Help Wanted. Moving Day is Here.

I've decided it's time! It is definitely time.

You've been journeying with me for almost a year and it is getting harder and harder to find the recipes, testimonies, inspirations that you remember reading three, six or nine months ago. 

In an attempt to create a more usable website, I have moved to my new site, Young Living With Susie.

Moving over 250 blog posts to a new website is a big job, so for the next month or two, my goal is to keep moving posts over so they will all be in one place. Until then, you can still find posts and comments on Journey To The Best In Me.

Unfortunately, I am not able to move all the comments that I value so highly, so I am asking you to start leaving comments on the new site. I think the  comment function is much easier to use, but you'll have to let me know what you think.  Please share this site with your friends so more people will have resources at their fingertips.

I would love to know what you think of the new site. How could it be more helpful to you? What would you like to see more of? Would you appreciate "how to" videos, step by step instructions, more information on a certain topic?

Thank you for reading, commenting and supporting me. It has been a great year and I am looking forward to sharing this journey with you for many more!

The Next Good Step

An old Chinese proverb says, "The journey of a thousands miles begins with a single step."  What destination do you want to reach, but the path to get there seems overwhelming?

When I realize I need to make a change, improve a relationship or get healthier, looking down the path into the future can seem overwhelming.  At these times, it's important for me to remember that I need only set my course and take the first step in that direction.  The first step can then be followed by a second, then a third.  If done consistently, regardless of how small the action may be, the results in time will compound.  Consistency is so much more important than huge, seemingly heroic steps that are not sustainable. 

Another way to remove a bad habit from our lives is to hammer in a good habit.  Instead of focusing on the chocolate cake that you don't want to eat, try focusing on adding something you would enjoy that is healthy to your diet?  Instead of starting the day with coffee and a donut, start the day with a green smoothie using your favorite fruits. 


Sometimes we focus too much on the future and we miss the beauty of today, the victory in the little choices, the joy in the journey.  We get tunnel vision and are consumed by the change we want to see without celebrating the small victories along the way. I know this can be my struggle.

So what journey do you want to begin and what first, sustainable step could you take?  Feel free to share here what you'd like to do in the comment section below.  There is something very powerful about saying our goals out loud.  Then share your success with us so we can be inspired to take our own first good step.

Grateful for Freedom

On this fourth of July, I am so grateful to be living in a country where those who have come before me have had the vision, the bravery and the faith to fight for democracy and freedom.

I know our country is not perfect, but it is still a land of great people. Everywhere I travel, I meet the nicest, most generous people and I am still proud to be an American.

In my limited opportunities to travel, I am amazed by the beauty and diversity throughout our country, from the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam... and I am still proud to be an American.



As I share freely my faith, natural healing and build a home business, I am reminded of all those around the world who don't have these freedoms, and I am proud to be in America.

We can spend a lot time being negative, complaining and criticizing our leaders and country, or we can take the time to be grateful and to continue to fight for what is right and for our freedoms. On this fourth of July, I hope you too are proud of America and all the opportunities that are available to us.

Are You Really Living?

When was the last time you felt really good?

When was the last time you saw scenery that was breathtaking or traveled to a new or exotic place?

When was the last time you felt completely connected to what you were doing or knew you were living your dream?

I hope that you can answer those questions with some positive, enthusiastic answers.

Four years ago, I would not have been able to answer those questions with much excitement. I was overweight, aching, stuck, and did not really have a clear dream or vision for my life.

Three and a half years ago, that all began to change as I started on the adventure of using essential oils and supplements infused with essential oils. Suddenly, I had greater mental clarity. I began to lose weight at a more rapid rate. I felt hope and was excited to share with others what I was experiencing, and this lead to financial rewards.

This past week as I attended the Young Living convention in Utah, I was filled with gratitude for a new sense of purpose, for incredible health and energy, and for opportunities to meet wonderful people from all over the country and around the world. I have an incredible Young Living team that is striving for greater health and is excited to bring this message of hope and healing to others.

