How often do you change someone's LIFE?

How often has someone told you that you have done something that changed their life for the better? It feels pretty amazing doesn't it? I admit I LOVE when it has happened to me. I have been very blessed that it has occured more than once throughout my life, in different circumstances. Sometimes from being a good friend at the right time and place. Sometimes through advocacy (most recently a mother was influenced to keep her newborn son intact from my writings on unnecessary circumcisions). And most important, those times through becoming someone's wife and mother. Any time it happens I am humbled with gratitude that the opportunity was trusted and placed in my hands to be in service at that moment. 

However when I think back on those opportunities I was given to be a small force for good in the world and how to continue that moving forward in my personal and professional life (now inextricably tied), NEVER ever would I have imagined that making a career out of family wellness coaching which includes using essential oils would be the firmest ground I've ever stood on for affecting positive and meaningful change in people's lives. 

Ha! I wish you could honestly see me as I write this LAUGHING OUT LOUD as I imagine my "now" self now going back 10 years and telling that 25 year old ambitious little wild child that in the not to distant future I would be a full time mother and wife in a suburb North of Boston with two dogs, who while saving for a law degree to complete after your have your fourth baby (this number is still being hotly debated in our home), works coaching people how to live cleaner, healthier lives which includes stumping (and direct selling) for the world's premier essential oil producer, Young Living. If you've known me a while, you should be laughing to. How confused my old self would be? "Wait, I'm a stay at home full time mother and I sell oil out of my living room?!" Ha ha! Yep! And you're writing this blog while nursing. 

Jon Acuff said in his book Start!, that when you are thinking of your awesome path in life, start by figuring out what is it that you CANNOT stop doing. When I meditated on this question, it hit me like like one of those cartoon epiphany's in about 2.2 seconds. Eureka! I cannot stop sharing my ideas and trying to help people. It is impossible to stop. It is compulsive. That is the consistent theme that is threaded together through all my widely variant university and career experiences over the past two decades (wow, that sounds like a long time). From time studying communication and film at UCLA, a decade in advertising and publishing, to bartending at a 5-star hotel in Boston - being in relationship with people, expressing thoughts on ethics and liberty, and sharing the wisdom passed on to me regarding the power of taking personal responsibility for EVERYTHING that happens in our life and creating from that space - it's all been about the same thing. Being in service to something bigger and greater through ideas and personal relationship. It's been about helping people.

This email from one of my husband's coworkers sent to me over the weekend might illustrate why what I am doing satisfies every need of mine to serve:

I literally went from a state of anxiety and panic to euphoria in minutes. I felt like myself for a change. It was amazing. I'm already telling my friends with anxiety about this wonderful remedy. Thank you so much!

Wow. Humbling. Amazing.

In the few months since I started taking this oil business seriously, (in the way of creating financial abundance for my family) I have had so many new friendships created, old ones reignited, and family bonds renewed. Young Living Essential Oils have not only changed the mental and physical health in my own home, the homes of most of my family members, many friends homes - but the human relationship aspect is astounding. I have amazing mentors in California and Utah. I ask a question online I get 20 women responding to help within the hour. A culture of care and service and positive energy to change our planet is fostered by Young Living and spread further with the people attracted to this business. What value can you place on a career that is helping those you love lead healthier, happier lives AND creating new friendships all over the world? 

BEST. JOB. EVER.

I'm going to leave you with the below testimonial from a dear friend of mine that trusted me and jumped in on this oily journey. Her words humble me, and remind me to keep going and doing the good work. This positive changes in her life have WAY more to do with her bravery in seeking natural alternatives to drugging her special needs children, then it does with my influence - but I am just SO honored I got to be a part of it. 


This is why I do what I do. 

{Take the time to read it, you won't regret it.}

Alright starting this morning off positive and sharing my own personal testimony of why I use Young Living oils. Of course Pinterest is exploding with essential oils and DIY recipes. I saw them over and over again and always wanted to try them but never took the plunge. Then I started to see all my friends using them! I thought "ok now there has to be some truth behind all of these great success stories". Yet again I brushed it off since it all seemed very OVERWHELMING. How on earth would I know which brand to buy, which oil does what, what is a good deal and what are bad oils. Being a mom of 3 children, 2 which are special needs, working full time, homeschooling full time, AND being in Georgia as an army wife. Ya I didn't have time to even breathe, let alone figure out this whole essential oil thing.

