No matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials… There is something in each day to embrace & cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude & joy, if only we will see it & appreciate it!
#inspiration #LoveLife #Gratitude
Be content #Gratitude
xo Ellice Campbell
“You were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self, to live out your purpose, and to do it courageously.” -Steve Maraboli
Ok, I confess, I was the party girl, and no, not like the girl who is the life of the party, more the girl who made partying her life. My twenties did not turn out to be the “best years of my life” as I had naively hoped when embarking out into the real world. In fact, by all accounts, I was a hot mess for most of my twenties, on a path of self-destruction, all the promise that I once held, I pissed away. Life was fun, one party after another, fun ALL the time. Until it wasn’t.
As my thirties approached, it became painfully obvious, somewhere, I had lost my way. I was stuck in this life of superficial friends and abandoned dreams. And even though one bad thing after another kept happening, I didn’t change course. I continued to punish myself, for mistakes both real and imagined, but I didn’t change course. As the consequences continued to pile up, I didn’t change course. Relationships damaged, perhaps forever, but I still didn’t change course. It seemed as if I would never learn. I sought out people who treated me as bad as I treated myself, because I guess, in some twisted way, I believed I deserved every bit of it. I may have been smiling, but inside was empty.
I kept searching, hoping to find what could fill the void, but it was elusive. Long nights that turned into even LONGER mornings became happenstance, there was no permanence, my life was in flux. Abusive relationships, seriously flawed decisions, and a pattern of self-sabotage had been the routine for longer than anyone wanted to admit. Especially myself. But I dared not change, this crazy life was all that was left. I had sacrificed who I was for whom someone else thought I should be long ago. Traded in my potential for familiarity. Tried to force myself into a life that wasn’t for me, and boy did I make myself pay.
Looking up from the bottom is not a good feeling. In fact, it is the saddest, most empty feeling in the world, but it does force you to change perspective. I had become good at letting life happen to me. I was excellent at being the victim in my life. “Why was this happening to me?” crossed my mind daily.
Time marched on, and slowly, as I began to change, life began to change. I do believe you will continue to face certain situations until you have truly learned the lesson from it. I was a slow learner. It took an immense amount of time for me to get out of my way. It was easier to blame others or the circumstance for the state of my life, taking responsibility, knowing your part in your own catastrophe, now that is the hard part.
I had to accept some very uncomfortable truths, the first and probably most important to my growth was that while others could drink alcohol without incident, if I drank there was always some kind of incident, from blackouts to full-blown knock down drag out fights, you never knew how the night would end. It was not healthy and definitely not fun.
So one day I finally quit drinking.
I had built up that gravity of that decision in my head for so long, for years I just could not even imagine life without alcohol, it had become so ingrained into my daily routine, and I wasn’t sure how to let it go. I guess on some level, the party girl had become the role I viewed myself in most often, it was familiar, it was comfortable and I could disassociate myself with my “drunkieness”, it came with the territory of being a bartender. And hey, as an added bonus, if I didn’t remember it happening, I never had to admit to myself that I’d done it!
I credit that single decision with changing my trajectory, I finally had changed course. After that, accomplishing my goals seemed easier, less elusive. I was able to finish college with a BS in Alternative Medicine, and with the knowledge I gained while in school, I was able to heal, both physically and emotionally. I changed the way I lived my life, and most importantly, how I looked at myself. Maybe you have something holding you back too. That behavior that is self-destructive or self-defeating, and while it may not be obvious to everyone else, you know, and you are the only one who can change it.
Today, in retrospect, the craziness that was once my life, the self-created drama I used to surround myself with seems like a lifetime ago. Now my life is spent focusing on helping others find the way back to health and happiness using holistic means and spending time with two of the most amazing little men I know.
Thankfully, I have met some incredible people on this journey, most of who stuck around to see me emerge out of the depths, and for that I am eternally grateful. You know who you are, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I confess, it is taking the leap, doing the thing that scares you most that will make all the difference, but you have to believe it, to try it for yourself. And sometimes, that leap is enough to change course forever.
Take the leap.
The Halloween holiday is often an exercise in consumerism. With decorations, treats, and costumes to cover, the price tag can really add up if everything is purchased new. Instead of flexing your spending muscle, exercise your creativity instead….
