The stars are different in the mountains, especially when you’re surrounded by towering pine trees.
It feels like you’re gazing at the stars through a magnifying glass—brighter, closer, and more alive. They mesmerize you, reminding you of what it feels like to be small in the vastness of it all.
The mystery of life feels more profound in the mountains.
The beach might be a getaway, but the mountains? They’re for growth and personal discovery.
“Powerful writings are burned like a brand into the collective consciousness of a culture, even if very few people take the time to read those writings.” – Burke Hedges
Reading is transformative. It has been said, “reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body,” and I couldn’t agree more. There’s something magical about seeing someone engrossed in a book or having a conversation with someone who loves to read.
Books have shaped me in countless ways, and I often wonder who I would be without them. I’m endlessly grateful for the courage of writers who share their stories, perspectives, journeys, imaginations, and philosophies with the world. Through their words, we gain insight into the beauty and complexity of being human.
What strikes me most about reading is how it bridges our differences. While we all have unique experiences, books reveal how deeply connected we are. They remind us that, at our core, we share the same struggles, joys, and desires. Reading doesn’t just expand our knowledge—it strengthens our empathy and helps us see ourselves in one another.
So, pick up a book. Let it challenge you, inspire you, or simply comfort you. Reading is more than a pastime; it’s a gateway to understanding and connection.
I feel too often I unfortunately second guess myself. And then I learn the hard way or whatever it is just takes longer than what it possibly could have been.
But then again, I trust myself the next time I feel that feeling.
I feel like our instincts are becoming harder to understand and recognize because of all the stimulations and distractions.
It’s becoming more noisy and chaotic—this world we live. We’re loosing touch of these gifts.
Our instincts aren’t quick enough for us.
We begin to rely on other resources, than the actual gift of instincts that each of us humans possess.
You notice with age we seem to always be in a rush. And for what? Why are us grown-ups always rushing? It’s like we think something catastrophic will happen if we’re “not on time.” We’re so consumed with getting to the next thing that we barely savor where we are.
For a while, I kept catching myself saying, “real fast.”
“Let me do the dishes real fast.”
“I gotta go to the bathroom real fast.”
“Let me make this call real fast.”
“Let me eat this real fast.”
Why? Why am I rushing everything “real fast” all the time? It’s like I was stuck in a loop—accomplish one task, move to the next, repeat. We have so much to do, but are we really living while we do it?
The truth is, we lack patience. How do you truly embrace and enjoy the ending of a book, a movie, or a show if you just skipped through the whole thing? Life is the same way. It’s an experience meant to be lived fully, not hurried through. The so-called “boring parts” or long highways of life are what make the destination that much sweeter.
So take your time. Let the journey unfold naturally. It’s not about how quickly you get there; it’s about how much of the road you let yourself feel along the way.
What’s the first impression you want to give people?
Hmm….how do I say this without sounding vain.
I want people that meet me to feel a type of magnetic pull. A positive one of course.
Like, have you ever met someone where you are just drawn to them instantly. It’s their energy. It undoubtedly is magnetic!
It’s uplifting, warm, fun, contagious. Like, you want to be their friend because they make you feel something! Or maybe they say something…….they make you ponder. I love people like that.
This is the kind of impression I would love to leave with people.
Truthfully I don’t know that I’m that energy, but this is a type of first impression I would want.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
If I decided to move just for scenic views I feel eventually I’d become very lonely.
I’ve moved around numerous times, and most of my moves were not my choice.
When I was younger my mother was married to a man in the military. I went to 4 schools in the 4th grade. I even had to move my senior year of high school!
I craved a home. I craved stability.
Where I live now I’ve been here for almost 20 years! That’s so wild to me.
Not in the same exact home but same area you could say.
I especially love where I live now. On some land, in the suburbs with my beautiful family.
But what’s most important is the not scenery. It’s family, friends, and community. One hundred percent.
Would it be amazing to live near the ocean or on the river or by a lake…. YES! Absolutely!
But what’s good with that scenario if you don’t have anyone close to share it with.
If you’ve got family near you, great friendships, and an amazing community then I believe where you live may be someplace you actually want to be.
And if none of that is near you, then go back to that. Go back.
