Calling…

Since early childhood I have strongly connected my life experiences to my sense of smell. Growing up, I have fond memories of fragrant spring blossoms swirling through the streets where I lived, the warm, comforting smell of freshly made bread and donuts from our local bakery, the crisp, salty sea air that surrounded the island where I attended school and even the distinct, pungent odor of my father’s tackle box. I believe my level of awareness of my sense of smell led me to the healing art of aromatherapy.

My journey with essential oils began over 20 years ago. I was introduced to aromatherapy by a holistic medical doctor whom I worked for in Santa Monica, California. Her office was in an artsy, wellness building off Wilshire Blvd. and I loved going downstairs and getting a coffee at the café at the front entrance. There was also a gift shop with neat trinkets and healing books. I remember the day so vividly as if it was yesterday, it was her birthday and I wanted to get her a token of my appreciation for all that I was learning while working for her. A holistic medical doctor was a rare person 20 years ago and I was a sponge. I decided to head down to the gift shop on my lunch break to see if I could find a little gift for her. I was on a serious budget back then and so I didn’t have much money to spend, but crafty as I am, I knew I could find something meaningful. Walking around the shop, I stumbled on a small wooden box with little bottles of fragrances in them. It was right up my alley, and just so happened to be perfectly discounted for me to afford. I eagerly purchased it and went back to work to give it to her. As soon as she opened it she said, “Oh, I love essential oils!” That was my aha moment. “Essential oils? What are essential oils?” I thought to myself. I had no clue what I had just purchased. Who knew that these fragrant little bottles that I bought for her held in them my very calling. She must have seen the intrigue in my eyes as she began to open one and tell me about them. My soul listened with such delight, that after work, I immediately went downstairs to the shop and purchased a book on the subject matter.

Can you image the moment of awakening when I discovered that some of my favorite scents growing up were therapeutic in their natural form? And, to learn that there was a job that specialized in this area of study? I was transformed. I started my own collection of essential oils right away and was completely fascinated by them. How could these aromatic essences hold such healing value? I decided to take it a step further and researched going to school. And, that’s where my journey with aromatherapy began. I have been a certified aromatherapist for 16 years now and continue everyday with love and passion for it. While raising three children and serving my clients I have had many opportunities to test my knowledge, trust in my ability, as well as trust the plants and their ability to heal. It has been and continues to be an amazing journey of healing and discovery.

During my recovery from an injury a few years ago, I had no revenue having to put my aromatherapy business on hiatus and decided to work in primary education to help supplement my family’s income. I began working in special education and found that I was very fit for this type of work with children. As much as I enjoyed and had great success in it, something kept nudging at me. We can be suited for different trades and have many different talents, but I believe we are only given one calling. And, if you have discovered it, I believe you must follow it endlessly no matter how dark the road may seem. After all, isn’t that why we are here? To stretch ourselves and grow in different directions. To take risks and utilize our faith?

You will not often know when your divine gift will surface. You will not always know where to find it, but with an open heart, when you do discover it, listen to its calling…

Proverbs 18:16

¹⁶ A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.