Saying goodbye to 2023 in a powerful new way...

Let me ask you, my friend, how was your 2023? 

Honestly, I didn't realize how incredible my year was until I took a look back after I was challenged to create a hindsight board, forgive myself and see what lessons I want to take into 2024...

  
I've heard of vision boards, but hindsight boards are a new concept for me...and I'm hooked. It will become a new tradition at the beginning of every year for me from now on.

It is so simple for us to sit back and think, "Well, I'm glad 2023 is over...it was such a hard year..." or whatever, but was it, really??? Was it really a bad, horrible, hard, whatever year, or were there moments and experiences that were challenging, hurtful, or life changing?

I challenge you to take a look back at your 2023. Look at the memories. Look at the lessons. Take those into 2024. Leave the rest. Start building your foundation of 2024 now, creating what you want to look back on at the end of this year...

Your moments create your life...what kind of life are you creating??


Forgiveness...

Definitely not my strongest suit...

Is it easy for you? 

The person you will most need to forgive is...yourself. If you can't even forgive yourself, how can you expect to be able to forgive others?

I wrote a forgiveness letter to myself, and one to another person...

Guess which one was longer??

Let's just say I have a lot of work to do on me...

Sit and write a letter of forgiveness to yourself...when you think you can't forgive any  more, go a little deeper...go a little deeper still...go until you are empty.

Do the same for someone you need to forgive.

Then...burn them (responsibly, please), or tear them up, whatever form of destruction feels right. ðŸ˜‰ Let it go. No need to carry that energy into 2024. Take the lessons with you. Leave the rest.

Are you up for the challenge?

Then, take a look at the lessons you learned in the hard, sad, challenging, frustrating, not so pretty times of 2023...Here's a peek at mine...

*You are making an impact, good or bad, in every interaction in your world. Strive to always make it a good one...it might be the last memory someone has of you. Don't be that critical, judgey, mean or self righteous memory.

*You are more powerful than the darkness. 

*Let the universe work its magic...and stay out of the way...

*Listen more. Judge less. Stop assuming. Always give benefit of the doubt.

*Ask. Never accuse.

I challenge you to create a hindsight board. Take the time to sit and write a letter of forgiveness to yourself and someone else. Enjoy the gift of letting it all go. What are the lessons you can take into this new year?? I'd love to see results! Simply hit "reply" and share with me!

Here's to an incredibly powerful 2024...

Let's talk detox baths...and a 14 day reset


Detox baths can be an incredible way to help your body through acute needs, help with skin issues, or help you and your family get back above the wellness line as soon as possible!
 
A perfect tool when you or someone in your family is feeling your defenses are going down...or they have already been breached, or are fighting an acute skincare or muscle need. Give your body comfort, support and a little TLC.

The combination of essential oils, baking soda, Epsom salts or magnesium flakes combined in hot water can help flush impurities from your body, helping you process and detox from those invaders, environmental exposures and more. So simple, too. Simply use very warm water, sit for 40-60 minutes, and ideally, sweat during that time. ;
 

BASIC DETOX BATH RECIPE
 
This is a super easy way to use essential oils and also help give your body some magnesium! Magnesium flakes are less processed so those are a great choice,, but epsom salts will work as well.
 
* 1 cup magnesium flakes (https://amzn.to/3mzayHm)
* ½ cup high quality baking soda (https://amzn.to/499g4Hk) (optional)
* 20-40 drops essential oils of choice 
* Simply add oils to magnesium and mix well. 
 
* To use, run hot water into the container of salts and let it overflow into the tub!
 
When adding essential oils to detox baths, you can use your own judgment on the number of drops, but remember that you are using this for an acute need (versus a relaxing soak!). Because of that you want to use enough oil to give your immune, respiratory, or other body system the boost that it needs. For most detox baths, we use around 30 drops of essential oil. When you are making detox baths for your little ones,  usually use about 20 drops of essential oil will suffice. 
 
The goal with a detox bath is to sit in the bath with the water as hot/warm as comfortably possible. Ideally you are sweating as you soak so that your body is processing (detoxing!) the invaders! You want to sit in the bath for 40 minutes or so, up to an hour. The first 20 minutes will give your body time to remove toxins from your system while the last 20 to 40 minutes will allow you to absorb the minerals in the water and help you emerge from the bath feeling rejuvenated.
 
Some favorite oils for detox baths include:
 
* Cypress, Idaho Blue Spruce, Frankincense, Copaiba
* Dorado Azul, Ravintsara, Eucalyptus
* Cilantro Vitality, Lemon, Oregano
* Purification, Thieves, Aroma Siez
 

FLEW-AWAY DETOX BATH
 
Here is a recipe you will swear by for acute immune needs! If you don't have all these oils, use what you have on hand. Feel free to play with the number of drops for a recipe that is exactly what you want! Also,  use tepid water in the presence of a fever for even more comfort.
 
