Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities.
She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges.
In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines.
Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.
Something inspirational: “Think wrongly, if you please, but in all cases think for yourself.” DORIS LESSING Thinking for yourself means more than having your own opinions. It means owning your words, your choices, and ...
Something inspirational: "We are not what happened to us. We are what we choose to become.” JAMES HOLLIS "I am drawn to James Hollis's words: 'We are not what happened to us. We are what we choose ...
Something inspirational: "Healing begins when we can hold our own experience with compassion." TARA BRACH Brach's quote reminds us that healing begins when we meet our pain with kindness instead of judgement ...
I'll probably be dating myself, but whenever I hear freedom, the first thing that comes to mind is that 'it's just another word for nothing left to lose!' I think that's the reason why I've been so angry lately, because I didn't ever feel free to make the choices I wanted to that were best for me.
My life could have been so much better if I had understood what freedom really was, but I grew up in a world where freedom wasn't an option. I'm just trying to do the best I can now with what freedom I do have to do better things with what I have left of my life!
Thanks Tim. I think you're right. What you have described in your response to today's quote is exactly how it works.
We're born into a society where we are expected to stay within the confines of our structured societies and beliefs. For many years I was expected to do the same, but came away completely when my mother passed and followed my own spiritual beliefs, which had nothing to do with religion.
We should be free to make our choices on what we want from our lives and if it that means moving away from the restrictions imposed on us by others, then so be it. Others must understand.
I believe this is the way forward if we are to have freedom.
I know exactly where you're coming from Randy. I had no choices or freedom myself. I lived someone else's life, but there does come a time when we have to take back control for ourselves so that we make some of our own choices, which hopefully will bring about more freedom and closure so that we are able to move on.
I think Tim is right. Within the constraints of society, which include families and their beliefs, we are restricted, but as the adult living away from home we have the opportunity to change the way we live our lives. We have to find what works for us, regardless of the people around us.
I know my father wasn't happy with my choices, but they weren't his choices to make and that's the point. If we make mistakes along the way, that's okay as that's how we learn.
Exactly! I totally agree!!
Thanks Lisa!
Great quote. That realisation can be life changing too.
It can also be very liberating. I agree.
I'll probably be dating myself, but whenever I hear freedom, the first thing that comes to mind is that 'it's just another word for nothing left to lose!' I think that's the reason why I've been so angry lately, because I didn't ever feel free to make the choices I wanted to that were best for me.
My life could have been so much better if I had understood what freedom really was, but I grew up in a world where freedom wasn't an option. I'm just trying to do the best I can now with what freedom I do have to do better things with what I have left of my life!
I question how much freedom and choice we really have and how much is just an illusion.
I think we have a choice of limited freedom as long as we stay within the confines of our structured societies and it's principles.
Thanks Tim. I think you're right. What you have described in your response to today's quote is exactly how it works.
We're born into a society where we are expected to stay within the confines of our structured societies and beliefs. For many years I was expected to do the same, but came away completely when my mother passed and followed my own spiritual beliefs, which had nothing to do with religion.
We should be free to make our choices on what we want from our lives and if it that means moving away from the restrictions imposed on us by others, then so be it. Others must understand.
I believe this is the way forward if we are to have freedom.
I know exactly where you're coming from Randy. I had no choices or freedom myself. I lived someone else's life, but there does come a time when we have to take back control for ourselves so that we make some of our own choices, which hopefully will bring about more freedom and closure so that we are able to move on.
I think Tim is right. Within the constraints of society, which include families and their beliefs, we are restricted, but as the adult living away from home we have the opportunity to change the way we live our lives. We have to find what works for us, regardless of the people around us.
I know my father wasn't happy with my choices, but they weren't his choices to make and that's the point. If we make mistakes along the way, that's okay as that's how we learn.