Starve the Ego. Feed the Soul.

How often do you catch yourself thinking, " I really need this in order for that to happen."  Now insert your choice words for this and that , i.e. money --> things, stuff --> stuff. 

Its a never ending cycle of wants disguised as needs.  A never ending cycle that leaves your soul empty, but your home bountiful, however you want to look at it. Instead of being overwhelmed by the obnoxious weight of what your ego says you need, how about taking time to tune into your spirit and realize that YOU ARE ENOUGH.  You are an individual given endless possibilities.  You are the writer,  the director, and the leading role in your story.  The "things" that you give in to due to your ego are not necessities to defining your person.  They are just simply things.    

Rather than being proud of conquering the shit your ego says, be proud that you listened to your spirit.  That you know where you stand with most important person in the world...yourself.  My challenge to you, dear readers, is to not sit and ponder about all the things that you need or events that need to happen, but simply sit back and say I am contented, full, and the best version of myself as I can be.  

And walk out into world radiating light, happiness, and love.  

Below is a humorous info graph from belegit.co

|| Make the most of yourself for that is all there is of you.||  

Emerson

The darkness brings a new light

The older I get the darker the world appears to be, but I can't decide if it is my naivety slowly leaving my vision, or if it is our culture spiraling down into a dark hole of despair.  But I find myself fighting, climbing, and scrambling out of the dark hole of despair.  I WANT TO LIVE! I want to breath in new adventure, see a new light, and never lose hope that humanity, at its core, is a compassionate, giving, and loving being. Recently, my family lost a close friend, he was an attorney-some may argue that this is not the most admiral position to be held due to some compromising choices one would have to make in the position, but this man, LIVED.

Photo by: Kris Bible

His presence inspires me to never settle and to always continue to climb the mountain of your dreams, that everything you wish can and will be tangible, if you are willing to sacrifice.  In death, we are reminded that our time is indeed short, and can end at any moment.  Sometimes with death, we are forced to acknowledge and reevaluate our lives, at least I do.  As I get older, I am finding myself creating new bucket lists and I am noticing that my bucket list consists of places and experiences, not things.  It consists of adventure not a social status.     So with all the darkness that is beginning to consume our world, I hope and pray that you see the light in the darkness because the only way to make the sun shine again is if we, as a compassionate humane community, become the light in this dark world.  So, my thought for you, dear readers, is to take unfortunate circumstances and allow those circumstance to motivate you to live!

Also, if you do not have a bucket list, make one!  A small portion of mine is listed below.

Jodi's Bucket List (as of now) :) :
1. Travel to Spain - this also includes participating in the tomato fights and the running of the bulls
2. Skydive
3. Bungee jump the canyons of Utah (which I plan to do in May 2015)
4. Hike the John Muir Trail in California (because let's be honest, I love his writing, and I would consider it a privilege to walk where a man that I hold to close to my heart walked and found inspiration.)
5. See/hike the Rockies.
6. Hike Oregon
7. Thru hike a portion of the AT (which will finally happen next month with my East TN SOBO tribe)
8. Teach English as a Second language in a school in South America
9. Volunteer on organic farms throughout the United States
10. Travel to Germany (that is where my family originates)

|| SLOW down ||

Lately, I have found myself staring at customers drifting away to a mountain range in an unknown land only to snap back to just to see two hateful eyes darting back at me while tapping the counter with their fingers or clicking a pen to hurry my pace.  It makes me wonder, "When in the hell did we get in such a hurry?!!!?"  I have noticed this in all facets of life-driving, talking on the phone, buying....well anything, I mean, we can't get the gas out of the pump fast enough to speed to wherever we are going that is soo important.  



How can we be actively engaged in our surroundings if we are constantly thinking about getting to the next check point on the "to-do" list?  




It is a good question, I know, and I have thought long and hard about it...the answer is fairly simple.  JUST SLOW DOWN.  We spend the majority of our time in our heads, think about it for a minute.  Think about how much time a day you spend with someone other than yourself. Can you believe that you spend the majority of the time (in the presence of others) thinking about events, work, people, etc.??   Instead of actively engaging in conversations, remembering experiences, and recollecting information, we only half-way listening, half-way  remembering, half-way recollecting the information that is ingested throughout our interactions.  If you continued living your life that way, you would only be living a half-way life. If we took the time to stop, look, and listen; you would be amazed with the information you would acquire; the relationships you would develop; the experiences you would remember.  In return being happy with your day knowing that you did everything wholeheartedly and embraced every moment that created your day.  And at the end of the day, you would be surprised at how good you would feel because you would feel accomplished and fulfilled.  All due to actively engaging in every interaction you encountered throughout the day.  Because you never know who will meet, who you will impact, or what you will learn...simply...by being present. 