* 1 cup magnesium flakes (https://amzn.to/3mzayHm)
* ½ cup high quality baking soda (https://amzn.to/499g4Hk) (optional)
* 15 drops Ravintsara
* 6 drops Frankincense
* 6 drops Idaho Blue Spruce
* 3 drops Dorado Azul
* 2 drops Eucalyptus Radiata
* 1 drop Wintergreen
 
* Add oils to Epsom salt and mix well, then run hot water into the jar of salts/oils and overflow into the tub to mix! 
 

RAINDROP DETOX BATH
 
This curated set of essential oils is a powerful tool for promoting health, wellness and vitality – both proactively and for acute needs since the oils included can be incredible tools for healing! We love using these oils in rollers, massages, and in detox baths.
 
* 1 cup magnesium flakes (https://amzn.to/3mzayHm)
* ½  cup high quality baking soda (https://amzn.to/499g4Hk) (optional)
* 3-5 drops each Oregano, Thyme, Basil, Cypress, Wintergreen, Marjoram, Peppermint, Valor and Aroma Siez essential oils
 

ROARING 20S DETOX BATH
 
If you lived through 2020, then you know that Pine, Geranium, and Lemon are huge players in our arsenal for ‘that which shall not be named.' Grab this recipe to help provide comfort and support for your immune system!
 
* 1 cup magnesium flakes (https://amzn.to/3mzayHm)
* ½ cup high quality baking soda (https://amzn.to/499g4Hk) (optional)
* 10 drops each Lemon, Geranium
* 15-20 drops Pine
 

SKIN SOOTHER DETOX BATH
 
This is a great winter time go-to. Adding oatmeal to the bath is helpful for more acute skin needs, especially for children. Think conventional oat baths but without the fragrance!
 
* 1 cup organic oats, ground (https://amzn.to/3esZqHN) 
* ¼ cup organic powdered milk (https://amzn.to/3Hjburg) (or coconut milk) (https://amzn.to/3qvRIlI) (or goat milk) (https://amzn.to/3Jmacxz)
* 1 Tbsp liquid castile soap (https://amzn.to/3pERPMR)
* 2 tsp Vitamin E oil (https://amzn.to/3pvSfEX)
* 10-15 drops Frankincense
* 5 drops Lavender
* 5 drops Helichrysum
 

SOOTHING ACV DETOX BATH
 
This one is incredible for both the skin and for joints! An ACV soak with magnesium is a great way to support active lifestyles.
 
* ¼ cup ¼ cup magnesium flakes (https://amzn.to/3mzayHm)
* ¼ cup organic oats (https://amzn.to/3pkykIJ), ground
* 2 Tbsp sweet almond oil (https://amzn.to/3pkik9w)
* 10 drops each Cypress, Idaho Blue Spruce, Lavender
* ¼ cup raw organic apple cider vinegar (https://amzn.to/3IuFp10)
 
* Mix together and add to bath water. Then add ACV to the water and gently mix.
 

GENTLE DETOX FOR LITTLE ONES
 
This is a great recipe to tweak for your little ones! You can alter the oils as needed for specific issues, or you can add even less oils for younger children. If your child has trouble staying in the bath, consider reading to them or playing music while they soak!
 
* 1 cup magnesium flakes (https://amzn.to/3mzayHm)
* ½ cup high quality baking soda (https://amzn.to/499g4Hk) (optional)
* 15 drops Frankincense
* 5 drops Lavender
* 5 drops Oregano
* Simply add oils to magnesium and mix well. 
 
* To use, run hot water into the container of salts and let it overflow into the tub!
 

OIL CHOICES BASED ON NEEDS
 
Detox baths are a really wonderful tool to have in your toolbox and can benefit every need that you have. Use the basic recipe above and customize it based on your specific issue at hand:
 
* Muscle love → Cypress, Idaho Blue Spruce, Oregano, Aroma Siez
 
* Aches away → Peppermint, Lavender, Clove, Cypress
 
* Immune needs → Oregano, Lemon, Frankincense, Thieves
 
* Shark week → Dragon Time, Copaiba, Aroma Siez
 
* Belly woes → Ginger, Peppermint + Lemon, DiGize
 
* General detox → Frankincense, Lemon, Aroma Siez, Lavender
 
Did you catch the news!? We have a brand new experience kit - the Make a Shift Reset Kit! It's available to everyone this month as a one time or Loyalty order. After that, it will only be available to new members of the YL family. Want to join me in a 14 day reset?? I'll be starting again January 15...Snag your kit, reply, and let me know you are in!!




