Author: The Wild Gems

We are all like precious stones. We all come in different shapes and sizes. It is when we are cut and polished that we begin to live a more radiant life.
The Wild Gems hopes to inspire you to live life to the fullest and to enjoy every moment!

Bowel Movements After Surgery – The Struggle Is Real

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TMI?

Maybe, for some. But right now someone just had surgery and they are struggling and it sucks.

So if this blog even helps one person I’m thankful for that. And I also I told God —

“If you help me poop I’ll write a blog about it and help people” haha! So here we are!

Now the surgery that I recently had in short terms was a bowel obstruction surgery. It was intense. Completely unexpected too. (A scar adhesion had attached itself to my small intestine completely twisting it and they had to remove 26 cm of it)

When I had awaken and my surgery was done I knew how important it was to pass gas and have a bowel movement.

It’s crazy how excited and thankful you get that you farted. Every fart is a win I kid you not.

Just to give you an idea I had my surgery on a Tuesday Evening and I didn’t have a bowel movement until Monday, so it had been almost 7 days!

I was also on a liquid diet for close to 3 days.

So if it’s been awhile since you had a bowel movement after your surgery try not to stress too much.

(SIDE NOTE: painkillers can and usually do cause constipation)

What I took after my surgery was miralax and that had worked really well for me at first and then I had another moment where it had been a few days (almost 6 days) that I had gone.

By this time I was already recovering for 4 weeks. What I took was colace 2 in 1 stool softener and stimulant and that worked like a charm with some cramping though.

I can tell you my digestive system is still not quite back to normal. I’m still figuring out a new diet and routine but we have to be patient and give our bodies LOTS of grace.

But one day at a time, friends.

No one talks about this but the struggle is real and you’re not alone.

Sending you all the poop vibes.

Who You See on the Outside Is Only a Fragment of Who They Are Inside

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One of my favorite quotes from The Little Prince is, “…what is essential is invisible to the eye.” It reminds me how easy it is to assume we know someone’s story based on what we see, but in reality, we often know so little about the depths within them.

Each of us is like a book, with chapters that remain unread until someone curious enough comes along to open our pages. There’s no space for judgment when we truly think about it. Every appearance, lifestyle, and action holds a story, and we see only the surface.

Before we categorize or make assumptions, let’s try to understand. Let’s give grace where it’s needed. Remember, others know only fragments of you, just as you see only fragments of them.

Don’t Lock Up Your Inner Child

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Sometimes “becoming a grown-up” makes us a little too serious. We tend to overthink things, replay unnecessary scenarios, and censor ourselves. I look at my children—they say what’s on their minds, do what they feel, wear what they want, and laugh every day with little concern for what the rest of the world thinks. There’s a freedom in their joy that reminds me of what it feels like to be fully present and unburdened.

When we get too caught up in the grown-up lifestyle, that inner child can get lost, often without us even realizing we’ve locked that part of ourselves away. But it’s important to keep that side alive, to let it out and have fun. So ask yourself: what did you enjoy as a child? Let those answers guide you in reconnecting with that playful, authentic part of you.

Today, give yourself permission to embrace a little bit of that freedom. Laugh at something silly, try something new, or revisit a simple joy from when you were young. Releasing your inner child can bring a lightness that balances the weight of adulthood, reminding you that fun and spontaneity are just as important as responsibility.

I Would Love To Go Back To School

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What was your favorite subject in school?

You know what’s funny, I wasn’t the biggest fan of school. I feel like, I just got by.

I did what I had to do and that was that.

Where my headspace is now I would honestly love to go back to school and pick my brain so much. I would ask so many questions.

I would take some philosophy classes, history classes, writing classes, religion classes.

I’m much more curious now than I was back then. Which, has turned me into an avid reader, something I can appreciate.

I guess that’s growing up……or is it finding my inner child again?

One Man’s Curse Is Another Man’s Blessing

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When things are rough, when life doesn’t make sense, and when pain or confusion takes hold, it’s easy to feel consumed by negative emotions. In those moments, remember that what may feel like a burden to you could be a blessing to someone else. Others might be willing, even eager, to carry your weight if given the choice. Recognizing that others face their own struggles can help us reframe our “curses” as blessings. It can bring a sense of inner peace, helping us see that, no matter what, we are blessed in ways we might often overlook.

It’s about shifting your perspective. Sometimes, the hardest parts of life are simply waiting for us to see them differently. By viewing our burdens through a new lens, we can begin to uncover hidden blessings. Even if life feels heavy, this shift can help us find a sense of gratitude, reminding us that growth often comes from what we least expect.

