Blog Giveaway: Win an Amethyst Rising Home Spa Club Membership!

I'm on a mission to do my part to inspire people to take their health and well-being seriously and to get the most out of life. One way to do this is to be proactive about SELF-CARE.  We're so busy taking care of and loving others that we often forget to lavish the same care and love on ourselves.

Self-care doesn't have to mean exhausting the family budget during a shopping spree or getting over-priced treatments from that trendy spa across town.  There are many inexpensive, simple ways to incorporate self-care into your busy day: take five minutes to enjoy a hot cup of tea, schedule a meditation break in the middle of the day or indulge in a long, nurturing bath at the end of the day--just to name a few.

In this giveaway, I want to focus on one of my favorite ways to implement self-care: RELAXATION!  Enter my contest to win the perfect chill-out solution: An Amethyst Rising Three Month Home Spa Club Subscription (valued at $97)!  Learn more about the Home Spa Club here.

The contest runs from today, February 6 - midnight February 20.  One lucky winner's name will be drawn from the pool of submissions on February 25th.  The winner's three month Home Spa Club subscription will start in March.  Each month, in March, April and May, the winner will receive one or two products designed to help them relax and add a little positive mojo to their days (prize includes free priority shipping each month).

To enter the contest, simply do one or more of the following:

1. Leave a comment to this post telling me about your favorite relaxation technique/ritual
2. Leave a comment to this post telling me about a product you'd like to try on my website
3. Join the Amethyst Rising Fan Station on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amethyst-Rising-Fan-Station/322712503134
4. Follow this blog (just click the "Follow" button on the right side of this page)
5. Follow me on Twitter: @AmethystRising
6. RT my tweet announcing this contest
7. Join my email newsletter for Amethyst Rising news, special sales, product coupons, etc.  See the sign-up box at the bottom of my website's home page 

More info about this Contest:

1. Sorry, this giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only
2. If you choose to submit your entry via numbers 3-7 above, you MUST come back here and leave a comment letting me know which action you took
3. All entrants: You MUST leave your email address AND location in your post (example: help(at)amethystrising(dot)com, Baltimore, MD) as I will be contacting the winner via email
4. The winner may keep the prize for themselves or gift it to someone else (the recipient mus also be a resident of the US or Canada)

That's it folks! If you have any questions, email me at help(at)amethystrising(dot)com.  GOOD LUCK! :>).

2010 Fragrance Collections (Con't)

Mood Blends: All of the fragrances in this line are exclusive to Amethyst Rising--my original blends. They are formulated with pure, therapeutic essential oils designed to help promote certain psychological characteristics (Abundance, Courage, etc.).

Pure Indulgence: These fragrances are also exclusive to Amethyst Rising and are formulated using all nature-inspired fragrance oils or a combo of fragrance oils & essential oils (Eastern Shore, Urban Cowboy, etc.).

Sweet Treats: Some of these fragrances are currently being used in other products on the market but I've updated them with some of my own unique fragrance mojo! Made entirely with nature-inspired fragrance oils (Coconut Bon Bon, Peppermint Patty, etc.). This line is a little more mainstream and will appeal to those who cannot use essential oils.

I'm still working on refining the collection names (Mood Blends, Pure Indulgence, Sweet Treats) so they are subject to change.

2010 Fragrance Collections

I'm currently working on three new fragrance collections for 2010. Check back soon for details about the new fragrance lines.

What is your passion in life?

"When you live your passion, you become passionate about living!" ~ Iyanla Vanzant

My passion is serving, nurturing and motivating others.  I've done this most of my life but it wasn't until recently, when I started studying to become a life coach, did I realize I have a natural talent for doing these things.  Whether I'm creating nurturing bath and body products, yummy/nutritious recipes, or showing someone how their thought patterns have created their current situation(s), I'm always plugged in to ways to make others feel good.  I now realize that I've always done these things because helping others makes me good.  I'm filled with a sense of purpose and satisfaction and this has improved the quality of my life greatly.  I'm living my passion and thus have become more passionate about living.

What is your passion in life?  You may not have to think that hard about this question--the answer is closer than you think.  Take a look at what makes you laugh or smile, what gives you boundless energy, or what helps you feel balanced and at peace.  Realizing your passion could change the way you view and live your life

This post was inspired by the "What is your passion in life?" card from Iyanla Vanzant's "Tips for Daily Living Card Deck"

Ask and it is Given: A New Year

Happy New Year!

Don't you just love the promise of a new year? I can still feel the excitement from New Year's Eve--the energy of people all over the world waiting to count down and usher out the old year. We're filled with the hope and optimism of getting another chance to sow the seeds of change in our lives.

This year, I resolve to make more time for myself and to do more to serve others. I'm going to take longer baths. Commune with nature. Sing and dance everyday. Love (especially myself) with reckless abandon. I've also decided I'd do my small part to help eradicate hunger in my city but I'll share a little more about that in another post.

I've gotten some great insights on conscious living, law of attraction, the art of allowing and more from "Ask and it is Given--Learning to Manifest Your Desires" by Esther and Jerry Hicks. If you need a little guidance and insight to set and achieve your personal and professional goals this year, I highly recommend this book. Best of luck to you in 2010! 

Read Ask & It Is Given

All I want for Christmas is...

I don't ask for much. For the last four years I've asked for a pair of Mikimoto pearl stud earrings (AAA grade, 6.5mm) and still have not gotten them. This year I'm changing my strategy and my request. Let's see if I make out any better this year...lol. Keeping hope alive :>).

This year, all I want for Christmas is:

The Psychology of Gift-Giving

To gift or not to gift is the question. The answer to that would depend on the individuals involved. Psychological studies show there are many positive and negative emotional consequences of gift-giving.

Positive emotional consequences can include experiencing the satisfaction of being able to give someone something they've been wanting or needing, showing others that you remember and care about their special events/dates, or perhaps the sheer joy of being able to selflessly be of service someone else.

Negative emotional consequences can include irritation at spending more money than you should have, hurt feelings of not having your gift reciprocated, realizing the gift you gave freely has made someone feel bad because they cannot reciprocate, or seeing the gift you made/carefully selected end up on the table as a "white elephant gift" the following year.

As this gift-giving season gets underway, take a moment to stop and think about what you are doing and why. Prepare a list of the people you would like to give gifts to and make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Prepare a budget beforehand so you do not spend more than you intended or more than you can afford to spend.

If you decide to opt out of the gift-giving due to the economy or other reasons, find a tactful way to inform the people who would normally expect a gift from you as soon as possible and be prepared to deal with any feelings that may arise from receiving a gift you cannot reciprocate.

The most important thing to remember is that you should always operate from a point of true authenticity. Whether or not you decide to participate in gift-giving activities, weigh your options carefully and do what makes you feel good--during the holidays and long after they are gone.