My Oils Journey To Mental and Physical Health

Having had cancer in my pancreas, been diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder five years ago, and now PTSD a couple months ago, I could use a little help getting through this thing called Life (can I get an amen?).

About a month ago, I went over to a good friend’s house to catch up with her and meet her adorable baby boy for the first time. She happens to work with Young Living so I wasn’t surprised that there was a calming diffuser running and an abundance of YLEO bottles. My only experience with oils up until that point was diffusing Lavender from my dad’s YL starter kit to get rid of headaches and fall asleep easier, using peppermint on my sick friends to clear out their sinuses, and, unfortunately, ingesting Digize (idk what random website told me to put some in my water). I knew that some people swore by them and found it interesting that they seemed to have bypassed big pharmaceutical companies in favor of these plant-based remedies and preventatives.

As I was talking about mentoring some girls who are/were going through some devastating life situations and the toll it had been taking on little, ol’ empathic me, my friend said, “I’m gonna make you a roller.” I felt so loved! She mixed the White Angelica with the carrier oil and put in some little rocks to make it look cute and then gave me a vial of Valor that was running out.

Using just these two oils for a week I noticed I was calmer, more at peace with myself and the world. Less anxious (at some points prior, I had refused to leave my bed or drive anywhere). So I ordered some more YL oils and my dad got me a bunch of blends from The Vitamin Shoppe including THC-free CBD oils.

I made rollers and diffused blends and used the CBD oils for stress relief and physical calming. Since the operation left about a 9-inch scar across my stomach, I can’t feel about a third of my tummy (yes, still, even after six years). So I don’t notice often that my entire abdomen is tensed up, carrying my stress. I roll on the CBD oil and can feel a release of tension, not externally, since I can’t feel most of my stomach, but internally. It’s been so wonderful to have a healthy way to release stress from my body.

My favorite oils (after limited exposure to most of them): the Stress Relief and Zen blends from The Vitamin Shoppe, YL’s White Angelica and Valor, CBD nighttime and daytimes droppers, CBD stress relief roll-ons, and diffusible CBD oil for bedtime.

Oh, yeah. One more great thing about getting into a routine with oils is that my body knows naturally now when it’s time to wake up, when it’s time to work, and when it’s time to go to sleep. Which, for someone with Bipolar is invaluable since healthy sleep/wake cycles are crucial to avoiding episodes.

Overall, I’d say I’m an amateur fan of oils. If you want to get more involved with them, shoot me a message! I don’t have all the answers but I know and can connect you with people that do.

Much love,

Anna

Failure: Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night!

I recently ordered a practice test from the American Translation Association. The test is supposed to simulate the certification exam that you have to pass to become a certified translator with the organization. It was professional grade and I failed… miserably. I got one sentence in six right. But still my gracious tutor encourages me, “you have a gift; you are supposed to be learning Arabic.” It’s so funny how you can give it your best, fall flat on your face, yet still have so much hope. It reminds me of something my old technical coaches used to say when they taught us lot a new soccer “move”… “If you’re not falling down from trying to do it faster, you’re not trying hard enough.” I have taken that very seriously in my life at large. I want to run like a free horse with my mane whipping in the wind, not afraid of failure, and I feel that when I translate (no matter how poorly at this point in time).

So many of us are afraid of failure, but I’m here to tell you: it’s not that bad. It’s not the end, especially if you have tried your best. That’s my definition of success: giving it your all; leaving nothing on the field, as sports people say.

I was really bitter at God for the past year and a half for cancer, bipolar, and now PTSD. But somehow, in all these seeming roadblocks, I can see that I am much more “rooted and established” in the love of God than I ever would have been had these things not happened. I’m a natural dreamer, but I’m much more grounded in my dreams now. I count the cost of what I want to do: minister to Muslims and Arabs, wherever they may be. I know there’s a cost spiritually, emotionally, and, in extreme cases, perhaps physically.

And my experience at Virginia Tech ministering to Muslims is that there is a high failure rate. But, as I’ve grown, I see it as me “falling over” because I’m trying my best for the kingdom of God on this earth and trusting the rest with Him.

Failure is only final if you let it be, friends. When you fall over, get back up and think of it as honing your skills for the next time. I’m so proud of all of you and am cheering you on. Do not go gentle into that good night!!!