Welcome back to Going Gentle and my new Surprise Series, where I share something in my surrounds that comforts, inspires or makes me laugh and that I desire to share with you! Perhaps a Surprise will inspire you to appreciate afresh what you love in your surrounds! 

Today' Surprise features a musical clown figure that sits on my dresser in my bedroom. 
I originally found this delightful clown at an estate sale several years back. I recall how, when I saw her, my inner child heart made me feel like Awwwww! So let me tell you why I responded that way and why I chose to take her home with me! 

When I was a child, I was especially drawn to the faces of porcelain dolls that had somewhat of a sad facial expression. There was something in that expression that drew me, where I felt it deep down in the recesses of my soul. I was touched when I viewed them, and wanted to take them home with me. Perhaps as a child, I thought I could cheer them up! 

When I would go to the mall with my mother, we would always visit this one store that carried these porcelain doll figures. Oh, there were so many! I would gaze at each one with somewhat of a melancholy appreciation for the beauty of their expressions. I could just stand there for hours to view them, but alas, it was always time to leave at one point. But I always left with a feeling of anticipation for the next time, almost like they were my porcelain friends I wanted to visit. 

What child doesn't experience their dolls with such devotion, right? <3

So, on the day I saw this beautiful clown doll who sits on a beautifully decorated music box, I was taken back to those times in the mall when I would view them in the store with Mom. It touched my inner child heart and I knew I just had to have her!

She is featured with clown face markings, a clown style head covering, beautiful lacing on the upper portion of her garment, plus a beautiful shimmery clown dress. What's not to love??  She sits prominently on my dresser, where I can see her and appreciate her beauty. 

And of course, recall the sweet memories of looking at those doll figures as a child. It almost gives me a wistful feeling looking back on those times. 

My mother has since passed this year of 2024; so I am grateful to have this sweet repeating memory of her taking me to that store just so I could gaze upon my favorite figures. Thank you, Mom, for honoring my joy in such a way. I will always remember. 

So what do you have in your surrounds that brings back sentimental memories that remain in your heart and what do they mean to you? You're welcome to share below. I would love to celebrate those memories with you! 

​You have yourself a delightful day and remember that Gentle is Magic! 

Welcome back to Going Gentle where we talk about daily strategies to decrease our stress and increase our Peace! This week, we're talking about what makes us feel most at home and when to determine it is time for a Homecoming of sorts! 

(I'm not referring here to a family reunion or school reunion but those are fun too!)

We often put off the things that bring us the most joy in the busyness of life, but what happens when we put it off for too long? Do we forget the benefits of engaging in things that speak to and feed our souls? What about the satisfaction we can experience after doing something that feels most like home to us? 

These things are vitally important for our well being. As we choose to Go Gentle with ourselves, that includes not only reducing what stresses us (or eliminating it all together), but also Enhancing our Lives with what brings us the most JOY and ENERGY! 

So, let's not put off what we love; let's make it a priority! 

I give some ideas on what brings me great satisfaction in the recesses of my own soul and why you would benefit doing the same. Of course, this is never to guilt you but to inspire you toward what makes you feel the most At Home. Because Home is Where the Heart Is, and how you feel in your heart matters! 

So let's have a Homecoming together! Share in the comments what feels most like HOME to you. I want to cheer you on! 

Journaling Prompt: 
Make a list of the places or activities that give you that feeling of HOME. What is it about that place or activity that lifts your spirit and gives you energy? 

Put one of those things on your daily calendar and start today with a Homecoming of your own. 

And remember that Gentle is Magic!

Hello friends! Welcome back to my new Surprise Series here at tbe Going Gentle blog, where I feature what brings me comfort, inspiration or laughter, mostly in my personal space. This week I'm excited to share a MAGICAL Surprise! 

Do you believe in Magic? I feel magic in the sense of the divine but it doesn't hurt to have a fun inspiring visual to remind me of the Magic that is deep inside my soul in the form of the Spark of Divinity and how it plays into the life I create for myself. 

So, may I introduce you to my little Magician! 

I found this magical treasure of a figure at a yard sale. I remember distinctly going into the back yard and seeing this magician sitting on one of the tables just waiting to meet me and as soon as I saw him, I couldn't believe he hadn't been grabbed already! So I made him mine. He's been in a variety of places and spaces of the past 7 or 8 ish years (I seriously lose track of when I find such treasures...that's why I keep a journal! Ha! My age is showing...) but right now, I recently gave him a prominent place on my journaling/study desk in my bedroom. 

I missed him before I placed him there so I knew it was time for him to be where he is now: front and center! 
He reminds me of Dumbledore of Harry Potter, especially when he was in the war with Lord Voldemort. I remember the water and the fire. It was an incredible scene. Incredible magic taking place. 

It reminds me of the power of the Divine that is within each human being, giving us the power to create, to live, to love, to have an impact on others around us, whether family, friends or neighbors (or the wide world with the internet at our fingertips!)