Don't let the worries of life cloud up a sunny day.  You control the pace of your life-slow down, and enjoy it. 

Dose of Perspective

Selfless acts no matter how small can speak the loudest of volumes.  Try to actively participate in random acts of kindness. 

Smile often, laugh always!

Opal+Wonder is now available locally!

Other locations where Opal+Wonder is available:

Wake

Rusty Canvas 

Sailor Studio 

Milagro Midwestern Spa & Collective

Jovana's Boutique 

Duncan &York Modern Market 

NOC

Hunting + Gathering for Inspiration

Average life is so completely uninspiring. Doing the same thing each week, seeing the same people, listening to the same music. Yes, we humans are creatures of habit. We look forward to our daily rituals, myself included; however, sometimes our habits hinder us from experiencing moments. We stick to what is familiar and comfortable to us which often leads us to a big fat dead end. We get stuck in ruts and pray someone will pull us out. 

Well if you are feeling dull and are bored with your life, it is up to you to do something about it! Don’t sit around waiting for a gust of inspiration to pick you up because it may not ever come. Be thankful when the world drops inspiration in your lap. Because most of the time it is up to us to search for it. We must hunt and gather to stay inspired! 

So where do we look? Where can we find inspiration? My favorite places to find inspiration are people. My oldest source is my best friend, Lillie. She radiates creativity. Connecting and sharing ideas with people are my first go-to during my inspiration hunt. I feel my best when I spend time with my creative friends— the writers, the photographers, the idealists, the painters, the musicians. They feed my hungry creative heart! 

Other sources to gather inspiration: 

• Places- go somewhere. Maybe here or here or here. Allow your eyes to see new things. Experience cultures! Awaken your wanderlust heart. 
• Music- ALL music. Get tickets to concerts near you. Check out one of our spotify playlists. Or my personal favorite- youtube. It’s like listening to live music from the comfort of your couch. Here is my go-to video at the moment. It stirs my soul every single time. Guaranteed inspiration. 
• Words- Poetry, your old journal, biographies, quotes- doesn’t matter. 
• Your local neighborhood or coffee shop- these are sometimes the best. Take a walk around the block and go chat it up with some strangers. 

So the answer to the question really is, everywhere. You can find inspiration everywhere, but it is up to you to open your heart and let it take over. 

Live with a goal to inspire others and you will be inspired, I promise.

On days when your inspiration tank is running low, try to inspire someone else. I warn you- this is not easy. It takes a lot to even realize that you are in need of inspiration. This is clearly why it is important to stay inspired! Keep doing the things that make life interesting to you. If that is building statues out of your food, do it. If it is writing down your thoughts, do it. If it is driving the scenic route on the way home, do it. Think outside the box, open your mind, live anything but a boring life. 

Free Spirit Saturday: Kris Bible

I (Jodi) am happy to introduce our first male Free Spirit, a subjective Scorpio who has become drawn to the idea of simple living. Meet Kris Bible, a 27 year old, young at heart,  adventure-seeker, who was born and raised in Gatlinburg, TN! Gatlingburg is mostly known for Dolly Parton's Dollywood, but is also home to the most beautiful sights to be seen in the East.  The Great Smoky National Park is located at the end of Gatlinburg's downtown stretch.  The park is where this young man has conquered numerous mountain-tops, discovered paths unseen, captured images so beautiful they are indescribable. For the most part, the mountains are responsible for inspiring his various endeavors; the National Park has given him a vision for a life that is far from the norms of our society, but a life that brings a sense of ownership, freedom, and most importantly, happiness.  He envisions a life where we can back to the basics of simple living-being the cultivators of the food that fills our stomachs, the knowledge we acquire in our minds, the comradery of neighborhood, the love the respect we have for each other as individuals.  Most would argue that it is an unobtainable way of life, it is unreasonable...but at one point in time, that was the way of life.  It is quite beautiful to listen to someone speak of such an idea; an idea that appears so primitive to our modern world. 

"Too weird to live, too rare to die." -Hunter S. Thompson 

Opal and Wonder: What is your life motto?

