What I did this summer

Many times I attempted to write on 'What I did This Summer' like an essay from elementary school, and I kept getting stuck. The months flew by, and then life happened.

Back in July, I was all set to try and start a business with doTERRA essential oils, alongside my part-time job at Sprouts Farmer's Market, where I mostly working the early morning shift.

I was reconnecting with some old friends I've know since high school and visiting relatives I don't see often.

Then my mom had a stroke. She was conscious when admitted to the hospital, and later sedated for the next three weeks in ICU as we made hospital visits nearly every day. The stroke caused brain seizures that would not cease. She did not survive. I never imagined I would lose my mom during this extended visit and I will miss her for the rest of my life.

Now I have returned to Merida and I look forward to catching up with friends here. However, there are other challenges and uncertainties ahead. Or perhaps new adventures.

Sometimes there are things you think you could never survive, and then they happen and you find some unknown strength to keep going. It's strange and I have no idea how my life will look a year from now, but somehow I can live through each day and make the most of it. (Actually it's spiritual strength because I believe in God, and a lot of people have been praying.)

You've most likely heard the quotes - 'Life is short,' 'They days go slow but the years go fast.' Each day I am trying to make the best choices of how to use my time, what I think about and give energy to. Try to stay present, and with awareness, catching the negative or fearful stories and change them to something more positive and productive. (Yoga is an amazing tool!)

As Annie Dillard in her book 'The Writing Life' says, “How we spend our days is of course how we spend our lives."

p.s.
I have barely learned and used the essential oils all this time, but there is one thing I had results with so far; using peppermint oil to quickly cure a headache. I applied a dab from the roller bottle oil to each side temple and viola! Headache gone! Give it a try.

p.p.s. While in CA, I had the opportunity to meet the lovely Amy Logan (who is my essential oils mentor, and friend) You can visit her adventures at:  https://www.amyloganlife.com/