CELEBRATIONS, EMOTIONAL TURBULENCE AND SPIRITUAL LESSONS REVISITED (Part One)

Resting awhile

Hello :)

Yes, yes I know this was meant to be written in diary format on a more regular basis....sigh! ;) I have however decided to cut myself a little slack as the last few weeks have been quite a maelstrom of different emotions and I was hoping for a little clarity before putting 'pen to paper'. I also have had to deal with my own resistance to just 'getting stuff up there' which isn't perfectly written or put together. I have to remind myself that I wanted this to be a relaxed conversation between us as friends, even if most of the time its a pretty one way street! Please feel free to comment and add your wisdom though my dear trusty old beautiful bloomers!

As I mentioned in my last blog a few weeks back, we finally went to Adoption Panel on July 16th.  I thought some of you might be interested in a quick time-line up until then, although obviously the process to getting to that point and decision was a journey in itself!
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• November 12th 2011 One day Introduction to Adoption day
• June 21st 2012 Initial home visit from a social worker.
• September 11/12 and 19/20th 2012 Four day Adoption Course.
• November 5th 2012 start a new full time job and move home over Christmas period.
• January 28th 2013 (my birthday) began Home Study with allocated social worker.
• July 1st Finished huge file called a PAR (New Prospective Adopters Report).
• July 16th  Adoption Panel 

It's finally here!

 
So finally panel day arrived. Fairly soon after arrival at the venue at East Malling and having partaken of  the refreshments provided (tea and biscuits, although something stronger may have been welcome!) we were led by the warm and welcoming chairwoman of the panel into a large, airy room. Four long tables had been joined end to end to create a large square with a big gap in the middle. With a feeling of what I can only describe as slight pre-performance nerves, we sat with our social worker at the bottom long table and were introduced to ten kindly faces focused intently upon us. The panel ranged from adoptive/foster parents and a wide range of people from children's services.  
I really have to say that one of the most astounding parts of this process is the amount of people who devote their time, their hearts and their careers to the welfare of children. Social services are often under huge amounts of pressure and have to face things on a daily basis that would make most of us crumble. Government of course wants to improve the service that is offered, making it quicker and more streamlined and rightly so, especially with the ridiculous amount of time children have waited to be adopted. However this hasn't meant more support to the social workers on the ground trying to do their exhausting jobs. I have nothing but admiration and so much warmth in my heart to these caring, hard working people. 
 Anyway I digress!  After ten minutes of quite probing questioning (which the intensity of the home study part of the process had prepared us for) we were asked to leave whilst they deliberated upon their recommendation. As we left the room one of the panel whispered to me that we had done brilliantly, which was positive! After five minutes of waiting our social worker emerged with a  smiling chairwoman who said it was an extremely positive and unanimous

Give us a hug! (Servant of Two Masters July 2007)

 YES!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Our slightly more reticent and reserved (but extremely lovely) social worker, whom we both have much affection for, was hugged gratefully by both of us. After that we said our goodbyes and suddenly realised that was it! No more home study, it was all done! Now we had to trust to the universe and the intuition and experience of our very own wise old owl/ social worker to help us find our match.

OH MY GOD!!

We had already had the experience of looking for a match prior to the Adoption panel day, as often happens these days. Having viewed several profiles and put ourselves forward for consideration for one child we did meet with that child's social worker. With a gut feeling and the wisdom of our 'wise old owl' we decided not to move forward.

HELP!!

Don't panic! Tartuffe July 2009

The probing questions, reports, forms and reams of writing required for the home study were a breeze. I actually found the process interesting,informative and thought provoking. However suddenly when faced with the prospect of the overwhelming and momentous decision of choosing a child.....a  turbulent wave of anxiety overwhelmed me. This manifested in over thinking, over
analysing, researching, opinion seeking and what I can only describe as OCD googling. I haven't been able to write how I felt before because I was unable to find clarity. I feel in the last month some very deep stuff has come up  and in some ways I am pleased that happened now before the matching process begins in earnest. I am sure my own background of being adopted has played its part in my fear of making the wrong decision. I have also had to face and accept my own selfish desires in this process and its hard to admit. It is so important that the fit is right for the child (who of course must be the main priority) but it means so much for me too.

I really want to be open about what I went/ am going through as this may help anyone else going through the same emotion today or in the future. I have also from this experience revisited and been reminded of a very important spiritual lesson. Finally yesterday, with some wise advice and clarification from the very delicious Rebecca Kane (www.shineonraw.com) it confirmed to me how I need to move forward with this very profound and special moment in my life. To clarify by writing it down will help me as I move forward too.

