Christmas lists… friend or foe?

The idea of Christmas lists has always been weird for me to grasp.

 

As a kid, it didn’t matter what we asked for, we always got chocolates, a real orange, a real apple, and some peppermints in our stocking.

For gifts, we got socks, undies, and usually a clothing item. Even to this day, I can count on my parents getting me socks and a hand towel and oven mitt set regardless of what my kitchen theme is. We didn’t know any different as some years, we would get to be on the giving tree and get random toys and others not.

We didn’t have money, but as kids, we (I had no idea) that was the case until I was in middle school. My parents did the best they could to make sure we had everything we needed, and not what we wanted.

 

For a long time, I didn’t understand it. I felt cheated and that I missed out. I would try to make up for it by buying myself as many gifts around Christmas as I would buy for everyone else. I wanted to buy the best and most gifts with the best paper to have people tear into Christmas day. I wanted to give the biggest pile of gifts, regardless if they were thoughtful or if they were last minute cheapies off of the holiday section that wouldn’t ever make it out of their package.

 

This continued even after the girls were able to open their own gifts. The best paper to be ripped to shreds and not even appreciated then thrown into the trash. The gifts inside marveled for about 2.5 seconds and then pushed to the side.

The difference is, now, we don’t need to make a Christmas list because we have worked to set ourselves up to be able to purchase anything we need or want, whenever we want.

It’s not to sound arrogant or anything, it’s just that that’s the truth. Through a lot of hard work and smart business, we have went from straight poor as children and now abundant adults.

So it raises the question about the Christmas list again. Do we need to make one to list our wants, or do we ask that people spend more money on their own families and simply spend time and have experiences with us?

 

I know for me, I would rather go to lunch or have a day with someone creating a stronger relationship than any gift could give. And, because we live so far away from a lot of our family, I would prefer they spend the time with the kids instead of giving them a mountain of presents for them to enjoy for about as long as it takes to unbox them.

 

Maybe it’s me wanting to have less things to move someday when our house is done.

Maybe it’s me turning 32 and finally realizing the important things in life.

Maybe it’s looking back on some of my favorite memories growing up, spending time making noodles with my grandma and eating pies with my other grandma.

Maybe it’s me not wanting to clean up the mess… probably a lot of this…

 

Most of all, I think I want them to slow down and remember. Remember the holiday season for what it’s really meant to be – family time.

 

What do y’all do? Do you do Christmas Lists or do you get what you need? Or do you ask for experiences instead of gifts?

xoxo,

AJ

 

Misery likes Company. Rise above Misery

Misery likes Company. Rise above Misery

Do yourself a favor and start disconnecting from those conversations and people who are always out to harm or talk about others. As you rise in your awareness, they won’t resonate anymore anyways, so the sooner you can disconnect from them the better.

See, in order to have true happiness and everything you want out of this life, you have to raise above all of the low vibe things, or those things that only bring you down i.e. talking about others or engaging in drama.

 

Each time you raise your awareness and your energy level, the less and less you need the people who are lower than you. You may be already noticing this. These people don’t know how or aren’t ready to raise themselves up and do better. They will continue to come back to you wanting things to be the same, or wanting to carry the same conversations, wanting you to feel sorry for them, etc. but it won’t resonate anymore.

 

The important thing to remember is that some people and some situations are only here for a short time. Some things are here for much longer, while others are here to serve a specific purpose. If you are struggling or having bad feelings with situations or people in your life, I encourage you to take a few minutes (maybe longer if necessary), and look at all the areas you are having not so great feelings about. Once you have this list, ask yourself Why? Why do I feel like this? Why do I feel like I have to continue this way?

 

After the Whys are out of the way, ask the What’s. What would I feel like if I didn’t engage in this anymore? What could I do/have instead? What other things are possible when I let go of this?

 

Now, ask the How’s. How can I make this change? How can I connect with other things that I want instead? How will this change me? How do I tell these people/activities that I’m done?

 

Write about anything else that comes to mind, and don’t judge yourself for this activity. It will allow you to get what you really want to happen on paper, and the things you no longer desire will also come on that paper, which allows them freedom from your body and mind.

 

By doing this writing activity, you will be raising your awareness and your energy levels which people will start to notice. Those who you have been dragging around for so long will no longer feel like they can talk or hang out with you because they won’t be a match anymore for your positivity.

 

It’s time we really take control of our own future and outcomes, and it starts with releasing those people and activities that aren’t a match for us anymore. It’s time to take a stand and raise your energy so you can start connecting with those who are waiting for you to get on their level!

 

Make these changes for yourself first, and notice how the people in your life also start to change. Notice what your kids start saying to you, notice how your spouse starts treating you, notice how you start thinking, treating, and talking about your own body. It all starts with you and releasing those things that are no longer necessary in your life!

 

Now is your time to make a difference for you! Are you ready?

 

Xo,

AJ

Tumbled or Rough Crystals… Which do I use?

Tumbled or Rough Crystals… Which do I use?

This is a question that I get asked all the time, and I get it. I had a hard time deciphering myself when I was first getting into crystals and stones.

Tumbled Ametrine – Amethyst and Citrine that grew together in the ground.

I was totally drawn to the tumbled or polished, like most, because they are smoother and shiny. I was more turned off of the rough and natural stones because they often didn’t shine or had rough edges that made it difficult to work with.