“The Buddha offered this wonderful image. If you take a handful of salt and pour it into a small bowl of water, the water in the bowl will be too salty to drink. But if you pour the same amount of salt into a large river, people will still be able to drink the river’s water…….because of its immensity, the river has the capacity to receive and transform. The river doesn’t suffer at all because of a handful of salt. If your heart is small, one unjust word or act will make you suffer. But if your heart is large, if you have understanding and compassion, that word or deed will not have the power to make you suffer.” – The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching by @thichnhathanhsangha
This teaching reminds us that expanding our hearts, like widening a river, can help us navigate life with greater resilience. When our hearts are small, we feel every slight, and even small challenges can overwhelm us. But as we grow in compassion and understanding, we become capable of holding much more—our hearts become like that vast river. Life will always add “salt” in the form of difficulties or unkind words, but with a heart that’s expansive and compassionate, we can absorb these moments without letting them take away our peace. So let’s strive to cultivate a heart as open and vast as a river, one that can receive, transform, and keep flowing, no matter what comes its way.
One thing I love about social media is how easy it is to share things that make us feel good. Whether it’s a beautiful place you’ve visited, a recipe that turned out perfectly, a workout that really made a difference, a picture of an adorable animal that made you smile, or a funny video that had you laughing hysterically—sharing these moments spreads the joy.
I especially pay attention to the people I know personally, like family and friends. If there’s something you’ve done or tried recently that helped you or brought you happiness, let others know! We all want to feel good and do good. So we think, “If it worked for them, maybe it can work for me too.”Awhile back, one of my friends posted a quick Snap of a trainer she follows for at-home workouts. Thanks to her, I found this trainer, tried the workouts, and was sore for days! I wouldn’t have even known about her if my friend hadn’t shared it.
You don’t have to post it on social media if that’s not your thing—text it, email it, or bring it up at your next gathering. Whatever it is that made you feel good, know that by sharing it, you could be making someone else’s day a little brighter, too.
When we share what brings us joy, we’re doing more than just passing along a tip or a laugh; we’re inviting others to feel connected and experience that same uplifting spark. Sometimes, it’s the little things we share that end up being exactly what someone else needed to lift their spirits or inspire them in a new way. So don’t hold back—if something brings you joy, let it shine! By sharing, you’re spreading a little more light in the world.
Many people are oblivious to the power of their words. I can almost guarantee there is something you have said to someone that they have never forgotten. Hopefully, it’s something positive, not something negative. Most often, we tend to remember the things that were said to us that hurt our feelings. I can definitely recall things that have hurt me, and I remember who said them too. I’m sure you can think of a thing or two as well—comments or remarks that have stuck with you for years. It’s crazy, right? One comment, maybe even offhand, and it becomes etched into memory.
This is one of the reasons why I love reading and why I enjoy blogging. Something I may write or say in a blog might resonate with someone, leaving a lasting, hopefully positive, impact. Words are powerful, whether spoken or read, and they shape us in ways we often don’t realize.
There’s a powerful Buddhist teaching that aligns beautifully with this idea: “Before you speak, let it pass through three gates. Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?” This is a practice worth practicing. If we make it a habit to pause and reflect on these three questions, we might spare others (and ourselves) unnecessary hurt and offer a little more kindness and truth.
Being mindful of our words takes patience, but even small efforts make a difference. When we speak with care and intention, we’re more likely to build others up rather than tear them down, even in the smallest exchanges. After all, in a world where words carry so much power, why not choose to leave behind words that heal, uplift, and inspire?
Have you ever noticed how defensive people become when they’re “wrong”? Why is it that some people struggle to own their mistakes or recognize their faults? Here’s some food for thought from @guywinch: “The answer is related to their ego, their very sense of self. Some people have such a fragile ego, such brittle self-esteem, such a weak psychological constitution, that admitting they made a mistake or that they were wrong is fundamentally too threatening for their egos to tolerate. Accepting they were wrong, absorbing that reality, would be so psychologically shattering that their defense mechanisms do something remarkable to avoid it—they literally distort their perception of reality to make it (reality) less threatening. Their defense mechanisms protect their fragile ego by changing the very facts in their mind, so they are no longer wrong or culpable.”
The irony is that our resistance to admitting mistakes actually holds us back from growth and authentic connection. When we can recognize our faults, apologize, and learn from them, we strengthen ourselves and our relationships. Humility isn’t a sign of weakness but of courage and resilience. We don’t have to see every mistake as a threat to our worth—instead, we can view it as a path to becoming wiser and more compassionate. Owning our actions, even the messy ones, frees us to live honestly, and that’s a strength everyone can admire.
The Wild Gems 