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Lve Notes ...Words of Love from the Plants & Trees!
May, 2009

Welcome to Love Notes...the e-news from Audre Gutierrez of Shining Sun Aromatherapy. Please check the announcements at the end re upcoming events (including one happening in Santa Fe tomorrow, Thurs., May 7th). Oh...and this newsletter is best read if you "maximize" the screen. Thanks!

Don't Panic...Be Prudent!!

The headlines and news programs seem devoted to creating fear...about the Swine Flu, the Wars in Iraq and Afganistan, the Economy, the Automobile Industry... I could go on, but I am sure you get the picture. While I wouldn't encourage anyone to stick their head in the sand or be oblivious to what is going on around you...I would encourage you to really look at what is going on around YOU.

My husband, Leonard, and I just returned from a visit to my kids in California. While there, we attended a community gathering in Santa Cruz in support of a "Grow a Farmer" initiative. Young and old ate pizza, pasta salad and bean salad...chickens walked between our feet (and this was in a residential neighborhood -- Yea!) and a backyard garden surrounded us with its new shoots and promising foliage.

A Rhode Island Red like the ones in Santa Cruz

We chatted with people involved with the UCSC farm program, with a sustainable lifestyle initiative, with a Yoga Center in town...and on and on. Leonard, always ready with a pocketful of essential oils, was a wonderful messenger for medicinal plants and trees, as he poured Birch (Sweet) on one man's sore shoulder, and gave another several drops of Violet for calming and uplifting (it did both...rather visibly and in just a few minutes!)

Immediately, word spread...there were essences to be sampled and questions to be asked...What is good for a sore toe that just won't heal? (Davana is pretty amazing, as well as Manuka). What is helpful for sleeping when your mind is going in a million directions? (Spikenard and Zanthoxylum are always a good place to start). What is a good, and affordable, essence to support a waning libido? (Ylang Ylang is a winner on both fronts!)

It was a happy, engaging gathering...little talk of job loss or fear of the flu. Just a group of local folks coming together for a good cause and to create community. Look around YOU. How are you faring at the moment? How are your friends and family? Is everyone falling apart at the seams or are most doing OK? Has anything drastically changed since a year ago? Two months ago? Two weeks ago?

While I am not downplaying the real financial stress and health challenges some people are experiencing, many of my colleagues and friends say..."I refuse to participate in the recession!" That pretty well describes my feelings, as well. Our business continues to thrive and I have decided to weather out this storm by setting priorities...using my precious resources of time, money and attention on those things that bring joy and well-being to my life, support the growth and health of my business, and help support the planet. If something does not further one of those goals...then I am learning to say "no." Some essences to support such a world view: Cinnamon Bark for abundance; Laurel Leaf for setting boundaries; Violet for calming and long-term perspective; and Rhododendron to attract people and energy that "feed" you...not drain you.

What about the Swine Flu?

The face mask...becoming a familiar symbol

Cynthia briefly addressed this in a recent e-news from Wisdom of the Earth, which some of you may have received. But let me spend a few minutes on this important topic. Again, perspective is critical. Approximately 36,000 Americans die of influenza every year (I have heard this statistic repeatedly on MSNBC and POTUS (a political news channel on XM radio); little or nothing is said about that in the media every season. And, while I expect our government to be prudent in addressing possible health emergencies, I do believe the possible impact of the Swine Flu has been blown completely out of proportion, causing fear on the part of a lot of people (including many thousands running to the Emergency Rooms...hmmm...lots of money to be made there, I must say).

I, personally, do not hold with getting flu shots...or basically any type of innoculation. I maintain the personal view that the less I introduce into my body from the medical establishment, the better. What I DO do, however, is use the gifts from Mother Nature to build my immunity (our #1 defense against any dis-ease...including the Swine Flu), including Black Cumin (I take about 20-25 drops daily as a general tonic), Frankincense or Elemi, the conifers (like the Spruces, Pines, Firs), and Eucalyptus (preferably a stronger variety, like Blue Mallee or Rostrata). THAT is being prudent!