I am inspired to join Young Living in their mission to bring resources and healing to cultures around the world, to support schools in impoverished areas so dreams can become a reality, to participate in the World Peace Caravan (December 2015) designed to raise awareness for the need for peace for the children of the world.

Last weekend, as I traveled to Zion National Park for two days to let all that I learned at the convention sink in, I was overwhelmed by the majesty of creation, and moved by my experience of hiking through a rugged, yet beautiful land. The parallel to my own life struck me.

My life can sometimes seem a big rugged, with insurmountable obstacles. Yet, if I continue to work at healthier living and tap into the dream in my heart for a better future, I will experience beauty and majesty in unexpected ways and places. I am experiencing magical moments springing forth from hard work, perseverance and a spirit of gratitude. Life suddenly looks exciting and full of opportunities to make a real difference in the world.

If you don't currently experience an excitement for living, I challenge you to read a good book, such as One Thousand Gifts, to make one healthier choice (more salads or green smoothies) and begin using essential oils in your daily life (maybe Joy or Live With Passion). Take the next good step. I hope this site is a resource and encouragement for you.

Is there a particular activity, practice or resource that helps you feel more alive and excited for each day?

Young Living Celebration at the Lavender Fields

How many CEOs do you know that will invite the members of their company to come to their family home? That is essentially what Gary Young did on Saturday. He invited the 9,000 attendees of the Grand Convention to come to the Young Living Family Farm in Mona, Utah for a day of festivities, learning, food, music and fun.

We were able to experience first hand Young Living's "Seed to Seal" process. Step one was seeing seedlings being started in the greenhouse (planting quality seed). Step two involved visiting fields of lavender, clary sage, melissa, juniper and more, where distributors were invited to plant their own lavender seedling. Step three was a visit to the distillation chambers where oil was being distilled using low temperature, low pressure steam distillation. Steps 4 and 5 involved a demonstration of how the oils are tested and bottled (sealed). 

Other elements of the day that could be enjoyed, if desired, were a jousting tournament, western town show-down, demonstrations using essential oils with animals, horses, in the kitchen, and a detailed frankincense presentation. There were horse drawn carriage rides, games and rides for the kids, a delicious and healthy lunch, and music, ending with a concert with Crystal Gale. Of course, we had lots of time to mingle and we met distributors from all over the world, shared our experiences and our passion for natural healing.

Lots more pictures can be found on my new website, www.younglivingwithsusie.com. Just remember that the site is still in process.

Live Your Dream!

International speaker, writer and teacher, John Maxwell, greeted our final day at the Salt Palace Convention Center. I came to this year's convention knowing that I needed to clarify my dream, my vision for my future. John's sharing unpacked many of my questions and desires.

He challenged us to own and clarify our dream, which is exactly what I have been feeling prompted to do. He spoke of being passionate about the dream, yet having it be grounded in reality. Having a strategy for reaching the dream is key. His new book, Put Your Dream To the Test, discusses the 10 questions to help you see and seize your dream. I love his perspective because he is a man of faith, integrity and common sense.

John also gave us a great tool, his rule of 5. What five activities will you do every day? He stated his daily 5 are read, think, file, ask questions, write. He challenges us to do our five actions each and every day without fail. He attributes his success to this habit.

We then took a trip around the world to learn about all the international markets. This was a fascinating look at all that is happening in Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Europe, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Australia and beyond. Young Living is growing so fast. In Singapore, they are experiencing 400% growth, Malaysia is 500% growth.

Three very inspiring testimonies were shared and challenges were given:

1. Are you living a life that is rich and full?
2. Are you serving well? Making a difference?
3. Are you a human "being" not a human "doing"?
4. Dreaming for success is a habit.

The 2015 Convention theme, "Light the Fire" was announced as well as the dates and location. There will be two conventions next year, as Young Living is growing so fast that they are anticipating 20,000 people will attend. It will be held August 2-6 and 6-10 in Grapevine, Texas at the Gaylord Texan hotel.

