The Official Blog of The GEM.

SHINE BRIGHTER. Our goal is to live better and be better.

Archives: September 2011


Cynics Apply Here.

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 8 Comments on Cynics Apply Here.

Don’t you love it when a simple little thing that happens can be described as “Awesome?”  Even the most sour cynic can attest to a few things that make them honor the little joys in life.  Those that can’t…we no longer have room for you in our world.

Go out and buy “The Book of Awesome.”  Yes.  It really is  awesome.  I implore all of you to get it.  OR even better, compile your own book of awesome.  It reminds us to find a little happy in everything.  Awesome things like:

Having a whole row on the plane.  You can get up a pee anytime you want.  You can rest your arms.  You may even be able to pull off a row nap.  You can imagine you are insanely rich and paid for the extra seats just because.  AWESOME.

Laughing so hard you make no sound at all.  I LOVE IT WHEN THAT HAPPENS.

Building and amazing couch-cushion fort.  Squeezing through a door as it’s shutting without touching it.  AWESOME!

When you spill something on your shirt and it doesn’t leave a stain. Finding money in your old coat pocket–or even better, that tube of lipstick you haven’t seen in a year.  The first scoop out of a jar of peanut butter. Licking the cake batter off the beaters of a mixer.  Hitting a bunch of green lights in a row.  AWESOME.

Finding a mix tape given to you by an old boyfriend or girlfriend.  When a cashier opens up a new checkout lane at the grocery store and you become first in line.  Free samples of your favorite food at the store. Seeing someone laugh in their sleep.  AWESOME!

That first early fall morning you walk out the door and need a sweater. Making the perfect margarita the first time around. AWESOME!

Remembering how lucky we are to be here right now. And how focusing on little happy things can make us happier and more enjoyable to be around. UNBELIEVABLY AWESOME.  Come on. Lemme know what your AWESOME was the morning~


DANGER, Will Robinson! Someone is poisoning you!

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 2 Comments on DANGER, Will Robinson! Someone is poisoning you!

If I tackled you just before you unknowingly drank poison, wouldn’t you hail me as your hero?  Well, consider this your face plant. You probably have been consuming this toxin on a daily basis. Worse, you may even be serving this modern day hemlock to your sweet innocent children.  Does Crystal Light ring a bell?  Sugar free popsicles? Diet Pepsi addiction got you stuck in the drive thru?

Sir! Put. Your Weapon. Down.

Nutra Sweet.  Equal. Aspartame.  Sweet Poison. This chemical, yes chemical, is toxic.  Not a little toxic.  A lot toxic.  There are account after account of reports to the FDA heralding the dangers and side effects of aspartame.  But to no avail.  This chemical breaks down in the body as methanol and formaldehyde. Those guys don’t sound very friendly.  A few of the 92 different reported symptoms listed include: Headaches/migraines, dizziness, nausea, extreme depression, irritability, insomnia, anxiety attacks, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain.  Chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of aspartame: Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes. Gulf War Syndrome.

What is scary is that unlike many things we put into our body, aspartame’s by products go straight to the brain. It actually crosses the “brain / blood barrier” as it is called.  Several of the experts who now speak out against aspartame took part in the research and development of this chemical. One of the world’s foremost authorities informed the development company, Searle,  in 1971 that aspartic acid (a by-product) caused holes in the brains of mice.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

So? You say.  I am not scared of that.  Ok, how about this? Artificial sweeteners can make your body fat.  Yes, fat.  By tricking the body into thinking sugar is coming, insulin is produced awaiting its arrival.  This unnecessary spike in blood sugar is no bueno for your system.  That excess sugar is then stored as fat.  But who cares that you are fat if you’ve got cancer.

Your body begs for diamonds on its insides.  Not corrosive poison.

Start today.  Be a Hero! Throw that sh*t out.  Real sugar is best.  Begin with detoxifying your body of all residual chemical toxins from aspartame’s chemical make up and their toxic by-products, and see if any adverse health symptoms remain.  At the very least, your brain will be clearer and your body more brilliant.

You can thank me later.


graphite or diamond??

Posted on by diamondsonyourinside and currently has 2 Comments on graphite or diamond??

Diamonds and graphite.  Chemically, they are made from the same element: carbon.  The difference is their ‘structure.’  Diamonds are hard, very hard.  Very difficult to break, crush or compromise.  Graphite is soft.  Think lead of a pencil. You use it to write another person’s thoughts down on paper. Diamonds are transparent.  Graphite is opaque. You know a diamond when you see one. They sparkle.  Diamonds have the highest melting point of anything.  It doesn’t take much to melt graphite.

Oh, and no one is ever proud of their graphite jewelry.

Do you see where I’m going with this?

The fork in the road for these carbon-based solids comes with pressure.  Extreme pressure.  The diamond is formed from this heat and pressure.  Graphite just stays stable, and does not transform.

What are you?

I have come to believe the challenges we face in life are the very things we are supposed to learn from and gain strength and knowledge from. That gives us the strength to help others conquer these same challenges.  Impervious to the pressure, diamonds continue to shine–sparkling from the inside out.  Be transparent–its healthier for everyone.  People like to know what you are made of.

Accept difficulties in your  life as a conductor that makes you HARDER, BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER (Thank you, Kanye) People know diamonds when they see one.  What do people see when they look at you?  Do you feel sparkly?

Meditate.  

Be Grateful.

Exude happiness. Fake it til you make it if you have to.

Listen, I’ve had my own graphite days. It took a serious seismic shift to turn me around.  I conquered those challenges and found more positive in me.  And.  I have flaws.  Because, quite frankly, no one likes a perfect 10.