I recently only just found out about this 100 happy days project, perhaps I am a little behind on this! But hey, these things aren't always on my radar! 

I'm feeling rather cynical about it, I fail to see how one fleeting moment can be a true reflection of the whole day.  I am a very emotions led person, so I could go through all manner of highs and lows in a 24 hour period.  To have one picture of one moment of that day and say it was happy because of that doesn't seem real to me.

I watched a programme a little while ago on computer games (or video games as they used to be called) through the decades. When the programme got to modern times it was explaining a new term called 'gamification'. (Prounounced game-if-i-cation).  Basically it's a technique that applies the dynamics of gaming to non-game contexts.

For example, take social media, the need to gain followers, receive likes, comments, interactions, could be likened to achieving levels in a computer game.  I find this idea somewhat surreal.  Also, when using social media, we mostly, perhaps not always, present an edited version of ourselves to portray the best bits.  Apart from a no make-up selfie in aid of charity, when would we ever post a photo of us just woken up, no make-up on, with bleary eyes? The amount of times someone else takes an unflattering photo and it's the de-tag button all the way! So unless you are the kind of person who is 100% totally honest, it's not quite real.

Hence how I feel about this challenge! On the website it states the number 1 reason people fail is lack of time.  For me, my excuse if I do fail will be entirely different.  Having suffered from ill mental health in the past, I am of course a little sceptical if I can find something to be happy about every single day!

But I am nothing if not a hypocrite because I'm going to give it a go! I've chosen to post on Instagram, so please do follow me at 'Just_Creative_Julia' under #100happydayschallenge to see how I get on! I'll also be sharing it on my Facebook page every day, find us and like us at www.facebook.com/jcjbloggingandcrafting. I hope to post on here about once a week, time and inclination dependant of course! With a more in depth round-up of the week.

I started yesterday and here we have the 1st photo.  I love mugs and found this one before I even knew about this challenge.  I'd actually got a decent night's sleep as my lovely husband had taken over the night time feeds (for my 11 week old boy) so was feeling a bit more chipper than usual.  I thought this would be a rather apt way to kick off the challenge.

If I had the choice of more than one photo, which after doing a bit of research, it seems you can always do a collage photo for the day.  I'd choose this one.  I went to a birthday party for a very special 6 year old from my Church.  We had such fun on the bouncy castle! And considering I've been a bit lax in attending Church lately, it was nice to get some much needed fellowship.  Even taking this photo was a moment of joy - 'Girls, let's do a selfie!' and their excitement over this was priceless!

And a third photo for Day 1! This was taken just down the road from the party as we were going home and was a nice way to finish off the evening.  I love taking nature photographs, God's creation never fails to inspire me!

Initially, it was actually the flowers that were the focal point.  I love fresh blooms, they always brighten my day.  I tend to place them on our dining room table which is open plan next to the kitchen.  So I tend to walk past them most often placed here. 

After still struggling with a relentless feeding and medication regime for our 11 week old son, said table is covered in mess! (For those who know me, I am a messy person anyway but lately it's crept up on me even more!) I thought I'd 'keep it real' and take the photo without tidying up the mess.  Looking at the photo it then made me giggle! Beauty amongst the chaos as it were!

And that's your quota for now.  Don't forget to check in on Facebook every day this week to see how I get on.  Feel free to comment below or get in touch.

Useful links and photo credits:

If you are after a more positive outlook on the challenge, you might find this article helpful - http://cardiff.tab.co.uk/2014/05/08/100happydays-why-you-should-do-it/

For the official page telling you more if you haven't had a go yourself and fancy it - www.100happydays.com

Photo credit and more info for Gamification -

http://www.docebo.com/2014/03/31/gamification-corporate-learning/

So today I was watching a bit of day time TV whilst feeding my two month old and happened to stumble across a programme on Pick called 'Fat Families'.   Being a woman of size I'm usually fairly into this kind of reality TV and thought I'd give it a go.  I almost wished I hadn't! Above is a pic of the Huzzey family featured in the episode I'm blogging about.

I was somewhat outraged at the presenter, (pictured left) Steve Miller's use of language.  His words were something to the tune of 'being a former fatty myself, I'm here to help these people shift their fat'.  I couldn't believe it! Personally, I think the word fat should be banned anyway.  You could say I'm just being sensitive but please tell me when this word is ever used in a nice way? In the media, amongst friends, family, colleagues, I feel it is always used in a derogatory fashion.  Having been bullied for my weight, I can't say that 'fatty' has great memories for me either. 

Talking to a friend from my book group, she commented the one time this word is used in a nice way is talking about babies having fat cheeks.  I can go with that, considering all the problems we had with poor weight gain with our little one.

Another part of the programme I didn't agree with was their apparent 'shock tactics'.  This involved standing each member of the family in swim wear and subjecting them to a harsh scrutiny of their bodies.  This was done by waving a camera at close quarters up and down their bodies and confronting them with this negative body image.  The Mum broke down and cried, I really felt for her as I really couldn't see how this was supposed to help.  For me it should be about encouragement.  Steve had said to the Mum earlier - 'I see you as a glamorous woman', to which she clearly responded to in a positive way.  But then he ruined it by adding 'but I just think you could be even more glamorous if you lost that weight'.  That may be the case but it just seemed so cruel to me.

As a Christian, I know God loves me no matter what I do or what I look like.  That doesn't mean I can do what I like, His grace is freely given but it shouldn't be abused.  That's another story for another time, but for this point I'm trying to make, I am God's princess and He doesn't look at the outside.  He looks at my heart, He sees my potential and what I'm capable of and He lets me get there in my own time.  Not like this annoying TV presenter with his 'build 'em up and knock 'em down' attitude.

The above picture was taken on holiday in Spain where they happened to have a light procession.  I couldn't resist having my photo taken next to the Princess carriage! It perfectly illustrates who I am in God and I love the analogy of the lights shining out in the darkness.  After all, those of us who have that relationship with God, it is what we are called to be to those who don't know Him.

Back to the programme.  One last part I really disagreed with is when Steve was explaining how easy it is to lose weight.  That all you need to do is eat less and move more, 'it's that simple'.  Well, I beg to differ! In my experience, having this knowledge is one thing, doing it is quite another!

Generally, I try to eat a healthy, balanced diet but my downfall is not doing enough exercise and eating too many sweet things day in, day out.  I find it very hard to motivate myself in terms of exercise, you have got to be determined when it comes to weight loss.  But trying to cut out the sweet things is even harder.  At least when you do partake in exercise you get that lovely endorphin rush.  But the pleasure I receive from indulging in sweet things means more to me than the product of being slimmer.  It really is like an addiction.  Plus I think the signals my brain should receive to say I'm full are screwed.  Which leads to me still feeling hungry and having to fight the urge to eat more.  So to say that losing weight is simple really frustrates me!

However, it can be done.  Just know that whatever size you are, you have something to offer to the world.  And if you don't know what that is yet, just ask those around you who love you, appreciate you and can give you the encouragement you need.

I welcome any comments on this subject so please feel free to get in touch.

Photo credits:

The Huzzey family - ovguide.com

Steve Miller - Radio Times