This photograph was taken at the Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens in Brisbane in October 2014
I’m seeking your little gems of zen!
We all have them – little tricks (activities, places we go, lifestyle choices) that help relax us; make us feel more peaceful; restore some balance to us physically, mentally and spiritually; and these generally result in a feeling of enhanced wellbeing!
You may have noticed that I started a new guest post series in late January this year, called Zen Tip Tuesday (#ZTT).
I have noticed that far too many people are living in a state of stress. I was one of them. Living with chronic stress is a very serious health risk. I will write more on this soon.
In the meantime, the truth is that life is wonderful but let’s face it – life can be tough. Some people are thrown more curve balls than others but ultimately none of us get through life without challenges. There’s all manner of things that we could be faced with during our lifetimes: stress, anxiety, grief, frustrations, worry, sadness, illness, pain, trauma, and more.
I think most of us would like to be able to handle these challenges that life throws at us better and most of us would like to feel more peaceful, relaxed and calm. Agree?
So my hope is to create a lovely collection of gems of zen, as a resource and to inspire and help people going through difficult times or just wanting a bit more calm in their days and an improved ability to manage stress. You never know what little gem might strike a chord with you and make a world of difference! I would like to run this series at least until December 2019 and to do that I will need more guest posts. So this post is me standing on a box (cos vertically challenged) with a megaphone calling on anyone interested to come forth and fill my Tuesdays with their gems of zen!
The graphic below provides more information and detail, but you can also read more at these links:
How to Submit a ZTT Featured Guest Post
ZTT Link-Up – I’m trialling a ZTT Link-Up Party – it’s got a few loyal supporters so far (thank you!) but please help spread the word! BTW – there’s some great tips at this link on what kind of posts fit the ZTT theme.
Here is where you can read all the featured Gems of Zen (ZTT guest posts) published so far: ZTT POSTS
WHO CAN GUEST POST AS PART OF THE ZTT SERIES?
Anyone world wide. Bloggers. Business owners. Anyone who lives and breathes (you don’t need to have a blog or a webpage) and has some gems of zen to share. Your gem of zen does not need to be fancy or a popular trend (but if it is that’s ok too)! I want to hear of all the little simple things that people of all walks of life do to help themselves obtain some sense of zen.
WHAT’S THE GUEST POSTING PROCESS?
I’ve got the routine all sorted and make it as easy as possible for you. You are given a date that your post is due to me and that date is 3 weeks prior to the publish date. I will send you a reminder email 2 weeks prior to your due date, if the post has not already been received. All information you need about writing a guest post for ZTT and what you need to send me can be found in the graphic above and at the links provided above.
Good stuff for me: your unique gem of zen as a contribution to ZTT!
Good stuff for you: I will include a bio about you and links to your blog/webpage and social media within the post as well as share the post on all my social media.
WHEN IS THE NEXT FREE GUEST POST DATE?
At the time of writing this post, I have guest posts for every Tuesday up until mid-late April. I would like to try and have posts for every Tuesday up until December 2019. If you’re reading this post at a date later than which it was published (7 March 2019) go here to see the current next free guest post publish date.
GOT A GEM OF ZEN TO SHARE?
I’d love to read your gem of zen and have you join the ZTT train! If you’re interested, send your suggested topic to me at min@writeofthemiddle.com and we’ll go from there!
If you want to test the waters a bit first, why not link-up to the fledgling ZTT Link-Up? It opens at 6am on a Tuesday and closes at 5pm the following Friday.
If zen is not your thing, that’s ok too! I hope that you’ll enjoying reading some of the ZTT posts on Tuesdays and thank you for reading through to here!
Peace out & ciao for now,
This post was linked up with Denyse Whelen Blogs for #LifeThisWeek on 18 March
Link up here at WOTM or with another of us in the Lovin’ Life Linky team:
Leanne of Deep Fried Fruit
Deborah of Debbish | Jo of And Anyways
It doesn’t matter where you link up as it will magically appear on all our blogs.
36 Comments
I will think of a zen post and get back to yuo. I’m not very zen tho, so it may take awhile. Ha
Thanks Lydia – no pressure though – only if it’s something you’d like to do. You can opt to link up or just read or scroll on by if you prefer. xo
What a great initiative! Can’t wait to read more.
SSG xxx
Thanks SSG! xo
I’ll see what I can come up with. 😊
Oooo I wonder what you do come up with Nikki. I’m sure there’s some awesome gems of zen within you. xo
I enjoy your ZTT series, Min. I’ll think about what I can share as a guest post. #LovinLifeLinky
Thanks Natalie! I know you’d have some fab little gems of zen to share! No pressure though – only if you want to and have time. xo
I’d really like to contribute Min, but not until the middle of the year. I do, however, need some zen at the moment as I’m so not coping. Having said that I’m on holidays next week & then again at the beginning of May. Until then I’m trying to find at least 3 things to smile about each day. I also must go back and look at this weeks post. Your introduction to @girlwithadog has turned into my latest Instagram fave account.
