Why it is worth it

Some people are more reckless than others by nature. It does not matter what you are taught or the environment you grew up in. Take siblings. My sister and I had the same parents and the same teachings. But Marina is a different person than I am.

I was a tomboy and my mom’s nightmare since I was a toddler. As soon as I moved my first steps, I wanted to run. Walking wasn’t fast and exciting enough. And I started to throw myself in crazy endeavors just for the heck of it. I was craving adventure more than food. By the time I was 3, I was already an adrenaline junkie. Yes, I broke my bones more than once but I learned that failure is not such a terrible thing. You get yourself together and then try again. Doing so, I did some “impossible” things. Achieving them against all odds made me think that nothing is “impossible”. I would still trade a broken wrist for confidence. But that’s just me.

Then there are other millions of people who neither had my experiences nor my drive since childhood. Can they be reckless? You bet they can. And it is definitely worth to be. You can be a soccer mom living in the suburbs, and you can learn to add a little pinch of adventure in your daily life. It adds to the taste without altering the original recipe—if that’s what you like. It makes it spicier and juicier. It’s just like cooking. A hint of chili or black cracked pepper can improve the flavor.

Leonora Carrington, a famous surrealist painter, told me of the time when she got married and had children, in Mexico. All of a sudden, she found herself more absorbed in her busy daily life as a housewife. But she was also eager to learn lessons from that new world she was discovering, all that new life around her and inside her. She became acquainted with some women of the Chiapas Indians tribe living nearby. She noticed that they were always mixing an egg yolk to their color for tanning. They explained that there was life in the egg yolk, so mixing it with the die they were transferring the spirit of that new life to their own creation. Leonora started mixing an egg yolk to her own oil colors, bringing new life to her painting.

In my Reckless book, there is a whole final section of advices of “ how to do”, written in an alphabet format. A resource guide is also there to help readers deciding where to look to find their own inspiration.

Comments

[yoko]

heh. Your description of yourself as a young girl sounds like me when I was that age.

Glad to see your blog, and thanks for linking to me.

[pinky the first]

Awesome! Congratulations on the imminent culmination of such a great endeavor! I can't wait to read it and find out how to be reckless. ;-P

Suz

[Suzi]

Congrats! Looks great. Can't wait to read the book.

[Daniel]

Gloria, you never seize to amaze me! Your passion is deep and optimism, endless! I can't wait to get my hands on this book! I love your story and am sure will love the story of the lives I will discover in this book!

Congratulations!!!

[f.]

Gloria, your book is about nine wonderful women with their wonderful stories. But the ultimate reckless woman -no doubt- is you. With your pride and courage and heart and character.

[yoko]

Gloria-- I just wanted to let you know that I had ordered the book, and have received it in the mail today. I look forward to reading it.

[gloria]

Thanks. I'll be looking forward to your comments. That's what I love about blogging; feedback in real time!

[reckless heathervescent]

I realized this weekend that I'm reckless!

[Jack Zufelt]

My wife recommended me your book and so far I've really enjoyed it. Great blog.