Tag: Gratitude

Essential Oils, Self-Discovery

Gratitude: The Practice That Turns Ordinary Days Into Extraordinary Ones

Beyond Possibilities

There’s something magical that happens when you pause—just for a moment—and breathe in gratitude. The world doesn’t change instantly… but you do. The edges soften. The noise quiets. Your heart opens just a little wider. And suddenly, the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

When you pair this daily practice with the gentle support of doTERRA’s pure tested-grade essential oils, that magic becomes even more tangible. Aromatic molecules meet mindful intention, and together they create openings for joy, peace, clarity, and presence.

This month, I’ve been leaning deeply into this pairing—gratitude + aroma—and I’m excited to share these simple, soul-nourishing practices with you.

Why Gratitude + Aroma Work So Beautifully Together

Gratitude anchors you. Essential oils activate your senses. Together, they shift your emotional state in seconds. While journaling or speaking gratitude aloud engages the mind, aromatic blending communicates directly with the limbic system—your emotional command center—helping the heart and body catch up with what your mind already knows:

There is beauty here.
There is blessing here.
There is enough.
You are enough.

Aromatic Companions for a Grateful Heart

Below are some of my favorite doTERRA blends and single oils for building or deepening your gratitude practice—each one supporting the heart, mind, and breath in a different, beautiful way.

✨ Citrus Bliss® — The Joy Igniter

There’s a reason we instinctively smile when we smell citrus. Citrus Bliss blends wild orange, lemon, grapefruit, mandarin, bergamot, tangerine, and vanilla—inviting a burst of sunshine into your day.

Use it when:
You want to feel brighter, lighter, or inspired. Add a drop to your palms, inhale deeply, and speak three things you’re grateful for aloud.

Why:
Citrus oils have uplifting and energizing aromatic properties that support emotional rejuvenation and promote positive feelings (doTERRA, 2023a).

✨ Balance® — The Grounding Blend

Balance feels like stepping onto soft earth after a long day. Spruce, frankincense, blue tansy, ho wood, and osmanthus work together to create a calming, steadying aroma.

Use it when:
Your mind is racing, your emotions feel scattered, or you want to reconnect with the present moment.

Why:
Tree oils contain grounding aromatic constituents that can help the mind and body experience greater calm and stability (doTERRA, 2023b).

✨ Frankincense — The Heart Opener

Frankincense has long been known as the “oil of truth,” and for good reason. Its rich, resinous aroma encourages deeper breathing and a fuller sense of connection—both inward and upward.

Use it when:
You’re journaling, reflecting, praying, or giving thanks for something tender or powerful.

Why:
Frankincense’s centering and focusing aromatic compounds support emotional balance and deeper reflection (Buckle, 2015).

✨ Spikenard — The Deep-Rooted Stillness Oil

Spikenard carries an ancient, grounding aroma—earthy, warm, and quietly powerful. It invites you to slow everything down and listen beneath the noise.

Use it when:
You crave deeper stillness, spiritual grounding, or a moment to reconnect with your inner wisdom.

Why:
Spikenard’s soothing aromatic profile is traditionally used to promote relaxation, calm, and emotional centering (doTERRA, 2023c).

✨ Helichrysum — The Emotional Renewal Oil

Known as the “Everlasting” or “Immortelle” flower, Helichrysum encourages emotional resilience. It’s gentle, comforting, and incredibly supportive when gratitude feels just out of reach.

Use it when:
You’re healing, releasing emotional patterns, or wanting a fresh, hopeful mindset.

Why:
Helichrysum’s aromatic compounds have long been associated with renewal, comfort, and emotional support (doTERRA, 2023d).

✨ Lime — The Bright-Hearted Encourager

Lime’s vibrant, lively aroma brings clarity and forward motion. It’s perfect for mornings or moments when you want to cultivate optimism.

Use it when:
You’re setting intentions, starting your day, or need a little spark of energy.

Why:
Citrus oils like lime offer uplifting and energizing aromatic benefits that help cultivate positive emotional states (doTERRA, 2023e).

✨ Beautiful® Body Mist — The Worthiness Whisper

With Bergamot, Lime, Frankincense, and Osmanthus, Beautiful® is the blend that reminds you of your own inner light. The body mist turns gratitude into a whole-body, sensory experience.

Use it when:
You want to feel grounded in your body, uplifted in your mindset, or wrapped in a moment of self-worth.

Why:
Beautiful® was crafted to evoke feelings of radiance, courage, and self-compassion, promoting emotional wellbeing through its bright yet grounding aromatic blend (doTERRA, 2023f).

✨ Harvest Spice® — The Cozy Gratitude Blend

Warm, nostalgic, and deeply comforting, Harvest Spice® brings feelings of connection and belonging. It’s gratitude in aromatic form.

Use it when:
You’re cultivating family connection, celebrating blessings, or creating a cozy environment for reflection.

