The Oil of Self-Acceptance

I have this incredible Emotions & Essential Oils book that explains the healing properties each oil carries. (This book never ceases to amaze me.) Here's what it says about The Oil of Self-Acceptance: #Bergamot

"Bergamot relieves feelings of despair, self-judgement and low self esteem. It supports the individual in need of self-acceptance and self-love. Bergamot invites individuals to see life with more optimism. Bergamot has a cleansing affect on stagnant feelings and limiting belief systems. Because of individuals' core beliefs of being "bad," "unlovable" and "not good enough," they seek to behind behind the facade of cheerfulness. They may fear revealing their true thoughts and feelings. Bergamot's powerful cleansing properties generate movement in the energy system, which in turn, brings hope."

Isn't that lovely? Just what the world needs. Message me to learn more about Essential Oils or RSVP to one of my events: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/essential-oil-basics-tickets-26079019048

In health and love,

Daisy

Love Thy Self

One of the things that continues to reinforce my decision to pursue a new career is the fact that Health is so much more than the food we eat. In school, we learn about Primary Foods that come before the actual food on our plate. Those are; Relationships, Career, Spirituality and Physical Activity.

As an Integrative Health Coach, I work to bring awareness, empowerment and guidance by helping you achieve your goals- in all 4 areas. There is no right or wrong way to get started in addressing your health, but I prefer to start with Relationships. 

Relationships are instrumental to everyday life, no matter how much of an introvert you feel you are. When you take everyone else out of the equation, you are still left with a relationship with Yourself. Loving, honoring and respecting yourself needs to be at the top of your priority list, every. single. day.

Louise Hay says "When people start to love themselves more each day, it’s amazing how their lives get better. They feel better. They get the jobs they want. They have the money they need. Their relationships either improve, or the negative ones dissolve and new ones begin."

In my personal life, I know that when my relationship with my Self is off, everything is off. My morning routine, diet, work, relationship with others, etc. It's an awful downward spiral that, if I'm not present to, can send me into a day-in, day-out fog-like state. A place where I'm simply existing and not living.

Has this ever happened to you? If so, I'd like to point out that there is nothing wrong here; the first step is acknowledgement and the second is to increase that awareness. When moments like this take over, I recommend taking purposeful, quiet time to sit with that uncertainty and face it head-on. Because I'm a huge fan/advocate of essential oils and their healing properties- here's a bonus tip: place a few drops of Bergamot essential oil in a diffuser or on your hands and inhale deeply before you begin.

Once you've settled in, ask yourself: Where am I feeling out of line? In which areas of my life do I feel "stuck" in? Where am I cause in the matter? What can I do to move forward? Who do I need to talk to or clear things up with? Where am I at a loss of power? There are a number of questions that- when answered honestly- can bring a lot of clarity and a plan of action.

If this is all overwhelming and you don't know where to start, that's okay too. I am offering free health assessments this month. If you'd like more information, comment below.

On the other hand, if you're feeling completely aligned and at peace with who you are, ask yourself - what can I do to experience more of this? and, How can I help others experience the joy I feel? I can tell you with certainty that becoming a health coach has allowed me to be that person for others and I am extremely grateful. If you'd like to know more about my school, comment below for a sample class.

In health and love,
Daisy

Proverbs 19:8 To acquire wisdom is to love oneself; people who cherish understanding will prosper.

Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself

Reflecting on the "about me" page I created ufff, desde cuando, I find myself amazed at the person I was then to the one I am now. This blog was started in the early winter months of 2013. I was a newly engaged woman, with the whole world ahead of my fiancé and I. I have to admit, I enjoy going back and reading the posts I've shared. It takes me back to "simpler" times lol. I even found a draft post I didn't get to publish on what I had yet to accomplish before my big 3-0.

I consider myself well traveled, creative and blessed beyond measure with friends and family most people only dream of. But there's something missing...

Since my last entry in Jan '14, I've had several ups and a few downs. The big moments I anticipated (getting married, turning 30) came and went -  but the most life-altering moment I had yet to experience, came with the birth of my son, Zolin. He's close to 10 months old now. And I still can't find the words that capture his amazingness and what he means to me. I'm the mom that sleep-stares lol. I honestly can't believe he's mine sometimes.

What I thought I knew about love can't even compare to the love I know now. I find myself striving to become a better person, for him. To be more ambitious, for him. More patient, for him. To live purposefully, for him. And though he may never truly know how much of an inspiration he is to me, I will die a happy mom if he simply strives to do the same as a person.

So, does this make me a mommy blogger? Not exactly. It just means you get a more mature version of me. You get Daisy 2.0.

Oh, and the thing that's "missing"... well, we're just going to have to figure that out together.

A quote by my soul sister at ConsciousXPlorer 

Yay Hiatus?

My, how time flies.

I run this blog along with another - and took a break from both to sort-of catch my breath. However, I didn't I didn't think it was THAT long of a break! So much has happened since my last entry (in January of 2014). Pretty amazing how life evolves and how much change takes place, in a short year and a half.