What's the best that could happen?? 

"Welcome to Flight 2024"

Happy 2024, my friend!! To make sure you are ready for 2024, here is some great "pre-flight" advice from one of my mentors...

"Good Morning and Welcome to Flight 2024.

 This is your captain,  Melanie Ann Layer.

 We are prepared to take off into the New Year.

 We ask that all carry ons, such as: Regrets from your Past, Mistakes & Fears, be placed under a seat behind you.
 Please make sure your Personal Power and Gratitude Attitude are secured and locked in, in the upright position.
This aircraft is a Boeing 20-24 and is equipped with 1 main exit and 2 upper deck exits for every disempowering thought.
 
 All self-destructive devices such as shame, guilt and doubt should be turned off at this time. All blame, hurt, and limiting beliefs should be stowed away.
 
 Should we lose altitude under pressure, during the flight, reach up and pull on gratitude & love, connect to source and breathe in deeply. Once your faith is fully and automatically restored,  we then encourage you to assist other passengers in need.
 
 Thank you for flying with me and enjoy the ride!!!"

Now that we are prepped and ready, CLICK HERE to see the January Drop with details on this month's free gifts, and below you will find ways to use that Inner Beauty Collagen and a few peppermint focused diffuser blends. :) 


Whether you're wanting to up your hair & skin game, feeling that postpartum hair and skin slump or needing a little extra boost after being under the weather, we've got you covered. Meet your new beauty BFF- Inner Beauty Collagen!! Try some of these favorite recipes to up your health game with high quality marine collagen.
 
 

GOLDEN SUNRISE TONIC 
 * 2-4oz NingXia Red
 * ½ tsp Golden Turmeric
 * 1 scoop Inner Beauty Collagen
 * Coconut water
 * 1 drop Lime Vitality essential oil
 Add NingXia Red and coconut water to a glass, then add in powders and mix with a handheld milk frother. Add Lime and mix again, then pour over ice (if desired) and enjoy!
 
 DAILY BEAUTY BOOST
 
 * 4oz NingXia Red
 * 1 scoop Inner Beauty Collagen
 * Water or organic orange juice (sparkling, mineral, plain)
 * Optional: 3 droppersful Mineral Essence
 
 Add NingXia Red and water/juice to a glass, then add collagen and mix with a handheld milk frother. Pour over ice (if desired) and enjoy!
 
 BONE BROTH COLLAGEN COCOA
 
 * ½-1 cup organic chicken bone broth
 * ¾-1 cup organic milk of choice
 * 1 tsp organic vanilla extract
 * 2-3T organic cocoa powder
 * 1-2T organic maple syrup or coconut sugar (to taste)
 * 1 scoop Inner Beauty Collage
 
 Heat milk and broth on the stove over medium heat. I like a 1:1 ratio of broth to milk, but you can use less broth if you're not used to it. Whisk in cocoa powder, vanilla and collagen, making sure the liquid is warm without boiling. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired and enjoy!
 
 CINNAMON MAPLE COLLAGEN LATTE
 
 * Organic brewed coffee or espresso of choice
 * 3T raw, organic heavy cream
 * 1-2T maple syrup (to taste)
 * 1 scoop Inner Beauty Collagen
 * 1 drop Cinnamon Bark Vitality Essential OIl*
 
 Add all ingredients except oil to a mug, then use a handheld frother to mix well. *For less intense cinnamon taste, dip a toothpick into your Cinnamon Bark oil, then swirl it around in your coffee.
 
 DAILY ADRENAL COCKTAIL
 
 * 4-6oz organic orange juice
 
 * 1T raw, organic heavy cream
 * Pinch pink Himalayan salt
 * 1 scoop Inner Beauty Collagen
 Add all ingredients to a glass and mix with a handheld frother.
 
 COCONUT LIME ADRENAL COCKTAIL
 
 * 6-8oz organic coconut water
 * 1 scoop Inner Beauty Collagen
 * ½ tsp pink Himalayan salt
 * ½ fresh lime, juiced OR 3 drops Lime Vitality
 * Crushed Ice
 
 Mix coconut water, salt, lime and collagen with a handheld frother. Add ice and enjoy!
 
 PEPPERMINT MOCHA SMOOTHIE
 
 * Large handful organic spinach
 * Frozen banana
 * 1 scoop Inner Beauty Collagen
 * 1T organic cocoa powder
 * 1T organic maple syrup or agave (to taste)
 * Lots of ice
 * Raw, organic milk (or milk of choice) to desired consistency
 * 1 drop Peppermint Vitality essential oil
 
 Add all ingredients to a blender and mix well, then enjoy!
 
