Disqus - Latest Comments for eleniparas

Re: Is A Life Partner Essential To Your Happiness?

eleniparas — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:30:31 -0000

Since the question is personal, I would say, yes. What I wanted and still want in my life is to grow old with my husband. To be able to withstand the difficulties together, to grow, to develop, to have fun and laugh for the longest time possible. I am a person who believes in togetherness, I think that deep down inside no one wants to spend the rest of their life alone. The key element (as always in any kind of relationship) is balance.

Re: Love: Complicated, or Simple?

eleniparas — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 07:28:02 -0000

Love as a meaning is simple. You either love someone or you don't. The complicated part comes with the interaction (which is the key element here... it takes two to tango). How much I love you, how much you love me, what are you willing to do for me, sacrifice for me and vise-versa... For me a word that comes together with love is unconditionally. You love someone for what they are; the good staff and the bad staff, the ups and the downs, otherwise it is not love. It is something else, like passion... Love is simple. People on the other hand are not!

Re: What Will You Forgive Yourself For Today?

eleniparas — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:21:31 -0000

Great work there!!!! Hot water opens you heart like mussels open with steam!!!

Re: What Will You Forgive Yourself For Today?

eleniparas — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:18:43 -0000

I will forgive myself for not sticking to my guns when I should have and defend myself and my work. I have learned my lesson and now it is time to move on. I will forgive myself for being reluctant to the friendly approach of people who have hurt me (deeply) in the past and now they want to be part of my present and future.

Re: Does It All Happen For A Reason?

eleniparas — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:50:51 -0000

Yes it does. All the time. Why? To learn, to grow, to mature, to appreciate, to obtain wisdom, to become better. As adults we have no recollection of our efforts as babies. No one of us remembers how many times we fell before we actually learn to walk, how many times we tried to communicate with words without any success whatsoever, how many times we made a complete mess while trying to learn to eat with a spoon.... it sounds silly, I know, but place it proportionally... whatever comes our way it is there to help us grow... it is just more complicated than learning to walk.... and far more complicated if we need more than one lessons to learn...

Re: Positivity; How Do You Keep It Alive?

eleniparas — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:21:49 -0000

By counting my blessings. Starting from the fact that I have my health... and then I move on to the big or small things that I consider as blessings... my husband, my family, my friends, the love I receive every single day...
One of my personal motos is "Problems are disguised opportunities"... So I ask myself... "What am I missing here? This is happening for a reason..." and I am trying to cool down and think of the hidden opportunity.
Finally remembering the chinese proverb: "Luck knocks on smiling doors"!!!!!

Re: Your Dream Home; Where Is It and Why?

eleniparas — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:12:56 -0000

A traditional house made by wood and rock somewhere in a mountain hill overlooking the sea.... warm colors, cozy, with a fireplace, with gardens, with my family, our cat Hercules and perhaps a dog...

Re: What Is Your Favorite Meal of the Day, and How Will You Enjoy It Today?

eleniparas — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 07:20:14 -0000

Definitely dinner! It is the time of the day when I relax from work or other stuff and I enjoy the company of my husband and we exchange news (dinner is our quality time), or I am with my family (parents, brother, sister, the BIG thing) or with friends at home (I love throwing dinner parties). Good food, good wine, good company... yes... definitely dinner!!!

Re: What’s One New Word You Want to Bring Into Your Vocabulary This Year?

eleniparas — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:16:03 -0000

My new word is Create.
More business opportunities, more innovative ideas, a nice baby room for my baby girl that is arriving in our family in June.

Re: How To “Être”, or, Just Be

eleniparas — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 08:53:29 -0000

Great article!!! You should visit Greece (not Athens by the way) to experience a very similar situation.... if not a slower pace of life....
Life is all the little staff that happens to us everyday... A smile, a kiss, a good laugh, crying with friends, a good friend...
So very true what you say, so very true....

Re: What will you create in 2009?

eleniparas — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:59:41 -0000

A baby... new business opportunities... a better me (hopefully!)