Why:
Spice oils have warming and uplifting qualities that promote comfort, joy, and togetherness (doTERRA, 2023g).

✨ Wild Orange — The Spark of Joy

Wild Orange is the essence of optimism. Its sweet, bright aroma makes gratitude feel effortless.

Use it when:
You want to amplify joy, reset your mood, or add brightness to your gratitude journal or diffuser practice.

Why:
Wild Orange’s energizing and mood-enhancing aromatic compounds inspire feelings of joy, creativity, and positivity (doTERRA, 2023h).

Gratitude Diffuser Blends

If you want to elevate your gratitude practice even more, consider creating a gratitude “atmosphere” in your home or workspace. Diffusing blends with citrus, woods, spices, and resins can shift your emotional state before you ever pick up a pen or whisper a thank-you. These aromas bring warmth, expansion, and presence into the air around you—making gratitude feel more natural, accessible, and embodied.

A Simple Daily Gratitude Ritual

Try this practice for a week and notice the shift:

  1. Choose your oil. Pick the one your heart needs today: Joy, grounding, stillness, renewal, or brightness.
  2. Breathe it in. One deep inhale with your hand over your heart.
  3. Speak or write one thing you’re grateful for today.
  4. Close with a grounding exhale.
  5. Carry the aroma—and the gratitude—with you.

Five steps. One minute. A completely different day.

When Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary

Here’s what I’ve learned after years of helping others reconnect with themselves:

Gratitude doesn’t ignore the hard things.
It simply helps you remember the good things, too.

And essential oils don’t fix your life.
But they can shift your energy, soften your breath, and help your heart receive what your mind already knows:

There is still wonder.
There is still goodness.
There is still so much to be grateful for.

Whether you’re, starting a journal practice, a pro at gratitude, or simply pausing to appreciate what’s right in front of you, know this:

Every single breath of gratitude opens the door to an extraordinary life.
One moment… one aroma… one blessing at a time.

Gratitude JournalDownload

References (APA 7)

Buckle, J. (2015). Clinical aromatherapy: Essential oils in healthcare (3rd ed.). Elsevier.

doTERRA. (2023a). Citrus Bliss® essential oil blend. https://www.doterra.com
doTERRA. (2023b). Balance® grounding blend. https://www.doterra.com
doTERRA. (2023c). Spikenard essential oil. https://www.doterra.com
doTERRA. (2023d). Helichrysum essential oil. https://www.doterra.com
doTERRA. (2023e). Lime essential oil. https://www.doterra.com
doTERRA. (2023f). Beautiful® body mist. https://www.doterra.com
doTERRA. (2023g). Harvest Spice® essential oil blend. https://www.doterra.com
doTERRA. (2023h). Wild Orange essential oil. https://www.doterra.com

Healing Journey, Making a Difference, Self-Discovery

Cultivating Gratitude in November — And Beyond

Beyond Possibilities

The crisp November air holds a subtle invitation: to pause, inhale deeply, and turn the gaze inward with a heartfelt “thank you.” I am grateful for those who trust me as their mentor, Essential Oil Coach, and Emotion Code, Body Code, and Belief Code Practitioner. I am thankful to those who follow me on the various platforms and hope you find value in what I share. Thank you for joining me on this journey.

As the golden leaves shift into quiet rest, so too can we shift from doing to being grateful. For many years I’ve taken this month to share one daily gratitude post on social media—and this year I’m inviting you to join me. Let’s explore why this matters: the science of gratitude, how it influences our health, and how simple daily practice can ripple into our wellbeing and community.

Why Gratitude Matters: The Research Story

Gratitude is more than a feel-good notion. In psychological science it’s defined as “the appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to oneself; a general state of thankfulness and/or appreciation” (Wood, Joseph, Lloyd, & Atkins, 2009).

Here are several evidence-based benefits:

1. Mental & Emotional Wellbeing

  • Gratitude correlates with greater happiness, more positive emotions, and improved life satisfaction (Harvard Health, 2021).
  • A meta-analysis of 64 randomized trials found gratitude interventions led to significant improvements in mental health: fewer symptoms of anxiety (−7.8 %) and depression (−6.9 %) (Jans-Beken et al., 2022).
  • Gratitude writing specifically (vs. general expressive writing) decreased stress and negative affect in a one-month follow-up (Schanche et al., 2020).

2. Physical Health & Sleep

  • Gratitude is associated with better sleep quality, reduced fatigue, fewer physical symptoms, and improved cardiovascular markers (Harvard Health, 2024).
  • Individuals with higher dispositional gratitude report greater vitality, less anxiety, and better self-rated physical health (Hill & Roberts, 2011).

3. Brain, Body, and Neural Pathways

  • Neuroscientific work shows gratitude activates brain regions tied to reward, social bonding, and emotional regulation (Fox et al., 2015).
  • Gratitude journaling helps “rewire” the brain—shifting attention toward noticing positives and strengthening social connections (The Resilience Project, 2023).