Kris Bible: Difficulty lies in attempting to sum up one's "life motto" into a singular, coherent thought, line, or page; yet one phrase has lead me to being the person I am today..."So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12).  Surprise, I know...a bible verse.  However, this Law has never led me astray.  Never free of pain, heartache, temptation, but filled with many of enhanced every day moments, unbeknownst adventures, and a family larger than blood. 

O+W: Since I know reading is something you do...A LOT.  Lets talk about some of your favorite books (which I am proud I knew!), music and/or movies?

KB: So many good ones to have just one favorite, therefore I forgo my top three of each (listed above) Also, order does not imply favoritism.  

Book:  

The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Electric Kool-aid Acid Test by Hunter S. Thompson

 Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry to Values by Robert M. Pirsig

Movies:

No Impact Man

Seven Pounds

Into the Wild

Music:      
Rising Appalachia
The Doors 
Elephant Revival

O+W: As you discuss your favorite books (because I know you will), what is your favorite quote?


KB: Oh, you thought I was going to rant about 1984?! Hahaha.  My favorite quote?! That's a tough one...probably one of my favorites is from Hunter S. Thompson, "Too weird to live, too rare to die." 


O+W: Tell us your passions.  What matters most to you?


KB: Life.  That's really all that matters to me.  Without life...well, I'm not sure, but it would suck.  When I say, "life," I mean the opportunity to do what you see fit in the situation at hand.  Rather it be to hike a mountain, plant a garden, or go to kick-ass rager party.  Moments.  Life is nothing but an amazingly complicated, constantly changing, brutal, beautiful collections of moments. And it's the ones that are remembered that count.  





O+W: Tell us about how you live your life as a free-spirit, and what it means to you?  

KB: As I have been told by too many co-workers, I do what I want. No matter consequence, conclusion, or odds; if I set my mind on doing something, there’s not much that can stand in my way. To me, that very action defines being a free spirit.  

O+W: What inspired you to start  Chaos Made Sense in late 2013?  What is it about the type of photography you do that makes you want to share it? 

KB:  The only thing I do differently that most photographers do nowadays is I don’t edit. Besides that sharing my photography is a chance to show people how the world looks those eyes that look a little closer than most. There is nothing more powerful, beautiful, and humbling then to capture an image. Not to mention the high you get when some wants, like, or compliments something you hold so dear.

O+W: Describe the projects you are currently tackling?  Why did you decide to learn to build furniture? Or anything for that manner, hobby or genuine interest?  

KB: Ha! I lost count years ago, knowledge, I feel, doesn't sit docile waiting for someone to come find it.  Just like building furniture, photography, sign carving, gardening, and the countless others found me.  I never went looking for them.  The furniture building came from an almost limitless supply of materials: pallets, good-will, and recycling/re-purposing.

O+W: Where does your inspiration for your writings #hopefullywordstothewise come from?

KB: To be honest, #hopefullywordstothewise is my emotional outlet.  I use it as an opportunity to show people what I see is happening, what is wrong,  what is right in in how we live day-to-day.  People, both known and stranger alike, are my muse.  There are a few key players that have inspired me more than others, my favorite to mention  is Joanna Bigham aka J or pusspuss.  


O+W: Haha, thanks for that.  Discuss your philosophy on life. And the pursuit of happiness. Try not to get all political, rant-like :)

KB: Live it. Live it for you. Live it for your loved ones. Live it for your friends. Live it for the people you haven’t yet to meet. Live life as you if one day you will have to balance each moment on a scale of righteous. Make sure you do more good than bad. Not because you might go to “Hell” but because if you don’t then you suck.  

It is always interesting interviewing/writing a piece on someone that you have had the pleasure of knowing, loving, and watching grow during our experiences together.  Thank you again, Kris Bible for allowing me to share your views, humor, hopes, and dreams for your future, as well as others you encounter on this journey through life.  Life is so much more fun with you in it.  

If you would like to connect with Kris 

                                             Facebook: ChaosMadeSense

                                             Instagram: @chaoskris

                                    

   

Mindfulness

Far too often, we find ourselves drifting away from the conversation, retreating to the anxieties that compile our lives, our future, our mind.  We get too caught up in planning our futures, our days; and we forget to stop and actively listen to what is going on around us.  When was the last time you went on a walk and silently listened to all the sounds that create the noise that is our lives; seeing the sights that paint the pictures of our memories?
 Mindfulness has been a historical concept carried through the hands of time and through studies is accredited for its benefits. Actively participating in every encounter you are given will allow you to gain an appreciation for life and its experiences which will result in physical and spiritual alterations to perspective and priorities.  So next time you take a walk, enjoy the silence. Soak everything in. 

