What Happened to Me

Young Living Farm, France
Weeding the lavender field. 

I was always into Health and Wellness, as far back as early childhood the outdoors were my playground. My backyard was 10 acres of valleys and forest. Thinking back, often my parents never knew if I was trekking through valleys, hiding in trees or rolling down the hills. I am amazed at the trust they gave us with our childhood to just go out and play.  I genuinely loved spending every minute outside.  I recall being grounded once from playing outside. That was hell. This love for the outdoors extended into adulthood, when I chose to study Human Kinetics and take up as many Outdoor Education Courses as I could, along with Physiology classes at Ottawa University and Althouse College, Western University.

Today, I am thankful for the public backyard I can run and hike up. In all the years I have lived in Discovery Bay, I have been too determined to get up a hill to notice any snakes which has not yet put me off. However, I recognize despite getting outside when I can, I am not getting outdoors as much as I used to when I lived in Canada and New Zealand. 

My mother's tragedy was the catalyst for change in our home. Around the time she was diagnosed with cancer, I was also dealing with a new baby who did not sleep more than a couple hours a night. After months (a year and half to be exact) of interrupted sleep, you can image my state of mind. I was so incredibly desperate, that I indulged in humoring a friend who convinced me to try essential oils. Really I had nothing to lose at this point. So I totally understand essential oils as a last resort for many people. That was me after all.  That was the moment of my awakening! YUP! Kieran literally slept 13 hours straight for the first time in his life at 18 months of age after a simple massage with lavender essential oil. It was a game changer for everyone in the family. We were consistent with the regime for 3 months and that was when I started to question why I was not using these plant extracts on my mother and continued to research. If I only knew what I know now, but we can not look back at the past with regret and fear instead use it to empower us to strive for better. Who needs regret and fear in their life. Not I or you.

My mother came to spend time with us in Hong Kong, so that we could take her to some alternative hospitals in China. She was in good spirits most days, although very challenging for her emotionally. There were a handful of emotional blends that were a God send for her emotional wellness. Not only did I use them for her emotional wellness, they helped me throughout the duration of this journey. She was a trooper, I look back and realize how strong a woman she was and she really had no idea just how much with all that she endured. 

She never asked me for anything and especially struggled with us supporting the costs of her treatments. She had to be reminded of her worth on a continual basis. I think many of us do; I often hear that is too expensive and then it is too late and the regrets set in. During one of her home visits from the clinic I sat at her feet and asked her if I could massage Aroma Siez on them. This blend is what I refer to as, the 'mini raindrop' oil blend. Instantly she could feel the pain she was struggling with gently subside. It was a gift, as the massage was the only thing that she would ask of me and it was a such an honor to sit at her feet and free her from pain. 

My mother and her mother

February 2015, I was by her side at Arch Hospice in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. I am so thankful I had the intuition to go home. She was never totally forthright about all that she was going through because she did not want me to leave my kids behind or worry. I was full time teaching at that time, and I asked for leave because I knew I needed to be there. Looking back, I can not believe I even questioned whether I should go or not. The moment I walked into her room, a tear rolled down her eye. It was a sign of relief for her. Now she could peacefully go in the days to come  and leave her own mother who was sitting beside her with me. My grandma is our ROCK and still is, what she has had to endure through her life just amazes me. I always wonder why the kindest people have to suffer so much. The hardest part of being in Hong Kong is being away from my 'nana'.

My Mother Mary

My mother's last meaningful conversation with me was about essential oils. She said, "Wouldn't it be great for you to help other people with these like they helped me and our family? " At the time, I brushed it off, I had enough on my plate, let alone knowing I was about to lose my young mother whose heart was like none other. Today, I look back and think about those words and realize that they must have resonated with me more than I ever thought possible at the time. 

Sharing the power of plants and helping people to understand the science of why they work is something I am incredibly passionate about. This should be no surprise to me, after all I loved being outside and now that I live in Hong Kong I always get to have a piece of nature diffusing in my home on a daily basis. The emotional support these extracts have given me are far beyond what I thought possible. I remember thinking how little I knew about essential oils 5 years ago and how far I have come, how much training I have completed and how many lives have been changed because of this journey.  It has been a blessing and calling that I am eternally grateful for. Although, I lost a piece of me when my mother left this earth, I gained a whole new understanding of life. My path changed and in 2018, I made the best decision to resign from my full time teaching job after 24 years, to be available to help those who were looking and ready for natural options to heal and be the best versions of themselves. Not a moment of fear and everyday has been a gift since that decision. Essential oils are for anyone who is looking for a natural lifestyle and should certainly be considered a part of their home. They really are so easy to integrate. There far too many misconceptions out there,  so I continue to educate and believe that I can change lives one at a time. It pains me to see so many people suffering from conditions and struggle to find the answers they need. Essential oils certainly are not the only natural option available to support one's journey into Wellness and with a full knowing of that, I am also passionate about bringing awareness  to other natural options and services.

In case you are wondering, YES I DO. I use these therapeutic essential oils on a daily basis because preventative is far better than the alternative option. I use them throughout my day in a variety of ways. I appreciate how much they have emotionally balanced me over the years. They have carried me through the most difficult of times and have saved me multiple trips to the hospital with my boys. Those stories are to come.

I feel completely honored and blessed to have met Gary Young and grateful to have come into a company that hold themselves to high standards, ethics and love. Young Living truly sets themselves apart and is a grande example of how a company should be run. People  who love Young Living products love them because they can feel their benefits, but understanding the history of this company brings forth so much understanding as to why. The energy behind these essential oils are felt even if not fully understood;  it all begins with the farmer and the seeds they plant. In the last 5 years, I have been to eight Young Living farms and have witnessed the care that goes into each bottle. I am also honored to have been a part of a  D. Gary Young Foundation mission trip in 2018. This Foundation and the Young Living members are supporting life changing projects around the world and I especially look forward to sharing some of these projects with you. 


And as my mother would say, I leave you with the same, remember to LIVE, LOVE and LAUGH.

Remember Health IS EVERYTHING.