MTO Toolkit Blog

We begin to say goodbye to 2024 with cooler temperatures and yuletide attitudes as December ends. One thing is sure: self-regulation starts with the Self despite all else. In the last blog for 2024, I explore the sixth and final virtue, Courage, as well as three character strengths: Honesty, Bravery, and Perseverance, with the pendulum swinging both ways as a reminder we can make it through the first starting with Self. A great conclusion to the MTO Lean-in Series, which focuses on character strengths and virtues from the VIA Institute. I had initially planned to finish this series in October, but I found myself overwhelmed with school and work. I had convinced myself that I could push through despite feeling fatigued. However, I realized that the virtue of Courage also encompasses the character strength of Honesty. It was time for me to be honest with myself, which meant reevaluating the narrative I had created in my head. So, I took a break and reframed my internal dialogue to accept my revised story to remind myself that the pendulum swings both ways, so I must put myself first and focus on myself to overcome a self-imposed narrative that pushing through is the best way. I challenge you, amidst this season of giving and gratitude, to be honest with yourSELF—it's a personal journey. Is being honest with yourself a sign of bravery? Depending on who you ask, you might get different answers. In my opinion, yes, we are often harder on ourSELVES than anyone else is. Bravery is usually defined as resilience, facing fears, and not shrinking in the face of a threat or challenge. So, why can't SELF be a challenge? To help you navigate this solitary journey of self-awareness, consider the following statement:  "I AM in charge of how I react to others. I choose to respond in a positive way."

Hello October! Q4 is in full swing, with MTO KPIs still at the forefront. It feels like I was saying "Happy New Year" just yesterday. Towards the end of June, I began the MTO Lean-in Series, which focuses on character strengths and virtues from the VIA Institute. I learned about the character strengths and virtues while completing my Positive Psychology Practitioner studies and found them intriguing, especially in relation to enhancing my mindfulness practice. So far, I've covered Temperance, Transcendence, Humanity, and Justice. This month, I'll be discussing the fifth virtue, Wisdom, as well as three character strengths: Judgment, Curiosity, and Perspective. I'll then conclude the series with the sixth virtue in the November blog post. For more information on VIA's character strengths, please visit the VIA Institute website at https://www.viacharacter.org. WISDOM Let’s begin with I've coined the Wisdom Tightrope when discussing the virtue of Wisdom because it involves a balancing act depending on the situation. The first character strength, Judgment, is rooted in critical thinking to counteract faulty thinking and biased opinions. When overused, Judgment can lead to narrow-mindedness, and when underused, one isn't reflective enough. Ironically, it is often frowned upon to judge ourselves and others, yet our analytical mind somehow gets in the way, which allows us to debate whether something that is frowned upon should be up for discussion.

This month's blog post features Part III of the MTO Lean in Series. In this edition, we discuss the virtue of Justice and two-character strengths. To learn more about VIA character strengths, please visit the VIA Institute.

The August blog post is a continuation of the MTO Lean In series the virtues of Humanity and Transcendence along with two character strengths for each virtues. To learn more about VIA character strengths, please visit ViA Institute .

Often, the competing priorities of the day may have us in a choke hold because the desire to accomplish, mark off, or offer a supportive extension is the want; however, the day gets away from us. In those times, remember to lean on your character strengths and virtues. Character strengths and virtues are related to personal values. Established by the VIA, Values in Action, Institute , there are six virtues and 24-character strengths. Knowing your strengths is beneficial when seeking to understand and interpret meaning and reactions in times when our stress is higher than usual. The June edition of the Aroma begins the MTO Lean In series discussing the six virtues along with a small subset of the character strengths. This month’s virtue is Temperance and the two character strengths and offer essential oils recipes, journal prompts, and Energy Affirmations to aid as you continue to add to your MTO Toolkit. The first virtue is Temperance along with two of the four-character strengths are forgiveness and humility. Forgiveness means letting go of things that no longer serve you. Limiting beliefs are learned or self-imposed rules that one has accepted as true. Sometimes, with the acceptance as true, it can become difficult to move past or reframe. One may avoid, procrastinate, or talk yourself out of the thing. One may feel personally attacked, resulting in derogatory and negative thoughts. Humility-taking an accurate self-assessment and knowing your limitations. Taking time to do a self-assessment helps to know one’s limitations or consider the root cause of a reaction to, response during, or after a situation. Taking time to reflect allows for an opportunity to truly evaluate the root cause of your response because you were at capacity. When overused, one can appear self-deprecating or critical of oneself. Opening the door for mindset misfits .