And check out this awesome infographic that explains more about living in the moment and the benefits of mindfulness! 

Source: unknown

"Be where you are, otherwise you will miss your life." -Buddha 

If you are interested in acquiring more knowledge on mindfulness, we recommend these books:

The Art of Zen by Morihei Ueshiba

Zen and the Art of Happiness by Chris Prentiss 

Free Spirit: Lillie Somerfield

Today’s spotlight is on my best friend and favorite free spirit, Lillie Kate Somerfield. She’s a native of East Tennessee currently enjoying city life in Brooklyn, New York working as a graphic designer at Fresh. I met Lillie when I was 5 years old and we instantly became inseperable. I can remember being drawn to her fearless outlook on life. I called her my “brave” friend for as long as I can remember. It didn’t surprise me a bit when she packed up her life and followed her heart all the way to New York. Growing up with her helped shaped me to be the care-free, creative I am today. She taught me courage by always doing her own thing regardless of what others thought. Not only was she the person who I confided in, went on double dates with, and everything else a best friend is, but she was also my role model. Still is, actually. And I’m so proud and honored to feature her today! So grab an old fashioned or an iced coffee with milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon (2 of her favs) and get comfy. Then read on to learn more about this inspiring free spirit as she talks about her travels, what’s in her fridge and her opinion about today’s youth.

Opal + Wonder: What does a free spirit mean to you? 

Lillie Somerfield: Being uninhibited by what’s expected of you

O+W: What really matters to you?
LS: I think personal and creative fulfillment are very important. But I'm not sure if they are possible... I think the drive to be better can be healthy but I've been thinking lately that the only happiness is what you have right now, because that's all that is real. So being happy and positive in the now is very important to me, something I try to do everyday. I also think that honest love is the most important, always.

O+W: You have a traveling heart. Where all have you been to? Any good stories to share? What did you learn about yourself while trevling?

LS: Ohh I've got the travel bug so hard right now... I've been lucky in my travels thus far. I lived in Paris for a month, I traveled around Greece for a few weeks on a school trip, I've visited California and done a good deal of exploring in the south and east United States. Good stories... well I did have a love affair with a photographer in paris, that was pretty young and fun and stuff, I felt very alive there. I had a lot of spiritual experiences in Greece, the countryside is so pure and lush and old, the whole energy of the country was slow and sweet, everything smelled like orange blossoms. My travels have taught me that I really can do anything I want, and that it's often best to just go with the flow.

Lillie rocking the 70’s in Middle School

O+W: Your style has always been unique ever since middle school. Where does your style inspiration come from? 
LS: My inspiration usually comes from the 60's and 70's. I've been buying a lot of dresses lately and thinking about dying my hair grey for the summer. I mostly shop at vintage stores as cliche as that sounds. I happen to live by a ton of affordable ones and many saturday mornings are filled with digging for treasure. Other than that, I mostly stick to the sale racks at Gap, and asos.com.

O+W: As a creative person, how do you keep your mind stimulated? You seem to keep your creative fire going.
LS: Yes! I've always enjoyed that part of myself. Adventuring is a major part of my diet. I get bored easily and love being somewhere for the first time, that is a major reason why I planted myself in New York. I absolutely love the amount of things you can do on any given day (and lunch breaks in Central Park don't hurt either). I feel so very lucky to be a part of this city at this time in my life. 

O+W: So what are you listening to, watching and reading nowadays? 
LS: As far as entertainment goes, lately I've been listening to ASAP Rocky, The Beatles, Mountain Man, and Little Dragon. I really love old movies, some of my favorites are -- A Woman is a Woman, Annie Hall, Funny Face, and An Affair to Remember. Now that I use public transportation I'm loving the free time I have to read, I've most recently finished Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, The Architecture of Happiness by Alan de Boton, and Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote. My favorite magazine is Lula, and my favorite TV show is GIRLS.

Annnnd for fun . . .

O+W: Name 3 things that are always in your fridge.

LS: Butter, kombucha, chocolate in the freezer

O+W: Are you more of a hunter or gatherer?

