Hello and Welcome Back to Beginnings, where we talk about fresh starts, new cycles, experimentation, exploration and creativity! And I am excited to share with you a video that was originally recorded as a Facebook Live, where I shared all the new updates to my new website, plus new videos to celebrate the One Year Anniversary of Beginnings blog. And I played several songs on the piano which was a first for me, having never played LIVE before! So exciting! One of the songs I played has never been released before, titled It's Possible. I read the lyrics in the video. I also played the very first song I composed for the piano when I first got my piano keyboard almost 3 years ago. Of course, the melody has been upgraded so to speak, so I'm excited to share that with you today. 

Videos mentioned are my new Welcome Message which you can view here on the home page, A Re-recording of the Beginnings theme song which is at the bottom of the home page. Plus a In Real Time video of creating the new logo for Beginnings blog which you can viewhere. 

You're welcome to check out this Live Video (which has been edited) in celebration with me! 
Thank you so much for your support and interest in my content here at Refresh with Dawn Herring. It means a lot to me. 
Thanks for giving my videos a thumbs up and for subscribing to my channel. 

My goal is always to be a source of inspiration and encouragement to your own creativity. 
I wish you the very Best of Beginnings! 

Hello and Welcome Back to Beginnings, where we talk about fresh starts, new cycles, exploration, experimentation and creativity. 

In this post, I will be sharing with you some Music I’ve released, including lyrics and my reflections on what the song means to me, as well as some journaling prompts for further reflection. 

I always get excited when I’m ready to release new music so I can share my joy with you, with the intention and hope of your spirit being lifted in some meaningful way as we traverse this world at the same time in history. 

The new song I’ve recorded is titled, I Believe. 

I wrote this song several years ago (I’m not exactly certain when, but it was within the past 4 years since I’ve been writing music for about 5 years, just to give you an idea.) I’ve had this song in my piano book for a long time, but recently it has really been speaking to me, and I’ve been playing it with a new cadence that is deeply meditative, with a supplications vibe toward Spirit, and for me, it is a deeply empowering message. 

Here are the lyrics below: 
I Believe 
by Dawn Herring

HIDE ME
SHELTER ME
KEEP ME SAFE
I BELIEVE

LOVE ME
PROTECT ME
I BELIEVE
I AM SET FREE

IT IS ALL 
DONE FOR ME
I BELIEVE
I CAN SEE

WHEN YOU SEE 
THE TRUTH IN ME
YOU WILL BE 
TRULY FREE

(Words and music copyrighted to Dawn Herring 2023)

When I wrote this song, it was in response to my scripture study and prayers in connection to my song writing, which is a natural outpouring of what Spirit speaks to me in the moment. 

In the process of writing the words, stanza by stanza, I sensed a supplicating essence that I could feel within myself. My desire to feel safe, secure, loved and heard was deeply resonant. And as I made my requests, I could feel my faith rising up, knowing I was heard and was not alone. Then a deep realization of what I actually truly have in Spirit came upon me, I felt more awake to what was alive inside. 

Then, in response to my faith and supplication, I sensed a reply and directive coming from a deeply loving essence of Spirit that shared the importance of vision, clarity and truth and how Waking UP to this reality brings Freedom. Yes! What a victorious response that lifts my spirit, bringing me hope that I AM FREE. 

In this world filled with so much uncertainty, we all feel the need to be protected and loved; we need that assurance that we will be ok. That we are not alone. That we can see. And with what we can see, we are Free. Free to be Who We Are. Not bound by societal standards but only the boundaries we set for ourselves, for protection and care. 

Spirit is there for us when we need Spirit most, during those moments of the deepest fears, doubts, insecurities, overwhelm, and uncertainty. 

As we reach out for what we need, as we seek, we will find. 
And when we seek together, we can support each other through the toughest of times. 
And experience freedom in community! 
Sounds like the Best of Beginnings to me! How about you? 

Below I provide some journaling prompts for further reflection. I trust they will help bring clarity, focus and freedom to your life in this moment. ❤️

JOURNALING PROMPT: 
Make a list of the times when you have felt most free, whether in childhood or whatever time comes to mind naturally. What is the common thread that you can see on this list? People? Places? Activities? Pick one from the list and detail it as much as possible, reliving that sense of freedom you felt. 
Do you feel that way now? What has changed or what is different? 

When have you felt the most protected? Was there someone who came to your aid, such as a good friend or mentor or a family member who really gets you? 

List times when you felt the most heard. What was the conversation about? Who was listening? How did this impact and change you for the better? 

What is your truth right now? What can you come back to again and again that grounds and centers you no matter what you’re facing? 
Write this down on an index card and keep it in a place where you can be reminded of this central truth. ❤️?

Disclaimer: journaling prompts are to be used at your own risk. If you feel overwhelmed or emotionally distressed, please seek out a counselor or therapist or call 911. 

This is my first Father's Day with my Dad, P. Daniel Bel-Tempo, in Spirit. I felt I must celebrate his life and honor him in this way since he passed back in January. The last time I saw him in person was back in 2019 on January 1 (he was in New Jersey; I live in Texas); we had only a few hours visit we shared together. I can almost feel his arm around me as we sat together on a hotel couch. 

On that day, before he left, he sat in a hotel chair waiting to leave in a wheelchair, as he looked at me and said, "We couldn't love each other more than we do right now, could we?" 
And I said, "No, we couldn't, Dad." 
Then he stood up in his black leather jacket and gloves, and we hugged and kissed goodbye. I knew that would be the last time I would see him in person. And it was. 

I love him so; I always will. 

