Why I Write

Bench at Vintage Lake February 2016

I feel it is my purpose to openly share my own life experiences with others. I freely explain and share lessons I’ve learned and practices I use that work for me and my family. If needed, I listen with love and compassion and intuitively share thoughts and examples from my own life.

I write about connecting with nature, parenting, mindful livingsimplicitygratitude, and emotions. Plus, I like to write and share poetry too!

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I feel if we practice the following we will heal ourself and the world’s children will continue to have the self-love they are born with, to feel secure, to feel loved, to feel successful, and free to be who they are ……. LOVE.

  • truly love ourself and model that love
  • practice mindfulness in our own realm and lovingly share mindfulness with our kids
  • learn emotional connection and model and teach it to our kids
  • spend time connecting with nature and model this for our kids
  • practice gratitude and model and teach it to our kids

There is something inside of me that won’t let me not write. Something that gently nudges and says, “You’ve just got to share that.”

My instinct, my gut, whatever you want to call it – that’s what I’m talking about. I fought this feeling for a while. I didn’t think I had anything meaningful to contribute and wondered why anyone would care what I thought or had to say.

I feel my journey is supposed to be shared with others to inspire, give hope and to help create a shift. Another reason I feel compelled is to share the message that one’s view of life is what creates the life one experiences.

Writing and sharing snippets through social media is also healing and a way of shedding what no longer serves. When I write I can hardly contain the emotions I feel inside. The emotions are as hot as lava and as sweet as honeysuckle – from the pit of my belly all the way up to my throat. I am, indeed, compelled to share my experiences.

Each time that “little voice” inside me says “What are you doing? Why are you wasting time on this? This will not make you money!”; I begin to get discouraged. Then I receive confirmation from those around me that what I’m doing and the path I have chosen is inspiring and helpful.

Why Does It Matter?

I get feedback from others verbally, through email and facebook that I encourage and motivate them. I feel it is the World saying to me, “You see, this is why you are to share your life.”

I would continue this sharing journey even if I didn’t receive these messages. For, I know it is what I am to supposed to do. This is my unique way of sharing my given talents. When we share, in the way that only we can, we bless humanity.

I no longer question when I get a flash of inspiration or a gut feeling to share something. I have reached complete acceptance and have full faith in this little adventure I’m on with Team TLC.

As long as one person or one family has been positively influenced by my writing and sharing, I have accomplished what I feel I was meant to do. The reason I say this is because I believe it doesn’t end with that one person. It creates a positive ripple effect that spreads like the ripple created from a rock thrown in water … it keeps on keepin on spreading loving-kindness!

My hope is that you connect with, physically feel, and release worry, fear and guilt. Trust your intuition when you are being pulled in a certain direction …. EVEN if you don’t know the why or how …. and begin your own Journey to Acceptance …

I help to support my family with my writings. I share my writings for free for the benefit of others. If you benefited from this writing, would you like to toss a tip in the love offering “bucket”? Oceans of gratitude … xoxo

Blessings,

Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

Did you know I wrote a book? It’s titled “D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance” and you can read more about it here.

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I Am An Artist

As I completely lean into writing and blogging, I am tweaking the website a bit to bring more clarity to the type of content one can expect to find here.

“Be Mindful … Super-sized thoughts with a wee bit of photographs, recipes and tips.” (And, possibly soon, some other type of art. We shall see where my experimentation leads with this.)

This website and blog bring together all the pieces of my life, like a snapshot. I am a writer, author, blogger, photographer, an artist, and a life coach. I am Mom to 8 year old Thomas and 12 year old Lillian. (**Update: Lillian is 14 years old now and Thomas is 9 years old.)

Lillian has a chromosome abnormality simply called 18p-. This means she is missing a piece of the short arm of chromosome #18. Her younger brother, Thomas, is an amazing and loving helper!

I love taking pictures with my mobile devices. Currently an iPhone 3G and a Samsung Galaxy Tab (mine is a Model gt-p3113). I purposely shoot all photos with these devices as I don’t choose to invest in a fancy camera and/or deal with and learn all the details involved and to show others we can easily and economically capture the beauty and awe of nature anywhere and anytime. (**Update: Now using an iPhone 4G and I have an instagram account for posting pictures as time allows … @camilladowns …)

I love writing about mindful, inspired, simple living as it relates to the choices I make, daily living, being a parent, experiencing nature and …. food.

I am inspired by this place I have chosen as our home … Reno, Nevada. When he was 7 years old, my son, Thomas, summed it up with one beautifully crafted comment. “It’s like we are at an art show and nature keeps changing the art for us.”

I freely and openly share my journey as I sail through life. The ups, the downs, the loop the loops. I have good days, I have bad days. I share in the hopes that you will find at least one nugget to take away and apply to your own life. My wish is that you become inspired, your own passion to simplify life is ignited, or a path to mindful living is illuminated.

