Hello friends and welcome back to Going Gentle, a place where we celebrate the ways that we tune in to what helps us slow down, get in the moment and appreciate what brings great satisfaction. In this post, I am sharing with you some new MUSIC, which I am super excited about! Music is such an integral part of who I am as an artist, song writer and composer of melody given to me through my spiritual practice. 

Here’s a bit of context: when I have my spiritual practice, I mix prayer, meditation, study and song writing, and I record those melodies for future reference. So a few months ago, I went back to those recordings and found one I wrote in September of 2023 called The Magic. ​

I love the word Magic since it encompasses so many aspects of life, from creative expression to listening to your heart, hearing from your Higher Self, and seeing that Magic is the Divine Spark in each of us. 

Making this melody really opened my eyes to recognizing where the Magic resides, such as in the twinkle is someone’s eye as they look on you with love, or the creative hand that makes magic happen through many avenues that make a difference and bring satisfaction. 

The more I pay attention to where I see and experience Magic as the Divine Spark, the more I see and feel it rise up in my heart and flow out to others and it flows back to me. It’s a wonderful circle I want to live in all the time!  Don’t you? 

I have offered the lyrics to The Magic​ below so when you watch/listen to the music, you can follow/sing along if you like! 

The Magic
Written & Composed by Dawn Herring

The Magic in Your Eyes
Always takes me by surprise
It twinkles and it shows
the Love I’ve come to know

The Magic in Your Hands
That moves at your command
Bringing Goodness my way
I am grateful today

Chorus:
Magic in Your Eyes
Magic in Your Hands
I see your love arise
The sweetness is Alive
Magic in Your Heart
Magic You impart
Bringing Joy and Gladness to my heart

Vs 2
The Magic in Your Heart
Never Departs
Always Ready to Show
And My heart knows

The Magic You impart
Is a Gift from the start
Ready to Deliver 
​Right now

Bridge:
I feel it right now
It amazes me
Filling me up
Consistently
I love the magic in my way
That you gift to me
Thank you for the magic that you give

You’re the Joy and Gladness in my heart

I’ve included in the video some footage of some very important people who bring me JOY and Gladness…in my Grandma Heart! (Yes, that includes my new grandson born on the 4th of July…so I get to share my birthday with him!) Also included are clips of my sketching the eye of each of my grandsons using 6B pencil, which is like Magic for me as an artist! (The eyes are the window to the soul, as they say!) 

Please enjoy the music from my heart to yours. 

May the Magic of the Divine Spark touch your heart today! 

Journaling Prompt: 
Where have you see/noticed the Magic of the Divine Spark in yourself? In someone else? What did it feel like? Look Like? Describe it in detail. What emotion did you feel as you experienced it? What activity that you enjoy most brings out that Gentle Divine Spark in you? 

Remember that Gentle is Magic! 

Hello and Welcome Back to Going Gentle, where we consider strategies to decrease our stress and increase our Peace! 

This post contains a very special piece of music I wrote and composed on the piano. It is my first song release of 2024, since my previous song,I Believe, was published in September of 2023. So it has been quite a while. 
I know this is partly due to the processing of both of my parent's passings (2023 & 2024) thus my musical output was greatly reduced at that time (and is ongoing). 

The song I am sharing with you today was written in June of 2023 when I was feeling my most vulnerable. 
The reason I choose to share it with you today is for the purpose of encouraging you in your own vulnerability. Especially during times when you feel the most misunderstood by others around you and need a sense of reassurance that Spirit (or the Universe or God) has your back. 

My hope is that you will find a great sense of comfort and peace as you watch/listen to the video above. 

I have also included the Lyrics to the song, You Defend Me Now, (which are copyrighted to me, Dawn Herring, 2024). 

YOU DEFEND ME NOW
BY DAWN HERRING

You defend me now
And I understand somehow
your heart

Your actions speak the truth
That's why I trust in you
right now

Chorus:
I appreciate your faithfulness
You never let me down
Wherever I turn
You will always be around

Thank you for your protection
And the delight you have in me
Thank you for your hand
That has set me free

You defend me now
As I watch you take action 
again

You promised to deliver
And never back away
from me

Chorus
Bridge
I can count on you
To always see me through
No second guessing here
That's why I draw near
Chorus 

I have experienced what it is to be misunderstood, especially when it comes to protecting myself and instilling proper boundaries where needed. Often others will not understand why boundaries are necessary, but alas, we have to protect our hearts when needed for our own well being. 
There is no apology needed. 
And it feels good to know that our heart's intentions are known and recgonized in truth by God (Universe, Spirit), and that is reassuring to me, especially when I feel the most vulnerable. 

Journaling Prompt: 
When have you felt vulnerable in your most recent experience? What caused you to feel this way. Detail the reason why. Journaling is the perfect place to validate your emotions and feelings rather than dismiss them or allow them to be dismissed by others. 

What does vulnerability mean to you? Record in your journal from a stream of consciousness approach, meaning, don't censor yourself. Just be honest and forthright. 
(This journaing prompt is only meant for further reflection in a safe place; if you feel emotional distress, please see a counselor or psychotherapist or dial 911.)