Welcome to Living Well — our bi-weekly spotlight on different women that we admire and find fascinating. Our goal is to share an intimate peek into these women’s lives by asking them the questions that allow them to open up about their imperfect truth, whatever that may be. 

Some people are just healers and Alexis Smart is one of them. She has a powerful line of flower remedies that reflect the human condition and what people need help with. How do flower remedies work? I don't really know, in the same way I don't really understand how acupuncture works, but they do and I trust in the wisdom of Alexis' plant medicines. I use them for myself, for my toddlers, recommend them to clients all the time, and they fly off the shelves in the shop.

I am excited to know more about Alexis and how her gifts manifest in the other parts of her life. I know there is more to learn from her and I hope you enjoy reading about who she is and her life in Joshua Tree.

What does a life well lived look like to you?

This answer would be different if you asked me this during different stages of my life... even ten years ago, it would have been about freedom, travel, adventure and romance. Of course, all of those things are still important. I'll always be a bon vivant. But now, a well lived life is one where I am always striving to be a better person, seeing where I can change and grow. I feel like I am in a refining process of my character these days. Not in an indulgent way, but in the way that I can be a better human for those I come in contact with. I value relationships more now, and not just romanic ones, but connections even with strangers that may change the whole course of your life (and theirs hopefully).

A well lived life is really about living according to the dictates of your soul, whatever that may be. When you are connected to that as the guiding force, you will feel all the richness life has to offer you and never feel wanting. I do believe we are here to fulfil a purpose and that is different for every individual. My purpose is to help people reconnect to the happiness that is their birthright, through my work with flower remedies. This is the life I have always wanted, so I would say I am living the well lived life now, and I am so grateful to be able to say that.

My version of success is…

This ties in to my well lived life definition. I think success is living according to your purpose, uninfluenced by the ideas of a conventional course in life. It is a hard thing to do, to be your truest self, but the rewards are vast.

In what way are you seeking to grow right now?

By not trying to do everything myself, think I have to know everything myself, take everything on my own shoulders. It is a challenging practice, to work on growth by NOT doing. A lot of this is about being comfortable with dead air or silence when other people are expecting things of you. I am finding empowerment in the phrase "I don't know." From there you seek knowledge and you really start learning. My brilliant acupuncturist Carolyn seems to have this quality. She is so knowledgable and wise, but she asks me so many questions about homeopathy and flower remedies. Even being a seasoned practitioner, she has an innocence about her and remains curious.

What is one way that you are different today than you were ten years ago?

Ten years ago I didn't trust my intuition. Because of that, I was easily influenced and led off course, going against my inner knowing. Now I am much more trusting of my inner voice and I am OK acting on an intuitive hit without having to defend or explain my decisions.

Setting aside modesty for a moment, what are you excellent at?

Writing, doing impressions (mostly of Mick Jagger), guitar playing, shooting craps, prophecy. I'm a good homeopath. I'm excellent at caring for others. I'm a good cook, masseuse, haircutter (sometimes) and decorator. I'm excellent in emergencies. (I think I just wrote a dating profile haha). My dad just said I am a good daughter and good driver too :)

Whose life perspective and way of moving through the world teaches you something about who + how you want to be?

My homeopathy teacher/guru George Vithoulkas. He's dedicated his life to teaching and healing, but he also moved to a beautiful remote Greek island, built an academy there and hosts students from all over the world. They come to him. People said it was crazy to build an international academy in such a remote place, but he knew if he built it they would come haha. He managed to fulfil his mission in life of helping others and educating the world about homeopathy, but he did it on his own terms and he still gets to go snorkelling.

Is there a quote or mantra you always come back to?

Lately it's "I'll think about it." It doesn't sound so lofty or spiritual, but if you break it down, it gives you the time to really be with a question and feel what the right answer is in the silence. Each small decision we make every day creates our whole life. So "I'll think about it" is a pretty valuable one.

Can you share a book, podcast, or article that changed you in some way?

The book Heal Thyself by Dr. Edward Bach. His whole philosophy on life, what causes illness and how to live...it changed my life.

What are you grateful for today?

I'm bursting with gratitude for my beautiful little home in the dessert. My dad practically built it for me with his own hands. I designed it and his hard work manifested it. It's a living testament to his love for me and I still can't get over it. This is the first home I have had where I feel totally safe and everything is beautiful. (I'm a cancer so this is super important).

Alexis is the creator of Alexis Smart Flower Remedies, a flower remedy practitioner and homeopath. Connect with her on Instagram at @alexissmartflowerremedies.