Again, we attended workshops in the afternoon and all three of the ones I chose were excellent. Topics included personality types and how to work with all types of people, essential oil safety for all ages, and top tips from around the world.

The evening ended with a 20th anniversary celebration that included food, music, circus performers, games for the kids, and ended with a concert by Train.

This was another impressive day filled with information that will be shared in upcoming blogs and at local meetings. 

Again, to see more photos of the convention, visit www.younglivingwithsusie.com.

Fear is a Dream Killer

"Your best life lives on the other end of your fear."

This is the quote that inspired the start of our second full day at the Young Living Grand convention. It was spoken by a 25 year old young man who has been sharing Young Living passionately and has built a huge organization in just a few short years. If he is able to create a home business with a 6 figure annual income, than anyone can.

Many distributors are earning substantial commission checks and living out their dreams of independence, freedom, flexibility, charitable giving, all the while transform our culture from one of dependence on drugs and doctors, to one of personal responsibility and natural options. What often stops me from taking these same steps is the fear of failing, being misunderstood or being challenged to change. Tackling that fear can be the start of many rewarding experiences.

Another young woman shared her story of moving from simply buying the oils to a Royal Crown Diamond (Young Living's highest rank) with a huge team - in just one year. She shared that her focus is on others, helping them experience healing, financial freedom and success. Of course, it is not a hobby, but a business with daily goals and actions.

"If you work a home business like it is a hobby, you will get paid like a hobby. If you treat it like a business, you'll be paid like a business."

Today's discussions and workshops continued to unpack the many uses of essential oils for trauma, autism, emotional release, PTSD, brain issues, pain, and other health challenges. So much information was shared that I will have to organize it and share it in future blogs.

Young Living created a Product Expo where we could smell, try, drink and use many of the products and learn more about them. This area was set up to look like a small village street with store fronts and was very cute.

Throughout the day, several themes emerged for me.

1. My path in life should be determined by my gifts, talents and passion. What is my dream? Why do I do what I do? I want to follow the plan God put has put on my heart.
2. My dreams need to be followed by hard work and consistency.
3. Many people's lives have been dramatically improved because they learned about Young Living. The world is full of pain, suffering and sickness, and I have something that just might help them. I can't let fear and selfishness stop me from offering them information that might make a difference in their lives.

Great people, inspiring information, and challenging discussions made this a very rewarding day.




To see more photos of new products and all the happenings, visit my new website, www.younglivingwithsusie.com, which is still in progress. As my faithful readers, I'd love your feedback as I pull this together or a wider audience.

Whirlwind of Learning and Hope

I can't wait to share all that I am learning with all of you throughout the coming weeks as this convention is packed with great information, scientific research and great testimonies. I don't have the time or the ability right now to share in depth, so I will give you the highlights.

The 20th Anniversary Young Living Convention opened with a parade of flags from all the countries where Young Living is represented. Then the theme, Live Your Dream, was introduced in style and fun. We were welcomed by the Young family to the convention and the whirlwind began.

Gary shared a great overview of the last 20 years of Young Living, the challenges and initial beginnings and the incredible success that is now being experienced by the company. Young Living is having a positive impact around the world on health, through their philanthropic commitments to every community where we have a presence, and on the financial well being of distributors who are giving back to their own communities in some amazing ways.

Today was a full day of looking back and forward to all that is coming. Lots of new products were introduced from a whole product line for pets, kid ready oil blends with cute names, products to enhance brain health, Freedom Sleep and Freedom Release sets which have been used with incredible results with those with PTSD and other forms of trauma. We heard testimony from military veterans, those with childhood traumas and those who have experience relationship traumas.  I am always amazed by the effectiveness of the plants that God gave us, and so thankful for the research and efforts of those who believe with a passion that essential oils can transform people's lives. To hear the stories of this transformation is moving and motivating. We need an army to help us spread this hope to those who really need it.