That was until I saw my dear friend Kristina Coffeen Parry was using essential oils. Ive known Kristina for what? 24 years? basically my whole life. lol. She used to babysit me! I knew I could trust her opinion as I know her personality. She is very thorough. She's not going to just "fall" for something. She's going to research, research and research again about it before she jumps into something like this. What was waiting after I sent that message will forever change my life. She excitedly welcomed all my questions, she encouraged me to really look into them for myself and look at what they actually can do for me. She too knew I was so overwhelmed I would never have leaped unless she gently but firmly nudged me into it. Literally I was so overwhelmed, stressed, and depressed that she literally had to set up my entire account for me. LOL Did I mention I LOVE this woman?!?! My package had arrived and not only did I receive all my oils but she had researched EVERYTHING I wanted them for. She had put together all the mixes and blends I would need to get started. Honestly if she hadn't been so faithful and done the in depth work for me… I wouldn't have even bothered. After I saw page after page on beautiful blends and mixes for my family, my boys, and even myself, I was so relieved. Like someone had given me a moment of peace for once in a very long time. I started diffusing a mix she had labeled "Happy Home". Within a few hours I sat down….what was that I hear? My boys were actually NOT crying, not fighting, they were calm…. ok ok it was a fluke I told myself. (still in the back of my mind thinking Oh great its just another gimmick) the next day I diffused the same blend. By dinner time I look at my son Grady who has Autism and ADHD, He wasn't what we call "spinning". When he gets overstimulated Grady runs around back and forth in circles making a spiting noise from his mouth. He can do this for up to 4 hours at a time. Just running back and forth. It breaks my heart as I want to calm him but could never find a way. But the spinning had stopped?! ok ok its a fluke again. Yes it takes me a while before I am convinced ESPECIALLY when it comes to my boys.

The next day still diffusing the same mix, I also add the mix for their feet and wrists. The spinning indeed had stopped. Except this day, his self harming had stopped as well. Grady also used to self harm where he would scratch his face until it bled. All day long, every single day. If you were to look at him it looked as if a cat had scratched his face all over. It was always like that. Suddenly it was gone? Within the next two weeks my husband was retired from the military, a medical retirement due to injuries he sustained overseas. He had a disc removed from his back and a spinal fusion, then given medical retirement due to the fact he could no longer carry weight on his back anymore. They sprang it on us fast and we had 30 days to pack up and move back home to California. It was stressful to say the least. I had to quit my job, pack up the house, clean the house and move 2 dogs, 3 kids, and all of our belongings cross country. I left my oils out during the move so I could use them. I thought if they helped in any way shape or form during this move then I would FOREVER advocate about them. 31 hours in the car, 4 days of driving and let me just say…It was the most peaceful move I literally felt like I was in a dream. My boys who are super hyperactive were calm. I who am super anxious was calm. I kept swiping "peace and calming" over my heart and wrists.

It was like a life preserver had been sent to me. My head was above water and I could breathe again. I still continue using my oils every single day.

I jump at the chance to use them on a family member as well. Ive used Raven and RC to help my dads COPD, Ive used purification and Helichrysum to help ringing in my dads ears and heal ear infections with Aubrey and my Brother, I make allergy trio capsules to help with all of our allergies and of course our still go to happy family diffuser mix. I still am amazed at all these oils do for us daily.

My passion [now] is to pass this on to another mommy like myself. To someone who might have special needs children who may feel like she is drowning. To let someone else know its OK, and it will be OK. I encourage all my friends if you are on the fence, take the dive. trust me you won't regret it. I love each and everyone of you. I want only the very very best for you and your loved ones. These oils have changed my life, have changed my children's lives. From having a child who would never touch me, never let me hold him, to this…. there can't be a price put on that. I love you all. Have an incredible week!

Ashley D.

#TestimonialTuesday #YLEO #TheWholeEssentialLife