I am available for freelance writing opportunities and guest blogging. I’m a life coach too! Contact me here to inquire further.

**Disclosure: I am not an expert on how anyone should be or could be living their life; except for my own …. and that’s only sometimes! I attempt to be non-judgmental and to allow others to BE! Go forth and BE MINDFULLY YOU!

(To help support my blogging I will include an Amazon link to items I use or you will see google ads from time to time. I LOVE sharing my journey and choices with you and this just helps to keep me going!) 

Olive Oil as Facial Cleanser and Moisturizer – Oil Cleansing Method

“Simplify, Simplify, Simplify” –Henry David Thoreau

Doing it Different

For the past several months I have been receiving kind comments and compliments regarding my complexion. I thought it was time to write a post about what I’ve been using as a facial cleanser and moisturizer for just over a year now.

What began as a search for a home made facial cleanser and moisturizer due to financial contraints has transformed into a way of life. About that time I decided I was tired of putting all those chemicals onto my face and into my body by way of my skin.

I’m on a patient search to see what else I can replace with natural and/or organic items in Team TLC’s life. I’m experimenting with replacing my shampoo and conditioner currently and will let y’all know how that turns out when I find just the right “mix” for me! I’ve already replaced our allergy medicine and eczema treatment!

Oil Cleansing Method

Now. Back to that facial cleanser and moisturizer. I searched online and found the Oil Cleansing Method. I researched it pretty heavily. I looked up websites that break down the comedogenic factors of different oils and research based on scientific data about how oils affect the skin (facial skin in particular). I have dry break-out prone facial skin. I experimented with many different oils to find the one I liked … sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil, almond and olive oil. My favorite and most economical so far has been Trader Joe’s Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I’m using organic as that’s what I try and feed my family and if I’m putting it on my skin every morning and night, it’s soaking into my skin and I want it to be of good quality.

This has been an economically good direction for me in regards to more than just moisturizer and facial cleanser. I’m using much less make up these days too! YAY!

You could typically spend anywhere from $8 to $60 (or more) for facial cleanser depending on what brand you purchase and the the same for moisturizer. That’s anywhere from $16 – $120. It costs me about $6.50 for a 16.9 ounce bottle of Trader Joe’s Spanish Extra Virgin Organic Olive oil which lasts for 1 – 3 months depending on how much I cook with it too!

The Process

So, here’s how I do it. I started out with this recipe for the Oil Cleansing Method and have since gone to just straight organic olive oil.

  1. I use one of the 4 ounce plastic squeeze bottles to store the olive oil. You will want to replace that every once in a while and/or at least give it a good cleaning. I’ve also used the glass bottle that soy sauce comes in which has the small spout at the top for pouring. I like glass because it’s easier to keep clean.
  2. I pour about a teaspoon (or a little more) into my hand at night. Rub my palms together and  give myself a mini massage with the oil. Be sure to keep away from your eyes as it burns! It’s like getting soap in your eyes. I have a washcloth ready by the sink. When I’m done rubbing the oil into my skin and giving myself a mini facial, I close my eyes and rub it into my mascara.
  3. Then I wet my washcloth with nice warm water, wipe my eyes and face. You can also add to your facial experience by laying the warm washcloth onto your face and letting it sit until it’s cooled. Feels GOOD!!
  4. Next I wet my face with warm water and apply a tiny bit of olive oil as moisturizer. I have dry skin so I need this extra step after I’m done getting the make up off my face. Make sure to apply the oil while your face is wet so it soaks in good. I put any left over oil on my lips! GREAT lip gloss and lip balm too!
***Update: January 3, 2015: I am still using only olive oil as my facial cleanser and moisturizer. I’ve only made one small change. I no longer apply the oil with my face wet. I found that with my skin type (dry), I can apply it dry and it soaks in just fine.

In the morning I wet my face and apply a small bit of olive oil as my moisturizer. The key is making sure you apply the oil while your face is moist so that it soaks in good.

***Update: October 19, 2015 – I’m still using olive oil and just published an updated blog post. Go here to read the Oil Cleansing Method Update.

***Update: August 17 2018 – I rarely wear make-up so am now only using olive oil as a moisturizer. As I am applying it, I use a bit extra and massage it in a circular motion to help lift any impurities.

If you find this post meaningful or helpful, I invite you to buy me a coffee. Oceans of gratitude! –Camilla

Buy Me A Coffee

That’s it y’all! Been doing it for over a year now and I’m very happy with the results … for my pocket book and my face and health! No more icky chemicals on my face! WoooHooo to that!

*Oil Cleansing Method from The Oil Cleansing Method website. This is the one that began my oil cleansing journey.

**This may not work for everyone. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find just the right “formula” for you and your skin.