Multifaceted

They say a womans best friend is a diamond but I think what they mean is that we are as multifaceted as one. Who we are at our core isn't just one thing. Otherwise we would all be exactly the same......Stepford Wives style. No thanks!

So what makes up who you are at your core? Are you creative? Intellectual? Inquisitive? Adventurous? What sparks your interest? Writing a book or a blog? Trying out new recipes in the kitchen? Using your hands to create? Pushing your body's limits to break records? Starting a podcast? Taking a class to learn something new? Volunteering in a classroom? Teaching others to manage their money or lives? Learning a new language? Trying out a hip hop dance class? Traveling the world?

These questions are meant to get your mind and heart in sync, to inspire an internal conversation that leads to joy. The joy of trying new things, of exploring interests and investing in you. Have you given yourself the opportunities to discover your interests and gifts? Have you spent time dabbling in things that give you pause.......even if they end up not being a thing that lights you up?

You might be wondering when on earth you are supposed to fit that into life? When every day is made up of you working, momming, chaufering, cooking, cleaning and everything in between. "Finding things that bring joy? Sure that sounds great! BUT when and how do I find time for that when I haven't even peed by myself in 5 years? Please don't tell me I need to wake up an hour earlier or stay up an hour later....... I'm hanging on by a thread with lack of sleep as it is". I hear you. I see you. I am you.

This sort of exploration doesn't have to be all encompassing or with a significant amount of time allotted to it, rather it can be small bites here and there. Listening to an audible book of an author you admire in the car on the way to school pickup. An online course for a topic that you find interesting that is self paced . Use those 10 minutes after dinner that you usally scroll social media. Invite that woman you know to coffee that is doing something you are interested in and ask questions. Little moments again and again will lead to great growth. Along the way you may find out that you actually hate painting but you LOVE throwing clay! Or that you had wanted to write a book but realized you would rather use your voice to start a podcast. These moments are not meant to be a straight road to all your dreams but rather a meandering trail of trying things and seeking joy. Both roads will lead somewhere but only one will lead you to the place you are meant to be.......which road are you on currently?

Have you every wondered why when we force things they feel incredibly difficult and if we get to the goal it doesn't feel like we thought it would? We'd rather move on as quickly as possible to the next thing? This is because we are missing the key factor - JOY! It's an overlooked opportunity in life. Yes, you read that right. Joy is an OPPORTUNITY. It's not a requirement nor is it automatic. It's a choice. Are you someone who seeks joy?

I know I didn't seek joy in the past. As a matter of fact I was sure that people who were seeking joy were fake. I didn't trust them or their intentions. I tended to pull away and avoid them. Looking back I was hurting and didn't realize that their joy felt threatening to my fear and trauma. It seemed too good to be true. Luckily Therapy happened and I have since realized that joy is a choice for everyone. That having or seeking joy doesn't automatically mean you will not face trials or trauma. Rather it gives you something to align yourself in the midst of such things. It IS possible to hold grief and joy at the same time. It IS possible to hold trauma and joy at the same time. And truthfully it's the joy that helps you heal.

So while "diamonds are a girls best friend" might be a catchy slogan to sell jewelry I think we can agree that one could also say "I'm multifaceted just like a diamond." To represent all the incredible parts of each of us. Today I encourage you to explore your interests and see what sparks joy, then do more of that <3.

xoxoxoxo Sarah