en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/3563251 Comments by madgrooves http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/03/15-things-new-moms-should-know/#IDComment416776852 I love everything about this article. I'm a now single mom of 3 girls - Ages 20, 5 &4, and definitely wish more USEFUL, down home motherly advice had been shared with me as an 18 yr. old Mommy. That's when I began reading books..... Tue, 7 Aug 2012 02:11:27 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/03/15-things-new-moms-should-know/#IDComment416776852 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/05/hey-baby-i-think-i-want-to-marry-you/#IDComment367940707 How wonderfully creative, and must have just completely overwhelmed this girl!!! I know it would me to see all the people I love dancing in the street for me =D Thank GOD she said "yes," even if she could only nod, LOL. Sat, 26 May 2012 23:13:32 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/05/hey-baby-i-think-i-want-to-marry-you/#IDComment367940707 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/05/21-quotes-for-the-moms-in-your-life/#IDComment358989179 A lot of awesome & funny quotes! As a mother of 3 girls, ages 20, 5 & 4, I need all the encouragement and more importantly HUMOR I can get o.O Love the last quote =D Sat, 12 May 2012 04:50:09 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/05/21-quotes-for-the-moms-in-your-life/#IDComment358989179 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/05/power-ben-ralston-video/#IDComment358900632 Thank you, Ben. Finally had some quiet moments to watch your video, as I know I have to be able to truly listen when I click on your face =0) This is definitely a crucial area that demands our attention. For me, and many other "highly sensitive" types, as we're labeled, we were pushed (as you mentioned) to feel less, express with great caution, and question many of our instincts/our very nature to better "manage" and be "acceptable.:" I've always said I was never very good at building walls or a thicker skin in this world, as most naturally do, and the sensitive usually do out of necessity to survive really. And though I've spent years trying to rewrite my thoughts, erase my conditioning, and so on, this video brings to my attention, once again, alongside the relentless signs/lessons in my life, that I was more "successful" at building one wall, if you can even call it a wall (survival response more so), and that is Fear and Isolation (well that's two, but technically one ;0). When I first began seeking psychotherapy at age 18, after becoming a young mother, I was diagnosed with Agoraphopia, first and foremost. And although it's only a label, I think it hits my core issues more than any other diagnosis' i've received. I do believe, will never know to what extent, most stemmed from separation from both my mom and dad simultaneously at age 2 1/2 to 5, until I was reunited with my mother. Happening during the "Separation Stage," I learned it probably heavily impacted my base level of security. But it was really people and society that caused me to close up further, as I would still push myself to be open, friendly, daring, and just "ME." After curving and scaling "ME" down quite a bit through my teen years, I've spent years trying to get her back, and keep her from going back in her shell (for longer periods anyway) when I feel more vulnerable or sensitivities are heightened or just a lot of sh*t going down, ya know? I'll stop here...but this is what your video triggers for me personally, and I am very grateful for anything that keeps me "real," honest with myself amidst society and my own inner defense mechanisms, which are always lurking, waiting to rear their ugly heads the moment i slip back into unconsciousness. Love and light bless and keep you, Ben <3 Sat, 12 May 2012 02:06:13 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/05/power-ben-ralston-video/#IDComment358900632 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/05/rip-mca-bodhisattva-vow/#IDComment355063934 FLY FREE "MCA" <3 Sun, 6 May 2012 04:57:49 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/05/rip-mca-bodhisattva-vow/#IDComment355063934 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/05/the-butterfly-the-breeze-remembering-beastie-boy-mca/#IDComment354637567 "You're a butterfly And butterflies are free to fly Fly away, Bye Bye <3" Sat, 5 May 2012 11:58:20 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/05/the-butterfly-the-breeze-remembering-beastie-boy-mca/#IDComment354637567 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/05/the-butterfly-the-breeze-remembering-beastie-boy-mca/#IDComment354630001 THANK YOU, Josh, for sharing these beautiful thoughts on Adam <3 It means a lot to me personally, as I have long adored and been humbled by his and the Beasties' ever-evolving music, their undying inspiration and passion for life, as well as their personal sense of responsibility to the betterment of our world. I have a heavy heart at this unexpected loss, but I am so grateful for the time his great spirit was lent to us and the extensive volume of music and influence that will live on in this world he honored and uplifted so selflessly. All my love, prayers and gratitude to Adam "MCA" Yauch, MIchael "Mike D, Diamond., Adam "Ad Rock" Horovitz and Michael "Mix Master Mike" Schwartz for your lives, unmatchable grooves, and unstoppable, generous spirits. ((((Hugs))) and PEACE to their families and fans ~ FLY FREE NOW, BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY <3 <3 <3 Sat, 5 May 2012 11:36:38 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/05/the-butterfly-the-breeze-remembering-beastie-boy-mca/#IDComment354630001 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/05/trust-yourself-and-hang-this-on-your-fridge/#IDComment352665108 Thank you for your piercing light so perfectly bright this morning =D Wed, 2 May 2012 13:10:49 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/05/trust-yourself-and-hang-this-on-your-fridge/#IDComment352665108 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/04/spiritual-bullsht-new-age-nonsense-dont-relinquish-your-power/#IDComment350113505 It has taken me a long time to see how often I've given over my power to people, thoughts, things. I've found myself saying for a while, "Life doesn't let me get away with sh*t. She makes me be honest with myself, the bloody b*tch." I wouldn't have it any other way, though I've certainly tried a time or three! But now whenever I'm with someone, or choosing thoughts or behaviors that are not in the flow with divinity, i feel it deep within my bones and it refuses to leave me alone until I face it. Because sometimes, the options before our eyes look heavenly in their disguise....until we cannot ignore their deeper lies. Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:08:22 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/04/spiritual-bullsht-new-age-nonsense-dont-relinquish-your-power/#IDComment350113505 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/04/one-of-the-best-videos-ive-ever-seen-henry-rollins-young-people/#IDComment349266962 Poignant words to kickstart a young life, and amp us older folk up a bit =P Much love for this and Mr. Rollins <3 Way to BE it, and preach it, Waylon Lewis. Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:20:46 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/04/one-of-the-best-videos-ive-ever-seen-henry-rollins-young-people/#IDComment349266962 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/03/love-interruption/#IDComment315316698 It is very much my pleasure to make your recent acquaintance, Ms. Balt, through EJ and FB <3 I'll send you a message on there to let you know who I am, as (for now anyway) I'm anonymous on here. I just want to take a moment to tell you that I have read some of your writings, plan to read more, that you inspire me, and it was obvious you were a kindred spirit from the start. So it comes as no surprise that you would post this article with Jack White and his awesome new song to force me to stop and take a moment out of my chaotic single mom lifestyle, finally, and comment on an article of yours and share my appreciation for you =D Jack White is in my top musical ranks for many reasons, and you have given a wonderful example of one of them here. His writing, alongside all that he touches, cuts to the bone and radiates with a soul-stirring light of truth that is sometimes bittersweet, but IMHO, always beautiful. These words from his newest solo release I will too try to continue to embrace, letting love rule these uncharted waters ahead, despite the bloody fallout behind me. Thank you for being another beacon, who's willing to keep fighting and surrendering with the ebb and flow of this DIVINE sea. Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:02:25 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/03/love-interruption/#IDComment315316698 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/11/break-dancing-plus-yoga-holy-sht-video/#IDComment301706697 And that song is BADASS \m/ Sun, 26 Feb 2012 02:36:09 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/11/break-dancing-plus-yoga-holy-sht-video/#IDComment301706697 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/11/break-dancing-plus-yoga-holy-sht-video/#IDComment301705587 This is the reason I loved gymnastics....which is now transferring into yoga. This dude is phenomenal and really inspires me to get off my bootay and use it =D Thanks for sharing <3 Sun, 26 Feb 2012 02:34:04 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/11/break-dancing-plus-yoga-holy-sht-video/#IDComment301705587 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/01/coolest-dad-ever/#IDComment279190091 LOVE this, Waylon, as well as many of your posts that I've seen but failed to comment on....This dad gets it, and I need to find me one like him. I just wish I didn't have to date jerks to find him.... Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:44:01 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/01/coolest-dad-ever/#IDComment279190091 http://benralston.blogspot.com/2011/10/somebody-can-be-and-its-my-pleasure.html#IDComment204613077 Awesome =D They're gonna start calling you "Jesus" here in a minute =P Sat, 8 Oct 2011 02:35:09 +0000 http://benralston.blogspot.com/2011/10/somebody-can-be-and-its-my-pleasure.html#IDComment204613077 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/10/3-impossible-true-stories-1-way-to-feel-more-god-like-ben-ralston/#IDComment203232415 Synchronicity blows my mind to shreds always bringing me back to heightened awareness and appreciation. Thank you for this beautiful reminder tonight, Ben =0) I really needed to bring my focus back on all the miracles and signs that I've encountered, as it's an intensely challenging time in my life that is triggering some of deepest wounds from very early childhood. Sometimes it consumes me and I have to surrender to the pain for a while before I can move on, as have been the last 2 days. Thank you for throwing me a rope, a divine sign to jolt my memory <3 Wed, 5 Oct 2011 02:30:42 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/10/3-impossible-true-stories-1-way-to-feel-more-god-like-ben-ralston/#IDComment203232415 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/09/letting-go-isnt-about-birds-cages-things-coming-back-if-they-truly-love-you/#IDComment194414985 AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for this confirmation of truth, succulent morsel of wisdom enriching my morning...my life =D Beautiful and so SO very powerful, essential and true. Sat, 17 Sep 2011 09:16:51 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/09/letting-go-isnt-about-birds-cages-things-coming-back-if-they-truly-love-you/#IDComment194414985 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/09/why-we-are-all-nothing-more-than-ants-and-no-less-than-god/#IDComment192256840 Ahhhh, Ben.....you are like an intoxicating, ever-inspiring breath of fresh air to my being! Your story of you and your Father, and the revelation he and the divine lit within you that day, is truly precious. And though I never had someone paint a visual of the vastness, intelligence, wonder and mystery of this universe, I can greatly identify with your revelation which has been a most crucial & reoccurring one in my own spiritual evolution. You can never unlearn or unsee it once experienced, though I certainly still forget sometimes. Though even when I "forget" momentarily, I am constantly amazed by all the signs, some subtle, some practically knocking me upside the head, LOL, that come even in those moments to remind me who I truly am and am not and that I am always guided, infinitely loved and one with God and the divine wisdom, abundance, peace and joy that is within and totally accessible even in the most despairing life events. It took me a long time to really FEEL, not just carry the knowledge of, God and see myself in that light. And as for addiction......i have endless thoughts on the subject but will save it for another day. Sun, 11 Sep 2011 15:10:44 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/09/why-we-are-all-nothing-more-than-ants-and-no-less-than-god/#IDComment192256840 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/09/playboy-dear-stanley-kubrick-do-you-feel-that-life-is-worth-living/#IDComment192225130 AWESOME <3 Thank you for sharing such inspiring/confirming words from one of the greatest directors of our time.....Brilliant!!! Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:40:49 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/09/playboy-dear-stanley-kubrick-do-you-feel-that-life-is-worth-living/#IDComment192225130