Calmer seas hopefully ahead. Tilos Greece 2012

As this post is already quite long (thanks for staying with me!) I will do  a 'part two' which I will post very shortly whilst I am away in Amsterdam or soon after.

Thank you to everyone who has poured their love and support into our direction. I have been so touched and it really has meant the world. Celebrating our success at panel felt like announcing I was pregnant after the acceptable three month mark! Lets hope this baby is not going to be too post term before coming into my arms. Although he may well be a little larger than the usual new born!

Lots of love to you my blossoming bloomers and  a more emotional part two very soon.......promise!!!
Samantha xxxxxxx

HELLO AND WELCOME TO A NEW BEGINNING FOR BLOSSOMING AND FOR ME!

My Portrait by Leila Fanner (Artist)

For any of you that stumble upon me here, BLOSSOMING is being taken on a new exciting journey!

When I first started BLOSSOMING over a year ago, it was with the idea of creating an inspiring blog for all woman transiting through the perimenopause and beyond. Blossoming into their most vibrantly beautiful, creative, authentic, 'wise woman' selves. Also with my background in health and well being, I was exploring a new vision of late-blooming beauty. An ageless, glowing, natural beauty that comes from radiant good health. 

Beauty that is also more about the wise, intelligent twinkle in the eye than a meaningless line or two upon the face!

 I still want that essence of BLOSSOMING to remain but this time within the story of my own personal journey into becoming a late-blooming mother at the ripened age of 48! This last few years has presented me with the challenge of infertility, earlier menopause and trying to come to terms with all that meant in how I perceived myself as a woman. I can't lie, it hasn't been easy and there have been quite a few tears, some heart break and  learning the important lesson about bravely releasing and letting go. However, I feel I have come out the other side with renewed hope, anticipation, passion and  my world is now opening up to so many new possibilities. I am so excited about all the new challenges and lessons I have ahead of me and the blossoming yet to come!

Becoming a mother was always my dearest held hope and as my life has journeyed forth and taken its twists and turns, I always held onto the hope that one day that dream would come true. Hopefully in just a few months I will hold my child in my arms. The dear soul who was destined to share the lives of my partner and I. I really believe getting to this amazing moment in my life has truly been my soul challenge and quest in this lifetime. From being an adopted child myself at six weeks old, until this present day, when I am finally on the cusp of becoming a mother. All this I hope to pour into my blog as I journey onto this next wonderful stage of my life. If it helps anyone else that would be amazing but if its just for me to chronicle my journey and learn all I can from the experience then that's beautiful too.

I will start my diary from next week but just to briefly update. My partner and I have just completed the home study part of the adoption process and our large adoption file has been completed. We go to panel on July 16th and it is there when it is finally agreed as to whether we are suitable parents. Our adoption social worker is very positive and has already handed us some profiles of potential babies that might be matches for us. This has proved to be very emotional for me as an adopted child myself and I will talk about that in my next post.

Please forgive my stumbling start but I hope soon to get into my flow.

On a final note to all you other late-blooming, wise woman out there, whether you are hoping for the gift of late motherhood like myself or you have other dreams and hopes for yourself. Don't hold yourselves back or limit yourselves or feel that the best is behind you.Know you are truly blossoming now into your most creative, powerful, wise beautiful selves, so set yourself free and live a life filled with new possibilities, dreams and new beginnings.

Much love to you and speak very soon.
Samantha xxx

Frankincense the magic elixir to rejuvenate body and soul ♥

Boswellia Carterii or Frankincense Tree is a small tree which grows to a height of three to seven metres and has abundant narrow leaves and white or pale pink flowers. It is native to the middle east and North Africa. Incisions are made in the trunk to allow the milky white oleo resin to seep out. This resin then hardens into an orange brown gum and is then steam distilled for its essential oil.

Hello there, my blooming gorgeous ones!

My apologies for such a long gap but I have been focusing on launching my new NYR business and preparing for my first parties, as you know. The parties went well with some lovely feedback and I was very proud of overcoming my fear of public speaking, even if it was only to a small group of lovely supportive people! Yep, I know, ridiculous for someone who was prepared to stand naked on a stage in Tunbridge Wells in 'The Graduate'....but there you go, such are the mysteries of the Comfort mind!

Ommmmmmmmm............

Interestingly with reference to anxiety, that does launch me very nicely into the subject  for this blog, which is about the many wonderful uses of Frankincense Essential oil. Although I would like to look mainly at the healing, rejuvenating and preserving properties it has on the luscious skin of our late blossoming bloomers :) , Frankincense is also a very useful oil to have in your 'Essential Oil Kit' for many other reasons. One being it is the perfect remedy to have handy when you are in stressful situations.