LS: Hunter all the way

O+W: Describe your ideal of a perfect day.

LS: Brunch, vintage shopping, laying in the park, eating tacos and icecream with my best friends

O+W: You are filling a box with your 5 favorite things. What’s in the box?

LS: My beau Dan, a fresh strawberry pie baked by my mother, my childhood dog missy, home videos, my bed

O+W: Any other random facts you want to share? Such as your brain dominance, last time you did a cartwheel or your opinion about the youth of today.

LS: haha well I think the youth of today is pretty much like the youth of yesterday, everyone grows up and thinks the kids behind them are nuts, but I think it's really just a reflection of our society changing as a whole.. we're all in this together. But it's not bad, there is so much beauty in what we have today... That it's easy to travel, to learn, to explore ourselves and find our niche, to make things with our hands because it feels most fulfilling even though it's not the quickest path to wealth and stability. We have a lot of freedom to find out how to feed our soul, which I believe is the best investment

I hope this interview put a big wide smile on your face like it did for us! You can connect with these loving Pisces on Facebook + Instagram. Also, checkout some of her work at lilliekate.com. 

Free Spirit: Brianna Gorsky

Happy Saturday Folks! Amber and I are excited to introduce a wanderlust soul that has walked where many of us have dreamed of walking; has endured circumstances that no one would prefer, and gazed upon some of the most beautiful sights in the world.  Brianna Gorsky is a 24 year old Cancer from Detroit, Michigan, who just recently made it back to the states after spending the last year in Seoul, South Korea.  Brianna has a presence that creates instant comfort upon meeting her.  She has a keen sight of the world and so eloquently tells her stories with conviction and vivid description.  She is a confident dream seeker, who seeks light, truth, and happiness- the ultimate quest for life. 

"You are not an Atlas carrying the world on your shoulder.  It is good to remember that the planet is carrying you." -Vandana Shiva


Opal + Wonder: Tell us how you keep your mind stimulated?  What are some of your favorite books, movies, and/or music?

Brianna Gorsky: Keeping your mind stimulated is one of the most important things you can do for your happiness, and, as we are now discovering, your health.  I've always been a true book worm.  A good book is just as good as a vacation, taking you to faraway places.  I can't tout the brilliance of Gabriel Garcia Marquez enough, and I'm currently having an affair with everything by David Mitchell. Documentaries are a staple of my daily life, to remind myself of how much I don't know, and open my eyes to worlds often unseen. Traveling and interacting with new and unique individuals challenges me the most and helps me to look at the world in new ways. 

O+W: Tell us your passions.  What matters to you?

BG: Defining my passions is much more difficult than I anticipated. Its something we're asked and pressured into defining our entire lives. So many things matter to me its often overwhelming and riddles me with anxiety. Most simply, I suppose, my passion is that everyone has a birth right to happiness and should be given every opportunity and tools that they need to live a life of passion, if you can define such a thing.

O+W: What did you learn about yourself during your experiences abroad?

BG: My experiences abroad, as cliche as it may sound, have taught me a lot about myself. We surround ourselves with people who love us, and who we love back. They are our support system, our motivators, our cheerleaders. During my travels I have gone through periods of "darkness"; no phone calls, internet, etc., not always by choice. This taught me to learn to like myself. It seems such a simple thing.  But, no matter how down we get at home there is someone there for us, to tell us its okay, that we're worth it, that if we keep going everything will be okay. When you're stranded without anyone you know, anyone who speaks your language or understands the world that you come from or that you can blame, you have to reconcile with yourself. You have to learn to like or at least accept the person that you are for all of your faults. You have to be the person that believes in you, you have to be your own support system. This was something that I gained that I had never even given a thought to. I learned to love myself. 

O+W: What were some of your favorite experiences in India and South Korea?

BG: The best experiences I've had are when I stopped planning things and just allowed myself to go adrift. They were the days that I got lost in Seoul and stumbled upon hidden nooks of artists and chocolate shops. They were when I had meals with strangers from the buses in India, or convinced my friends that I knew exactly where the hiking trail opened, which as it turns out, I certainly did not. The most wonderful things that happen when traveling are often simple days where all of your plans go to hell. The best things were rarely the tourist attractions that I insisted on seeing and more about bumping into the real lives, smells, and personalities of a place.

O+W: Tell us about your favorite foods? Or places to eat?