See all 7 green costume ideas @ http://www.examiner.com/list/go-green-for-halloween-7-last-minute-costume-ideas?cid=rss the latest from Enlightened Lotus Wellness founder, @ElliceCampbell
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[View the story “Strength” on Storify]
Storified by Ellice Campbell· Sat, Mar 23 2013 20:51:31
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O, my luve’s like a … (Photo credit: avhell)
Anyone you meet, from famous philosophers to the ordinary person on the corner, will tell you that nothing in life is more important than love. There certainly is no more powerful emotion; human beings will move heaven and earth to find that one special person. The poets talk about climbing the highest mountain to prove their devotion and they tell us love will sustain us until the end of time.
When we are in love the world is wonderful and every moment is a joy. When we are not, but we wish we were, life can become a search for an elusive goal. When we lose a sweetheart, either from a breakup or death, our days may become tragic and sad. Love is the primary emotion in our lives, although hen the flame of our passion burns brightest, we may take it for granted and when our ardor is diminished, we will do anything to find it again.
Over the centuries, many famous quotes about love have been recorded for posterity. The great Scottish poet, Robert Burns, who led a turbulent life with many women, wrote a poem on the subject that many people consider the greatest statement about romantic bliss ever written in the English language.
By Robert Burns
O my Luve’s like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve’s like the melodie
That’s sweetly play’d in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I:
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a’ the seas gang dry:
Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi’ the sun:
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o’ life shall run.
And fare thee well, my only Luve
And fare thee well, a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho’ it were ten thousand mile.
Another interesting quote comes to us from the late rock musician and poet, Jim Morrison of the band The Doors. Morrison, who projected the image of a carefree wild-man, actually had a clear understanding of the need for friendship and tolerance in a relationship.
“Friends can help each other. A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself – and especially to feel. Or, not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine with them. That’s what real love amounts to – letting a person be what he really is.”
Loss of love is always on our minds. Keeping the affection of another is not an easy task; it requires patience, understanding and devotion in equal measure. Even after a long and happy life, couples worry about leaving their partner behind when they pass into the great unknown. The British author A.A. Milne, creator of Winnie The Pooh, spoke with eloquence about love and loss in old age.
“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.”
Love is the ultimate journey. It begins with our parents who cradle us tenderly in their arms when we are born. If we are lucky, we grow up in a happy home, pursue fleeting teenage infatuation, and find a caring romantic partner as a young adult. We may end several relationships over the course of our lives, but we always manage to bounce back and try again. If we are truly blessed, we will have the affection of a good companion to comfort us in our old age. Someone to sit with on the porch and joyfully remember the days of our youth. Someone who will look in our eyes with appreciation and compassion when the final curtain falls.
Reflect on the words of Barbara Bush, wife of President George H.W. Bush; a wise woman who understands the true importance of love. Live a passionate life and may you find a true soul mate to accompany you to the end of your days.
“At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent.”
Remember also that there is no need to end on a sad note. Instead, let us all reflect on the joy that life and love may bring. Consider the words of the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru.
“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.”
Jen loves to write about life, finding ways to make it easier, better and happier. Her favorite topics include inspirational stuff like quotes and sayings and fun things like movies and TV shows. Connect with Jen on Google+ if you must, or, Facebook if you like 🙂 – and you can always Follow me on Twitter if you ever get bored!
Scarcely known outside his home country, the Netherlands, Zacharias Janssen is credited with the invention of the compound lens microscope. His design was the precursor to the wide range of modern microscopes, including the stereo microscope, used by scientists today.
EARLY LIFE
Little is known about the early life of Janssen, whose name is sometimes spelled Sacharias Jansen. Even the exact year of his birth is uncertain, it is thought to be around 1580. According to a marriage record, he was born in The Hague, but spent much of his life in the town of Middelburg.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPOUND MICROSCOPE
Magnification using singles lenses was a familiar technology by the 1590s. Zacharias Janssen’s father, Hans, was one of many entrepreneurs using this technology to make eyeglasses. Sometime around 1595, probably while working as a teenaged apprentice in his father’s lens making operation, Zacharias discovered that two lenses used together create greater magnification than a single lens. Although it seems strange today that a teenager would have been employed in such a skilled profession, it was common practice at that time for teenagers to work as apprentices, especially in a family business. Janssen brought his new invention to the attention of a Dutch diplomat and family friend, William Boreel, who later recalled Janssen’s work on the microscope.