Products were introduced that have been used with children with autism and the results have been phenomenal. Gary has been growing Einkorn wheat and has created spagetti and pancake mix using this new wheat. New diffusers were introduced and I'll be bringing several back to show those of you who live locally.

I wish I had time to share more, but I promise I will in the coming days.

Leadership Day and Challenges to Make a Difference

Utah is a beautiful state and it has not been difficult getting adjusted to the time difference (MT) which is two hours earlier than home (EST). We woke to a beautiful sunrise and embraced our day of leadership training.

We were challenged by Darren Hardy to embrace this time in history of home businesses, greater opportunities to take advantage of changing definitions and requirements of leaders and rewards for creativity. He stated that the best businesses have the best people, and Young Living certainly has an incredible group of committed, passionate and caring distributors. Exciting news: Young Living is the featured home business in the July issue of SUCCESS from Home magazine. What an honor!

Gary Young, our founder and CEO, shared his heart, vision and the key areas of growth for Young Living over the last year. Young Living is growing so fast (142% growth this month) that it is a challenge to keep up with all of us. The executive team at Young Living is committed to the steps necessary to be sure they can meet and exceed all of our needs as we take Gary's vision to the world. 

That evening, we had a great celebration of culture, music, and fellowship (with good food) provided for all 9,000+ distributors in attendance at our opening reception. It was held in the plaza of the convention center and featured dancers, Chinese dragons, singers, and various food stations with a selection of cultural dishes. 

This was an enjoyable first day of the convention and we are looking forward to the next three days of education, new products and inspiration.

Pre-game preparation for YL Convention

My time in Utah has been a whirlwind and the next three days are going to be the same.

On Sunday, one of my team members arrived and we headed down to see the Great Salt Lake. After a 40 minute drive in the wrong direction, we found this extremely large lake and learned some cool information. This is the 2nd saltiest body of water in the world and it remains at an almost constant level despite seasonal changes. Very interesting. In the middle of the lake is antelope island and we are hoping that maybe we will visit this island after the convention ends.

Later that day, we headed to Salt Lake City to enjoy dinner at the
Wild Grape. A watermelon, arugula salad was both unusual and delicious.







After dinner, we paid a visit to the Cathedral of the Madeline, which is an historic landmark in Salt Lake City. Old and ornate, it was a gorgeous church.


By evening, we had settled into our home for the week at the Westgate Resort near Park City. We are looking forward to our week of learning, adventure and inspiration.

Adventures for the Soul

As many of you know, this week I am on an adventure of discovery, inspiration, fellowship, education and just plain fun. I just arrived in Utah for Young Living's 20th Anniversary Convention which begins on Monday, and plan to share highlights each day on my blog. 

Today was a day of travel, from Pittsburgh to Las Vegas and then on to Salt Lake City. I met the nicest young, newly engaged couple on the plane and we talked for hours. Arriving in Las Vegas airport, I was amazed at the gambling machines everywhere. I guess you can try one last time to hit it big before you leave. 


The landscape flying to Utah was incredible. It is hard to take pictures that do it justice, but here are a few to give you an idea.

I love adventures, trying new things, seeing places of beauty, meeting new people, experiencing the richness of cultures, exploring history. Life is full of opportunities to expand our horizons and become interesting people, fascinated with learning. We don't have to leave home to engage in this adventure either. We just have to be creative and willing.

What will you learn today? How will you expand your horizons?

Is God a genie?

How often do I try to tell God what to do for me? I pray for a particular need, in a particular way and expect Him to respond in the way I think is best. I guess at that point I am treating God like He is a genie and I am rubbing the bottle.

I find it difficult to remember that God only gives love and that when a hardship comes my way, be it relational, financial or personal growth, God is truly desiring what it best for me. I may think I know what is best, but let's face it, I'm just a kid! My understanding, my perspective, my knowledge, my maturity are all lacking.