BG: Food defines cultures and regions and connects people. My favorite food depends on where in the world I am and what season it is. I love shared meals with local fare. While in Korea my favorite meals were centered around a single shared grill or pot, allowing people to really connect and converse over their meals. This is something that was almost lost here at home but is resurfacing! Be sure, I'm not saying I don't enjoy a good chili dog or the occasional fast food drive-thrus!

O+W: Any strange "Aha" moments that humbled you?

BG: Traveling humbles you. Removing yourself from your comfort zone and diving deep into something that terrifies and confuses you is humbling in a way that brings a sense of peace. Getting lost and having to rely on nonverbal communication and the kindness of strangers makes everything seem a bit more manageable. 

"Aha" moments happened on a daily basis, as simply as when I was properly taught how to eat curry with my hands. Which, before hand, was a very messy situation that elicited laughter, at my expense, all around me. The childlike "aha's" never ceased. No matter how much research I do before I go to a new place it seems like all of the little things are left out, like why are there so many buttons on that toilet or what am I supposed to do with these tongs? The list is never ending but fills me with a childlike naivete and curiosity that is the best feeling in the world.  

O+W: How did you cope with being uncomfortable and alone? 

BG: Traveling is not always a fairy tale adventure, as I always imagined it to be, or  the party that it is often portrayed to be. My second stay in India was the first time I decided to travel solo. I had been to India with a study abroad, so I was excited and believed that I was prepared. What I did not realize in my first trip was that we had been very sheltered. I arrived and immediately got a tuktuk to my hostel. It was dark, I was tired. In the morning I went out to purchase a train ticket and explore and, I was in shock. The poverty was overwhelming, the male attention was infuriating. I locked myself in my room and cried for days. Maybe other people have harder nerves, but I do not. Considering the bubble that most of us grow up in, I don't think that my experience was particularly unique, but none the less eye opening. It wasn't a special inner strength or optimism that got me through it. It was the realization that for me this was essentially a vacation and yet for millions of people this is the reality of day to day life. I became acutely aware of the privileged of being a westerner and felt guilty for it. This is not to say that the people I met were not happy people, though.

O+W: Along with your growth, how did your experience change your perspective on priorities?

BG: I've grown an immense amount over the years. Its hard to tell what is just getting older and what is due to traveling. Definitely being away gave me a new appreciation for my friends and family. Its not easy to admit but I think that I have prioritized my desire to travel above my relationships which is neither right nor necessary. My time away has made me realize that community and relationships are where true happiness is found. I will forever have a kinder lust that is insatiable but my priorities have shifted toward the people around me. Also, my perspective on travel has shifted. I believe more in backpacking with a purpose but also am more aware of what little I may have to offer in many situations. 

O+W: What would your message to the world be?

BG:  One, be aware of how truly lucky we are and how many opportunities are available to us. But, also, how skewed, as westerners, our idea of happiness is. Happiness is simple and is the same for all of us the world over. It’s family and friends, a good laugh,  a connection with nature, a beautiful sunrise, food, its not nearly as complicated or as unattainable as much of the world would have us believe.

To be considered a free spirit both humbles and elates me. Its a mindset and a lifestyle that says that happiness and simplicity is what life is really about. Its about being true to yourself and allowing yourself the freedom to enjoy anything and everything. I'm a true appreciator of art, I have neither the talent or the patience to create, so my love for art is immense. I love to travel, which I think came from my love of books. My favorite nights are dinner and board games with friends, I could play settlers everyday! I try not to have a favorite anything because I don't want to limit myself. Don't be afraid of your anxiety but treat at as a tool to lead you to new experiences. Don't forget that we're all connected on our journey through this life and never feel alone. Get your hands dirty, that's what life is about.

                                                         

Connect with Brianna
                         Facebook: Brianna Gorsky
                         Instagram @briecheezy7

Positive Thoughts Equal Positive Results

Seeing the light in particular situations can be hard; however, it is imperative to our mind, body, and soul to do so in all situations. Think about a time that something really great happened.  Now that you have your moment, take a second to reflect on your emotional state for the rest of the day.  Did anything go wrong during those moments of euphoria?  If so, did it change your mood for the day? Or did you allow it to roll off your back and keep smiling?