Re: What word describes your desire for 2009?

eleniparas — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 06:49:02 -0000

Strength, persistence, growth

Re: What were the highlights of 2008 for you?

eleniparas — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:40:36 -0000

Starting my own company (after years of just thinking about it), marrying the man of dreams (after years of dating), getting pregnant to my first baby (after years of dreaming one).....it was a very good year!!!

Re: What will you thank your friends and family for over the holidays?

eleniparas — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:41:08 -0000

For being there whenever I needed them. For their unconditional love and support throughout the good and the bad. I am especially thankful for my husband... he is an angel with the way he handles my emotional-hormonal trips with my pregnancy!!!!

Re: What advice would you give to yourself 10 years ago?

eleniparas — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:08:40 -0000

Be more aware of what is going on around you. Try to have a balance in your life. Not everything is about a successful career.

Re: What would you like to be a master of?

eleniparas — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:36:55 -0000

Two words only... brain stimulation! in order to help others (by stimulating their brain) to find happiness and completion...

Re: What are your best organizational tips?

eleniparas — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:19:05 -0000

As each person is different, I can give the following tip. For one week keep a "time share". Basically what this is, you write down throughout the day, all the things you have done and how much time it took (even lunch breaks). For example: phone call with client X - 15 min. After a week, you can see where you spent (or wasted) most of your time and how your various actions affected your daily schedule.
Another tip (which helps me) is writing down what I have to do for the day. And sometimes say no to unnecessary phone calls or meetings in order to keep track of my daily schedule.
And finally have files and make sure you file everything properly. Avoid files named "General" because 90% of your papers will end up there.

Re: What’s your movie recommendation for this weekend?

eleniparas — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:17:35 -0000

Well, I would say "The story of us" with Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer, the ultimate (plus very close to the truth) of how a life of couple with children may be. And my personal favorite for Christmas, the muppets in "Christmas Story".... I see it every year!

Re: What are you sensitive to?

eleniparas — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:53:52 -0000

Animal cruelty, disrespect to the environment, racism, lies.
Kindness, truth spoken through friends to make me a better person.

Re: What four words describe you?

eleniparas — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:22:26 -0000

Understanding, loving, energetic, fastidious

Re: What four words describe you?

eleniparas — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:20:54 -0000

Understanding, loving, energetic, fastidious

Re: Downshifting to a Simpler Life by Working From Home

eleniparas — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:01:52 -0000

First of all congratulations!!! For managing a carreer, two kids, a household and a husband!!! Like you, I have finally opened up my own business, after 4 long years of serious thoughts and major insecurities. But eversince I took that desicion, not a day has passed that I am not thankful for what I did. I work, like you, from home. I have gained more time with my husband and friends and now that we are expecting our first baby, I believe I will have more time to enjoy both my pregnancy and my baby. No amount of money, or job titles, can compensate this feeling. We live in a society that puts money, success and spending first and interpersonal relations and personal fulfilment second. It takes sacrifices, like you so well said in your article. But they are all worth it!!!

Re: What is your favorite cultural activity that doesn’t cost money?

eleniparas — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:20:08 -0000

Walking around the old streets of Thission, Plaka, at the foothills of Acropolis. I live in Athens, Greece. You practically walk around history! and we have a lovely - pedestrians only - path of about 6 klm that goes all around the Acropolis hill with street performers.

Re: Trading Places: Confessions of a Former Housewife

eleniparas — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:41:08 -0000

It is always very pleasant to see that men are willing to share the housework-children-everyday house madness-..... I have a house husband.... and he is actually a lot better than I am in most house "staff"....
The most important of all is sharing.... that's why we all get married and have families... right? for the sharing part of life....
and by the way... love the photo!!!!!

Re: Looking for a Teacher… and Finding the Love Guru

eleniparas — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:11:52 -0000

Unfortunately, experiences like the one above can not be passed on.... this is why they are called experiences. What you mention, I have wished for many times.... you have reminded me my mother... she used to share her experiences in life - to pass us useful information in order to avoid similar mistakes. Strangely enough, I made almost the same mistakes, as if I have never heard a single one of these stories ever in my life!
It seems that we all have to go through the same (or similar) journey to discover love...