fun when your body is sore. 

I’m a strong advocate of keeping healthy if you work from home as a freelancer. You simply cannot sit and work at a desk all day, never moving your body, and expect to feel good, look good, and be friendly to people. It just won’t happen. You have to MOVE your body. Our bodies were made for movement, so you must find time to exercise daily.

And as a work-from-home (or anywhere) freelancer, you simply don’t get an excuse not to. You can fit it into your schedule better than anyone… IF your intention is there.

That said, movement sometimes makes your muscles sore. Even sitting on a chair too long, and using a mouse and typing… all those things cause sore muscles. For me and many of my gym rat friends, any of these three oils are always close at hand, to soothe muscles naturally and powerfully. Wrist, shoulders, forearm, lower back knees, you name it. They all function better with essential oils to keep them healthy.

#11. EndoFlex

This beautiful oil blend supports the vitality of the body and the endocrine system. If you’re older than 12, then your hormones are at play in your body.

Your endocrine system controls the glands that regulate all those hormones circulating between your organs and cells. (OK, that’s not an official definition, obviously I am NOT a doctor! But it’s how I like to think of it.) Your liver, pineal and pituitary glands, parathyroid, thymus, and adrenal glands are all important senders and receivers of hormones that regulate metabolic and hormonal functions. This oil keeps that whole system balanced and healthy.

According to TeensHealth, the endocrine system is important because it regulates tissue function, mood, metabolism, growth and development, sexual function and reproductive processes. It influences nearly all cells, organs and functions of the human body. 

Endoflex is also emotionally and spiritually soothing. Not a day goes by when I don’t apply this oil to all my glandular points, and feel grateful.

abundance

#12 Abundance.

Ah, abundance! Freelancing is a sometimes-on-sometimes-off business. You always have to be hustling for the next gig. Or at least have your eye on it.

Some mornings when I have a serious cash “imperative” to bring in the bacon, I say a little prayer, put a few drops of abundance in my diffuser and on my palms, and get down to business.

By the way, one the oils in this blend is Myrrh, part of the formula the Lord gave to Moses (Exodus 30:22-27). It helps open the heart and mind to receiving. When you are open, true gifts will be given. Some people even put it into the paint when they paint their office to expand their ability to attract wealth.

The Life Force of Plants for freelancers

The Life Force of Plants

I hope this list of essential oils for freelancers is helpful to you. I can’t help sharing these with you because I’m passionate about making the most of this amazing gift of life. I’ve seen how they’ve improved my family’s and my life and health, and I know they can make a big difference in your life, too.

Essential oils are living, non-patentable, true forces of nature. Always slightly different from one batch to another due to differences in harvests, rainfall, sunlight, etc, these “smart,” miraculous, God-given plant oils, created to work for the good of all human beings. The more we know, the more we can make natural, wholesome choices about what we put on in and around our bodies. 

If you’re curious about how to begin incorporating them to see positive changes in your life, and the health and happiness of your family at home, I’m always open to sharing what I know. Questions? Give me a call, or contact me through the contact page. Just want to investigate more? Grab the free ebook I wrote about getting started with Young Living Essential Oils.

*The FDA has not analyzed this statement for accuracy. This statement is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or heal any known or suspected disease. Consult your doctor.

Filed Under: essential oils, Freelancing, Health and Lifestyle Tagged With: copywriting, essential oils, essential oils for freelancers, freelancing, healthy freelancing

Why You Need To Banish Bird Brained Survival Tactics

May 16, 2016 by jennifer mcgahan Leave a Comment

Why You Need To Banish Bird Brained Survival Tactics

beliefs and bird-brained instinctsSometimes your instincts betray you, and you have to re-learn a new reality.

This thought came to me this week as I watch a female cardinal on the back porch, flying into the glass sliding door to protect her territory.

No, her nest is not inside the house. Nor is her food and territory. It’s out in our backyard. Yet, every few seconds, I hear a “bonk” as she attacks the glass, beak first, dive bombing her reflection. It kind of makes me crazy, until I think of how relentlessly she is pursuing this task. She is really serious about defeating this “enemy.”

I feel sorry for her.