From time to time, we notice that certain things can alter our entire outlook for the entire day- colleagues being in bad moods, hateful customers, forgetting a meeting, or forgetting something important.  All of these things can influence your whole day...if you let it.  The importance of positive thinking is for you to take time to realize that shit does happen.  It does all day, everyday.  But you are in control of your emotional and spiritual state.  When the shit does hit the fan, step away, breathe, and tell yourself, "I dictate how complicated my life is." Be positive, and the situation will be handled flawlessly with ease.  And it will.

We are loving this positive thinking info-graphic. Be sure to try the meditation exercise at the bottom. Our affirmation was “Everything will come at the right time and place in this life."

Free Spirit: Amanda Tate

Hello wild humans! Today we want to introduce you to a free spirit who spends her days loving adults with Autism. Since April is Autism Awareness month we thought it would be fitting for you to meet Amanda Tate, a creative Libra from Nashville. She’s an open-minded, genuine individual who realizes life gets messy sometimes and she is ok with it. Amanda lives her life without constraint. She is never too concerned with what’s popular or cool. Too many people are trying to be anything but themselves these days- not Amanda. She is original and in love with her life. And we are grateful to call her a friend. 

 Read on to learn more about her passion for learning and her desire to experience all of what life throws at her. Click here to listen to Amanda talk about her stories as a Job Coach for adults with Autism.

Opal + Wonder: We love how you live your life in such a carefree way. What inspires you to live so freely? 

Amanda Tate: I absolutely hate being boxed in. Society communicates to us from an early age that there is a narrow, straight path for us all. But that's a lie. Life is messy and confusing and heart-breaking, especially for us underdogs. But it's beautiful. And honestly, it's a little chaotic. But that's where the lessons are. To learn, as I love to do...you have to experience. I am a kinesthetic learner. I believe that to understand your world or your environment, you HAVE to experience it. Live it. Maybe for an hour. Maybe for 10 years. Whatever. I believe I could be classified (not that I see myself that way) as a "free spirit" because knowledge has no limit, and the opportunity for experiences is vast. You can't possibly know everything. And THAT is the most exciting fact to me. That means there is freedom in learning. It never runs out. I can always be listening to someone's life story, or I could be watching a documentary on how chairs are made...doesn't matter. It's something you didn't know one minute ago. I don't dig know-it-alls for that exact reason. You're lying to yourself if you think you know everything.

OW: Hearing you say that life lessons are found in chaos is refreshing. It’s a great reminder to create goods things from bad situations. Ok, so you love learning through experiences. What are some other ways you exercise your mind? 

AT: I am a learner, through and through. I acquired a degree to be a teacher, but not because I think I know everything, but because I love any environment where learning is happening. I mainly keep my mind stimulated by other people. Their opinions, their art, their written words, so on and so forth. There is so much to learn about from others. In the past year, I've been addicted to TEDTalks. I feel so incredibly inspired by other's discoveries with science, social theories, life stories...I've probably watched over 200 speeches through TEDTalks about the most random, beautiful, mysterious subjects. I can't seem to get enough.

OW: We agree with you. There is so much to learn from others and TEDTalks are great! So glad you mentioned those. After those 200 TEDTalks, you must feel more educated. So what really matters to you? What are you most passionate about? 

AT: I have a lot of passions, which means probably my main passion would be that I love being inspired. That feeling inside you that feels as though an invisible match has been struck in your heart? Have you ever experienced that? I'm an addict for that feeling.

OW: Yeah! We live for that feeling! Sometimes it can be hard to keep the fire going. How do you stay inspired? 

AT: I’m lucky that my job and career field does that almost daily for me. I work with Supported Employment for adults with Autism. I basically develop job opportunities in the community, find gainful employment that is a safe environment for my guys, then I will go to work with them to "coach" them through situations that may not come very easily to them as it does you or I. We have to go through a "discovery process" with our clients to even get to the point where we can find a field for them to explore. The more we discover about this person, the more they discover about themselves and what is a passion for their lives. It's beautiful.There is simply not enough time (or page space) to tell all my stories I hold dear about how kooky, intelligent, hysterical, and absolutely wild the clients I work with are. Their raw thoughts and emotions challenge me to be the most honest, genuine person I can possibly be. My guys inspire me EVERY DAY to learn, to search, to reflect, to help, to love, to grow. By the way, I say "guys" since for every female with Autism, there are 8 males...and our company's clients reflect that statistic. I love my job so much. I am truly blessed.

OW: Goosebumps! That is so cool. And we totally look up to you. Thank you for having the patience and the compassion to build relationships. So many people today are just “too busy” for that. 