So I too, shied away from using the rough stones for a while in my own practice and that with my clients. As with many other areas of my life, I soon learned that when I would work with the tumbled and rough/natural stones, I could tell there was a difference. I could hold the same type of stone in each of my hands – one rough in one hand and one tumbled in the other hand – and I noticed a difference in the energy.

Rough Selenite sticks to help remove negativity and make a nicer atmosphere for all.

I started to experiment in my own practice as well as in that of my clients and found that in emotional healing, there is quite the difference. The breakthroughs and healings experienced could differ from stone to stone and person to person. But the commonalities between the rough/natural and tumbled were ALWAYS the same!

When I start working with a new client or on a new emotional issue of my own, I always start with a tumbled stone. In my experience, I’ve learned that tumbled stones are much gentler in their energy and working on emotional issues. If the person is looking for a little bit of help, but not fully committed, the energy of tumbled stones allows them to find relief and also not go through an experience called a ‘healing crisis’ which could cause physical illness or something similar.

Tumbled Aquamarine is such a gentle emotional helper.

The energy of tumbled stones is great for working with women who are pregnant, children, or others with sensitive energy (elderly, weakened immune systems, etc).

The pretty colors make it easier for kids to connect with and love the tumbled stones as well.

In instances where a client is looking for deep emotional healing on an issue or with my own emotional issues, I tend to reach for the rough or natural stones. These are natural from the earth, haven’t been altered and their energy is full force. Rough stones also work really great on issues that have been worked on previously to help get to the core.

Black Amethyst is great for emotional healing and helping to ground.

They are great for issues that were brought up by clearing out other emotional traumas previously. Using rough stones first may cause someone to go into a ‘healing crisis’ causing physical illness which typically can be cleared by using other stones to pull the additional energy and movement out of their body.

If you are sharing the stones with your clients or others, the easiest one for them to carry on them would be tumbled stones as they are typically smooth and free of any sharp points.

Many people build grids or layouts of the stones, and this is typically easier to use the tumbled stones as they stay in place.

Alter grid including many different types of tools.

And, at the end of the day, if you find that you are drawn to the natural, rough stones of types of crystals and the tumbled, smooth type of others, that’s ok. You may find that in different seasons of your life, even day to day, you are drawn to rough when the day before you were drawn to tumbled. It’s ok to experiment and try things out. If you have a long weekend and are looking to clear through some deep emotional things, go with the rough stones. If you are looking for quick, easy relief, give the tumbled stones a try.

Tumbled Blue Tiger’s Eye or Hawks Eye is hard to find.

The beauty of working with crystals and stones is that it’s not one size fits all. You get to customize it for you and for your clients. When working with kids or pets, they will usually sense or tell you it’s too strong (maybe in different words) or get up and leave. Listen to that and be ok with that as they are more in tune with their bodies than adults, so often they can tell when the process is complete.

Tumbled Smoky Quartz – a must for protection and emotional healing!

If you have been scared or curious about using the stones/crystals now you hopefully will not be! I would love to know if you tried this and what you come up with!

If you missed my post on why now is a good time to start getting into crystals and stones, give that a read HERE.

Are you familiar with crystals? Do you use them or have you thought about working with them?

Xoxo,

AJ

When did Crystal use become Mainstream and Why you Should Hop on the Train

When did Crystal use become Mainstream and Why you Should Hop on the Train

I have to tell you, when I first was drawn to crystals and all the woo woo things, my family thought I was a bit coo coo.

Talking about the energy and the different things they can do for you and your life… yep eye rolling for sure.

But I noticed a few months ago, there is this trend that is popping up more and more on social media and with famous people. They are all into the crystals and woo woo things.

You hear them talk about it, see them in photos with crystals, and even learn they have businesses centered around them.

 

What the actual F.

I was called crazy (probably like you too, sister), was told to stop believing in it (I see you sister), and my husband even told me I needed to get them out of the house.

(I prefer to believe he couldn’t handle the energy they were giving off, and wanted to shut back down.) 

…….

Yep, so true.

But the second a famous person starts talking about them, and all of a sudden my hubby and the rest of the world wants to participate and act like they know what’s going on.

I think he really got on board when I started using them for different things, like getting our dream home without a pushback from the seller or using them in a massage to help remove the pain in his neck that regular massage and pain meds didn’t help.

Like all other things, sometimes it takes time and education to learn about something. The first time you see or hear of this new thing, it may not make sense and can be way over your head.

 

The second time around, maybe the concepts become a bit more familiar and understandable yet still out in lala land. Then someone or something posts in verbiage you can understand, and the lightbulb moment takes place.

 

But, there’s so many things you can use them for, and it all can be confusing, I know. That’s why I have taken a deep dive into many different areas, understanding different avenues for you to discover, from someone who is normal, ie, not a famous person who gets instant media attention for anything and everything.

 

I have actual clients and daily practices where I implement the use of crystals in my business as well as my home. I share practical advice and usage so you too can confidently jump on board the crystal train for your home and life.

Whatcha say, are you ready for the bright and shiny, magical world of crystals?

 

PS – If you are ready, and don’t know what to do, take a peek at my crystal membership where you can learn more about them!