If you do feel like you have a cold or flu coming on...again, do not panic!! That only lowers your vibration...and your immune system...increasing the chances that you will get sick. Keep calm with essences like Wild Chamomile, Violet, Lavender (any of our varieties), and Vetiver, and take an extra dose or two of Black Cumin for several days.

Even the sight of this lavender is calming!

Then, get busy using the queens of the respiratory system....essences like Inula graveolens, Eucalyptuses, Conifers (do you see a pattern here??), Helichrysum (any variety), Ravensara aromatica, the Myrtles, and Himalayan Soti. Finally, for antiviral action, in addition to several above, you could use citruses like the Orange family, Lime (Mexican), as well as Niaouli or any others from the melaleuca family (like Tea Tree).

And...sleep!!! The world will get along without you for a few days!! Give your body the rest it needs and the sleep it requires to heal. My daughter Catherine had a lingering flu/cough that had lasted for weeks...Leonard and I had had a touch of it, so I knew what she was going through. But she had maintained her busy work and school schedule...and wondered why she got somewhat better...but could not seem to get well! I encouraged her to take a couple of days off, douse herself with essential oils, and let her body finish the healing cycle. It made a huge positive difference in how she felt.

So, be prudent...a little wisdom, and compassion and patience for your body (and the planet), goes a long way! Panic never solved anything (exept perhaps the financial problems of the hospitals and pharmaceutical companies). Getting control really helps dissolve that feeling of panic...whether it is establishing and sticking to a household budget or assuring that your immune system is strong.

So...look around you...I hear the birds singing outside as I type this! Feel the sun on your face; hug a tree; bring the blessings of the flowers indoors. Love life.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM SHINING SUN AROMATHERAPY

Tomorrow, Thursday, May 7, 2009 Business Expo at DeVargas Mall in Santa Fe

I will be sharing an exhibit table with three of my friends and colleagues from BNI: Denise Sanchez of Farmers Insurance, Peter Murphy of APG financial planning and Richard Anderson, a realtor from Santa Fe Agency. I will have all of my testers there, plus stock of 20 or so of the more popular essences (table space is limited). I will also have a variety of AromaKits. The Expo hours are from 10:00 - 5:30 pm. Bring or tell your friends. Hope to see you there!!!

Sunday, May 17, 2009 Essence Meditation from 4-6 pm in Santa Fe

A great picture Leonard took in SC; what do you see in the water??
(A bottle of Ocean Pine to the first person who emails me with the right answer!)

Join me at Shining Sun Farm for a tranquil, yet enlivening experience. We will be traveling inward, with the guidance of some special essences and hydrosols, to explore the concept of "flow". The power of being in alignment with the universe and our own spirit & purpose will be considered, in contrast with the struggle or challenge being "off-purpose" brings. A $10 donation is requested; there will be time for questions and answers after the meditation. Testers of all 200+ Wisdom of the Earth essences will be there for you to explore!

August 15-16, 2009 Level 1 Medicinal Aromatherapy Certification Class at Shining Sun Farm in Santa Fe

Mark your calendar now if the time is right for you to explore more deeply your drawing toward the plants & trees. Learn why essential oils are the "Original Medicine of the Planet". Become knowledgeable about essences to use for many common conditions, and take control of your own health!!

The "early bird" registration discount of $25 off the regular price of $475 will be good through July 15th, so plan now to take a deep dive into the incredible world of natural plant and tree medicines. You will wonder how you lived without them!

Invite out-of-town friends or family to join you on this wonderful journey and receive an additional $25 off of your seminar fee. See my website, www.ShiningSunAromatherapy.com for more information about the class, or call me at 505-438-0855 with questions or to register.

That is it for now! Please feel free to email me with your feedback on this e-news, or with suggestions for future topics. Also...come blog with me!! There is a blog menu option on my website...join the dialogue with others who are passionate about the plants and trees.

Much love, Audre Gutierrez
Shining Sun Aromatherapy

"Written with Lve"