Just for Fun 

OW: Do you have any favorite foods? 

AT: I don't discriminate when it comes to food. I love healthy and unhealthy foods alike. I can have a homemade tofu sandwich with kale chips for lunch and rack up 17 bucks eeeeasily at Taco Bell for dinner. I really just love food. Except olives. I adore cooking, especially baking. My second career choice would actually be to be a pastry chef. Mainly because decadent sweets are the shit.

OW: Haha, that’s awesome. There are bound to be many people who can relate to that answer. So what’s up with your style these days? 

AT: I don't shop. My mom still buys clothes from me. That is absolutely not cool to say, but I do not care about clothes. I have certain pairs of underwear that I have had since 6th grade. My style would have to be loosely described as "convenient and comfortable". Again, I realize that's boring, but I'm bad at lying.

OW: We love your honesty! And hey, convenient and comfortable is the new black. Or is that just us being mid 20’s and not caring? Anyway, this has been fun. Anything else you want to share?

AT: I am addicted to quotes. Say something interesting, and it's probably documented somewhere on my phone or a piece of paper.



About Amanda Tate
Age: 25 and a half
Astrological Sign: Libra
Born: heart of surburban Nashville
Current dwelling: quaint rental home in historic North Knoxville
Life Motto: never take advice from someone you wouldn't trade places with


Connect with Amanda : Facebook | Instagram 

A Message to the World: Laugh More

Today’s post comes from our pal, Brittany John.  [Cheers to our first guest post!] We asked Brittany if she had to pick a single message to share with the world what would it be. We told her to make it a good one . . . and she immediately replied, “easy- smile or laugh more.” This girl is confident that the world needs more smiling faces. So we decided to have her write a little about her message to inspire the world to be happy! 

“Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.” –Bill Cosby

If I could deliver one message to the world, it would be to laugh. Laugh when you wake up, laugh when you are sad, laugh with friends, laugh at yourself, laugh loudly, laugh until you pee your pants–just laugh often. I have found that laughter is one of the most important aspects of my life. Even when circumstances are not ideal, I can find something to make myself or someone else giggle.

You might be surprised to learn that the simple act of laughing can do wonders for your health, both emotionally and physically. Laughter elicits the release of endorphins, your body’s natural painkiller. Endorphins resemble opiates and create an overall sense of well-being. Laughter can boost your immune system, increase the number of virus-killing cells in your bloodstream, reduce stress related hormones, and enhance your mental functioning. Stress decreases blood flow by 35%...but laughter increases blood flow by 22%!! At this point, how could you possibly say no to a giggle fest with your best girlfriends?!!

If you still aren’t convinced that laughter is the best medicine, keep reading. If you are already laughing at this point…still keep reading! Besides the physical benefits to laughter, there are many social benefits to laughing! Nobody wants to be around someone as exciting as a rock. Ladies, listen up –studies show that men are more attracted to women who laugh in their presence. There is nothing more attractive than a confident woman who is smiling and laughing! A smile is the best (and cheapest) accessory a woman can have! Laughter is contagious. Make someone laugh today. In fact, make a stranger laugh. I always like striking up a friendly conversation with strangers that I meet during my day. I usually make a fool out of myself in the process—but its fun! Make the other person at least smile! You never know what that person is going through or how badly they needed a friendly smile and giggle to turn around their day.

Even animals laugh. We’ve all seen hyenas in cartoons fall on their backs from laughter, and if you’ve ever swam with dolphins then you’ve certainly hear their high-pitched snicker when they are up to no good.

My favorite part of laughter is the fact that no one laughs the same. Everyone has his or her own way of laughing and that makes everyone so very special and unique! Don’t be ashamed of your laugh! If you giggle softly – rock that! If you cackle so loud that people stare – let them stare! Don’t let anyone or anything change the way you express the happiness and joy in your life.

“A day without laughter is a day wasted.” – Charlie Chaplin

A Bit About Brittany

She’s a city girl, currently living in Atlanta, exploring the greatest bars and other top notch hang outs. However, if she had the opportunity, she would live at sea amongst the dolphins, mermaids and other ocean beauties. The one thing we love most about Brittany is that she lives life to the fullest everyday. Seriously, this is the girl you call when you want to have a great time. Plus she will never leave you hanging. Brittany will make you smile no matter the circumstance. No wonder her life mission is to inspire people to be happy! Find her on Facebook and say hello!