Happy Thursday my Lovelies!

     It has been 8 days since my last post, nearly unheard of for me.  I have been dealing with a lot here lately, from pain to personal strife, work to ministry activities at the church.  I have been burning it at both ends; I’m tired, frustrated and all around burnt out.  Now all of this culminates into me being a not so chipper, frankly quite irritable me.  It would not be unfair to say that I am not exactly happy right now, that for the most part I am wishing for something to magically and mystically change my present outlook.   So I guess that calls for a bit of introspection, delving into my own psyche to garner the reason for my unhappiness…   Yea, I’m not really about to do that.  Happiness is fleeting; it is contingent upon so many outside forces that it can wax and wane predictably like the cycle of the moon.  Someone asked me today what made me unhappy and then what make me happy.  I couldn’t really answer that due to its transitory nature; I was silent and said that I had to go.  That was a punk move I know, but I was uncomfortable with not being able to answer the question.

     So I will focus on one of the things that I love in life, little babbles that make me smile and have me ignoring sustenance to marvel at the colors and cuts, clarity and sparkle… gemstones!  I some in the mail on Monday and was ecstatic to see what I had bought.  I purchased a 100 carat gemstone parcel and of course with a parcel you never know what you are going to get.  I ended up with a whole host of garnets, citrines, amethyst, a few smoky quartz and what I honestly believe are emeralds!  I neglected my food on Monday night just so I could sort through the parcel.  That is the beauty and downfall of buying parcels, you don’t have any idea of what you may or may not find, what sizes, quality or color and even more if they will be calibrated or not, so that you can make jewelry.

Clockwise from left to right: Citrine, Garnet, Peridot, Smoky Quartz, Amethyst, and Emerald

     I have found that I am much better off not focusing on me being happy or unhappy but rather on those things that truly bring me joy.  Blogging and writing bring me joy, gemstone collecting brings me joy, the simple things in life bring me joy.  Doing for others brings me joy, reading has always brought me joy because for just a little while I can get caught up in a world that is not my own and be inspired. 

Find what brings you joy my lovelies; find that one thing that makes you sigh in contentment and stick with it.

Blessings and Happiness

T. Nicole