EARLY MICROSCOPE DESIGN
None of Janssen’s microscopes are known to exist today; a Dutch museum claims to have one but it has not been authenticated. That microscope consists of three metal tubes that collapse inside each other, with a glass lens on each end. It appears to have been handheld, and looks more like the telescoping viewer used by pirates and sailors than a modern day microscope. Magnification was between 3X and 10X, depending on whether the tubes were fully extended. This device differs significantly from the microscope mentioned by Boreel; his description of Janssen’s early microscope indicated that it was over two feet long and mounted on a tripod. It is possible that both designs were developed by Janssen, and the museum model represents a refinement of technology.
LATER LIFE
Janssen married twice and fathered at least one child. He spent much of his later life fleeing from town to town to avoid legal trouble because of coin counterfeiting. He died in the 1630s. Unfortunately many records pertaining to Janssen’s life were lost in the intense bombing of Middelburg during World War 2.
Author Bio
Jennie is an amateur scientist, author and blogger. Interested in fun and interesting science projects you can perform at home? Visit chemistry.about.com.
It is never too late to start living your version of a wonderful life. Don’t let your past dictate the possibilities in your future. Take some time to think about what is really important to you, is family the most important thing in your life? Are you living in a way that really makes family a priority or are you just giving it lip service? Whatever your values or priorities are, it is imperative to your overall satisfaction with life that you live in a way that supports your values, whatever they may be. If you need help defining your values, check out my previous posts, You have to start somewhere and evaluate where you are. for some guidance or schedule a Clarifying Your Values session with a personal wellness consultant.
I would also like to extend a big thank you to all our new community contributors for sharing their insights with the Enlightened Lotus Wellness community. We will be posting additional community contributed articles later this week. If you would like to submit an article for consideration, please read our guidelines and submit the finished article to submit@enlightenedlotuswellness.com.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday, stop making excuses and start making progress! BE WELL!!
What If
by Oriah Mountain Dreamer
English: Contemplation (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
WHAT IF…it doesn’t matter what you do, but how you do whatever you do?
HOW WOULD this change what you choose to do with your life?
WHAT IF…you could be more fully present and open -hearted working as a cashier in the corner store, able to really see and be with the people who come into the store, than you are when you are striving to do what you hope or think will make a more important contribution to the world and the lives of those you love?
HOW WOULD this change how you want to spend your precious time on this earth?
WHAT IF…your contribution to the world and the fulfillment of your own happiness is not dependent upon discovering a better mathod of prayer or technique of meditiation, not dependant upon reading the right book or attending the right seminar, but upon really seeing and deeply appreciating yourself and the world as they are right now?
HOW WOULD this affect your search for spiritual development?
WHAT IF…there is no need to change, no need to try to transform yourself into someone who is more compassionate, more present, more loving, or wise?
HOW WOULD this affect all the places in your life where you are endlessly trying to be better?
WHAT IF…the task is simply to unfold, to become who you already are in your essential nature- gentle, compassionate and capable of living fully and passionately present?
HOW WOULD this effect how you feel when you wake up in the morning?
WHAT IF…who you essentially are right now is all that you are ever going to be?
HOW WOULD this affect how you feel about your future?
WHAT IF… the essence of who you are and always has been is enough?
HOW WOULD this effect how you see and feel about your past?
WHAT IF…the question is not why am I so infrequently the person I really want to be, but why do I so infrequently want to be the person I really am?
HOW WOULD this change what you think you have to learn?
WHAT IF…becoming who and what we truly are happens not through striving and trying but by recognizing and receiving the people and places and practices that offer us the warmth of encouragement we need to unfold?
HOW WOULD this shape your choices about how to spend today?
(Oriah Mountain Dreamer is also the author of The Invitation and The Dance: Moving to the Rhythms of Your True Self )
While I was in college, one of my professors gave this to the class and it really resonated with me. In life we have so many choices to make and expectations to live up to (many of which are not even our own!) that we lose the connection we have with our inner self. My hopes with this site along with my wellness consulting business is that I can help you reconnect with your true self. There are so many experts and people telling you that there is a secret to living a happy, enjoyable life, but in reality the secret to a happy life is you, you are the only expert about your life and how to enjoy it.
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How are you going to enjoy your life? It’s up to you to decide!
We have stories to tell, stories that provide wisdom about the journey of life. What more have we to give one another than our “truth” about our human adventure as honestly and as openly as we know how? – Rabbi Saul Rubin
Ralph Waldo Emerson (Photo credit: Books18)
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment – Ralph Waldo Emerson
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