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!
My husband always rushes me when we need or want to go somewhere. I can’t stand it. He will start the car sometimes while I am barely even ready!
He is always in a hurry though. I find myself saying often, “do we have an appointment somewhere? Did I miss something? Why are we rushing?”
I don’t know that this behavior will ever really change but I have accepted that’s how he is. Luckily I am able to get ready super fast. And when I get in the car I’m usually angry.
Then I look at him and say, “you should be happy I can get ready so fast and I am not high maintenance.” Then he smiles and says, “one of the reasons why I married you.” And then gives a cute wink. Then I give him a smirk like, “yeah yeah…” It’s so hard to stay mad at him for long.
But you know what ends up happening sometimes? I end up saying, “I don’t know if I unplugged the straightener?” Then he gets all mad at me that he has to turn around because I HAVE to check. And I really do! I HAVE to make sure it’s unplugged! It’s annoying! These days I literally say outload, “the straightener is unplugged.” And if it’s not the straightener it’s the oven or the stove.
That has happened more than once.
However, now when he rushes me, before he pulls out of the drive way he says, “Marie go make everything is unplugged.”
We find ourselves with two mutually conflicting tendencies in the heart: the desire for adventure and the desire for security.
The desire for adventure is really the desire to know, to explore, to push beyond the real or imaginary limits. All of this requires going out of one’s comfort zone and can be potentially stressful and pain-bearing. What makes people go for it anyway is the tantalizing possibility of successful breakthroughs, which can be enormously fulfilling and pleasurable. All great discoveries and inventions have occurred through the spirit of adventure.
The desire for security is the desire to be safe, to avoid risks, and to accept certain limitations in return for peace of mind. We usually find security in what is familiar, be it a place, an idea, a person, or work. Some people seem to prefer the boring known to the exciting unknown. The desire for security is often connected with responsibility for dependents (one’s family, for instance)…….
……..In life we often go back and forth between these two tendencies—to be adventurous and to be safe. When certain adventures end in disasters, we pull back and become extra-cautious, preferring the security of the familiar to the thrill of the unknown. When we get bored by the endless routine of familiar chores, the mind becomes restless and we gather enough courage to try out something new … until we become disillusioned again and return to our own comfort zones. Some of us never really figure out how to handle these two tendencies. Getting the balance between the two is not always easy.
It is a helpful exercise to look within and find where we lie on the adventure/security spectrum. Rather than indulge in reckless adventures, it may be more helpful to be gently adventurous, pushing the boundaries firmly but in small measures.
If you could host a dinner and anyone you invite was sure to come, who would you invite?
I would invite the musical artist FKJ to play in the background. He would play the piano and the saxophone to really create the whole ambiance. His wife would come too because she has a few great songs too that I would encourage her to sing.
I would invite Akaine Kramarik. She is an incredible painter/artist who’s been having visions since she was 3 or 4. She painted The Prince Of Peace. Check out her story! I would invite her family too because I would love to hear how her visions and paintings shaped them.
I would invite Jim Carrey too. I love his insight and I know he would be making all of us laugh too. I know many think he’s weird, but I don’t.
I would also invite some cirque du soleil folks. There would be a show to entertain the guests.
I would invite Penn and Teller to perform a magical act. Penns an atheist so it would be super interesting to have him sit at the same table with Akaine. I would love to hear them talk to one another.
I would invite of course all family and friends. It would be an incredible party.
I’d probably also ask my closet family members and friends who they would want me to invite and I’d just invite them. Like I know my mom would want me to invite Donny Osmond. And a girlfriend of mine would definitely want Russel Brand.
I’d probably invite the Kardashians too. They are like a guilty pleasure. They just know how to have a good time. And their kids could play with my kids.
I asked my husband who we should invite and he said, “Marie I don’t know….. invite Donald Trump.”
Overall this would be the most random ass dinner party. But could you imagine….
I try to imagine my children asking me this question.
If I am speaking for myself I will say, I believe certain relationships get better. You don’t always know which ones will get better but the ones that do are very special.
Your perspective also gets better. Little things won’t get to you as much. And you indulge in more simple pleasures like taking the time to really watch the sunset.
Your confidence/mentality gets better. You care less and less what others think. You do what you want to do, what you gotta do….FOR YOU.
The kids are usually all asleep by 830 and then my husband and I do our bed time routines and then we are snug in our bed. And once we lay in bed, that’s it. It’s that pleasurable *sigh* that comes with laying in your bed after a long day. And you officially shut down.
Honestly, I love being in bed early. It amazes me that I use to stay up so late! In my early twenties you didn’t leave your house to go out until 11pm. Not interest in that anymore, at all.
I love being all snug in my blanket next to my hubby.
As for waking up, it’s on average between 6 and 7am. That’s not by choice either. The kids wake us up.
Truthfully my sleep is so chopped up and has been for years. But that’s the life of having littles.
What strategies do you use to increase comfort in your daily life?
I try to ready everyday. I stick to personal growth type categories or memoirs. Anything that will serve me and the people around me in a great way.
I’m currently reading a book about men and women and relationships by John Gray, Ph.D. It’s really good. I have a few friends that I’ve already suggested this specific book to because they are having trouble in their relationships but honestly I don’t know if they’ll take my suggestion. So much insight out there, it’s mind boggling to me how there’s little eagerness to just try to understand why people are the way the are. But we are getting off topic now.
I read for joy but I also read to develop myself to “increase comfort in my daily life.”
There’s a book that I recommend. It’s called,
‘Read & Grow Rich’ How the hidden power of reading can make you richer in all areas of your life
Challenging yourself to learn something new everyday whether it be about yourself, family, a friend, nature, a specific subject, whatever….
The knowledge you acquire cannot be taken away. And stacking knowledge in the mind body and spirit will lead to more comfort living.
Can’t recommend this strategy enough. Reading will change your life.
P.s. if it’s hard for you to sit still and read, try an audio book. Listen to the audio book while you drive places.
Truth be told I don’t spend much time thinking about the future. It’s so uncertain. However I am fully aware of its importance. And I try to be very mindful of the path that I am creating that is indeed shaping the future.
I don’t even like to make plans typically because things happen that change the course. Which I have grown to welcome with grace. Life is life.
There’s this joke I heard awhile ago that I always think about when making plans or visualizing the future.
If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans
Don’t you love it. Because how true it is! But also how disappointing it can be.
But you know what, sometimes you envision something and it doesn’t go as you would have wished……
it’s becomes something even better and sends you on a path of incredible journey.
Whatever the future holds we have to trust it, as hard as that can be. We can only do so much, God has got the rest.
I love music. I have many favorites. However as I have gotten older I’ve been steering more towards instrumental and music that just conveys a message so deep it leaves a lingering taste in your ears.
The artist I mentioned above is currently my FAVORITE right now! He’s incredible. Go to YouTube and check him out!
Watch his music video for ‘Different Masks For Different Days’. You either get it or you don’t.
If you’re on Apple Music also check out his ‘Just Piano’ Album. Just incredibly beautiful. I love his other albums too and I hope to see him live on day!
Ahhh music……thank you God for music and the incredible souls who possess such gifts that make every atom in my body dance and feel!
The Wild Gems 