Hello Friend!

These past few weeks have been a swirl of emotions between grief and gratitude. I recently lost a friend, someone whose presence brought depth and dimension to my life. In reflecting on that loss, I have been reminded that grief comes to each of us in many forms. It does not measure itself in degrees. Whether it arrives through the passing of a loved one or through the quiet endings of seasons, dreams, or ways of being, loss still carries the weight of absence. And whatever its form, it can feel like a storm, raw and relentless, beyond our control.

A book by Sumira Shakya, The Path to Inner Peace, has been a quiet guide for me in this time. In its first story, “The Flower in the Storm: The Gift of Mindfulness,” there is a truth that has stayed with me. We often see hardships as enemies rather than teachers. But mindfulness, like a flower growing in harsh conditions, does not turn away from life’s storms. It roots itself deeper, drawing strength from what seems most impossible.

When we are fully present, each moment, whether bright with joy or heavy with sorrow, becomes a teacher. Mindfulness transforms endings into beginnings, struggle into insight, and absence into a different kind of presence.

And in the stillness after the storm, love remains. Gratitude remains. And perhaps most of all, the knowing that connection, the kind that truly matters, is never broken.

If you missed Andrea Butje’s Tribute, you will find the links in this blog, Honoring the Life of Andrea Butje.

What You’ll Discover In This Newsletter:

🔴 Upcoming Event - Essential Oils for Confidence, Vitality and Courage

In this empowering live event, we’ll explore essential oils that help you show up with confidence, courage, and vibrant energy, no matter what life throws your way, all-naturally!

Aromatic Creations Recipe

Savor the Light Diffuser Blend

• 5 drops Sweet Orange Oil (Citrus sinensis)

• 2 drops Pinyon Pine Oil (Pinus edulis)

• 1 drop Ylang Ylang Oil (Cananga odorata)

Add the oils to your diffuser and let the gentle waves of citrus, pine, and flowers fill the air. Sometimes the smallest breath of brightness is all it takes to remind the heart that beauty and clarity still await.

Notes of Discovery

Essential Oil Diffuser Blends for Anxiety: 3 Calming Recipes

Sometimes we need to create a peaceful, calming atmosphere for ourselves. In times of loss, feelings of anxiety can naturally arise as we find our way forward. This classic blog offers ideas to help you create a safe space, a place where you can rest, breathe, and begin to restore your balance.

Product Spotlight

Pinyon Pine Pinus edulis

Pinyon pine carries the spirit of high desert wilderness, piney and resinous, with a soft sweetness and a breath-opening clarity. It's the scent of sun-warmed needles, fresh mountain air, and ancient trees weathered by time and wind.

This oil is a beautiful ally in cold season blends, offering support when your breathing feels tight or your energy is low. It’s gently stimulating without being jarring. It restores vitality when you feel foggy, heavy, or disconnected. Pinyon pine is also a deeply grounding oil. Its aroma seems to link earth and sky, helping us feel both rooted and uplifted. 

It’s rich in the components α-pinene, β-pinene, and β-phellandrene. Considering these, here are a few benefits of pinyon pine:

• Support clear, open breathing

• Energize the body & mind

• Ground the emotions

• Calm inflammation & pain

• Ease muscle tension

• Reduce microbes (including an array of bacteria, viruses, and fungi)

• Soothe anxiety

• Relax & support sleep

• Prevent & reduce allergic histamine reactions

• Boost the immune response

Our distiller gathers this precious oil with deep respect for the land, wildcrafting it from fallen needles and twigs in the remote, high-altitude deserts of Utah. No trees are cut, and the process is a quiet collaboration with nature. 

This is the same tree that gives us pine nuts, and it has long been revered by Indigenous peoples for its healing properties.

And as we have been honoring and remembering Andrea Butje this past week, this oil, one of her favorites, brings sweet memories!

From The Vine

Members of the Natural Living Club recently shared a discussion thread about grief and ways to soothe our hearts through the experience of loss. Here are a few of their tips and insights…

Amy D: I try to remember the good times and what was good about the person I'm grieving.

Elle M: Music helps the head from being stuck on repeat.

Deborah P: What really helped me the most was crying. After I’d cry I was able to sleep. My body needed that. The floral oils have always been a comfort to me during times of grief. 

Heather E: My family has a huge group text going, and whenever one of us feels like it, we post a favorite memory or saying from Grandmother. Sort of like our own personal therapy session/celebration of life session. Plus, I am using my rollerball with rose and sandalwood on my wrists and heart.

Amy M: The citrus oils & mint oils really calm me. Also Frankincense! I can inhale them, and almost immediately, the calming starts!

Stay Inspired!

Life is made up of moments. And every moment offers us tiny wonders. Sunlight slanting through leaves, the kindness of a stranger, the familiar comfort of a favorite scent. When we slow down enough to notice, astonishment naturally follows. And when we share those moments (through words, actions, or the work of our hands), we become part of a living chain of inspiration. With our attention, we honor life. In telling about it, we keep the wonder alive for others.