Deep Thought Questions to Ask Yourself
You get to know yourself more fully by spending time with yourself and asking questions. This regime gives you insight into refocusing, evaluating what is important, and exploring the next steps in moving forward. Take a large glass of lemonade, get comfortable in a hammock, lounge chair, or around a campfire, and journal your answers regarding the following questions below. Maybe a couple of “ah ha” moments are waiting to be released from the depths of your beingness.
- How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
- Which is worse? Failing or never trying?
- If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
- When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
- What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
- If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
- Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
- If the average human lifespan was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
- To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
- Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
- You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of your, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
- If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
- Would you break the law to save a loved one?
- What is something you know you do differently than most people?
- Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
- Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
- Why are you you?
- What are you most grateful for?
- Would you rather lose all your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
- Is it possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
- Has your greatest fear ever come true?
- What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special?
- If you haven’t achieved it, what do you have to lose?
- If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
- Would you rather have less work to do or more work you actually enjoy doing?
- If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
- Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
- If we learning from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
- What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
- When was the last time your heard the sound of your own breathing?
- What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
- Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
- Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?
- What’s one thing you have not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
- How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
Essential Oils for Summertime
Summer is upon us! For those of us living in northern climates, it’s high time to get outdoors, soak in the sun, and enjoy the warm weather while it lasts!
Of course, summer isn’t all sunshine and roses. Many people struggle with allergies, stress, and headaches in the summertime. And there’s the looming nuisance of insects!
Luckily, there are many essential oils that can go far in remedying these summer downers. The following are 12 essential oils to help you through the season.
Note: If you have a medical condition, or are pregnant, ask a health professional you trust before using these essential oils. Do not use these oils on young children without checking with a doctor first.
Insect repellant
Picnics and barbecues in the great outdoors are a summertime tradition, but the bugs can be a huge annoyance at an otherwise fun event. Try these essential oils to keep them away:
- Citronella
- Tea tree oil
Both of these oils are a deterrent to many types of insect. You can pour a few drops of either (or both) on washcloths or small sponges and place them around the perimeter of the party area. Natural citronella candles can also go far to keep mosquitoes and biting flies away.
You can also mix a few drops of each of these oils with witch hazel and water to make your own homemade bug spray — DEET and artificial additive free. Other essential oils, such as catnip, rosemary, eucalyptus, and clove, also work well in this spray.
Allergies
The flowers are in bloom, pollen is in the air, and many people’s allergies are acting up! Before you turn to over-the-counter allergy meds, which can lead to drowsiness or other side effects, give these essential oils a try:
- Roman chamomile
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus
Roman chamomile essential oil can be diluted with a base oil, such as organic coconut oil, to help control skin allergies. Two or three drops of essential oil in about a teaspoon of coconut oil is all you need. You can also add a few drops to a warm bath to reap these positive effects.
Both peppermint and eucalyptus oil can help to open up airways. Put a few drops in a diffuser, or dilute in a base oil and rub onto your chest, neck, and temples, being careful to avoid the eye area.
Stress
The weather has warmed up, the kids are on break from school, there are tons of events to host and attend, and lots of people to see. This can be a world of fun, but also, at times, a world of stress.
There are many essential oils that can help ease the burden of stress. The following are four great aromatic options:
- Lavender
- Cedarwood
- Chamomile
- Marjoram
To make the most of these oils, try making your home an aromatherapy haven by adding a few drops to an essential oil diffuser. You can also add a few drops to a washcloth and place the washcloth over your shower drain for several minutes.
Alternately, you can mix a few drops with a base oil, such as organic coconut oil, and apply to pressure points, such as your temples and wrists. Lavender oil is gentle enough that you can use a drop or two undiluted, but for the others, be sure to dilute, so as not to irritate your skin — essential oils are potent!
For a great meditative experience, rub some diluted cedarwood oil onto the bottoms of your feet. The pungent, woody scent can help to expand your awareness and your sense of calm.
Headaches
Whether they’re from allergies, stress, hormones, or just an adjustment to the warmer temperatures, we all experience summer headaches from time to time. The following essential oils may help sooth the pain.
- Wintergreen
- Basil
- Rosemary
Dilute these oils in a base oil, and apply to your temples in a circular motion. It may also help to rub them between your palms, and breathe their aromas deeply. These oils can also be applied to the back of your neck, as your neck muscles tend to tense up when you have a headache. They can also be added to a diffuser or a soothing bath.
Wintergreen is a great oil for pain relief; rosemary is calming and anti-inflammatory, and basil is effective in relieving tension.
Let me know if you need any of these oils. I do have some on hand, and if not, I can put an order in for you. I gift all my clients wholesale prices, plus gst and portion of shipping.
Words of Wisdom For Life’s Positives Journey
We all live under the same sky, but we don’t all have the same horizon. – Konrad Adenauer –
I’ve found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. show up more often. – Brian Tracy –
There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. – Bernard Williams –
Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. – George Bernard Shaw –
Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face – Victor Hugo –
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. – Lao Tzu –
TIME FOR SELF NEWSLETTER contributed by:
Heather Young, owner of Time for Self
Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) / Yuen Method™/ Holistic Practitioner
Certified Personal Transformation Coach / Alternative and Energetic Medicines
403-358-2362 — Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