Anxiety can bring up those awful feelings of tightness in the throat, a quickened heart rate and shallow breathing.  So simply grab your Frankincense oil, find a hanky or tissue and put a couple of drops on it and inhale.....slowly and deeply. Frankincense works by slowing down the breathing and increasing the bodies ability to breathe deeply and freely and relieves tightness in the chest. It also helps to calm the mind.

In fact for any respiratory difficulties such as asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis and laryngitis its anticatarrhal, expectorant, anti infectious and soothing properties can prove very useful. I would suggest a few drops in a bowl of hot water in a room, as an inhalation (not for asthmatics) or again inhaling from a hanky. Another way to apply it .....my own invention.....is to grab a tube of Aloe Vera (has a multitude of uses!), squeeze a blob into your hand and then add a couple of drops of Frankincense or one of Eucalyptus and one of Frankincense and rub the ointment over your chest and neck.A   handy oil for your medicine chest!

Frankincense Oil is actually probably one of the most important incense ingredients since history began. It has been burnt on alters and in temples since early antiquity. The use actually probably goes further back than the earliest written records and is perpetuated in the current practises of many religions. The English name is derived from the medieval French word Franc meaning " Pure" or "Free" and the Latin incensium meaning "to smoke". It played a role in the religious and domestic life of the Ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians, Hebrews, Greeks and Roman Civilisations. The gum is also mentioned 22 times within the bible and was offered as a gift for the newly born Jesus by the Magi. It has been discovered that burning Frankincense produces a psycho- active substance trahydrocannabinole which helps to expand consciousness. In meditation practise it is used to calm and centre the mind and stop the ceaseless chatter. To deepen the breath. To calm and elevate.

So pop a couple of drops in your burner before your daily meditation and yoga practise ;)

The Utchat or Sacred Eye.

'Frankincense, like Chamomile was employed in the worship of the Egyptian sun god Ra, a primordial symbol for whom was the Utchat or "All Seeing"- the sacred eye that burned with judgement. Frankincense rekindles the inner light of the mind' Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit by Gabriel Mojay.






For skin care it is an extremely important oil and one used in many of NYR's beauty preparations. It was used by the Egyptians for embalming to preserve the bodies. It has what is known as cytophalactic properties which means it stimulates skin renewal and had been shown to work in improving slackening on the skin and slowing down the appearance of wrinkles. It may even work on existing wrinkles that have already formed too....hurrah!

Elixir of youth in a bottle

I often use it in blends I make for the skin particularly if I am wanting to work on assisting the skin to rejuvenate and heal. I love to blend it with a Rosehip oil and Grapeseed oil base and then add Lavender, Rose and Geranium and maybe a drop of Mandarin or Orange to lift the fragrance of the blend.

Here's my own secret recipe for beautiful skin! (You will need a little measuring jug and a small glass bottle)

Base 
50ml Grapeseed Oil (Half a bottle of 100ml NYR Grapeseed Oil)
5ml Rosehip Oil

Aromatherapy Oil
2 drops Frankincense
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Rose
2 drops Geranium
3 drops Mandarin (to lift fragrance)

You can play around a little with adding or subtracting a drop of each oil until you are happy with the fragrance but I wouldn't exceed about 15 drops in total.

Beautiful and a wonderful nightly treatment for the skin......delicious!

Award winning Cream

If blending your own is not for you Rejuvenating Frankincense Facial Oil has been proven to moisturise the skin in clinical trial or up to 12 hours, would be a great alternative.

NYR do a fabulous award winning Frankincense Range which contain a wealth of organic, wild crafted and natural ingredients. The range include their multi award winning Frankincense Nourishing Cream and Frankincense Hydrating Cream which were pitted against leading high street and luxury moisturisers and came out top in customer trials.

Rejuvenating Frankincense Serum

They also have the fabulous Frankincense Serum which is designed to penetrate the skin layers and really deliver those important ingredients to the deepest layers of your skin. Add a couple of drops to your skin after cleansing and before moisturising. You will also find that your need for moisturiser becomes much reduced.

NEW! Frankincense Cleanser

Also announcing their Rejuvenating Frankincense Cleanser. This two step cleanser is getting rave reviews  from everyone and is definitely on  my 'to try' list!
Step 1 - Cleanses
Step 2 - Smoothes and Refines.
It can also be used wet with a hand hot damp muslin cloth or wiped off dry.




To check out any of these go to my website and if you fancy giving them a try please get in contact at https://uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/SamanthaComfort


So definitely one to keep in your medicine chest and used in your daily beauty regime.

Rejuvenating for Body and Soul!!

Speak soon my gorgeous bloomers :) xxx