Graduating for the first time since 1982!
Looking at the date of the last post I did, I’m profoundly shocked that it’s been over a year and a half since I last wrote an article here. But a lot has happened and as a way of easing back into the swing of things, I’m going to start slow and add small bits of information from time to time when the inspiration strikes me.
To keep things simple, I’ll bring you up to date on all the things that have happened since June 2009 in bite-sized posts. Bite-sized because I don’t want to overwhelm you with too much and I want to keep things simple for me. When I write articles, I tend to spend enormous amount of time writing and re-writing them before I’m satisfied and post them for the world to see. The smaller the articles, the easier.
But before I do that, I want to reassure you that you’re not imagining things: I am really back!
Did you all miss me? Looks like you did because despite not writing for over a year, not only has the subscriber levels mostly remained stable, but my affiliate income has soared through the roof with thousands of dollars worth of Vita-Mix sales this year. To all those who bought a blender through me, THANK YOU! I have no idea how you found me but I sure hope you are enjoying your new blenders! Please be sure to leave a comment about your blender experiences on the page where I wrote an article entitled Raw Food Journey: Let’s Clear Up Some Myths.
The primary reason I left the world of blogging was because I ended up moving from Ohio to the Midwest (Iowa) to attend Maharishi University of Management for a Masters degree in Vedic Science (study of consciousness). I am still here on campus throughout the summer of 2010 even though I just graduated a few months ago. I’ve learned so much in such a short period of time that I’m still processing all the knowledge long after being handed my diploma! You can be sure I’ll be writing about what I’ve learned here.
I’m happy to say that the school year ended on a wonderful note for not only did I receive a Masters in Vedic Science but I was also honored with “Outstanding Student Award” from the Vedic Science Department as well as the “Development of Consciousness” Award. Now that I’ve put graduate school behind me, my attention has turned to the business of speaking and writing.
So many things happening!
My first-ever book is finally going to be published in the Fall. More on that later.
Changes will be made to this blog. In fact, you may have already noticed that even though the blog URL is still the same, I’ve changed its name to “Overcoming Obstacle Illusions: Taking Your Mind, Body and Spirit to the Next Level.” This is because I feel the new title reflects the tone of everything I’ve written to date. It isn’t just about overcoming adversity but finding ways to take care of ourselves, changing the way we perceive the world, other people and our lives as well as finding and developing healthy lifestyle habits (like eating raw foods). I no longer feel “Adversity University” serves its purpose any longer despite the cute name.
That’s all for now folks!
If you liked this post and you want to be notified of the next one, subscribe via Email or Full Text RSS Feed. I would love to have you as part of the community!
5:02 pm on August 13th, 2010 1
Welcome Back!! I’m super excited to hear what else you’ve been doing, more on your degree and all about this new book you have coming ok!
6:18 pm on August 13th, 2010 2
Welcome back Stephen!
Congrats on your new degree!
6:40 pm on August 13th, 2010 3
Congrats Stephen! Looking forward to more of your stories.
8:00 am on August 14th, 2010 4
After reading through your post, the first thought that came to me was….
A butterfly. From the caterpillar to the cocoon, to the emerged butterfly taking flight. ♥
I absolutely missed you !!!
Last year, I thought maybe you would chronicle your time at school as you went.
When I saw no posts coming through, I thought …
‘Good for Stephen, he needs to keep focused on what he’s doing’ !!
I am looking forward to your blog posts. Stephen, your writings are always
with candor and sincerity and I look forward to see the personal contrasts
and observations you will make from your past and now onto the present.
Congratulations on the honors you received !!!
Stephen, I commend you for the past year and a half. It took great courage
and determination on your part to step out of a comfort zone and make
the decision to attend school.
xo xo
Deb
8:14 am on August 14th, 2010 5
And I look forward to writing more articles! Wow, it’s been a long time hasn’t it? Thanks for hanging in there.
8:14 am on August 14th, 2010 6
Sheila! Can’t wait to visit Hawaii at some point!
8:15 am on August 14th, 2010 7
Thanks Corey – I’m pretty excited myself. Can’t wait to share with the readers more information about it. My dream is to make it an Amazon bestseller. Think you could help me promote it?
8:20 am on August 14th, 2010 8
Debra – thank goodness I looked through the spam folder because somehow your lovely message fell into it! I was planning to write about my experiences while in school but somehow that got away from me. Things got really, really busy and I hardly had any time to think about blogging. Thanks for welcoming me back with such open arms! I’ll write more later.
8:33 am on August 14th, 2010 9
Welcome back Stephen! I’m looking forward to hearing about your experiences and anxious for you to pass on little nuggets of wisdom. The past year must have been a wonderful experience. I can only imagine. My best to you and what I’m sure will be your amazingly successful future! Love, Mary Jane
10:37 am on August 14th, 2010 10
Congratulations Stephen! It’s so good to read one of your posts again. Mary-Lynn and I were talking about you recently and wondering how you were doing with your studies. Now we have the answer. We’ll look forward to hearing about your journey! Love the new blog name too!