Isn't it better for me to put myself into His hands, praying that "His will be done", as it says in the Our Father, and then listening carefully for the promptings of His Spirit to direct my steps. As I've said before, I am only holding one piece of a much larger puzzle and I may need to wait with patience to see how that piece fits into the whole.

The Christian life is a wild, exciting, unpredictable journey that can be full of joy and peace. I find that I lose my joy and peace when I slide into the driver's seat and attempt to chart my own course. The remedy is to slide back over to the passenger side seat and trust my daddy that He knows how to drive, where to drive and who He is driving, His precious child.

I am guessing this is a universal struggle. Do you ever treat God like a genie?

Bugs, Bites and Summer Challenges

The first day of summer is just a week away and the delights of summer vacation, sitting on a beach, hiking, camping or just having a picnic in the backyard are soon to be enjoyed.

Along with our anticipation of family time, warm sunshine and relaxation, come thoughts of keeping bugs away, as well as treating bug bites when they do occur. Essential oils can help.

There are several reasons why I prefer to avoid traditional bug repellents. First, they stink and make me feel gross. Secondly, bug repellents usually contain chemicals that can be toxic to the body, specifically DEET and pyrethrins. According to the National Library of Medicine (Medline Plus), some of the side effects of DEET include hives, skin rashes, blistering, mood changes, insomnia, neurological problems and others. Some of the side effects of pyrethrins are breathing difficulties, coughing, loss of alertness, tremors, stomach issues and more.

Anything we put on the skin will eventually be absorbed into the body to some degree. Thankfully there are natural remedies with no negative side effects that work very well for these challenges.

Some DIY ["do it yourself"] bug repellents can be found online (see Wellness Mama), but many of these take a bit of preparation. A super simple recipe that I use involves just water and some drops of an essential oil blend from Young Living called Purification. Just shake and mist the body. The mixture will not stain clothing either. You can also use Purification oil straight from the bottle by putting a few drops in your palm, rubbing your hands together and then rubbing the oil onto your limbs, face and neck. Reapply every 2-3 hours for best results.

Young Living's essential oil bottles are small enough to keep in your pocket. Dabbing a drop of Purification or Lavender oil on a bite is a great remedy too. I have experienced the benefits of Purification oil many times and as recently as yesterday. I even took pictures so you can see the results, in just 10 minutes.

A small bite on my knuckle is swelling.

10 minutes later, only a red mark remains.

When my son got married in southern Texas, in June, near swampy areas of the coast, mosquitoes were a big problem. The day of the wedding, photos had to be taken before the church service took place. Many photos were taken outside, and everyone was getting bit, including the bride. She had many bites that were swelling to the size of quarters.  My daughter called me in a panic asking me to "bring the oil" to the back of the church, where the bride was dabbed with Purification. 10-15 minutes later when she walked down the aisle, you would never have known she had gotten bit. The oils neutralized the bites and the red spots were gone.

You can also use Purification on poison ivy and other itchy rashes. Use your spray bottle with Purification as an odor reducer too. Just mist into a stinky bathroom or after cooking fish or onions. The smell is gone within minutes. And the oil is healthy to breath in too. Inconceivable!

I am so grateful for such simple remedies and would be happy to help you make this a regular part of your summer fun. Just contact me by email to s.weiss.yl@gmail.com. I'm confident you'll love these oils as much as I do.

To Serve You Better

Today is Friday, and your day to share your thoughts and successes (or struggles). You can also ask a question, share a resource or tell us what you've been learning.





I have been learning a lot and my head is spinning as I prepare to upgrade my blog to make it more searchable and more user friendly. That's all I can tell you for now, so stay tuned...

Truth or Comfort?

I have been pondering some questions lately and am not entirely satisfied with my answers.

