Tim Elliston
I spent 20 years in a corporate environment, hugely successful in my field but with a gnawing feeling of dissatisfaction that wouldn’t go away.
After yet another weekend and bank holiday had passed me by in a blur of paperwork, I received a telephone call which told me a former colleague, who was the same age as me, had suffered a heart attack. This was the definitive moment when I knew I had to make a change and try and rediscover my joy in life.
I wanted to expand my awareness and joined a meditation group and felt such total well-being and harmony afterwards that I realised I had found more than just a hobby, it was a way of life I wanted to totally embrace.
Deciding to prioritise my peace I sold my business, downsized and trained as a holistic therapist. This was a huge change that was greeted with scepticism from many but I believe that life should be lived, not endured.
I met many inspirational people and became fascinated with the mind/body connection and how big an impact our emotional state can have on our physical body. Further qualifications enabled me to empower others to change their relationship with their minds, eradicating any unhealthy beliefs they may hold.
I know how hard it can be to implement changes, big and small and am so passionate about the transition I have made that alongside my therapy practice I now teach various workshops to share my knowledge with others. I want The Happy Starfish to be a safe environment for people to explore their consciousness and be who they truly are rather than who others want them to be.
Tim Elliston is a Tama-Do Practitioner, Reiki Master, NLP & Meditation Coach. Taking a huge leap of faith in selling his successful IT business and embarking on a simplistic holistic lifestyle, Tim is now an inspirational speaker, workshop teacher and has a thriving therapy practice.
www.timelliston.co.uk
Louise Jensen
A few years ago my life, on paper, would have looked perfect. A nice house in a beautiful village, three happy, healthy children, lots of hobbies, friends and a thriving holistic therapy practice. Then I had a car accident, which exacerbated a pre-existing pelvic condition, caused some spinal damage, and in seconds everything changed. I lost my mobility and at first, felt like I had lost myself too.
Before my accident I had thought I was happy. I had been a holistic therapist for 8 years and loved my job. My thirst for knowledge was insatiable. I was a complete course junkie who always wanted to know more and I strived for credibility in everything I did. I have a ridiculously long list of qualifications, none of which filled the gap inside me. Looking back now I realise I was on a quest to find the ‘answer’ but of course this is impossible if you do not know what the question is.
Time suddenly became infinite. I went from feeling there was never enough hours in the day, to literally listening to the minutes tick by as I sat on my sofa, day after day, staring at the clock. After a period (a rather long one truth be told) of feeling sorry for myself I stumbled across the story of the Starfish Thrower (see Home page) and again, everything changed for me. I suddenly recognised that I didn’t have to know what my ‘purpose’ was or to be fit, healthy and determined enough to change the world. We can all do small things to brighten someone’s day with a positive attitude and loving intent and that really is amazing.
Daily meditation practice; expanding my consciousness and changing my relationship with my mind has made me realise I am more than my disability. I knew that I couldn’t change my physical condition but I could change the way I felt about it. Sure, my body has changed but the essence of who I am remains. I felt depressed when I looked at the past and what I had lost, anxious when I looked to the future, as I didn't, and still don't know how complete my recovery will be. For my peace of mind I have to live in the Now. I realised I don't need to constantly strive for other people to validate me. I am enough just as I am. I no longer look for the plausibility in everything. Some things just are, and need no explanation.
I am lucky enough to have trained to teach meditation and mindfulness with both Shamash Aladina (author of Mindfulness for Dummies) and Sandy Newbigging (author of Mind Calm published by Hay House), two of the UK's leading experts in their field.
Alongside my therapy practice I want to use my teachings and life experience to help others live fully. I may not have freedom in my body but I have freedom within my mind and it’s awesome. Join me.
Louise Jensen is an award winning Naturopathic Kinesiologist, Mindfulness Meditation Coach and Nutritional Therapist, and is certified in many other therapies, including the Mind Detox Method (as featured on Discovery Health) where she graduated from the Mind Detox Academy in record time. Louise has overcome living with a disability and has 13 years experience helping others to heal, and shares her experiences through freelance writing. In 2012, Louise co-created The Happy Starfish, dedicated to celebrating health, happiness and peaceful living. Louise offers Mindfulness Coaching via workshops and Skype and specialises in anxiety, depression and chronic pain.
www.thehappystarfish.co.uk