I know it’s not always easy to see the blessings when life feels heavy, but that’s why the saying, “count your blessings,” is so powerful. Today, take a moment to reflect on and appreciate all that you have. I’m praying that the weight you carry becomes lighter with each day.

Love Is A Choice – Choose To Love

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Try this: whatever in your life brings up fear or anxiety, choose to love it. Anything that stirs anger? Choose love. Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s an action, and it’s a choice we have the power to make every day. The ability to love more deeply is a seed within us, and it’s one that needs nurturing.

When something frustrates or upsets you, pause, take a breath, and say, “I love you.” Don’t let stress or anger have power over you. Every person and every experience around us could use a little more love.

Instead of pushing away “it”, whatever it may be (we all have things, situations, or even people that we find challenging to love) because of the negative emotions it brings, challenge yourself to love it.

For example, imagine you just stubbed your toe on the door. (We all know how much that hurts!) Instead of cursing the door, acknowledge it with a twist: “That hurt, but I still love you, door, because you keep my family safe and give us privacy.” It may seem small, but this practice strengthens the habit of choosing love in frustrating moments. If you can learn to love something as simple as a door that caused you pain, think of how far that love can extend to the bigger challenges in life.

Some days, you’ll succeed; other days, you’ll struggle. But don’t give up, love really is the answer. I know, because I have my own struggles with this practice.

There have been moments when my children have sparked this kind of anger I didn’t even know I had, and I have to literally step back to figure out where it’s coming from.

I had to choose love.

Over time, we evolve and improve, and for that, we can be grateful for.

Love is more than a feeling, it’s a choice. Imagine a world of choose to love.

10 meaningful ways to embrace gratitude and thankfulness this November:

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1. Start a Daily Gratitude Journal: Each day, jot down three things you’re grateful for, big or small. Reflecting on these can shift your perspective and boost positivity.

2. Write Thank-You Notes: Send a handwritten note or message to someone who’s impacted your life. Sharing appreciation can brighten someone’s day and strengthen connections.

3. Practice Mindful Moments: Take a few minutes each morning or evening to pause, breathe, and notice the beauty around you. Embrace the little things, like the warmth of a drink or the colors of autumn.

4. Create a “Grateful For” Jar: Write down things you’re thankful for on slips of paper and place them in a jar. At the end of the month, read through them to remind yourself of the positive moments.

5. Volunteer or Give Back: Helping others can be a powerful way to cultivate gratitude. Volunteer at a local organization or support a cause you care about.

6. Reconnect with Nature: Take walks, even if they’re short, and let nature help you feel grounded. Observe the changing leaves or crisp air, and appreciate the beauty of each season.

7. Limit Complaints for a Day: Challenge yourself to go an entire day without complaining. When you notice something negative, counter it with something positive.

8. Cook a Meal with Love: Whether for family, friends, or just yourself, make a meal mindfully, appreciating each ingredient. It’s a simple but meaningful way to practice gratitude.

9. Reflect on Challenges as Lessons: Think about past challenges and what they’ve taught you. By seeing growth in hardships, you can feel thankful for the strength you’ve gained.

10. Say “Thank You” Often: Don’t hold back on showing gratitude throughout the day. Thank your loved ones, coworkers, or even strangers. Expressing thanks more often can create an uplifting ripple effect.

No Time To Waste

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Do you need time?

I will share that there is no time to waste.

I feel each of us will always want more time but that is not really in our control as many of us want to believe. And that can be a very difficult thing to accept.

Our minds get stuck in the past or the future and lose touch with being present.

A healthy lifestyle is good for quality of life but doesn’t ensure longevity. Remember this.

Day by day is what we have. Day by day.

Every moment is a gift.

We need to change the mindset to be thankful for all the time we have been given.

You’ve been given more time than most. Let’s appreciate that together and waste no more of it.

Awareness that time is limited helps to enjoy the little things and encourages us to be more giving and helpful to others.

Your faith is key.

Change Starts With You

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We don’t have control over others, though we can inspire, encourage, motivate, support, and help them. But ultimately, any change has to come from within that person. There’s a quote, “be the change you wish to see in the world,” which reminds me that while we can’t make people change, we can be an example. We can light a path for those who may be in the dark and needing guidance. We can share our difficult experiences to help others avoid the same pain or share our joys to uplift and strengthen.

Each of us has choices in life, and sometimes making the right one is challenging, even frightening. It takes real courage to look within and recognize where change might be needed. We’re human, imperfect, which is why we need more grace and compassion. Everyone carries invisible weight, and when we get frustrated by someone’s actions, it’s worth considering that poor choices might be cries for help or signs of misunderstanding.

Imagine if those who are struggling had more people listening to their stories rather than pointing out their flaws, might they be different? Change is possible, but it starts within each of us.