Blog - Strategic Living

7 Ways to Be Happy When Life Gets Dull and Boring

July 27, 2018 Gaye Levy 11 Comments

A few nights ago I was reflecting on life in general. Who doesn’t do that from time to time? So there I was, staring out into the forest and thinking about life and how I could make it better.

The epiphany I came to during this round of self-reflection was that for as long as I can remember, I have been a happiness seeker. And in that process of seeking happiness, I often get very close but never quite 100%. This is not to say that life has been bad, or that I am sad. To the contrary. Instead, it reflects some deep insecurity that makes me think that things could be better and if I don’t keep searching, I will miss out.

I do not think this is unusual for type A’s such as myself. We have our happy moments and boom, the next day becomes mundane and we are back in happiness-seeking mode. Nuts, right?

Since happiness is one of the tenets of living a strategic life, I decided to come up with a list of ways to be happier during those times when life gets boring, or difficult, or simple routine and mundane.

Make a DIY Anti-Aging Face Serum Using Essential Oils

July 12, 2018 Gaye Levy 16 Comments

Over the past seven or eight years, my skin has gone from less than ordinary to radiant. I do not say this lightly because not only do I have mature skin, but it has been acne-prone and blotchy throughout my entire adult life. I credit this transformation to essential oils rather than to the expensive, chemical-laden department store lotions, potions, and serums I used in the 80s, 90s and beyond.

These days, I shun OTC skin care products and make my own. For years, the crowning jewel in my DIY arsenal has been my “Luminous Face Serum”. That is still a fantastic concoction but to be honest, it uses 5 different essential oils plus a carrier oil and can be a somewhat of a chore to make.

So here is how this played out.

I was out of my face serum and short on time. I needed something quick that would not require opening a number of bottles and counting out drops. I pumped a dab of Rose Hip oil onto the palm of my hand and added a single drop each of Frankincense and Lavender essential oils. I massaged it into my face, added makeup, and was out the door in no time. The next morning, my skin was smoother and more vibrant. I knew I was on to something.

Since that fateful morning, I have been reformulating many of my skin care products to include both Frankincense and Lavender the results have been nothing short of remarkable. Of all of them, however, it is the face serum that gets most of the credit. The best part is that it comes together quickly with only 4 ingredients.

Let the Sparks Fly Giveaway: Win Essential Oils from Spark Naturals

July 3, 2018 Gaye Levy 32 Comments

On July 4th those of us in the United States celebrate Independence Day and each year I tend to muse about the true meaning of this important day in our history. And no, it is not about barbeques, kids games, and beer drinking.

That said, this year I take a different approach and offer up my own set of fireworks in the form of a “Let the Sparks Fly” giveaway. What sparks are flying? An Essential 4-Pack Kit of essential oils from Spark Naturals plus a Fizzy Bath Bomb that will allow you to soak away the day in utter bliss. Entering this giveaway is really easy and there is no requirement other than to submit your entry.

10 Things Experts Fail to Tell You About Retirement. Hint: It is Not About Finances!

June 16, 2018 Gaye Levy 20 Comments

It has been a year since I retired and I have got to tell you, I thought I was ready but I was not. I am not referring to financial matters, mind you. I am referring to the lifestyle and emotional sides of the equation and what I knew was coming but was ill-prepared to deal with. No one warned me that getting up each day without deadlines would not be easy, nor did anyone tell me how leaving the working world (or in my case the full-time blogging world) would seem like my own personal fall from grace.

Whether you are young and simply dreaming about retirement, or older and just beginning to dip your toes into the possibility, I hope you can learn something from my experience and find your own path to a fulfillment during this new and wonderful phase of your life.

How to Make and Use a Sleepy Dreamy Bedtime Blend Using Essential Oils

June 1, 2018 Gaye Levy 4 Comments

Like an epidemic, it seems as though everyone I know has issues with sleep. For some, it is insomnia from a too active mind, while for others, the problem comes from aches and pains or to nature calling multiple times in the middle of the night. And for others with a seemingly normal life, the reason is elusive. Whatever the reason, sleeplessness has become an epidemic and something I have been dealing with for years.

For the past three months, I have been religious in using essential oil sleep aids in the form of salves, massage oils, and diffuser blends. Take your pick, each method seems to work and for that I am grateful.

Today I share the blend I use along with tips for using it in a salve, as a massage oil, and in your diffuser. Oh, and just so you know, this is not just a girl thing. This blend works on men, too!