“Be happy in the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.” - Mother Teresa
It was just two months ago when I posted this picture during a last minute impulsive family vacation to Naples, FL.
It’s unbelievable to think how drastically life has changed in eight short weeks. What is even more unfathomable is that the life we once lived, the plans we once made, and the vision of our future will be very different from our original thoughts.
But what if everything we are going through is really preparing us for what we’ve asked for?
I am living proof that you can overcome uncertainty, instability and a life unexpected.
Why do I say this?
Seven years ago, my life got turned completely upside down when I received the most devastating, traumatizing, earth shattering diagnosis: bipolar type 1 disorder and the healing process to make peace with my new normal has been a very long road.
However, the true light at the end of the tunnel is that my journey prepared me for every thing I have ever asked for. It taught me to love myself unconditionally and share that love with others.
I am now truly confident and deeply content with who I am and ready to share my mental health roller coaster to anyone who wants to listen.
It is my hope that others can learn from all the mistakes and missteps me and my family made when navigating through the complex world of mental illness.
More importantly I pray that my story shows those struggling with a mental illness that there is the power to heal and live a life with true joy, honest happiness, real confidence, and genuine contentment.
So, from the bottom of my heart...please, please, please, never, never, never, never give up.
Be patient with yourself #1. Patience is everything in this battle. I believe love is patient, love is kind. If you can learn to be patient with yourself, you will be able to give yourself unconditional love, and then share that love to others.
Give yourself lots and lots and lots of grace.
Be forgiving of yourself and the dark days. Not every moment will be good vibes and sunshine but that’s ok!
For me there were years of darkness. My pain was deep, my fears were real and my guilt was damaging. Every day my heart ached to feel like me again.
However, there were a few moments when rays of sunshine shined through my dark clouds. Try to be happy in those moments, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.
I fought like crazy to hold on to those moments with hope that someday there would be more sunshine than rain.
And, you know what?
It happened! My days are filled with sunshine! I will always battle a few dark clouds maybe even a storm or two...but I am so very proud to share that my bipolar disorder is in remission and my current treatment plan consists solely on talk therapy with my doctor every 6 weeks and no medication for years!
So...to celebrate not only overcoming a mental illness but also National Women’s Health Week May 10 - 16, The Celebrate Company will be sending out as much Good Vibes & Sunshine as we possibly can all of May!
We will provide sunny posts, tips, insights & lessons learned from my mental health battle and a Good Vibes & Sunshine Box filled with my favorite self-care items from local businesses!
This box makes my heart so happy for a million different reasons but mainly because there was a moment when I felt completely helpless and my mom said something to me that has always stuck in my head, she said...
“Elizabeth, now is not your time to do for others, let others do for you...your day will come again.”
Well, she was right, today I have the strength to bring a little sunshine into this world, and that is exactly what I plan to do!
“Today is my day, it might not be yours, let others do what they can, because tomorrow I may need you again. All we have is each other, so let’s share the light & let it shine within us!” - Elizabeth Angel Gardon
Cheers to Celebrating Life & Each Other Because Life is Worth Celebrating!
Bring On the Good Vibes & Sunshine! ☀️
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