Apparently, this is common with cardinals. Willie told me a female cardinal is doing the same thing at his friend’s house. She has a nest somewhere close, and she’s threatened by her own reflection in the glass.

She’s determined to attack it until it goes away. Except it never goes away. She’s sabotaging her natural ability to protect her survival by allowing herself to get distracted by none other than… herself.

How do you reason with a bird?

If I could, I’d give that little pink bird a gentle side squeeze and say, “Hey, I get it, momma. You have to get rid of the threat… Except YOU are that reflection in the glass, and you’re spending a ton of energy psyching yourself out! Stop it.”

blocking negative reflectionI put this picture on the door to dissuade her. It seems to be working.

Truth is, I sympathize. Some days I, too, fall into the bird-brained act of self-defeating belief.

Overcoming Self-Defeating Lies

When you’re in the throes of a super serious task – maybe almost as important as protecting a nest of babies, or finding food to live – do you ever sense a threat coming from somewhere so close you just can’t put a finger on it?

I have. It’s that negative self-talk again. It sounds like this:

  • You’re going to mess things up again.
  • You’re going to fail at this, just like before.
  • Fight or flight! (over something that’s not even really that important).

When you hear something like this, know that you’re choosing destruction over creativity and protection. This is all wrong.

I sympathize with this bird because I’ve seen nature at work at its awesome best, and its fearsome worst. And fearful survival makes you do some pretty crazy things.

Maybe I’m more of a fighter than a lover at heart, but somewhere in my younger years, I learned that it’s good to be able to take the (proverbial) punch. I tend to scan my environment for hurdles and obstacles. I even actually used to be drawn to conflict. It just seemed like a natural thing to do. That reflection in the mirror was an easy mark. “I can take her,” I thought… Until I realized it was my own reflection was struggling against.

In all of these examples, I finally realize those thought patterns perpetuate lies.

Sometimes we business owners, parents, homeowners — anyone who has something to lose or fight for — work so hard to eliminate every fear, protecting our territory, as if that’s the most important job.

Meanwhile, you lose perspective of that big, happy goal you set. You start banging into the glass instead of enjoying the woods, distracted by your own insecurity.

Maybe you even think this is the last push – like, if this thing doesn’t “work” then you’ll have to quit and join the ranks of everyone else. Settle for something less. Get a “real job.” Or finally accept whatever you are trying to overcome in your business, your relationships, or your living situation.

Just when you’re feeling a little desperate, as if to pound that last nail in your coffin, out of the corner of your eye you see a flitting threat, a dark ominous shadow of doubt swooping in from above. You start to think you’re on the wrong track.

The real battle you should be fighting is self-deception, which diverts you from your real work.

It’s good to occasionally re-evaluate your plan, but make sure you keep your goals in front of you so you can clearly see them.

You were meant to go higher. So stop pecking and struggling with your own reflection!

May I give you a big, virtual hug and remind you that you have other, bigger things to do? You are on a path to greatness, and you won’t “mess this up.”

Why the struggle? Why the fight?

The enemy is The Resistance, The Illusion, The Obstacle, The Liar. Whatever you want to call it, it’s real.

I call it the devil. The devil thinks it’s funny when you get thrown off course by self defeating instincts, like that little bird throwing herself against her own reflection in the glass. If the scene takes place in nature, then you can bet your last dollar that it’s an easy mind game for the enemy to play with someone destined for greatness: you!

Fighting the invisible enemyHere’s what I think is really going on. I believe that the times you see the enemy in yourself are the times you are working really hard to accomplish something great. The stakes are high, so it’s easy for the great “Liar” of the world to step in and make you scared. I believe Satan was cast down to earth because he was so good at deception, he didn’t belong in the heavens, where Truth lives. But don’t buy into these false survival tactics, whatever you do! It’s an old trick of the devil. You, my friend, belong in heaven! You can enjoy a more heavenly existence in life, too, if you learn to stop fighting yourself.

Whatever you believe about good and evil, I hope this makes sense. You are working at something big and wonderful. You’ve carved out time and energy. You are not lazy, and you are not wasting time. You have a plan for something big and beautiful! When your life and future are on the line, you’re attracting attention from outside forces, both positive and negative.

When you’re onto something good, expect resistance.