• Am I a seeker of truth or a lover of comfort? 
• Do I seek to learn from others or am I defensive when someone tries to share something I know little about (or I think I know everything about)? 
• If I am defensive, why? Am I afraid that the new information might create dissonance in me and create a need for change?
• Do I really believe that I have arrived at all that is beautiful, loving, wholesome, healthy and joyful? Of course not! Then why am I often closed to hearing what others might share with me. 
• Am I afraid to be swayed, manipulated, or made to feel guilty. Sometimes it may seem easier to reject the information completely then to try and discover grains of truth or useful information. 

These questions have been spurred by conversations I have been having with others who eat differently, have different religious beliefs or expressions of faith, make different parenting choices or have different political views. Some whom I converse with are very closed to hearing new information even if it might save them pain and heartache. At other times, I may be the one who feels defensive and am not completely willing to hear a new point of view. 

When it comes to health and wellness, there are lots of opinions out there. If I grab hold of one idea and decide that it is the only idea I am interested in putting into practice, I may miss out on new studies, powerful foods or natural remedies that are more recently discovered. 

I am comfortable with my diet, health practices, beliefs and way of living, but I have come to believe that every interaction can teach me something. If I take the time to listen, to affirm those I am speaking with, and to share some of myself with them, then I can hopefully add value to their lives as they add value to mine.

As I listen, I learn. As I listen, my own ideas and creativity can be encouraged. As I listen, I can grow in humility. When I do share, others may be more open to hear what I have to say and we can have a warm, respectful interaction.

On May 18, 2013, Pope Francis had this to say,

"In this 'stepping out', it is important to be ready for encounter. For me, this word is very important. Encounter with others. Why? Because faith is an encounter with Jesus, and we must do what Jesus does: encounter others...we must create a 'culture of encounter', a culture of friendship, a culture in which we find brothers and sisters, in which we can also speak with those who think differently, as well as those who hold other beliefs, who do not have the same faith."

I like this word, "encounter". May we look forward to many fruitful encounters in which we can learn, grow, bless and be blessed. I hope your encounter with me through this blog is blessing you on your journey to more vibrant health.

Harnessing Natural Energy...from Toddlers

There is a lot of talk these days about using alternative energy
sources, wind, solar panels, green fuel and more. Has anyone thought about creating a device that could harness the incredible power and energy of a toddler?


Seriously, have you tried to keep up with a two year old lately? Every limb is moving at all times. They can run faster (when you aren't looking, of course) than a speeding bullet, are stronger than gorilla glue when they don't want to let go of something they want, and are able to leap high furniture in a single bound. Add an 8 month old to the mix and your home will look like a tornado came through in only 15 minutes.

Of course, I would not trade time with my grandsons for anything in the world. But as they leave to drive home, I wish I could have harnessed some of their energy. While we're at it, lets also harness their enthusiasm, joy and curiosity. Children can teach us so much about enjoying life.

As the time of festivities and family feasting comes to a close, I know that I am ready to regroup and return to the choices I have been making that have contributed to my feeling great, having energy and staying at my best weight. It is so easy to compromise a little here, a little there, until I find myself eating more meat, more flour, more sugar and then I just don't like how I feel.

I know that it is a challenge to stop eating these foods because they create addictions in my body, so it is going to be important to me to take some key steps to get back on track.

• First, I find it helpful to listen to inspiring audio talks that will remind me why a whole food life style is so worthwhile.  
• Second, I need to engage my "Why Power" and remember why I want to be healthy. What will I do when I am healthy?
• Third, I can choose to detox by drinking a green smoothie every morning, getting the junk food out of my house, and drinking lots of water. 
• Fourth, I can make it a priority to get enough sleep, since we've been visiting late into the night. When I am tired I tend to make poorer food choices.

Summer is a season of vacations, family gatherings, weddings, picnics and lots of opportunities to get sidetracked from healthy choices. The more side tracked we get, the harder it is to reach the vibrant health that we desire. The important thing is to have a plan for getting back on track so you can continue in the direction that you believe is best for you.

Do you have a plan for regrouping? What is one of your favorite ways to get yourself back on track?