For the past few days, all I seem to be able to think about is the concept of 'kind living' and 'sustainability'.
I've been through such a transformative journey over the past 12 months and what started off as a venture into 'what is the best option for me?' has gradually started to become more a question of 'what is the best option for the greater good?'. It came bleedingly apparent to me, quite suddenly, that every single thing that I blab on about has been actually setting me up for something greater.
I initially chose to eat 'healthy', 'clean' foods because I wanted to lose weight, which developed into me wanting to be the healthiest and most vibrant person I could be, which developed into me wanting to be a bright, shiny person so that I could go about my work and interactions with zealous and enthusiasm which developed into choosing to eat 'healthy' 'clean' foods because that is what is best for the planet.
I initially chose to use organic and chemical free skincare and beauty products because I didn't want pimples, which developed into me choosing better skincare and beauty products because I didn't want my skin ingesting any toxins, which developed into not wanting my choices to impact on anyone else (animals included), which developed into not wanting my choice of beauty product to impact on the environment.
I initially pursued health because I wanted to be skinny, which developed into wanting to be the healthiest 'me' that I could possibly be, which developed into wanting to lead by example and inspire other people around me to prioritise their health (so they'd stick around for many more years to come), which developed into preventing illness to not put strain on our health system, which developed into avoiding strain on the health system so that finances and funding could be redistributed to areas of greater need (and not focussed on areas where admissions are due mostly to preventable causes).
Do you see this cycle? Everything we choose that is good, simple and kind to ourselves ultimately comes to serve others, animals and the planet. THIS is why I'm a self confessed 'health nut', THIS is what is important to me and is all consuming in my life at the moment. There's such an energy building up around this issue and the overall concept of a 'world in turmoil'. The ramifications and severity of our actions over the past few centuries are being noted now, more than ever.
It could be the time for fear ... or it could be the time for action and empowerment.
I feel that humanity is at a big ole crossroads. We are pretty much being told (by mother nature, the scientific community, wise leaders and one another) that we have two options: start to become more aware of the unsustainable ways of living that we have created and develop greater love, respect and unity with our planet OR not have a planet. It may not be in our time, but then again who knows, but it is guaranteed to affect those around us - our own children (or grandchildren or great-grandchildren), descendants of our friends and families, the ground that we stand upon today, the ocean that we swim in, the animals big and small that will outlive us by decades and near centuries...
I will be launching something in the near future that will encapsulate a lot of what I'm yabbering on about today. I have been working tirelessly on developing it and I am hoping to have a little 'launch party' in a few months. That being said - it's pretty ding, dong, darn huge so this busy little beaver may not be able to do it justice (and I so am not settling for anything less) in a shorter timeframe. So hang tight.
Think of this post as a callout to action - I am building a tribe. One that sees injustice, hurt, pain, damage and human error and wants, oh so badly, to rectify this. To live in a world that is safe, harmonious, unified, balanced and just. Start NOW. Read, watch, listen, seek inspiration, chat with a friend, look at local initiatives, eat well, consume consciously, donate, volunteer...
Blessings, a shit-tonne of enthusiasm and hope, smiles, laughs and a BIG hug x
Feeling a little 'off' the other day, I turned inwards and endeavoured to get to the crux of why I am the way that I am (a health and wellness nut and obsessive of epic proportions). Why did the 'wellness revolution' resonate with me so hard and why was I determined to embody and share all that I could from the 'wellness world'. And, call it an epiphany or whatever, I realised that it came down to one overarching virtue that I have harped on about my whole life - kindness. Every single 'health' and 'wellness' related change that I try to implement in my life comes back to kindness.
+ Kindness to Myself - My new and daily priority. Showing myself love, respect and kindness. How I wish I could turn back the clock and undo those years of self hate and judgement. So much energy wasted on focussing on everything I wasn't rather than spent celebrating everything that I am and everything that I have! Bless This Mess has encouraged me to be accountable and cherish my mini victories, my daily blessings and the things that I would usually let pass me by.
+ Kindness to Others - I hate seeing people upset and I hate seeing injustice, cruelty and mistreatment of people close to home and in our wider communities. I have always been someone who strives to 'keep the peace' and mediate situations to avoid conflict and to avoid anyone feeling sadness (but obviously I'm far from perfect and I have personally cocked up from time to time, having not always acted 'kindly'). This being said, I need to up the ante. I want to do more and I want to contribute more. Only speaking words of kindness and only showing love - my funky brand spankin' new mantra.
+ Kindness to the World - I think I have always been somewhat conscious of the environmental consequences of our daily little habits but only to the extent of what I knew. As my interest in the world 'outside my little bubble' grows, I have sought to learn more about our world, our universe and the environmental costs of our Westernised living. I am slowly, slowly, slowly making changes and am trying to reduce my carbon footprint, 'simplify' my living, reduce toxicity in my life and in my home and start to make decisions that take the 'greater good' into account. Sigh, challenging but oh so important to me.
So, in a moment of pristine clarity and epiphany driven euphoria, I decided to launch a little side project. And how fitting that it be the beginning of July - a fresh start and an opportunity to press 'reset' and re-evaluate where you are and where you'd like the rest of 2013 to take you. Operation Kindness is my new life pursuit, in a nutshell. It encompasses kindness to myself (by nourishing my body with nutrient rich and high quality foods; moving and challenging my body; training my mind to think loving, kind and positive thoughts and drive away negativity); kindness to others (by sharing my learning with others; seeking opportunities to share my blessings; volunteering and 'making a difference') and kindness to the world (eliminating toxins and chemicals in our home; shopping with an 'eco-friendly' mindset; honouring and encouraging the humane treatment of animals; learning more about and advocating for human rights).
I'll be checking in, and staying accountable, on the blog and updating you on my kindness crusade as I strive to clean up my life and make it more simple, more loving and ultimately more kind.
I would LOVE to hear from you. Let's start a kindness ripple and watch the waves roll in darling! What aspect of kindness do you resolve to start practicing daily? Kindness to yourself? Kindness to your friends, neighbours, colleagues, strangers? Kindness to animals? Kindness to the earth and living more harmoniously and with minimal impact?
Blessings from my kind, happy, healthy and strongly beating heart x
