Remembering the Alamo and Beyond
A year ago my son Nathan got married, then moved to Texas. A couple of weeks ago I was able to travel to San Antonio with my wife to visit with family. We have never been to this part of Texas before. Nathan picked us up at the airport and took us to visit with some of our family that live near by. We spent the night which was great, and very enjoyable reconnecting with loved ones.
The next day Nathan took my wife, and myself to see the Alamo. I have never seen so many different types of plants from tropical palm trees to desert cactus plants.We also took the river walk tour on a boat. We had a fun tour guide with a dry wit that pointed out interesting points of interest along the river. He said “everyone get ready to take a picture of a beautiful man made water fall on your right.” When we got to the spot on the river he said “sorry they forgot to turn it on.” You could tell if it was working it would be beautiful. He was making the best of the situation. As we went around the river bend our boat brushed up against some tropical plants. Our tour guide said “don’t worry about the plants they are tropical poison ivy”. Everything he said sounded serious with a slight smile. One of the tourists on the boat totally believed every thing our tour guide was saying. He said “I can’t believe the waterfall wasn’t working” and “Tropical poison ivy how dangerous.”
I got to thinking how often we take life too seriously like the tourist on the boat that choose to look at life half empty. Our tour guide chose to make the best of his situation, and looks at life with a positive twist. Unlike the unhappy tourist, I enjoyed the tour just like it was. Around every twist and turn of the river, I was enjoying the way our tour guide was turning negative situations into a very entertaining river tour.
On our way back to our car we forgot where Nathan parked. We looked all over. It was hot and we were getting exhausted from going from parking lot to parking lot. Then my wife remembered a landmark by our parking place. Everything became more clear where we parked. Within minutes we were sitting in our air conditioned car headed towards Whataburger for lunch. It didn’t matter that just a few minutes before we were lost and hot. The important thing was we were with our son making memories. Everyday we experience challenges. How we face each situation determines our attitude. Our attitude determines altitude. I choose to fly high with a positive happy life. You can, too.
Palmarosa-Did You Know?
Did you know Palmarosa is The Oil of Growth and Maturity? Palmarosa can help people to grow and develop physically as well as emotionally. Just like the fast growing Palmarosa grass, this oil can speed up a persons emotional growth process. It is extremely helpful for children as well as adults that are trapped emotionally at a younger age developmentally.
Palmarosa is a wild growing, green and straw-colored grass, with long slender stems, terminal flowering tops and fragrant grassy leaves. It has been traditionally used in India and West Africa to flavor foods and cure meats. People have also used it for decades to make cosmetics, soaps, and perfumes. It has been used for centuries to dilute the more expensive Rose oil. It has a delightful, rosy scent with a hint of lemon, wintergreen and maple leaf.
Palmarosa oil moisturizes the skin and regenerates cells as well as enhances anti-aging functions. It is also antibacterial and aids in digestion of food. In addition, it calms the nerves, treats colds and flu, removes scars, relieves muscle pains and strains, and treats cuts and wounds by preventing infection.
Palmarosa oil has a strong scent, so use sparingly. Calms emotions,warming to the body, and helps relax tight muscles. Lessens pain, and could be useful for treatment for anorexia nervosa. It helps when treating a sluggish appetite. Palmarosa oil brings inner peace, balancing, and is refreshing, and soothing. Is great for skin care, and is safe for all skin types and great for moisturizing the skin and hair.
Palmarosa oil can be used in carrier oil for massages, and to treat fungal infections topically. It can be used to treat wounds topically without dilution. It can be used in aromatherapy to help with anxiety and fatigue. For another alternative, it can be inhaled to kill intestinal infections. Pregnant women should first seek expert advice before use.
Health Proverb
Good is of God
I saw a documentary about an artist that paints pictures of the Savior. When he was first married, his first wife and one of his children, died in a car accident. He said because of that accident, he believes he paints with more feelings. This tragedy was turned into a positive blessing in his life, by giving him more compassion. He was able to put more emotion into his art work.
There is a scripture I like that says, “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated And when we obtain any blessings from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.”
The way I understand this scripture is that for every law in the universe that we follow, we will be blessed for following that law. For example, if we don’t smoke we have a better chance of not getting lung cancer. If we don’t speed while we are driving, we will be blessed by not getting a speeding ticket.
I believe any idea that teaches good is of God. We can learn valuable truths from many religions. Every time we learn with an open mind we are blessed.
Essential Oils Studied For Antimicrobial Properties
Antimicrobial is an agent that resists or destroys pathogenic microorganisms. The Invasion and multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms in the body is called an infection. When we are infected by pathogens we become sick, which means that our bodies stop functioning properly.
Arborvitae Essential Oil
Arborvitae essential oil has a high content of tropolones, a group of chemical compounds that protect against environmental and seasonal threats, have powerful purifying properties, and promote healthy cell function.
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Cardamom Essential Oil
Cardamom is commonly used to help reduce indigestion and nausea, and to soothe stomach discomfort and promote digestion. Its distinct scent can lessen motion sickness while promoting a positive mood.
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Cassia Essential Oil
When diluted, Cassia can help soothe sore, achy joints. Cassia can be used in cooking either as a replacement for Cinnamon in pies and breads, or by itself in many different entrees and desserts.
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Cinnamon Essential Oil
Cinnamon is strong, so be sure to dilute it (3 drops of carrier oil to 1 drop of cinnamon), but you can cook, bake, or even make candy with it too.
