by Carol | Jan 29, 2019
When it’s over, I don’t want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.
I don’t want to end up having simply visited the world.
That’s the poet Mary Oliver, who died this month at the age of 83. No one could ever accuse her of having simply visited the world–she left an indelible mark, along with big shoes to fill.
But what a wonderful way to remind ourselves to life our lives full bore, balls out, all the way–however you define that.
What does “live fully” mean? It means doing everything you’ve always wanted to do, if it is at all possible.
Think you’re too old to have a child at 45? Maybe not. How badly do you want one? How can you make that happen?
Think you’re too busy to take that yoga class you’ve always wanted to? You aren’t. You just need to shift priorities. Think you aren’t fit enough to contort? Find a yoga teacher who has a gentle, beginner’s approach, like I did.
Afraid you might look awkward if you took skiing lessons? Don’t worry: you will. We ALL do! That’s why they call them lessons. If you want to do it, you can.
Don’t be quick to write off those bucket list items by thinking of all the reasons you can’t. Start thinking about how you CAN.
So
Take the risk! Do what you dreamed of doing. Step out there in full confidence that life is meant to be fully lived.
What mark will you leave on the world? What will your legacy be?
by Carol | Jan 23, 2019
There’s so much doom and gloom in the world that I relish having something to celebrate. Especially here, where I deal with difficult and sad subjects.
So let’s light up the week with this great news: truly something to celebrate!
A number of my friends, both online and local, have been battling tough cancers. And I am thrilled to report that more than a few are living happy lives even while having various forms of treatments. Because their cancers are being held at bay by new treatments that allow them to have a good quality of life–and even travel–while still in treatment.
Several are past the three-year mark and doing well. Several have had post-treatment pet-scans that show absolutely no sign of a type of cancer that not too long ago killed within the first year.
I think that’s something to celebrate!
Now, I know, you don’t want to tempt fate and neither do I. But there’s no denying that advances in cancer treatment are buying longer, quality lifespans for patients in treatment. And that is something to light up the world about.
I hope there’s a day when cancer is as insignificant as a common cold. Until that day, though, I’ll take the fact that we do have something to celebrate.
Won’t you join me in praying that all those with cancer find effective treatment and flourish?
And if you’d like to help someone in their battle, I hope you’ll consider one of my thoughtful, gentle healing gifts. Or–and I know you will LOVE this: a beautiful Hearts & Flowers candle that comes unscented or scented: see our candle shipping schedule.
by Carol | Jan 7, 2019
Grief support can be tricky.
It’s always hard to know how to lend support to loved ones who are grieving. I never like getting flowers because they seem celebratory and even cloying. In some cultures, a card and money are given. That doesn’t seem right, either. It’s not a wedding.
The best of all support options is to spend time with the person who is grieving. But sometimes, we’re too far away to do that. Sure, we can call, and that’s an especially nice thing to do after everyone has gone and the inevitable loneliness sets in. Calls are wonderful ways to show support.
When you can’t lend support in person
On top of that, though, and especially if you are distant, it’s nice to send a little something and that’s how I came up with these gentle, beautiful grief affirmation cards. They’re a thought a day for 50 days, meant to help folks honor and work through their grief.
Honoring grief means not pretending it goes away. It’s accepting grieving as part of life and finding a way to feel through it. These affirmations help folks do that.
There are 50 cards in a deck and some clients tell me they pull the deck out each time they suffer a loss because the thoughts on the cards are so helpful.
The affirmations can be used as a meditation thought or just something to think about each morning and throughout the day.
Pretty inside and out
They come in a pretty, lavender organza bag and are compact enough to fit in a pocket or handbag.
The cards are included in my two condolence gift packages but can also be purchased separately. At $14.95, they are super-affordable. And through the weekend, shipping on the grief affirmation deck is absolutely free.
You can find the cards here on this site, and for free shipping through Sunday night enter the checkout code Cards.
by Carol | Nov 15, 2018
I know. It’s early. But you know what they say: the early bird gets the worm. That’s why I’m offering this early holiday gift guide for those very special people in your life. Unique, beautiful and easy on the budget!
Those who provide services that help you
Maybe your stylist, manicurist, dog groomer, housekeeper, trainer or anyone you see regularly and appreciate so much. These are the people who help make our lives easier. Consider a beautiful candle with healing stones and botanicals makes a great impression and is still easy on the budget–from $12 to $25, depending on the size.