Definitely needed soul-searching time. Now that that has been fulfilled, I'm ready to get back in my groove and share more thoughts and inspiration.

So yay hiatus! Thank you for the mental break.

Costa Rica // Pura Vida

Moderna? Yo?

So, we all know- there is traditional and non-traditional.

I grew up in a traditional Mexican-American home in a nearby suburb of Chicago. My dad worked a grueling 6am - 4:30pm factory job, (sometimes 14 hours days) Monday - Saturday. My mom became a homemaker when my older sister was born; for several years she became a nanny to neighbors and family. My parents both migrated to the US in the mid-late 70's and met here, in IL. Coming from humble beginnings, both had very little to no education in Mexico and the language barrier was always present. My first language was Spanish; my mom knew my siblings and I would quickly learn English in school and by watching TV, so español is all we spoke in our home.

Our education was always a top priority. When I decided I was going to move to the city to pursue a degree in interior design, my mom and dad- reluctant to let me leave the house at 18, were 100% supportive of my decision. When my college career took a hard stop 2 years later, my parents were still by my side patiently waiting for my next move. I took a year off before I went back to college and two years after that, I received a BFA in Advertising Communications- my parents were at an all-time high. I was the first in my family to graduate, and although they didn't fully understand what I did at the time - they were my rock through it all. This is very non-traditional. Typically, children -especially daughters- don't leave the home until they are married. The fact that my parents (again, as reluctant as they were) decided to trust I was doing what was best for me is so taboo in our culture. 'Parents know best' - and while they want us to succeed and take advantage of all that is great in this country, most want us to do that at arm’s reach, in a field they understand and know will make us money. Other parents want us to make money now to help support the family. Sad, but true. I had a ex-boyfriend who almost flunked high school and I remember his father saying, "It's okay, I need an extra set of hands with me in construction, you'll make a lot of money now instead of waiting 4 years." (Did I meantion he was my EX?) Happens more often than not.

In my adolescence, moving away from home was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It was very bold of me, and it wasn't a smooth transition for my parents, especially for my mother- but it had to be done. The experience opened my eyes to so many things, but it also put a damper on my traditional way of thinking and doing. Naturally.

The first big traditional change I made was stop going to church. (Blasphemy! I know.) I was raised Roman Catholic. I mean, drenched in our community church. I was an usher for many years, and sang in the choir, followed all the big holidays, prayed every night and even lead the rosary in our home. We were there every Sunday without fail, and if for whatever reason we couldn't make it on Sunday, we would attend mass on Saturday night to make up for it. As I got older and started to ask questions about our religion that just did not make sense to me, I was quickly silenced and told "you should never question your religion/faith. It is a sin"- our priest told me that several times. And with tremendous guilt on my shoulders, I obeyed and eventually stopped questioning.

When I moved out, I thought 'great! Mom isn't here to make me go to church anymore!' So little by little, I stopped going. As I began to mature, I realized - that's not the way to think. I should WANT to go to church because I feel it in my heart, not because it's a task or chore... More time went by, and I started to realize, maybe Catholicism isn't the right religion for me- and truth be told, I still have not identified where I belong. I'm leaning towards Buddhism, but I'm not committed. Yet. The biggest obstacle here is how I was going to break this down to my family, especially my mother. My mom didn't read us children's books to put us to sleep at night, she read bible stories. And they day I decided to explain to her why I didn't attend church anymore, I knew I was in for it... But that's just it; we're so afraid to disappoint our parents- so many of us don't stand up for ourselves. But we must. I had that conversation with both my mother and father years ago and survived :) It's hard to explain: I have faith, I believe in a greater being, I know karma is real and I always strive to a better person every day to myself and others. Not going to church or labeling myself Catholic doesn't make me a bad person, it just means, I see things differently- and that's okay.

So what makes me a "modern Latina"? A lot of little things: I work in as a social media consultant. I am an artist; I paint on my spare time. I've started to practice meditation. I LOVE getting my passport stamped: Hong Kong, Kenya, Indonesia, Mexico...and I hope to get it stamped several dozen times in the years to come.  I am a geek- I don’t read gossip or fashion mags like I used to. I love technology. I am a philanthropist. I live, eat and breathe all things marketing. I teach marketing classes to Latino entrepreneurs who’ve owned businesses longer than I’ve been alive. I've taught marketing classes in the most underprivileged parts of the world. I embrace all cultures and traditions. I love my own culture and traditions. I change with the times. I am open minded. And all of the aforementioned could not-would not have been possible if my traditional parents didn’t break their own traditions and just let me be. Bless their heart.

When I look to the future and think of what my kids will do and where they will be... I see them living life like me, only 100x’s better.

Isn't that the name of the game?

-Daisy De La Cruz Alejandre González Gutiérrez

My marketing class in Nyahururu, Kenya '11