I’ve learned to welcome the obstacles. I figure God’s choosing me for a special relationship with him when I’m handed something big I can’t handle on my own. This recognition has enabled me to view my past hardships — mental illness and addiction in my family, separation, betrayal, professional losses — as gifts to make me stronger. It’s a sign that I’m probably on the right track, thank goodness! If the devil is trying to stop me, then this is probably what I’m supposed to be doing.

It’s a fight, yes, but finally I’ve learned this struggle is not against myself; it’s against the lies I sometimes tell myself.

The simplest way to get into someone’s psyche and create total chaos (or encouragement) is to assume an important position in their mind. Self-defeating words carry the most weight. After all, who knows better than you where you’re the weakest? You know your pitfalls, your past defeats, your weakest links and your deepest fears. The enemy uses those memories and misperceptions to drag you down because it’s the easy way in – using your past mistakes to slam you down and make you fear your vulnerability.

Just like that cardinal’s reflection, these are not true, nor even terribly threatening when you get a good, clear look. They don’t even begin to define the possibility and the fullness you have within you.

If a magnificent idea is planted in you, then you CAN do it. You just have to know where the truth comes from and keep after your goal.

You can do it! The task at hand is the easy part; it’s the mind games you have to watch out for. Everyone who has ever been successful knows this is the most challenging part of success. Don’t fall for your own self deception, like the pathetic cardinal. Know that you are destined for better things. You are created for joy.

 

What you believe matters

What you believe matters. You were made to fly.

 

Filed Under: Freelancing, Health and Lifestyle

Essential Oil Diffusers For Children

November 24, 2015 by jennifer mcgahan Leave a Comment

Essential Oil Diffusers For Children

Kids are fascinated by essential oils diffusers.

They love moving their hands through the plume of diffused air and breathing in the jet puff that the diffuser emits. Don’t believe me?  Put a diffuser in any room and see if your child is not immediately drawn to it!

Finally, there are diffusers made just for kids. Young Living came out with these last summer, and there’s no doubt these will be a big hit this holiday gift-giving season. The same health benefits come in a new child-friendly package, including lights and colored plumes! I’m sure it will be the coolest gift under the tree this year for kids — and even some young-at-heart adults.

 

Dolphin diffuser for essential oils Young Living’s Dolphin Reef Ultrasonic Diffuser…

features a playful mother dolphin and her calf swimming through color-illuminated vapor released by pink sea sponges. The colorful coral, starfish, sea anemones, and a pearl-bearing giant clam will captivate your children’s imaginations and transport them into an undersea wonderland, all while enjoying the benefits of diffusing Young Living’s 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils.

The patents-pending Dolphin Reef Ultrasonic Diffuser acts as an atomizer, aroma diffuser, and night-light all in one fun-filled, simple-to-use product and includes:

• A proprietary, interchangeable diffuser cover system
• Innovative diffuser motor compatible with additional diffuser covers (other covers sold separately)
• Continuous or intermittent (10 minutes on/10 minutes off) ultrasonic diffusion with automatic shutoff
• Four white under-panel soft LED lights with on/off settings
• Six vapor LED light settings (blue, white, red, green, alternating, and off)
• Giant clam that can be used to store jewelry and other small treasures

Dinosaur essential oil diffuser for childrenYoung Living’s Dino Land Ultrasonic Diffuser…

features color-illuminated vapor “erupting” from a prehistoric volcano, surrounded by menacing T. rex, triceratops, and pterodactyl figures. Captivate your children’s imaginations and transport them into a Jurassic wonderland, all while enjoying the benefits of diffusing Young Living’s 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils.

The patents-pending Dino Land Ultrasonic Diffuser acts as an atomizer, aroma diffuser, and night-light all in one fun-filled, simple-to-use product and includes:

• A proprietary, interchangeable diffuser cover system
• Innovative diffuser motor compatible with additional diffuser covers (other covers sold separately)
• Continuous or intermittent (10 minutes on/10 minutes off) ultrasonic diffusion with automatic shutoff
• Four white under-panel soft LED lights with on/off settings
• Six “volcanic eruption” LED light settings (red, white, green, blue, alternating, and off)

You may also like:

Essential oil blends especially formulated for children

Gifts that go perfectly with essential oils

Contact me to learn more and place an order… But hurry, they’re going fast!