It's also an incredible reminder of the importance of our intention when we use that power within us. It is meant to be used for the benefit and not the detriment of ourselves and others. So be careful how you use it! 

Do you believe in Magic? Do you have a reminder in your space of the magic that lies within you and the power you hold to create every day? You're welcome to share below what your magical muse is! I'd love to hear about it! 

And remember that Gentle is Magic! 

Welcome back to Going Gentle, where we talk about every day strategies to decrease our stress and increase our peace! 

For today's post, I thought I would address the issue of being down in the dumps and how a Personal Party might be just the thing to get ourselves back to a better place and mindset! 
In the video, I share several ideas for a Personal Party and how this can change the energy to help give us a fresh perspective, since, sometimes, that's what we need! 

Have you ever had a day where you just felt grumpy and couldn't quite shake it off? 
Have you ever considered what you could do to get yourself into a better space? 

The last thing we want is to stay stuck in stagnant energy that drags us down, leaving us feeling exhausted and unhappy. We sometimes need to take Gentle Action toward creating a shift, to shake things up a a bit, but in a way that is fun and uplifting! 

What will you do to get yourself out of the dumps? 
Share below what works for you! I 'd love to hear about it and others may benefit from what you do as well! 
We are here for each other in community as we Go Gentle together! 

Journaling Prompt: 
Detail the last time you felt "down in the dumps" and what might have 
triggered such a feeling. 
Now write a list of the things that help you create that shift in the energy, that make you feel vibrant and alive. 
Now pick one of those things and do it as soon as possible! 
One goal is to get out of that stuck place. 
A secondary goal is to prevent getting IN that stuck place! 

Let's take preventative action to stay aligned with positive, healthy energy that leaves us feeling peaceful and satisfied. 
​And remember that Gentle is Magic! 

Hello friends and welcome back to my new Going Gentle Series, the Surprise Series! where I share something that comforts, inspires or makes me laugh, whether it's in my personal space or something I ran into that I just HAVE to share with you! 

So, this week's Surprise is all about Sparkle! And about purposefully enjoying something outside the original context it is specifically meant for. Why not, right? 

So, I love holiday decor; I don't have much of it in my house, but what I do have, I love to keep around for the long haul. 

When I came across this sparkly gold/silver star, I just had to have it for my Christmas decor! But guess where I put it? Not on a Christmas tree. Nope. Although it would look awfully perty there, wouldn't it? 

I decided to hang it in a space where I would see it all the time. It hangs on one of my vision boards above the illustration area in my art studio space! Yes! I wanted it to be front and center along with several other items of joy. 

This sparkly star just gives this space some holiday punch, so basically it's a visual holiday year 'round! Yay! 

So, do you have an ornament or some other item of decor variety that you have/keep in a special spot so you can see it all the time? One that you never put away? You're welcome to comment below and share! 

Remember that making a simple choice to make yourself happy is all about Going Gentle...because Gentle is Magic! 

Ode to the Star: 
I love how you
sparkle
No matter
if someone is
looking
or not. 

You just hang in your
space happy to 
grace 
my visual desire
for joy. 

Happy star, silver 
and gold, 
a place to hold
that sparkle that
                                                                                                           never dies. 

Hello friends and Welcome back to Going Gentle where we share strategies to decrease our stress and increase our peace! 
For today's post/video, we focusing on our Heart's Desires and how we can more gently align vibrationally to manifest those desires! 

In the video, I talk about the issue of resistance we may be creating without even knowing we are! How? With our emotions. I share some tips on how to resolve this resistance. 

How can you tell when you are creating resistance? 
Ask yourself the question: How am I feeling when I think about what I desire? 
We are often completely unaware of how we're feeling at any given time, but especially when it comes to our emotional state in connection with what we desire in our hearts. 

It really doesn't matter what those desires entail, whether it's for something specific that you're drawn to out of curiosity or something that you have held on to for many years that you would love to do or experience. 

What your heart desires is there for a reason! So don't get frustrated...instead get grateful! 
Now I know that can be hard to do, especially when it feels like what you want will never happen. That can certainly be disheartening. I completely understand! I've been there myself! 

But I find that when I engage with what I already have, reminding myself of how blessed I am, that I feel so much better! Less stressed, more at peace. 

And that's what we all want, right? 
So here's to attracting what we desire because we already appreciate what we've got! 

 Journaling Prompt: 
What is your most cherished heart's desire? Do you have a dream of doing something fun, inspiring or maybe life changing, but it seems so out of reach? How have you felt about this dream? Are you frustrated or determined, aligning with gratitude for where you are right now? What would get you into that positive space in a short amount of time? Consider doing that right now! Don't hesitate! 
​                                      And remember that Gentle is Magic! 

Hello and Welcome Back to Going Gentle, where we talk about strategies we can use to decrease our stress and increase our peace! 
For this week's video, we're talking about the Mundane; and how we can choose to be present with all the tasks we do on a daily basis rather than getting stressed out and pressured by what we need to do next. 

