My name is Karalee and I am Playful

Playful 

I am embracing my inner child today.  I am playful. 

I attended a conference this weekend with my three amazing sisters.  One of the activities we participated in was choosing three words we want to become or create in ourselves.  As part of the experience, we went around the room and introduced ourselves to others.  So when I went to shake someone's hand I said, "My name is Karalee and I am safe, calm and playful".

As I repeated this exercise and continued throughout the day repeating my "I am" statements, I started to believe what I was saying. I started acting playful and then became playful in my actions.  I learned so much about myself and the power of my personal self talk. 

I also realized, after some mentoring from one of my sisters, that play doesn't have to be structured and organized.  It can be as simple as putting a section of an orange in my mouth, taking a picture and posting it on social media. 

Here's my top five favorite ways to play:

1.  Dancing and singing in the car... I love to turn up a fun song, sing and chair dance while driving down the street.  I have received some funny looks, had a few teenagers recording me (I always pose for the camera and smile) and always feel increased energy.  
2.  Taking Selfies... I love to take a selfie and then add decorations to the picture and send it to my family or post on facebook.
3. Send Emoji texts.... I love to send emoji's to my friends and family when I am texting them.  The emoji's make me laugh. 
4. Play imagination with a child.... Explore life from a child's point of view.  Get down and play with the Barbie's. 
5. LOL - Laugh Out Loud...  This is my favorite.  Laughter can change me from grumpy to semi grumpy to happy. 

 Have a playful day! 

Love, Karalee 

Just singing and playing...together!

PLAY

My self care challenge this week is to play everyday for seven days.  As you can see from the pictures above I am good at play.  I could turn an ordinary stroll down a street into fun.  I lived in the moment that day.  I felt alive.  I had a song to sing and a dance to dance.  I let the world see me. 

I married the master of play and fun.  Brett was the life of the party.  Brett told jokes that weren't funny but everyone laughed.  Brett's laugh was contagious and his songs would get stuck in your head.  I can still hear him singing, "Fried Eggs...."

I saw a movie tonight titled, "The Greatest Showman".  It's a great movie and the songs are infectious and you want to stand up and dance. There is a song called "This is me" that the cast of misfits sing. The words they sing are powerful and moving.  

"I am brave, I am bruised

I am who I'm meant to be, this is me.

Look out 'cause here I come

And I'm marching on to the beat I drum

I'm not scared to be seen

I make no apologies, this is me"

This past year has been very hard on me and my heart. Today, the wave of grief hit me like a tsunami.  I am holding tightly to a tree and fighting to hold on as the waves swirl around me.  As I hear these lyrics in my head, "I am brave, I am bruised.  I am who I'm meant to be, this is me".  I am choosing to grab hold to my Faith in Heavenly Father's plan and remember that I am His daughter.  Heavenly Father wants me to be happy and play again.  He wants me to be seen and show others where true happiness comes from.

So here I come with my bumps and bruises because I am not scared to be seen. I might be drumming to my own beat and singing my song but I make no apologies, This is ME!

I always wanted to play the DRUMS.....

Love, Karalee 

 

My Journey with Self Care 2018

January 29, 2018

My first week goal was to improve my self care in regards to my health.  I challenged myself to drink 100 oz. of water, eat a fruit and vegetable and walk for ten minutes every day for seven days.  I wasn't perfect but was able to improve my awareness of my health.  I have had some emotions bubble up to the surface as I have tried to implement new changes into my routine.  

I learned at a conference recently that our spirit will not let go of the negative energy/emotions from our past until we acknowledge the growth and learning from the struggle.  We must see the benefits from the bad and hard things we have went through in our life.  

We must accept the growth to move forward.  It was suggested that we make a list of gains/benefits from the experience to see the value.  The value is not in arriving at the end of the struggle but in the journey of growth we had while in the midst of storm.  

I am starting my list because I want to release the extra weight on my body.  I know that just writing the list won't magically cause the weight to disappear.  I believe that as I find the gratitude, growth and embrace the struggle I will find answers on what step to take next.  

Love, Karalee