 OTHER WAYS TO USE
 
 * Mix 1 scoop of Inner Beauty Collagen with 4–8 ounces of water or your favorite hot or cold beverage daily.
 
 * Stir 1 scoop into a cup of your favorite hot tea such as Spiced Turmeric Herbal Tea.
 
 * Blend 2–4 scoops into the batter of baked goods. (Don't use in recipes calling for cooking temperatures above 380° F.)



The Final Chapter...ready to write a whole new book in 2024?



Happy New Year, my friend!! This is one of my favorite times of the year...a whole book of life coming to a close while a brand new book, full of blank pages and possibilities, lies ahead... How exciting is that!?

As we wrap up 2023, I want to ask a few questions for you to ponder. 

What are you  most proud of, what did you accomplish, where did you grow, what challenged you, what were your successes, or your failures that you learned from in 2023??

What are you leaving behind from 2023 that will not move forward into this new year?

Do you have a word for 2024? A frequency or feeling you want to take with you throughout each day?

My hope for you in taking a few minutes to sit with these questions is that you realize how much you have grown, changed, accomplished, become over the last year and that new version of you is what you are taking into 2024. If you could do all of that as  you were in 2023, just imagine what you have the power to do at this new level in 2024!? 

Imagine saying every day, "2024 is my best year yet!", and seeing it become true!!


Instead of New Year's Resolutions, how about...

Hey, hey, my friend!

Can you believe it? We're already approaching the end of 2023. And as we enter this new year, I have a question for you...Do you make New Year's Resolutions? Me? Nope.  It always felt like I was setting myself up for disappointment year after year.

But recently, I came across a thought-provoking Facebook post by Kevin Scott. In celebration of his 46th birthday, he shared 46 valuable life lessons he's learned so far. It really got me thinking...

What if instead of traditional resolutions, we chose one or two of these lessons to focus on throughout the year? We could even break it down by quarters, working on different lessons throughout the upcoming year. Just imagine where we could be this time next year...

What do you think?

1- Keep your word.
2- Don’t let anybody, (including yourself) talk you out of your passions.
3- Tomorrow is already too late.
4- Never take for granted those who love you.
5- Be incredibly grateful for everything you have NOW.
6- Never stop learning.
7- Find the beauty in everything.
8- There is a lesson and a gratitude in every situation.
9- Listen to peoples’ emotions more than their words.
10- Plans change- get over it quick.
11- Conviction is one of your greatest assets!
12- Driving is a full time job. (Learned that one from my dad.)
13- Getting upset over trivial things is a waste of life energy.
14- Don’t let money rule or ruin your life.
15- Find someone with the same values as you.
16- When you find your person, put a ring on it, fast!
17- You don’t need to be right.
18- Make sure to prioritize yourself too.
19- What you say cannot be taken back; be conscious of your words.
20- You’re far more capable than you think.
21- Never give up.
22- Be intentional with your caring.
23- The more you understand yourself the more you can understand others.
24- Being able to cook is a valuable life skill.
25- Surround yourself with people who challenge you mentally and emotionally.
26- It’s really easy to have low standards when you don’t set a high bar for yourself.
27- There’s always someone ahead of you. Learn from them.
28- The things that help you forget your pain in a moment, often turn that pain into suffering.
29- Be proud of your achievements, no matter how small.
30- Small gestures of kindness often have the largest impact.
31- Have good posture, dress up once in a while, and learn to tie your own tie.
32- Tell the people in your life you love them: your dad, your brother, your father-in-law, your son, your nephew…all of them.
33- Don’t watch the mainstream news, it never tells the full story.
34- Taking responsibility isn’t just saying you’re sorry.
35- Your gifts are valuable, and you can charge for them!
36- Live a “relationship first” life.
37- Chivalry isn’t FOR women, it’s FROM men.
38- Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Be grateful for it, and say thank you often.
39- Apologize for who you were being, not just for what you did.
40- Yoga gets more essential with age.
41 - You’re never too old to start again.
42- Freedom is escaping routines only to find out how important they are.
43- Get over your fear of feeling.
44- Fight FOR something instead of against others.
45- Always double check.
46- You can never tell your partner how beautiful and amazing they are too much.
Special thanks go to the most beautiful and amazing woman in my life, Melanie. I love you, thank you for being the best thing that ever happened to me!

What thoughts got your attention??

Step by step, thought by thought, you can create an incredible 2024. Are you ready??

See you on the other side of 2023!!
 
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