Remembering your why can be helpful when recalibrating or reestablishing MTO KPIs. It’s an opportunity to refuel to keep going. One’s why is personal and can be the catalyst for blocking out the noise to begin to prioritize. In this blog post, I will discuss early pioneers of aromatherapy and how essential oils and herbs were used to promote self-love, refuel, and keep going. As you continue to revisit MTO KPIs, consider a custom blend that will serve as your catalyst to block out the noise. Egyptians are among the early pioneers of aromatherapy. They used fragrant plants for medicinal and spiritual purposes. For instance, they smudged with smoldering herbs during prayer, meditation, clearing, and healing. Egyptians also used plant essences in fixed oils through maceration, pulverization, soaking, burning, fermentation, water-based infusion, decoction, and lotions. It’s said that the Queen of Sheba, whose empire included upper Egypt and Ethiopia, brought frankincense, Boswellia carterii , and myrrh, Commiphora myrrha , when meeting King Solomon. Frankincense, Boswellia carterii , is said to rekindle inner light of the mind, helping to break free, and encourage tranquility and insight. Myrrh, Commiphora myrrha , also has calming effects on the nervous system to sooth, ground, and heighten self-awareness. It is said King Solomon became captivated by the Queen of Sheba, so he built a crystal palace for her visits and washed it down with fragrant floral waters. When the couple married, wedding gifts included cinnamon, cassia, an altar of roses and neroli, sandalwood, aloe vera, olive oil, and sweet almond oil. Egyptians used essential oils to attract good influences and assist divination. The dried leaves of Lemon Verbena, Aloysia thriphylla , were burned to promote deep thought, aiding in self-reflection and boosting self-esteem when one felt overwhelmed. Lemon verbena has cardioprotective properties. Emotionally, we hold the emotions of love (of self and others), rejection, fear of loss, loss of happiness, joy, and grief in the heart and circulatory system. According to Louise Hay’s book Heal Your Body , circulation issues are related to the ability to feel and express your emotions in a positive way. Myrtle, Myrtus communis , was used in early Egypt for physical ailments but also to inspire peace and invite blessings and generosity. Emotionally, its homeostatic properties aid with conflicting emotions and letting go. Recommended Essential oils to ignite self-love and clearing: Clary Sage, Salvia sclarea , has aphrodisiac and euphoric properties, and is also an antidepressant and nervine. It’s effective for calming the mind and easing tension. While the essential oil is also a heart tonic for racing thoughts, mood swings, and stress, it strengthens and relaxes for a mental-emotional uplift. Do not use this essential oil if you have estrogen-dominant cancers. Black Pepper, Piper nigrum , has aphrodisiac and stimulant properties. Black Pepper helps with circulation, heart health, lymphatic congestion, and is a digestive aid. We carry worry in the large intestines, so the antispasmodic properties along with the circulatory benefits promote clear thinking, concentration, gut-brain communication, and inspiration. This essential oil must be used with a carrier oil or it will cause skin irritations. Sweet Marjoram, Origanum marjorana , a camphoraceous and warm essential oil has calmative and mild diuretic properties to balance and calm the nerves. The essential oil can sooth the Qi-energy in the chest, regulating the heart. Ancient Egyptians used the oil as a traditional funeral herb to help accept loss. But the essential oil is also said to be an Herb of Love helping restore our power to give. Overuse may contribute to low blood sugar and decreased libido.

By now, Q2 is in full swing, and MTO KPIs can be challenging to maintain despite intentionality. It is not uncommon to say, “I’ll get to it later,” then three weeks later, one wonders where the time has gone without recalibrating or reestablishing MTO KPIs. One thing is guaranteed, and that stress remains while pushing through, getting it done, or handling it. In this blog post, I will discuss cortisol, the stress hormone, and the effects of constant stress on the body and offer aromatic solutions. What is Cortisol? Cortisol and adrenaline are stress hormones produced in the adrenal glands. Both hormones help with severe stress, such as swerving to avoid striking an animal or suddenly slamming on your brakes in traffic to avoid an accident. The release of the stress hormone cortisol and its companion adrenaline activates fight-or-flight, heightening instinct, and survival. The release of cortisol should be temporary, and not lingering for days. Anger, chronic fear, or resentment extend the duration of the cortisol for longer periods, which can affect immunity, cause weight gain, digestive issues, affecting the sleep, or possibly unknowingly invite in poor health. The Adrenal Glands The adrenal glands are located above the kidneys. The adrenals work hard to produce cortisol and can become exhausted trying to keep up. As a result, someone can experience adrenal fatigue or exhaustion. Recalibrate Find your joy. One of many solutions is essential oils that bring joy, uplift, ground, and calm nerves, to reduce stress. They are commonly referred to as adaptogen essential oils. I’ve found that being aware of my most stressful times of the day and using essential oils helps me redirect and offer a brain break to control negative thoughts or reactions. Essential Oils Recommendations to Reduce Cortisol Vetiver, Vetiveria zizanoides , has a deep and earthy scent. It comes from the root of a weeping grass. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and nervine properties that promote relief of chronic stress, grounding, and immunity and is a circulatory stimulant. May Chang, Litsea cubeba , is a fruit with a lemony scent and herbaceous undertones. The essential oil has antispasmodic, anti-depressive, and diuretic properties that improve mental fatigue and brain fog, uplift, and help manage stress. Ylang Ylang, Cananga odorata , is a powdery and sweet floral. The essential oil comes from a tropical tree. It has aphrodisiac (self-love), anti-inflammatory, and cardiotonic properties that regulate a stirred-up nervous system. Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus radiata , a camphoraceous evergreen tree with a sweet scent, has many species. The essential oil has antispasmodic, febrifuge, and stimulant properties that help strengthen the immune system. MTO Featured Product MTO Body Butter is a nourishing moisturizer formulated with adaptogen essential oils. It’s not oily and has a smooth, absorbing texture that can be used on the skin, especially the area of the adrenal glands. Learn more about MTO Body Butter.

KPIs are in full effect, and with that, we still must manage our stress, our expectations for ourselves, and the expectations of others. It sounds logical and straightforward, really, but is it? In this post, I will offer on-the-go aromatics and affirmation prompts for you to consider throughout your day.

Autopilot, say what?