Putting Change into Action!
Staying Grounded when Plans Go Awry & Opopanax Courage Mist
Hello Friend!
“How hard can it be?” It’s a question I’ve asked myself more than once, and life rarely misses an opportunity to answer. Years ago, on a trip to Guanaja—a remote island off the coast of Honduras—this question turned into an unforgettable adventure.
It all began with a missed connection, thanks to a delayed flight. Suddenly, we were stranded in an unfamiliar airport, separated from our group, and piecing together a way forward. My travel companion, who had never been out of the United States before, looked to me for reassurance, her nerves barely contained as we scrambled for solutions. The final leg of the journey was a fast boat ride across the ocean—wind whipping through our hair, waves crashing around us, and the horizon stretching wide with promise. Exhausted but exhilarated, I realized the truth: sometimes, it’s not about how hard something is, but about having the courage to face it head-on and adapt to the twists and turns.
In This Week’s Newsletter
Whether your current journey is smooth or stormy, the right tools can make all the difference. This week, I’m sharing blends to inspire focus, inner strength, and resilience, along with a calming aromatic spray recipe to nurture yourself in moments of stress. You’ll also find an uplifting community highlight to bring a spark of inspiration to your week. These simple yet powerful tools are here to support your path forward with intention and courage. yet powerful tools are here to support your path forward with intention and courage.
When we finally arrived in Guanaja, exhausted but triumphant, I realized that the true heart of any journey isn’t the destination—it’s the courage to keep going. The detours, delays, and moments of uncertainty are what shape us. They’re where growth happens, and they make the arrival all the sweeter.
As you take your steps forward this week, remember: the hard parts aren’t just obstacles—they’re opportunities. They’re where we uncover our strength, stretch our limits, and grow into the people we’re meant to become. Whether your path feels smooth or bumpy, every step forward is a chance to rise to the occasion and embrace the adventure.
Also, did you catch our Thanksgiving livestream? We put together several AMAZING recipes that I know you will love through the Holiday Season. You can watch the replay by following the links below.
In this week’s blog, we’re moving from inspiration to action with six courage-boosting essential oil blends:
Grounded Courage Diffuser Blend – Center yourself amidst life’s demands with cedarwood, frankincense, and cardamom.
Bright Confidence Diffuser Blend – Fill your space with uplifting notes of lemon, sweet orange, and ginger to start your day on a positive note.
Clear Mind, Open Heart Diffuser Blend – Release mental fog with refreshing lemon, peppermint, lavender, and neroli.
Grounded Courage Salt Scrub – Embrace strength in every step with cedarwood, vanilla, and frankincense in a nourishing Himalayan salt scrub.
Nurtured Resilience Lotion Blend – Feel warm and comforted with palmarosa, black spruce, and sandalwood in a soothing lotion.
Calming Confidence Jojoba Roller – Carry a sense of calm and assurance with you using lavender, neroli, and cedarwood.
Each blend is designed to support clarity, resilience, and inner strength for those ready to embrace change with confidence.
Opopanax Hydrosol
Meet your new ally for grounded courage: Opopanax Hydrosol.
Known for its earthy, resinous aroma, Opopanax is the perfect companion for those moments when you need to feel centered and steady to take inspired action. Distilled from the resin of the opopanax tree, this hydrosol calms the mind and encourages a sense of resilience—ideal for supporting courage in times of change.
Beyond its soothing aroma, Opopanax Hydrosol is gentle on the skin and great for respiratory support. Try it as a refreshing skin mist, add it to a diffuser, or use it as a room spray to bring a warm, grounding ambiance to your space. When you’re ready to move forward with intention, let Opopanax is your anchor.
Explore more about Opopanax Hydrosol here.
Infused with Opopanax's ancient, grounding essence, this resinous spray weaves soothing lavender with the crisp vitality of juniper berry. Its deeply rooted aroma carries a mystical calm, nourishing your skin while awakening an inner courage to meet life’s unknowns. Let its earthy presence transport you to a place of balance and resilience.
Ingredients & Supplies:
1.75 oz (approximately 56 ml) Opopanax Hydrosol (Commiphora guidottii)
0.25 oz (approximately 7.5 ml) Baobab Oil (Adansonia digitata)
5 drops Juniper Berry Essential Oil (Juniperus communis)
5 drops Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
5 drops Opopanax Essential Oil (Commiphora guidottii)
Directions:
Combine the baobab and essential oils in a 2 fl oz (60 ml) spray bottle, gently shaking to blend. Baobab oil helps disperse essential oils into hydrosol while adding extra moisturizing and healing benefits.
Add the Opopanax Hydrosol to fill the bottle, giving it a final shake to mix thoroughly.
Mist onto clean skin as needed, breathing in the warm, resinous aroma. Shake before each use to ensure even distribution.
Looking for ingredients? Here they are!
From The Vine
Caring for Your Hydrosols: Shelf Life and Storage Tips
Question: How long do hydrosols last?
Answer: Hydrosols are a gentle yet powerful way to incorporate plant-based care into your routine, but they require proper storage to maintain their quality and effectiveness.
Most hydrosols have a shelf life of up to two years when stored correctly in a cool, dark place.
I often keep mine in the refrigerator for optimal freshness—this extends their life and provides a refreshing cool mist every time I use them.
While alcohol is sometimes added to hydrosols for preservation, it’s unnecessary for all applications. For skin sprays like our Opopanax Courage Mist, I avoid alcohol to keep the formula gentle and nourishing. The purity of hydrosols is one of their greatest strengths, and with proper care, they can remain a vibrant part of your aromatic toolkit for months to come.
I love hearing from you! Share your thoughts in the comments on the online post—I’ll be sure to respond and join the conversation. 💕
"Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow."
— Mary Anne Radmacher
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