Scents for well being....

Aromatherapy is an alternative form of medicine where essential oils, derived from plants, are used to promote physical and psychological well-being. Essential oils have medicinal qualities such as the ability to heal wounds, fight infection, assist in blood circulation and aid in digestion. Proponents of aromatherapy state that the beneficial effects are a result of the pharmacological properties of the plant material being absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin and by breathing the aromas. Below are a few common scents and their uses to promote health and well-being:












Jasmine:

• Anti-septic
• Aphrodisiac
• Calms and soothes
• Can prevent certain kinds of cancers
• Combatant against depression
• Prevents stretch marks
• Promotes lactation in nursing mothers
• Revitalizes and restores energy
• Sleep aid

Lavender:

• Aids in the circulation of blood
• Anti-septic
• Anxiety
• Bronchitis
• Calms and soothes
• Heals acne
• Insomnia
• PMS symptoms
• Soothes headaches and migraines
• Stress and tension

Chamomile:

• Anxiety
• Blisters
• Depression
• Eczema and/or psoriasis
• Flatulence
• Gout
• Headaches
• Indigestion
• Neuralgia
• Rheumatism
• Stress

Ylang ylang:

• Calms mood
• Easing anxiety
• Fragrance
• Insomnia
• Massage oils
• Relaxation
• Relieve stress
• Stimulate hair growth when used in shampoo

Bergamot:

• Acne
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Eczema
• Oily skin
• Stress
• Tension
  

Fighting Fairly

It's not always easy to stay level headed and respectful when in an argument with your partner. However, there are things you can do in order fight fairly so that respect is shown to each other.

1. Take a moment to cool off and rethink the situation. Chances are you will be able to clearly express your feelings once you are calm.

2. Take a different approach when you sense tension. Ask questions, show affection, and use a bit of humor. Make sure your tone is not abrasive.

3. Stop and think about your partner's point of view. Understand their feelings and nurture them accordingly.

4. Make sure you communicate your own feelings so that your partner is aware of your concerns.

5. If you have concerns/complaints with your partner, express them then offer solutions to fix.

6. Make sure you follow up with your disagreements. Make sure your partner feels like things are better...if not, work to correct. If you don't give closure to your disagreement, the issues could grow and become more difficult to handle.

Making a smart exit

No matter the cirumstances, you must always part with your employer on the best terms. If you don't leave on amicable terms, you may pay the price later when it comes time to provide references or work history. Never burn bridges as they may come back haunt you later. It's a small world after all!

Randall Hansen, a professor at Stetson University and founder of the Florida-based group Quintessential Careers, offers six rules of conduct when ending a working relationship:

1. Make sure you give plenty notice of your departure. This shows respect and maturity. Two weeks notice is standard.

2. After initiating your notice, help your employer fill your position. You can go even farther by training your replacement.

3. Work to your full potential until the day of your depature. Don't push the work load off on your coworkers. This may strain your relationships.

4. Make sure you have clearly written notes of your job duties. It will make things run more smoothly if you have detailed out how things are normally handled.

5. Allow your old coworkers the option to contact you after you've gone if any issues arise.

6. Keep your relationships with your old friends/coworkers. This connection can be a valuable networking tool.

What should I do...

Dear LCD,

Me and the “Boys” always find fun things to do to entertain ourselves. We’ll just a couple of weeks ago we overheard some other guys say that the local Strip Club is having Tuesday specials. We though it’d be fun to check it out. So we were all sitting in a corner drinking our drinks and having small talk about life in general, then I noticed from the corner of my eye a familiar face. As I turn around I see my buddy’s little sister getting on stage!!!! I quickly turned my back to the stage cause that’s not what I wanted to see… well it was but not from her. This girl I’ve known since she was 5-6…. So it’s almost like seeing my little sister naked. Not good… Anyways I decided that it would be best for us to leave and not let her see me there since she was doing a job, and I didn’t want to ruin it for her. Now I’ve ran into people I know working at strip clubs before, and it’s normally just old co-workers and stuff like that. But this is different. I’ve told my little sister about it since it was her friend that I saw there. But I really don’t want her parents to find out, since they have enough family issues as it is. I have all sorts of crazy thoughts running through my mind, because I know her brother goes to strip clubs pretty often. What if he see’s her there?!? WOW, I know I’d go ballistic. Anyways, it’s Tuesday again and the guys just called and requested my presence… should I go and hope I don’t run into her? Should I be the bearer of bad news and call her brother up and give him the low down on his sis? Or should I let him find out on his own?