11:49 am on August 14th, 2010 11
WELCOME HOME!
Although we have been in touch here and there through your wonderful experience, it ia nice to have you handy like this.
Of course, we are all wondering -
Where are you going after the summer?
How are you going to use this Masters Degree?
Sure we will be kept posted now.
So happy for you. I know you met some wonderful friends there.
You look so healthy – and as handsome as ever.
Much love.
Corinne
4:25 pm on August 14th, 2010 12
Howdy Corrine! It sure feels good to be back! I feel like it’s a homecoming of sorts. I plan to write a “Flashback” post for some time to bring everyone up to date with photos and all. Then I’ll start writing stories, articles, how-to tips, etc. It’ll take a while to get back into the swing of things but I’m sure the pace will pick up gradually. I have so much to share! Thanks for your lovely welcome back message and compliments. Yes, my year and a half away at school has definitely helped me all around – physically, spiritually, financially and otherwise. It’s been an amazing journey. Wait til you hear about some of the stuff I learned.
4:26 pm on August 14th, 2010 13
Ha, there you are George! Yes, you do have the answer indeed. I am DONE with school and am moving forward at lightening speed. All is well. Thanks for chiming in.
4:27 pm on August 14th, 2010 14
Yes definitely Mary Jane – it’s been one awesome experience – I’m so glad I didn’t listen to a negative comment that someone tried to post at my blog (but wasn’t approved at the time – I had put it on hold so I could experience things myself – and soon I’m going to allow the negative comment be aired with my response). Stay tuned!
5:05 pm on August 14th, 2010 15
Hey Stephen!
Welcome back! I hadn’t seen update in my RSS reader for a while, but I knew you’d be back
5:32 pm on August 14th, 2010 16
Sid Savara … small world – I downloaded your little book of big motivational quotes last night!
Stephen ~ I can’t imagine what the negative comment might be, but … no one can tell someone else what is or isn’t right for them, in my opinion – after a certain age anyway. You have to follow your own path, which you did.
11:05 am on August 15th, 2010 17
you are awesome stephen!
i am really looking forward to reading more from your experiences. even though i was part of your life this year, i am really interested in reading your reflections on it…
loves
e
11:08 pm on August 16th, 2010 18
A hearty welcome back, Stephen!
Blessings,
Andrea
8:01 am on August 17th, 2010 19
Andrea: Isn’t it amazing to see your face again! It’s been way too long since I’ve been back! Thanks.
Sid: You knew I’d be back huh? Cool! Glad to see that my cousin Mary Jane “just happened” to download your list of motivational quotes. How cool is that!?
Emanuel: How fantastic to see you on here! Welcome my brother. Yes, I’ll be reflecting on the past year as we go forward in bite-sized articles when the inspiration strikes.
MJ: You are right – no one can tell someone else what is or isn’t right for them. But truth be told, the comment (which I will publish shortly and provide a link in one of my forthcoming articles) almost derailed me because it was so strongly worded. It was a test of strength for me to forage forward in total faith. And a lesson. You’ll see.
8:02 am on August 17th, 2010 20
You are awesome too dude! Look forward to seeing you when you come back to campus. I can’t believe I’m still here in F airfield but at the same time, I’m not surprised given the spiritual vortex of a place this is. HUGS!
2:02 pm on August 18th, 2010 21
[...] of over a year and a half! The site formerly known as Adversity University is being reborn as Overcoming Obstacle Illusions, because he feels it better reflects “the tone of everything I’ve written to date.” [...]
2:14 pm on August 25th, 2010 22
Finalllyyyyy, you’re back!!!! Glad you didn’t even forget yourself! LOL Even though you are on my Facebook, I look forward to hearing more detailed blog of what you are doing in your daily life.
Nita
3:15 pm on August 25th, 2010 23
Thanks Nita and I welcome you back too! LOL I noticed you have a new email? That’s probably why you haven’t received the latest blog posts.
8:35 am on August 26th, 2010 24
Yes, I changed my e-mail address. I thought you were already informed as I did others a while ago? Oh well, but now you know
Have a great rest of the week/end!
Nita
8:15 am on September 24th, 2010 25
Welcome back Stephen…You look pretty good
))))
7:45 pm on October 5th, 2010 26
Welcome Back. We all missed you!
9:04 am on November 13th, 2010 27
Thanks Michelle! I missed you too! By the way, are you aware that my first-ever book is coming out beginning of 2011? You can keep up to date by signing up for a free newsletter about the book (“Obstacle Illusions”) by going to http://www.sjhopson.com and signing up at the green box. This will not only keep you abreast about the book’s development but also receive tips about dealing with so-called obstacles, a fun “Did you know” section and wealth building ideas, etc.