I love borders, borders of states, countries, time and imaginary lines that serve as worldwide dividers like the equator. I have stood with one foot in Italy and the other in the Vatican; one foot in Ireland, the other in Northern Ireland. My family has driven miles out of our way to cross the Artic Circle in Finland, the Continental Divide in Colorado and other borders around the continent. Maybe I inherited my love of borders from my parents.
With each boarder crossing, I imagined all that separates the two sides. Sometimes the things that divide one side from the other seem small and insignificant. It is almost hard to recognize the differences. Other times the border divides economics, language, politics, religion, culture and history. Often those times the differences are vivid and clear. I still hold my breath when I cross over a border as if I am leeping from one great thing to another.
Continue reading "Crossing the Border from 2009 into 2010 Expectantly" »
My early venture into social media was when I took of the Essential Wholsale newsletter and Essential U blog. Heather Howell, owner of Aroma-Pharmica, started emailing me uplifting and encouraging emails in response to my Heart to Heart messages. One could say she was one of my early virtual friendships that formed on social media. I have one of her emails on my wall next to my desk to remind me on hectic days of why I write those weekly Heart to Heart messages.
Just over a year ago Heather wrote, "Seriously, take a moment and soak these words in. As of late, I smile, often laugh and sometimes cry when I read your words. When your blog arrives in my inbox, I know there will be information that I need in the here and now. I have said it before and I am saying it again, Thank you God for creating such a beautiful spirit and for allowing our paths to cross through a business relationship. I love you on Twitter, as another side of you is captured. Thank you precious one and have a most beautiful day and fabulous holiday filled with all the love, light and laughter your being can absorb and hold."
Continue reading "The Business of Aromatherapy :: Certified Clinical Aromatherapist Heather A. Howell's Story" »
Dear Friends & Family,
This year we are not sending out traditional Christmas cards. Instead we are sending you an interactive Blog-a-gram Christmas greeting. Simply click through the links that interest you to learn more about 2009 in the lives of the Fioravanti family.
Normally I could have consulted my electronic calendar that is kept in my phone but...sometime towards the end of this year I drowned my phone. I've lost not only the accounting of our year, but phone numbers and addresses. In many ways 2009 passed quickly and in others it was a long and challenging year. Please join us in singing....
The Twelve Months of 2009 (which should be sung to the tune of the Twelve Days of Christmas….)
In the first month of two thousand and nine my true love and I spent the first few weeks on different continents while Dennis and Keegan went on a mission trip to India. The girls and I held down the leaking fort while they were away. After a heavy winter storm brought many bucket loads of rain into our first floor. We held back the water with duct tape and plastic bags (at least for awhile.) I spent some time reflecting on nose picking (laughter) and dark valleys (tears) and also the experience of being present at the first breath and the last. I declared sleep overrated and Dennis, Laura and I displayed serious leadership skills.
Continue reading "Merry Christmas from the Fioravanti Family" »
I met Sister Cathleen Timberlake at a Handcrafted Soapmakers Conference. It would be hard to compete with Sister Cathleen's soap because she adds some unique ingredients to her Monastery Creations Soap. I always look forward to seeing Sister Cathleen at the Annual Conference because she is one of the most peaceful and joyous people I know. Her smile is genuine and she always seems singularly focused on the person she is speaking with no matter what is going on around you.
How did you get into the soap business?
I've always loved fragrance and a friend gifted me with a couple of wonderful Lavender bars of soap...and I thought to myself as I ran out of those soaps "I should be able to make that!!" And so after studying it a good long while on the internet I made my first batch. My first mold was an #10 envelop box!
Continue reading "The Business of Soap :: The Story Behind Monastery Creations" »
Since I am a Registered and Certified Aromatherapist I get asked often to recommend a good certification program. I am a member of the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapists (NAHA) and have been for many years. I referred to their list of NAHA approved schools when I chose the program that worked best for me at the time. For a complete list click here.
The advice that I normally give is that any one of the NAHA approved schools is going to give you a great Level I and II foundation in aromatherapy. You have to find the one that will work best for you. There are many factors to consider. I am including a list of the NAHA approved schools, their description of the program along with a few notes from me on what I know about the schools. These are in no order of preference – just simply alphabetized.
Continue reading "NAHA Approved Aromatherapy Certification Programs " »
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