Jo – completely understandable. I know how busy you are. Don’t worry ’bout it for now. Makes me sad that you’re a bit stressed out lately. It’s no good for you! Maybe time to rethink the job situation perhaps? Meanwhile hopefully some of the ZTT posts will be helpful. Lovely to know that you’re following Gemma and Annie and enjoying it! I hope you can chill out, relax and enjoy your upcoming trip to NZ. I look forward to seeing pics and reading about it! xo
I’m really enjoying your series ZTT, Min and working on my contribution for you. x
Thanks Sue! I’m so looking forward to reading what you write. xo
I’m far from zen at the moment so probably not a good candidate but am hoping I can get my act together and make some changes. I love the concept though and am constantly drawn to Little Buddha and No Sidebar pieces about being more zen / living in the moment / stressing less / being more grateful. xx
I’m not exactly zen myself either Deb, hence the series to help myself and others! I am drawn to those Little Buddha articles I see too. I’m loving reading all the different posts from people of all walks of life and looking forward to more. Not sure if I’ll get enough to see out the year but we will see! 🙂 xo
Anytime that I am out in the world taking pics, is a zen time for me. I know that sounds weird but that is who I am. #lovinlifelinky
Doesn’t sound weird to me at all Patrick because I’m exactly the same! Taking photos is ‘mindfulness’ time for me. My brain thinks of nothing else but the shot I’m taking – the light, the composition, the look I hope to achieve etc. 🙂
When I start to find my inner peace, I’ll be sure to put up my hand! It’s eluding me right now.
I hope you feel more yourself again soon Leanne. I know how tough the last few months++ have been for you. I think perhaps if you pay attention to how you help yourself cope and manage your grief, you may just find a ‘gem of zen’ to share that can help others riding the waves of grief. Take good care of yourself! xo
What a great idea. I will let you know if I find a gem of zen!
Thanks Sammie – I’m pretty sure you’d have a heap of them in you! xo
I’ve already guested for you Min and I’ve really enjoyed your other ZTT guests. I’m very focused on stress atm with all that’s gone down with leaving my job and recovering from the years of drama that went with it. I’m also planning a post on stress and what it does to us – mine won’t happen until April, so yours might beat mine off the mark! It’s definitely something we all need to be mindful of and do our best to combat. x
Yes you have Leanne and it was a fabulous post, thank you! I know you’ve had quite a lot of stress of late and now a life change to adjust to and ponder. I think your post on ‘stress and its affect on us’ might get published before I get around to it. Between all the background work for ZTT, my Gorgeous 50’s series, and The Great Ocean Road series etc I’m not sure when I’ll get to it! As you’d know though – I lived with chronic stress for many years until one day the final straw was pulled and I was on my knees. I left work early that day not knowing that I’d later decide never to return. I know the consequences of living with ongoing stress … and you’re right – it’s very detrimental to our health and wellbeing and something we all need to be more mindful of. We tend to accept stress as part of life but there’s much we can do to reduce it! xo
Hi Min – reading your reply made me think of how low I’d gone with my work situation too – not quite to my knees, but certainly to the gut clenching/churning dread that preceded every work day. I feel so much better being away from it all and I really don’t think I’ll be going back again. I’m not sure if there’ll ever be another job for me – I’m certainly not going to settle for rubbish and more stress at this stage of my life.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
Hi Leanne, I know that gut clenching dread of going to work each day. It’s not nice! Enjoy the freedom from it all and you’re right – there’s no time or tolerance for rubbish/pointless stress at this phase of our lives. That’s how I feel anyway! xo
I would love to guest post for you Min. I’m actually giving a talk to fellow parents about self-care this week so I’d love to be able to share small, achieveable ways to enjoy some time out and find a bit of zen, even for the busiest of us. Let me know if that sounds like something that would work in with your series…
Thanks Kirsty – I would love to have you guest post for ZTT! I will send you an email or FB msg tomorrow. xo
Already onto it as you know! Thanks for this and the link up. Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. Next week’s optional prompt is 12/51 Memories I’d Like To Re-Capture. Denyse
Yes – looking forward to your post as part of the series Denyse! 🙂
Hi Min, I love the idea of this, but I’m a little frazzled at the moment and not feeling very Zen. Trying hard to keep up with things. I do have something in mind for a guest post though if you’d like one from me, and will give it some thought.
Hi Jo – that’s ok! I’m sorry you’re feeling frazzled but not surprised given what I know you’ve been dealing with of late. I really hope everything is ok. Of course I’d love a guest post from you when you feel ready. I’ve got quite a few fabulous ZTT posts coming up, with the next free publish date being in June now (post due to me by COB 3wks prior to publish date) – just letting you know in case you’d like me to reserve you a date otherwise – just send me a msg when you’re ready. Take care of yourself! xo
What a fabulous idea, Min! At this age, I feel I’ve earned a breather from stress and chaos and have found and implemented some different Zen practices. I’d love to write a post for your consideration! and follow your Link Up!!
So glad you like my ZTT idea Agnes (by the way, Agnes is my mother’s middle name!)! I’d love to have you on board – just send me an email to min@writeofthemiddle.com with your topic idea and I’ll get you locked into a date etc. Thanks so much for your enthusiasm and interest – it’s so appreciated! 🙂
Can’t wait to read the zen posts. I need as much zen in my life as I can get.
I think we all do Victoria. I’m hoping that there will be something for everyone in this series. x
I’m enjoying your Zen linkup Min and it’s great seeing what others are writing and doing to work towards being more zen like. I’ll think about being a guest for you 🙂 #mlstl
Thanks Deb. So glad you’re enjoying it. I sure am! I’d love you to be a guest. Have a think – we all have some little gems of zen within us! xo