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Fennel Essential Oil
Fennel is best known for its distinct licorice aroma and taste, yet its ability to ease digestive troubles and monthly menstrual cycles are equally noteworthy.
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Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense promotes a healthy inflammatory response and acts as an overall tonic to the body’s systems, helping them function optimally. When inhaled or diffused, Frankincense induces feelings of peace, relaxation, satisfaction, and overall wellness.
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Helichrysum Essential Oil
Helichrysum is highly valued and sought after for its many health benefits. It’s frequently consumed to help detoxify the body. Also referred to as Everlasting or Immortal Flower.
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Lavender Essential Oil
Inhaling Lavender promotes relaxation and a restful night’s sleep, making it an ideal oil to diffuse at bedtime and when stress levels are high.
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Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon has multiple benefits and uses. Lemon is a powerful cleansing agent that purifies the air, disinfects surfaces, and can be used as a non-toxic cleaner throughout the home.
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Lemongrass Essential Oil
This oil supports healthy digestion, and soothes aching muscles. Lemongrass purifies and tones skin, and acts as an overall tonic to the body’s systems.
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Melissa (Lemon Balm) Essential Oil
Melissa is also great for your skin or over the reflex areas for the area of concern. You can also add a drop to your tea,
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Myrrh Essential Oil
Myrrh is valued as an expectorant, which means it promotes the expulsion of mucus in cases of bronchitis and lung congestion. Myrrh is best for chronic conditions, because it contains tannins and resins, it has an astringent effect on tissues.
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Patchouli Essential Oil
Patchouli is regularly used in the perfume industry as well as in scented products. The fragrance of Patchouli provides a grounding, balancing effect on emotions.
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Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint is very pleasing to the taste buds (you can add the oil to tea or water), but is powerfully soothing to the digestive system. You can usually apply it without diluting, inhale for nausea, or take internally as suggested.
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Thyme Essential Oil
Thyme makes a great defense against many concerns, although it should always be diluted (4 drops carrier oil to 1 drop thyme). You can also cook with it.
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Greek Proverb
Exchange the Word Luck for Blessed.
Webster’s dictionary defines luck as the “force that brings good or bad” Luck is a pagan, non-Christian idea that views good or bad fortune and success as a tangible thing unto itself.
I don’t believe anything in this life happens because of luck. Having said this, I used to say the word lucky in my everyday conversations not thinking much about it. One day I was in a classroom at the elementary school where I worked. I happened to use the word lucky in my conversation with a teacher I was helping. When she corrected me by saying nothing happens by luck or chance, we are blessed. She went on to say how blessed she was, and that luck wasn’t in any part of her life. I have thought a lot about that conversation many times, she is right.
Webster’s dictionary defines blessed as enjoying happiness; specifically: enjoying the bliss of heaven bringing pleasure, contentment, or good fortune.
Many things that happen to us appear to be bad, but when we see the bigger picture, we realize that by enduring our challenges we were blessed. I believe with every adversity there is an equal or greater blessing waiting for us. Many things that happen to us appear to be bad, in the bigger picture we realize we were blessed, by enduring our challenges.
What does luck have to do with anything? When I hear someone say they are so lucky, I think to myself all good comes from God, not by chance. Blessings come from God.
Call me crazy, but when I was 12, I would play many games that were very dangerous. One of these games involved shooting an arrow into the air. Then without moving, we would see how close the arrow would land next to us. My brother Mel was very competitive. He was able to get the arrow to land about two feet away, so I knew I had to get a good shot to win this game. I shot the arrow up, and then lost track of the arrow. I was afraid if I ran, I would run into the path of the arrow. So I just stood still, closed my eyes, put my hands on top of my head, and prayed that the arrow would not hit me. The next thing I know, this arrow comes from no where piercing through my pants, not even touching my skin. My brother instantly declared me the winner because he knew this feat could not be repeated. Many people when they hear this story, said I was so lucky to be alive. I disagree. I believe there was no luck involved, I would say I was very blessed that day. I know my life was spared, because my life’s work is not yet finished. God has a divine plan for all of us. Be ready to accept all that God wants us to do.
Myrtle-Did You Know?
Did you know Myrtle is the oil of adaptability? Myrtle instills the soul with qualities helping you to adjust to new conditions, capable of being flexible, and recovering quickly from difficult conditions. Myrtle helps brings joy to the heart allowing things to flow naturally. It is helpful during difficult and challenging times.
The Ancient Egyptians knew of the therapeutic properties of myrtle, macerating the leaves in wine to counter fever and infection. The best and most fragrant myrtle trees came from Egypt. In Biblical times, Jewish women wore garlands of myrtle on their heads on their wedding day as a symbol of love, and to bring them happiness. In 1876, Dr Delioux de Savignac advocated the use of myrtle for bronchial infections, for problems of the urinary and reproductive system, and for hemorrhoids.
A study shows that myrtle oil kills Salmonella on fresh fruits and vegetables. Scientists intentionally inoculated fresh tomatoes, and iceberg lettuce with a strain of Salmonella. Then they used a cleaning solution that had a dilution rate of 1 to 1000 containing myrtle leaf oil to test if it would kill the bacteria. The results suggest that the use of myrtle can be an effective alternative to the use of chlorine or other disinfectants on fruits and vegetables.
Myrtle lowers blood sugar and has been traditionally used in Iran for the treatment of Malaria. It is also known for its ability to repel mosquitoes, and kills fungus, and mold. In some cultures myrtle is used to heal mouth ulcers, warts, and acne.
Portuguese Proverb
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