4. Relationships & Community

  • Gratitude strengthens social ties. Expressing thanks signals that we’ve received value from someone else, fostering trust, connection, and prosocial behavior (Greater Good Science Center, 2016).
  • The ripple extends beyond the individual; by nurturing gratitude, we also nurture environments of appreciation, kindness, and resilience.

How This Matters for You — And for Us Together

As I share my daily “gratitude” posts throughout November with you, here’s what I’m inviting—and what you might discover:

  • Resilience under pressure. Life brings stress, uncertainty, pain—yet research shows gratitude buffers against anxiety, depressive symptoms, and even lowers physical complaints.
  • Foundational self-care. While we often think of self-care as what we do (exercise, essential oils, sleep routines), gratitude is what we become—an orientation, a noticing.
  • Embodied payoff. Better sleep, less fatigue, improved mood—these aren’t extras; they’re foundational to showing up fully in your life, relationships, and purpose.
  • Shared transformation. When you join the daily gratitude practice with me, we create a collective momentum—a shared shift toward noticing, naming, and appreciating the good. That communal energy amplifies the individual benefits.

How to Participate: A Simple Framework

Here’s how you can join in this year’s November gratitude journey—with flexibility built in so it fits you.

  1. Download your free Gratitude Journal. (below)
    Begin by downloading my Beyond Possibilities Gratitude Journal, designed to guide your daily reflections and deepen your awareness of what’s good in your life. It includes space for 3–10 daily gratitude entries, inspiring prompts, and weekly reflection pages. (Download link coming soon!)
  2. Choose your medium.
    Whether it’s your downloaded journal, a digital notes app, or a social-media post—pick the format you’ll stick with.
  3. Keep it manageable.
    Research suggests that recording 3 to 10 items per day tends to produce optimal benefits (more than 10 may dilute impact).
    • For example: “I’m grateful today for…” followed by 3–5 things.
    • You may also pick a theme of the day (health, connection, nature, small joys, acts of kindness).
  4. Be honest & intentional.
    Gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring challenges—it means also noticing what’s good despite them. Authenticity matters more than perfection.
    • A suggested prompt: “What happened today that I might normally overlook—and how did it matter?”
    • Another: “Who made a difference for me today—and how can I thank them?”
  5. Share the ripple.
    Post what you’re grateful for on my daily gratitude post—either on LinkedIn or Facebook.
    Join the conversation, celebrate others’ moments of gratitude, and invite friends or family to participate.
    Or share on your own social media with the hashtag #BeyondGratitude to connect our growing community of thankfulness.
  6. Reflect weekly.
    At the end of each week in November, look back—What patterns emerge? What small things became big? What surprised you? This reflective pause deepens your practice and anchors your learning.
Gratitude JournalDownload

Why This Year Feels Especially Right

Given the fullness of our lives—with our personal healing journeys, essential-oil routines, emotional body work, stress-management, and self-care practices—layering in a gratitude practice is like adding a powerful support beam under the rest of the structure. It doesn’t replace anything you’re doing; it helps everything you do work better.
Plus, once gratitude becomes a habit, its benefits persist and compound over time.

In Closing

I invite you to step into November together—each day noticing something you are grateful for, sharing it if you choose, and inviting others into the circle. Let’s watch how small moments of thanks can build into greater resilience, deeper joy, stronger relationships, and more vibrant health.

With heartfelt thanks for you—for showing up, for choosing healing, for being part of this community. Here’s to a month of gratitude, connection, and transformation.

References

Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389.
Fox, G. R., Kaplan, J., Damasio, H., & Damasio, A. (2015). Neural correlates of gratitude. Frontiers in Psychology, 6(1491). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01491
Greater Good Science Center. (2016). How gratitude changes you and your brain. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain
Harvard Health. (2021). Giving thanks can make you happier. https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier
Harvard Health. (2024). Gratitude enhances health, brings happiness — and may even lengthen lives. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gratitude-enhances-health-brings-happiness-and-may-even-lengthen-lives-202409113071
Hill, P. L., & Roberts, B. W. (2011). Examining the pathways between gratitude and self-rated physical health. Psychology & Health, 26(9), 1057–1072. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3489271/
Jans-Beken, L., et al. (2022). The effects of gratitude interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10393216/
Schanche, E., et al. (2020). A brief gratitude writing intervention decreased stress and negative affect. Frontiers in Psychology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8867461/
The Resilience Project. (2023). Gratitude and the benefits of journaling. https://theresilienceproject.com.au/at-home/wellbeing-hub/gratitude-and-the-benefits-of-journaling/
Wood, A. M., Joseph, S., Lloyd, J., & Atkins, S. (2009). Gratitude influences sleep through the mechanism of pre-sleep cognitions. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 66(1), 43-48.