Dinosaur essential oil diffuser for children Dolphin diffuser.facebook

Filed Under: essential oils Tagged With: diffusers for boys, diffusers for girls, dinosaur diffuser, dolphin diffuser, essential oil diffusers for children, essential oils for children, kids essential oil diffusers, kids love essential oils

Warm Drinks To Make With Essential Oils When It’s Cold Outside

November 23, 2015 by jennifer mcgahan Leave a Comment

Warm Drinks To Make With Essential Oils When It’s Cold Outside

warm drinks to make With Essential Oils

The best thing about cold weather is finding ways to warm up in it!

I admit it, I’m a warm weather girl and I live in Texas, so I’m a bit wimpy about the cold. To me, the best thing about winter weather is wearing boots and sweaters, sitting in front of a fire, and drinking hot tea. It’s the contrast between the cold outside and seeing how warm you can get inside… that’s what makes me happy.

There’s nothing better than wrapping your hands around a hot mug of a steamy cuppa something and letting the vapors rise just in front of your lips and nose. And on top of the delight to your senses, there are all those healthy benefits when you’re using 100% pure, therapeutic essential oils, too! Close your eyes and breathe it in… now there’s the best part of winter for you!

My favorite recipe for a warm drink using essential oils is actually pretty simple:

Thieves tea for winter wellness
Thieves Tea for Winter Wellness

Thieves Tea:

A cup of hot water + two drops of Lemon Essential Oil + one drop of Thieves™ Essential Oil… that’s it! 

Besides keeping me and my family healthy during the winter months, it’s comforting and tasty, too. We’ve all grown to love this simple tea recipe from some of the most basic essential oils, but recently I went in search of some more festive flavors of hot drinks using the beneficial oils we love. I found a few fun holiday ideas and recipes on aromatools.com and wanted to share them with you today… Enjoy!

Spiced Apple Cider with Essential Oil

Ingredients:

  • 5 red apples
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 Tbsp. ground allspice
  • 2 drops cinnamon essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Wash apples thoroughly, remove the cores, and cut them into quarters.
  2. Place apples in a large stock pot, and add sugar and allspice.
  3. Add enough water to the pot to cover the apples by 3–4 inches.
  4. Boil the apples, uncovered, for one hour, stirring occasionally; then reduce heat, and simmer for two hours.
  5. Strain out the cider by pouring the mixture through a fine mesh sieve.
  6. Stir in cinnamon essential oil.
  7. Serve cider warm, or refrigerate and serve chilled.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar or other sweetener
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3/4 cup canned coconut milk (shake before opening)
  • 1 1/2 cups milk (almond or rice milk work too)
  • 1–2 drops peppermint essential oil

Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan, mix together the cocoa powder, salt, and sugar.
  2. Add coconut milk, and heat until combined.
  3. Slowly add milk while continuing to stir. Keep stirring until little bubbles start to form on the surface.
  4. Remove from heat. Allow to cool slightly. Stir in a drop or two of peppermint essential oil.
  5. Pour into mugs, and serve. Warning: it will be hot, so allow the hot chocolate to cool to a reasonable temperature before drinking.
  6. Top with whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate chips, or ground peppermint candy.

By the way, Peppermint is one of those hot/cold oils! Check out how we stay cool in the hot summer months in Texas!

If you’d like more recipes using the oils you get in the basic starter kit of Everyday Oils, here are some recipes for green cleaning, too!

Want to know more about Young Living Essential Oils — the purest essential oils on the planet? Click the image below.

Try Young Living Essential Oils
Let me send you some samples!

 

Filed Under: essential oils Tagged With: cinnamon essential oil, coldweather drinks, essential oils in hot drinks, homemade hot chocolate, Hot Chocolate recipe, peppermint essential oil, Peppermint Hot Chocolate, resipes for hot drinks using essential oils, Spiced Cider recipe, Spiced Cider with Cinnamon essential oils, Thieves blend essential oil, Thieves Tea, warm drinks with essential oils, Winter in Texas, Young Living essential oils

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