Concerned in TX

Dear Concerned in TX,

You did the right thing by leaving the club. You should call her brother and tell him immediately. You don't want him to walk-in on her dancing or him overhearing it from another guy. It would not be pretty, especially if there was alcohol involved. He may cause a scene or get into a scuffle with a bouncer. You should call your friend and talk to him...IN PERSON. This is not an issue to be dealt with over the phone, text or email. You guys have been friends for many years, you should respect him enough to be honest. Hopefully from there, he will talk with his sister and deal with the situation. The sooner the better. I also don't think you should go to that bar again until you know she isn't working there. That could create quite the wedge between you and your friend.

I'll leave you with this: If your friend were to have to tell you this same news about your sister, how would you prefer he handle it? How would you want to find out about it? Think about that -- really think about it, then react. I'm sure you'll do the right thing.

Good Luck,

Life Coach Dallas

Tips for happiness

Happiness and life satisfaction are often considered to be synonymous terms. Another words, achieving one usually means achieving the other. Below are a few tips to help you achieve happiness in your life. These tips can be applied to your personal and professional life.

1. Make every day count. Don't wait around for the perfect time to start a change in your life. Set the wheels in motion today.

2. Sell yourself. You must have confidence in yourself if you want to see results.

3. Change negative statements into positive ones. Don't let negativity drag you down. See the good in all things. Don't be so critical. Once you let these positive thoughts in, you will see things in a more positive aspect.

4. When negative things happen, make it a lesson and move on. Bad things are going to happen. Even if we feel like we are the most unlucky people in the world, just know that others feel the same way! We all tend to be a little dramatic when things go wrong. However, if we stop and think about them in a positive light (as discussed in #3), we can turn this bad situation into a learning experience and move forward.

5. Allow yourself time to vent. Everyone needs a little alone time to sort things out. This is a very healthy part of life. Take 5-10 minutes after a stressful situation to clear your mind and then reassess the situation. Things are better dealt with when you are calm.

Live each day to the fullest. Smile often and dance your heart out! Happiness is the key to success -- personal and professional.

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." Albert Schweitzer

Chasing the Dream?

It is human nature to have some sort of a idea of what you want to be when you grow up. We spend our entire life chasing this dream and unfortunately sometimes find out we went the wrong direction! What things are you chasing? Money, wealth, social status, fancy car, designer clothes, over-sized house, an urban loft? Do these things correlate to what you really want out of life? Family, friends, freedom, adventure, love?

Many times these things do not correlate. In many instances, people don't find this out until later in life once they have acquired all of the things they have been chasing. However, it doesn't have to take a lifetime to actually chase the things you want.

Make a list of the things you really want out of life. What three things do you want to have by the time you die? Take it seriously and be honest with yourself. How do you want to see yourself in your golden years? Do you want to be successful, married, have a family or be publicly known?

Make another listing the things you chase. Do you try to save up enough money to buy an expensive pair of jeans? Skip family time in order to make a promotion? Do you work long hours to afford a luxury car? Social status among your group of friends? Fancy dinners? Relationships? Promotion?

Finally put the two lists together and compare. The chase list should lead you in the direction of the things you want. If the lists are off-balance then you need to reassess the things you chase. Take charge and point your life in the direction to the things you want. It might be necessary to start small with changes but over time it will become easier....and you will reach your dreams a lot faster.

Start today with change. You have the potential for happiness. Seize the day!

Toxic Friends

Have you ever had a friend that brought you down? The kind of friend that you love to hate. The one that is really fun to hang out with...but in general, is toxic to your life?

It's always hard to avoid drama when an issue arises with a friend. In fact, it's almost impossible. But what do you do?

First, you need to be able to distinguish from a good friend and a toxic friend. A good friend will say complimentary things about you whereas a toxic friend will make subtle remarks of negativity. You will leave a good friend feeling happy while a toxic friend will leave you feeling unhappy about yourself.

Relationships are very important in our lives. We struggle with personal relationships on a daily basis. If you have a toxic friend, you must take a responsibility for allowing this negative friendship to continue. Talk with your friend. You must set boundaries where your friend is not able to walk on you. It is imperative that you learn to say no. Either your friend will agree to change their disposition toward you or you will end the relationship.

It may seem drastic to end the relationship, but you can't surround yourself with someone who is casting toxicity in your life. You are who you surround yourself with. If your friend is unwilling to change, removing yourself from the situation is the only way to escape it.

Read the article below for more information:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/01/26/health/webmd/main1242335.shtml

"A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same." Elbert Hubbard