Hello and Welcome Back to Going Gentle, where we talk about strategies to decrease our stress and increase our peace! 
Well, who doesn't love a plushy?? How many times have we been comforted giving our plushies a hug as children, right? 
My grandson, Jake, is an avid plushy collector! Well, Grandma likes her plushies too! 

So, This post is the start of a new series I'm calling my Surprise Series, where I'll be sharing images of something that inspires or comforts me or makes me laugh, that I thought I would share with you...as a surprise! I wanted to do something fun we can look forward to together. 

So, my first Surprise is images of two of my curated plushy collection. 
The first one is my most recent that I acquired from a local estate sale. When I walked into the room where it was located, I felt like the lion was eyeing me, like, are you going to take me home? I immediately said yes. He sits on the floor next to my journaling/study desk in my bedroom. 

You see, I have an affinity for lions. Oh, they are the King of the Woods and awesome creatures. But the biggest reason is, the lion reminds me of ASLAN from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, of C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia Series. 

When my kids were young, we watched the series (the original as well as some of Disney's versions) on repeat for years. It was a highlight of our times together as a family. And Aslan, Oh dear Aslan. I loved the way Lucy would talk to him and how he spoke to her. She was the first who found Narnia and who saw Aslan herself. 

So, Lions have deep meaning for me. In many ways. The history of our children's childhood. The spiritual meaning of Aslan. And the many things he would say throughout the series that resonate deep in my soul. 

I decided to share my Lions with you to show a very personal element that has deep meaning, that brings me comfort when needed, and just makes me happy when I see them. 

And that really matters to me! 
So, what sort of collection do you keep that makes you happy when you look at it? What deep meaning does it have for you? 

You're welcome to share in the comments below. I'd love to hear about it. You can also use those questions as journaling prompts if you thus desire to reflect. I know I've enjoyed sharing my heart about lions with you. 

Make space for the things that brings you comfort and joy...because 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! 

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.)