Do you always find yourself in a hurry to get things done? All the time, right? 
We just can't seem to slow down our pace enough to actually appreciate our own efforts when we do what needs doing! 

Well, we can change that! Watch the video to get my take on the mundane and how we can approach it completely differently for well being and self care in the process. 

Every moment matters in this life; why waste it stressing out when we can bring calm and peace to our every day? 

Let's determine together to pay attention, stay aware and be in the MOMENT as much as possible. Our hearts (and bodies!) will thank us! 

JOURNALING PROMPT: 
What was the last mundane tasks you did? Where was your mind as you accomplished that task? Thinking ahead? Were you stressed out or calm in the process? 
Note the details of that time and strategize how you can Stay in the Moment the next time and see how different you feel. 

What sense do you like to use when staying in the moment with a task? 
Consistent awareness can really help to make the mundane more magical! Imagine that! 

​Remember that GENTLE is Magic! 

Hello and welcome back to Going Gentle, a place where we strategize to decrease our stress and increase our peace! 
For today’s post, we are focusing on challenge and what our challenges can tell us about ourselves. How can we do that? By paying closer attention to the details! 

I share in the above video how our challenges can show us things about ourselves that can enable us to learn the way we think and what stresses us the most in the challenges we face. 

We all want to approach challenge with strategic confidence, don’t we? But how often does that happen? 
Do we find ourselves met with trepidation, frustration and even anger and resentment? 

It’s time to take a challenge and break it down into the tiniest bits like we’re going on an excavation to learn about what lies beneath. We can determine what our trigger points are and why they are there. We can recognize patterns in the way we respond to challenge, and learn from what we can do next time, to be Gentler with ourselves and come out strategically successful on the other side. 

So, watch the video for some inspiration and prepare to meet your next challenge with strategic confidence! 

Journaling Prompt:
Detail the last challenge you met up with and how you handled it. What was the greatest stressor point in the challenge and why? What was the context of the challenge? Where would you have wanted to change how you responded to that challenge? ​Always remember to recognize any effort you made in meeting that challenge, especially if it was unexpected. We’re definitely going for GENTLE here. No space for beating yourself up, ok? Nope. We all handle challenge differently; so give yourself space for that as you reflect. 

​Remember that Gentle is Magic! 

Hello and Welcome Back to Going Gentle where we talk about decreasing our stress and increasing our peace! 
For today's post, we focusing on the natural limitations our body creates when we push ourselves too hard with getting things done. 

We all have our to do lists, our goals to meet, our responsibilities to loved one and to ourselves! 
So how do we know when we're trying to do too much all at once? 

Our bodies speak to us in ways we can pay attention to to help avoid the inevitable: exhaustion, irritability, overwhelm, depletion. 

So, instead of allowing ourselves to get to that point, let's pull back and see what we can do to put our well being as a priority while still getting done what needs doing! 

(Watch the video for my take on this subject...) I know that when I don't pay attention, I get more irritable, cranky and fatigued! Learning to listen takes practice and determination, doesn't it? 

When we listen to what our bodies are telling us, we can manage our workloads from a more strategic place of wisdom and discernment, thus decreasing our stress and increasing our peace. 

What is your body telling you today? 

Journaling  Prompt: 
When was the last time you pushed yourself to exhaustion? What were you trying to accomplish? Detail the ins and outs of that day, specifying whether you knew to take a step back and reassess. Were you aware that you were pushing yourself too hard? How did you feel afterwards? What would you do differently looking back? How does that inform your work pace going forward? 
What symptoms or signals did you body speak during that time of stress? 
Was it physical, mental, emotional? Detail this in your journal. This can help you recognize how your body tells you when you need a break. 
Remember that Gentle is Magic! 

Welcome back to Going Gentle, where we talk about strategies to decrease our stress and increase our Peace! 

For today's post, I'm sharing the first of a brand new video series I'm calling, Going Gentle, in association with this new blog. Thank you so much for your interest in this new dynamic of gentle energy in building a lifestyle where we can up-level our creativity in ways that match our aesthetic and bring a deeper sense of satisfaction in the every day! 

Today's topic is MAKING SPACE. 
Whether it's taking care of ourselves after a busy, challenging day or making space in our environment for things that really fill our creative well and inspire us in our connection with spirit, there is a way to make space for what matters the most. 

Whether we choose to take a breather from tasks during the day or choose to decompress with something creative, it's so important to make our well being priority. 

We can find a balance between the challenges of the day and what we find meaningful to our heart and soul. 
So how will you make space for yourself today? 
Let me know in the comments so I can cheer you on! (You can see the things I've been doing in the video!)

Journaling Prompt: 
What gentle approach can you take with Making Space for your well being? Will it be sitting quietly, playing an instrument, getting out art supplies, or prayer? 
Make a list of ways you feel the most drawn to and curious about that are strong contenders for self care. 
Then choose one or two that feel the most Do-able and easy; we want the possibility to become a probability! And the more enjoyable, the better! 

I wish you great success in Making Space for yourself because you deserve it! 
Remember that Gentle is Magic!