Below I am sharing a poem I wrote my DAD for his birthday in 2022; it is titled, "ALWAYS," which encapsulates his essence as human, Father and musician. 

ALWAYS
BY DAWN HERRING

YOUR SMILE
YOUR CHUCKLE
YOUR HUMOR PERVADES

THERE ARE PARTS
OF YOU
THAT NEVER FADE

YOUR RHYTHM
YOUR TIMING
MUSIC IN YOUR BONES

IN THIS
ESPECIALLY 
I AM NOT ALONE

YOUR DESIRE
TO ASPIRE
TO CREATIVELY EXPRESS

TO FIND
SATISFACTION
NOT JUST TO IMPRESS

EXAMPLE 
TO ME
YOU WILL ALWAYS BE

YOU'RE FOREVER
ALWAYS
MY FATHER

I have also shared a music video of the last song I played for DAD on my piano titled, "The Evidence." This song will always have a special place in my heart since it brought comfort to both me and my Dad. 

Thank you for reading and watching and being a part of my Honoring my DAD on Father's day, the first I will experience since his passing in January. I appreciate your being a part of my journey. 

Copyright 2023 Music and poetry by Dawn Herring 

Welcome back to my new blog, Beginnings, where we chat about Fresh Starts, New Cycles, Exploration, Experimentation and Creativity! 

This is a very special post to me because I am sharing a brand new song that I received basically as a surprise in connection with this new blog, Beginnings. I’ve been working diligently behind the scenes, working with lyric, melody, tempo, and composition on the piano in readiness to share this song with you, dear friend. 

The reason why I’m so excited to share this is the Message behind it. My aim and goal with this song is to encourage you, inspire you and empower you as a Creator in your own life, giving you the impetus to take those first steps, with courage and bravery, in whatever way you are choosing to do. 

I have shared the lyrics to this new song, our theme song, Beginnings, with the purpose to giving you something to run with, sing along with, to buoy you up, especially when you could use a little uplifting in your journey. 

If you would like to learn more about my experience with receiving this song and writing the lyrics and what that has meant to me, you’re welcome to watch my first vlog here. I explain it in detail. 

Let me just say here that it is a gift to me as a Creator and I want to pass that gift on to you! 
I hope it deeply resonates with you. Please let me know if it becomes a source of encouragement to you in your 
creative pursuits! I’d love to hear from you. 

Beginnings 
Words and music by Dawn Herring 

This is your Beginning
Just knowing Who You Are

This is your Beginning
Look how You’ve come so far

Beginnings are the Magic
That spur You on

Beginnings Reveal
Where You’ve come from 

Beginnings are the Place
Where It Starts

Beginnings are the Promise
That Sets You Apart 

Believe in Your Vision
In What You See

Believe in Your Power
To Make It Be

Believe in Your Knowing
That Shows You How

And Watch It Grow to Be
From Just a Seed
To a Flowering 

You are welcome to watch the video so you can hear the melody; and then you’re welcome to sing along! 
I hope it’s a song that resonates deeply and gives you courage to keep going toward your creative dreams! 

Believe in yourself as a Creator; Trust Your Intuition; See yourself doing what brings you the Greatest Joy and then take one step and then another until you’re on a roll! And then keep going! 

You have a Creative Gift that only you can fulfill. Use it to make the world a better place. 
And we will Celebrate together! 

Because here at Refresh with Dawn Herring, Beginnings Are Celebrated! And so are YOU! 

I wish you the very Best of Beginnings! 

Welcome back to Beginnings, Where we talk about Fresh Starts, New Cycles, Exploration, Experimentation and Creativity. In this post, I will be sharing about some New Music I’ve written and composed for the piano. I will share lyrics, my reflections on the meaning behind the song, as well as journaling prompts for further reflection to take with you. 

I wrote the spiritual song, The Eternal Now, last year (2021), when I had a lot of questions about the future. There was so much changing on the home front and I was looking for answers. My first place to look is always through prayer, but sometimes the practical side of life seems to require an external source. And when it doesn’t come right away, or there are too many options concerning the subject matter, it can sometimes be overwhelming. 

In recent years I have come to understand that much frustration and angst can result from looking to the future to the point of struggle rather than being in the Now. I found that the more I spent time just focusing on what I could do in the Moment, the more peace I felt. 

Another issue I was addressing was Trust in the Divine; and when I choose that Trust, it brings  even more Peace. 

So my spiritual song, The Eternal Now, was my way of expressing this understand that Now is all there is and all that matters in the moment. And in that Now Space, Wisdom resides, bringing clarity and direction and that inner knowing, a powerful place of Intuition we have all been gifted with. 

And when I experience this energy within myself, I no longer look outside of myself but within, where Divinity lives and moves and blesses me with Presence. 

I have offered the lyrics to The Eternal Now below. I hope it lifts and inspires you! 

I look to Now
For the Answers
As my questions turn to dust

I look to peace
in the place
that requires I must

I see the space 
that is open
Timeless and True

I rejoice 
In the knowing
That comes from you

From within
I am certain
From within
I know

That you are here
And I am with you

I rejoice
In the Eternal Now


Journaling prompt: 
Is there a situation in your life where you feel like you need external answers to your questions? 
Do you find yourself looking to the future and wonder if NOW is where you will find peace?  Detail this situation in your journal and list off ways you can become more present from moment to moment. As you implement these ideas, record any change you experience in contrast to any struggle you’ve had with looking externally. Also detail if an answer came when you least expected it as a result of your presence in the Now. 

Note: Music (both video and lyrics) are Copyrighted to Dawn Herring, 2022