Order a popular scent like lavender, vanilla or orange–or to celebrate the season, why not one of our winter scents? So Nice Sugar & Spice, Nutmeg & Spice, Christmas Spruce, Holiday Hearthside, Creamy Creme Brulee and Winter Spice. These are eco-friendly, burn long and clean, no phthalates, cotton wicks, high quality eco-friendly fragrance, repurposed glass containers and they are gorgeous. Customers LOVE them!
Loved ones facing health challenges
Why not provide them the inspiration, positive thoughts and support in one of our healing gifts? Customers tell me repeatedly how helpful and supportive they are. The regular-sized gift includes a pretty deck of healing affirmations, a tiny heart-shaped candle and a “You’ve Got This” sticker for only $19.99. The large gift also includes our Guided Journal through Grief, a luxury lip balm and a pink heart shaped rose quartz stone, all for only $34.99 .
Add one of our 4 oz. healing candles –unscented are available– for only $12 and shipping. Or consider a custom candle and specify whatever healing stones are appropriate.
Survivors
If you’ve got a loved one celebrating successful completion of treatment and interested in supporting ongoing good mental and physical health, our affirmation decks and stunning candles would be lovely choices.
Those grieving a loss
That was me almost a year ago and yes, I still feel the loss. Something we don’t get over….as Willie Nelson sings, it’s something we get through. To help those who grieve get through this tough time, I offer beautiful caring gift packages. My deck of grief affirmations are used as thoughts of the day and I have clients who say they go back to them for every loss. The deck plus a heart shaped candle makes up the regular size condolence/grief gift. The larger size also includes an Apache Tear obsidian stone which helps with grief, the gentle Guided Journal through Grief and a tiny pink candle for only $34.99. It’s hard to even send a nice bouquet for that and these caring gifts are gentle, supportive, unique.
If they’ve gotten a new pet or even lost a pet, see my Pet Candles tab up top of the home page. You could also consider a custom candle at quite affordable prices.
Family Gift Exchange or Stocking Stuffers
Those 4 oz. candles make the prettiest gifts at a range of prices –or even stocking stuffers for only $12!
Hostess Gifts
If you’re someone’s guest for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, why not order a pretty candle as a hostess gift? If you’d like to burn it at the dining room table, make it unscented. Otherwise, you can still order the best winter holiday scents ever! So Nice Sugar & Spice, Nutmeg & Spice, Christmas Spruce, Holiday Hearthside, Creamy Creme Brulee and Winter Spice. All so yummy for winter holiday parties!
Neighbors, Coworkers, Teachers
I’m already busy making small candles for my own special people. If you want a little something different, that’s beautiful and will be appreciated, why not give a candle?
The other day several customers commented that they appreciated that my products are beautiful and that I kept my prices so low. It’s a fact: my prices are significantly lower than products of similar quality. And they ARE quality. I would love to be part of your holiday shopping experience.
Thank you.
by Carol | Nov 3, 2018
Such a beautiful gift during a friend's dark time." Etsy customerThis large healing gift is the most popular in my Etsy…
Posted by A Healing Spirit on Friday, November 2, 2018
From my Facebook page….check it out….oh, and “like” my Facebook page for daily inspirational quotes!
by Carol | Aug 16, 2018
What dogs teach us is profound, if we’re paying attention.
Dogs don’t send cards, make chicken soup or do any of the things that we think about doing when a loved one is sick.
They know what to do. It’s instinctive.
They are simply there. They sit by the side of their sick loved one and simply are there for them.
It’s just that easy: Be there.
When our Cutie had an irritation she kept licking raw and had to wear a cone, our Benji sat by her side. All day. Everyday. Steadfast. He was there for her. Just…there. And in that way, he took care of her.
It was beautiful.
I’ve always believed the best thing we can do for a loved one is be there for them, but I’ve always lived away from many loved ones. I could come in for weeks at a time. But it wasn’t always possible for me to be there every day.
And that’s why I do the work I do. Our beautiful healing gifts allow anyone to be helpful even when we can’t be there. The healing affirmations, the guided journal, healing candles–they are all ways we can say “I’m with you. I’m thinking of you.” Even when we can’t be there.
Always affordable. Candles as low as $10. Gift packages as low as $19.99. Discounted shipping. Can you tell I believe in supporting others? I hope you’ll consider our gifts. Thank you.
