Meet Reader: Calliope Lappas
Who’s a Natural Awakenings reader? Meet Calliope Lappas
Life mission: My intention is simple: to continue my own work in personal growth and transformation and to share ideas and practical tools with others, helping them find ways to positively improve their everyday lives.
Occupation: Like so many others during this time, I'm finding myself in a transitional phase with work due to COVID-19. It's become an opportunity to focus on my passion projects, developing and creating online coaching, courses and workshops. I'm also a contributor to ThriveGlobal.
Proudest achievement: As time goes on—especially after this pandemic—my ideas of what constitutes a "great achievement" are constantly changing. But for now, I'll say that one of my proudest moments was when I ran the Queens 10K a few years ago. It seemed like a huge and impossible feat in my mind. But being able to run the distance, regardless of time and speed, was the goal when I decided to train for it. And it really felt incredible to do. I hope to set a similar goal again soon!
Expectations for the future: I want to think about happy things and look forward to positive and beautiful moments ahead, but it’s hard right now. A lot has happened in the world in the last few months, and everything has shifted. I hope to see a more open, understanding and compassionate world in the future, one that recognizes that we're all here only temporarily, and that we all want to enjoy the simple things more than anything else: health, safety, love and happy moments with those we care about.
Favorite app: Insight Timer.
Favorite websites: YouTube—any talks with Wayne Dyer for inspiration—and Google. I'm literally googling a million things throughout each day, and I can't remember life before it existed!
Local causes supported: WIN (Women in Need) and THIRTEEN–WNET New York Public Media.
Favorite thing about Natural Awakenings: I love that Natural Awakenings is a guide that stays true to its ultimate mission of sharing information on living a healthy life and helping people do that every day.
Most-frequented healthy-food restaurant: Currently my kitchen! I love cooking and even have created an Instagram page to share my healthy eats: @NYMuseKitchen and #nymusekitchen.
Most-frequented businesses: Fitness- or meditation-related businesses, bookstores, etc. YouTube: So many yoga videos to follow, as well as meditations and relaxing meditative music. Hay House: Tons of mind/body/transformational books.
How do you invest in your community? I've volunteered at the local community center Commonpoint Queens, and I hope to do more with them in the future.
Favorite Quote: It’s from Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest challenge is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”
What are you doing to be the change you want to see in the world? I'm fascinated by psychology and the mind-body connection, and in 2017, I completed a certificate in Applied Positive Psychology, based on the pioneering work of Martin Seligman, Ph.D. By continually doing things like this—learning, living and sharing good habits and routines to get to my best self each day—I hope that I can inspire others to do the same, and in some small way, do my part to change the world!
