The Rest of the Weekend

Anybody else find it hard to switch off? Over the Easter long weekend my challenge, given by my hubby, was to avoid social media. I surprised myself at how much I do look at it and really had to make an effort.

So instead of liking on Facebook; I gave encouragement to my kids, instead of looking at my phone; I watched shooting stars with my beau, instead of checking emails; I checked in on a friend. 

I feel like I have achieved so much more and my soul feels all warm and fuzzy. 

I love how some simple activities can make you do that. Here are some more...

 

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Worth the Weight?

Since I was a teenager I have always been a plus size. I have constantly made bad food choices and even with the occasional exercise fads I go through, I have never really appreciated or respected my body. That in itself is a big admission for me. 

Diets have never lasted, I always say I have weak willpower and go on my way. Lately I have had a number of things change my attitude toward the way I look at me, and in turn my weight. 

Firstly, I am a bit of an addict of a podcast by David Wood called The Kickass Life (http://www.thekickasslife.com). You can't help but be motivated, inspired and want to change the world listening to it. You will probably hear me talk about it a lot in this blog. 

Secondly, I am all about kindness, joy and love towards others and yourself. How can I be a spokeswoman about such things if I am not a living embodiment?!

And lastly, and most importantly for me, is the time I spend with my kids. The bigger I get, the harder it is to play, run, jump, skip, dance, swing, swim, and cartwheel (been a while!). 

How can I encourage them to live life to its fullest when I'm not??

I didn't think weight was such an issue until I realised it was holding me back. I'm certainly not saying there is anything wrong with plus sizes, I am never going to be a size 8 (Australia) and I like my curves too much anyway. 

"All" I am saying is that I have finally realised, after 37 years, the importance of putting good stuff into my body and to love what my body can do for me as a reward. 

So this week I have cut back on my caffeine, sugar and dairy. Yes I had the detox headaches but I'm also not waking up with an urge to get my fix! Going forward I am having a 30 day nutritional cleanse and then plan to maintain and get so much more enjoyment out of life. 

Writing it here is a way of making myself accountable and actually working out what my motivation is. 

I'm also happy to say I am young enough to still make so much of my life. I think everyone should say that! 

Watch this space people, an even more awesome and energy filled Mama is coming!!!

 

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Fun in the Playpen

At every opportunity I try and bring out my Inner Kid. Here's an exercise for you. In this puzzle there are 33 words for activities to help bring out such joy. The words can be forwards, backwards or diagonal. There are a couple of cheeky ones which I didn't intend to be in there but they're fun!!

I would love you to report in and tell me what you found. 

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Child-like not Childish

What's the difference? I hear you say.

To me being child-like is having wonder, love, fun, silliness, playfulness, enjoyment, excitement, good energy, and so much more good innocent stuff.

Being childish is all of that but with an "ish" thrown in, meaning you haven't quite gotten there. Your acts could have layers of cruelty toward the recipient (an innocent child never starts off this way), the things you do may have a selfish ring to them and aren't just about joy and kindness.

So next time you want to question whether you are being child-like or childish, you just need to ask yourself one question. Is this bringing joy to everyone involved? Simple.

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No Act of Kindness goes unnoticed

For those who know me, they know I'm all about Random Acts of Kindness.  I have an activity on my Facebook page called Give a FRAK (Friday Random Acts of Kindness), where, on Fridays, I encourage people to do something kind for another.

I have had people hand out cards, chocolate, money, put notes on windscreens, share an umbrella, say a kind word to a stranger plus many more.

Sometimes when we are kind to people they react in a way that we didn't expect, and this can be negative. This can happen for a variety of reasons - the shock of someone being nice to them, their own self worth and shyness, amongst other things. Please don't stop doing such things because of their reaction. The world needs more good stuff.

Just remember that even though that one person may not have reacted how you had planned, the universe is taking note that you are extending such generosity and deserve it back. Yes that's right, it's a win/win for you and them, even if they don't show it.

So next time, don't get offended or bothered just keep remembering how good it makes you feel to change the life of someone else, no matter the magnitude. Thank YOU for all you do.

Kristy :-)

 

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Welcome to Universal Zen Playpen!

Hello and welcome to the Playpen! 

I'm Kristy, mother of 2 cheeky kids, wife to a gorgeous man, owner of a dog and 3 chickens!  But that's just the surface of me...

Please join me on a journey of self - discovery, imperfections, contemplation, everyday cheekiness and motivation, just to name a few things! 

I will be using this blog to share some wisdom, some exciting new projects I have coming up, encourage Random Acts of Kindness, and to top it all off, work at making as many people as I can feel awesome and learn to understand their place in this world (and we all have one!).  I have already started this journey on my Facebook page Universal Zen Playpen, so feel free to join me there too.

Wishing you a lovely weekend ahead and hope you get a break over the Easter weekend.

Kristy :-)

Do you like my blog?  If so please share, comment, like and let me know.  Or please join us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/UniversalZenPlaypen  Thank you!