Inspiration from the Genie, Himself

So, as I was executing my nightly Facebook creeping routine (don't judge, I know you do it, too) and I came across a quote that really made me think, said by a man that genuinely inspired people... "You must strive to find your own voice, because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all"- 'Dead Poets Society'. I read this quote in the wake of the tragic death of Robin Williams, and though I did not set out to memorialize William's passing, here I am, finding inspiration within the depths of this tragedy. 

     Though this quote is not blatantly about inspiration, it inspired me to write about the subject, as it is something that I sometimes struggle with. It is my dream to inspire others, but I have the tendency to get very shy and stifle myself. I guess I still don't believe that I deserve the life I want. But, quotes like these, from men like Williams, remind me that there is no reason to be afraid. If he can find his voice, so can I. For even in the depths of depression and addiction, Robin Williams still inspired people. He busted our guts with his comedy. He brought us to tears with his emotion. He brightened the world. Even though there is a little less laughter now that he has passed, his inspiration remains. It is quotes like these that push me, after I have finished creeping, to challenge myself to find my voice and inspire others. Music happens to be my vessel for inspiration, but everyone is different; everyone has different talents. Go use yours, whatever they may be, find out who you are and set out to inspire.

      Be conscious and compassionate of what is around you. Keep up with the lives of the people you care about and always aim to be the person others can come to when they are lacking in inspiration. You'd be surprised how a simple verse can inspire and shed light into someone's darkest hour. 

Try to start to fill the void that Robin Williams' passing has left, and start now. 

Cuckoo for Coconuts

"I'm cuckoo for coconuts!"...That's the right saying, isn't it? Oh. Wait...Oops...Anyway, the saying still stands. I am having a love affair with coconuts, specifically coconut oil. It has seeped it's way into almost every part of my daily life. Here are some of the ways I use it:

Makeup remover- I slather it onto my entire face, paying specific attention to my eyes. After I have sufficiently covered my face and rubbed it over my eyes (ladies, this stuff takes off WATERPROOF MASCARA with ease!), I take wet cotton pads and keep wiping my face until no more makeup is coming off on the pads....And Viola! clean face! And you are already moisturized! (Also, I like to use an apple cider vinegar toner after I take my makeup off!)

Moisturizer- I use it on my face, as well as my entire body. For added softness, I add a couple drops of Frankincense essential oil and slather it on. The morning after the first night I did this I could not believe how soft my skin was when I woke up! It was like a babies bottom :)...Caution: DO NOT get the frankincense oil in your eyes. The coconut oil is fine, but the essential oil is not. I literally thought my eyeballs were going to fall out of my face. And even worse, it took forever to get out of my eyes...So just don't do it. There is nothing worse than ruining a relaxing evening by thinking you're going to lose your eyeballs...

Oil Pulling- I will write about the process and benefits of oil pulling later, but for now, just know that this is my personal favorite for oil pulling. It is, by far, the easiest and tastiest!

Burns- Wonderful for any burn, including sunburns! For even better results, add a couple drops of lavender essential oil.

Wounds- Apply to cuts to speed healing.

DIY Hair Mask- Work it into your hair and put it in a bun on the top of your head. Sleep on a towel and then wash it out in the morning! It is that simple! It may take a couple of washes to get out, but it will be worth it! Your hair will thank you.

Coconut Oil For My Dog- Hunter LOVES coconut oil, in a BIG way. I give him small spoonfuls as treats, hide pills in it, and I put it on his food. It has made him a healthier dog for it!

Don't worry, I didn't let him eat straight from the jar. After we finished that one I let him lick it. After he finished licking it, he decided to chew on it a little just to make sure he got it all...you know...thoroughness...

NOTE: Try to buy "cold-pressed", organic, virgin coconut oil. It has more nutrients and is more flavorful.

ALSO: I will expand upon each of these uses in greater detail, later. This is just a couple to get you started! Have fun!

A Little About Me

I started a blog...That is weird, right? I never thought I would be "one of those people", but here I am! I just have so many things to share, but I did not have a platform to share them on. This blog will serve as that platform. I will be sharing animal tips, beauty tips, holistic healing tips, cooking tips, decorating tips, and a little bit of everything else!

But first, here is a little about me!

My name is Jacqueline, I'm in my early 20s and I am about to graduate college. (Ah! Scary! The real world is coming!) I am majoring in vocal performance and I am loving it! I am a musician, through and through. I started playing piano at the age of four and then started singing in middle school and having stopped yet. It is my passion and I hope to be doing it for the rest of my life! On a different subject...

I grew up on a farm with horses, and a lot of dogs and cats. Once I moved out on my own I adopted a, then, 8 year old Weimaraner and I fell in love. Actually, to say that I love him is a huge understatement. He has the ability to make even the darkest days, wonderful! He is full of light and love and he is the greatest companion. Be sure to keep up with our adventures...In the mean time....

Look at that face!

I mean, come on! Look how cute he is!

He also lets me dress him up and that is always magical...

   

He will probably be a frequent source of conversation, here, but if you can't get enough of his cuteness, you can follow me on Instagram at @JACQUELINEJNSN

In addition to absolutely adoring my dog, I also love cooking, crafting, painting and everything beautiful! There will be many 'how-tos' on this page, so be sure to keep up!