A Comforting Awareness

Some of My Comforts: My favorite chair to journal in, my current artsy journal sketchbook and my favorite mug for tea.

One of the Comfort and Joy Prompts from Jani Franck's Ecourse was What Comforts You using the sense of Touch. I really had to give some thought to this. But as I wrote some things down, like my warm tea mug in the a.m. and p.m.,  and ways in which I care for myself with skin care and other things I do that involve a sense of touch, I realized that my perspective on each item had not been initially sensed this way...with comfort. Many of them were seen and experienced like more of a task, something that needs to be done, part of my routine. 

So, as I considered this disparage, I realized I needed a fresh perspective on how I viewed these things so I could better experience them as they could be if I go about thinking about them differently. This activated a new Awareness of what Could Comfort me that I hadn't considered before. 

Once I had this epiphany, the next time I engaged in any of these previously experienced "tasks" but with looking at them as something I could enjoy, relish and find comfort in, I found myself feeling more grateful, more present, more appreciative of what I have and how I can take care of myself and find comfort in these things at the same time. 

I believe that when we slow down long enough to understand and appreciate each task or thing we do for ourselves, instead of running on rote thinking and not really noticing each engagement, we can transform much of what we do into something loving, nurturing and meaningful. 

It becomes a Comforting Awareness when we take the time to see them and experience them that way. 
I have become much more aware of my mug of tea, my journal, my watercolors, and many other things that are a source of comfort to me as I relish them in the moment. 

What are you rushing through that could become something you thoroughly enjoy and even find a sense of Comfort in? Jot these things down and then, the next time you engage with them, Be Very Present. Relish the Moment. See what a difference it makes for you. 

Life can truly be filled with many good things when we take the time to enJOY them as only we can. 
How will you Comfort yourself today? 

Copyright 2014 by Dawn Herring 

Note: This post was originally posted on my Refresh Daily Blog. I've shared it with you, my readers, so you wouldn't miss a thing. You're welcome to subscribe on my website! 

2014: My Year in Review

I am absolutely amazed how quickly this year of 2014 has gone by! It's such a surprise to me that it's time for my year-end review. This year has truly been a year of transition, re-prioritizing, and launching of many good things.

As I jotted down a list of things to share with you in my journal, I was amazed as to how much I had almost forgotten about, you know? It's like, when I think about things, sometimes it just doesn't feel that long ago or when it was months ago, I'm so focused on the present moment, that I sometimes forget all the good stuff!

Since I often talk about my Life Dimensions, I thought I would share with you my year based on the areas of life they are suited to, whether it's me as writer, artist, host, consultant, refreshment initiator, journal keeper or art journal keeper.

I'll begin with one of my favorite areas of Life as an Artist...I continue to greatly enjoy the Wonderful World of Watercolor. It's my favorite medium hands down in comparison to other mediums I've used, whether pencil, colored pencil, charcoal or pen and ink (and acrylics that I worked with early on in high school and beyond). Watercolor is fun to work and experiment with. I always get excited when I meet another watercolor artist, which is where I often derive inspiration when I see what others are doing with their paints. This year I started using Winsor Newton watercolor trays and tubes, which I now use exclusively for my watercolor canvas and paper paintings. I still use my Prang watercolors for my art journaling fun...which I've been doing for almost 5 years! I started my first art journal back in January of 2010 and I've never looked back. Art journaling is so much fun but it's also a powerful tool of understanding and personal expression that goes beyond words. I recommend it for anyone! You can check out my Dawn Herring Collection Art Gallery on my website to see all the paintings I've posted there. I did a total of 5 paintings this year: Tapestry in Translation, Tree of Heart, Dive, Potential, and one work is in progress! There are others from 2013 posted there as well. I have set some cool goals for my artsy side of life for 2015, and I also have a new space for my Art Studio/Gallery which I'm excited about.

Now I'll switch to another dimension as a Writer...first up in this category is my newly artistically -focused blog, Refresh Daily, on my website, which you can now subscribe to! I post my usual Fresh Perspective insights, but I also post about what inspires me and the inside details of my life as an Artist, which is my Authentic Refreshment revealed! I am having lots of fun sharing from my artsy point of view and would love for you to join me. We can all have a refreshed state of mind when we engage in something that Honors Who We Are, and one of my goals for Refresh Daily is to encourage you to find Yours!

I also continue to publish my monthly Refresh Journal  where I share insights from my life experience and share the best of what I find on the web in the journaling department as well as refreshing tips for your life dimensions. You're welcome to sign up for your personal copy!

I did two interviews this year...one was written for Marianne Rossi's Blog, Journaling for Your Life, where I shared about my journaling and art journaling practices. It was such fun detailing what I love engaging in so much.

The other interview was audio and was hosted by Linda Joy Myers of International Association of Memoir Writers; I presented Journaling for the Empowering Discovery of Who You Are. It was an honor to be interviewed by Linda and to share from my personal journalng experience as well as discuss being host of #JournalChat Live.

Which leads me to another Dimension of my Life: Journaling! As host of #JournalChat Live on Twitter and now Facebook as well, I having a joyous, refreshing time sharing and learning from other journal keepers. This year, I switched to using sketchbooks instead of lined books for my personal journaling. And boy, am I having a blast! I've added daily doodling to my evening routine, summarizing my days with words and phrases and having fun with Winsor Newton watercolor markers to brighten things up a bit! Didn't realize what a difference a sketchbook would make for me, especially for me as an artist. I find doodling and coloring so relaxing as I wrap up my day. You should try it! I continue to write a.m. and p.m. most days and sometimes a mid day entry depending on my work schedule. I love doing the dominant and non dominant writing and other techniques that have become mainstays in my daily journaling.

This year was the launch of my 21 Day Refresh Intensive Course; It was fun and insightful to engage with those who took the course and learned more about themselves in an Honoring and Intuitive Manner. I now offer the Course in PDF format so you can be refreshed anytime!

As Host of #JournalChat Live,  it's been a fun and insightful year and I am so appreciative of the Special Guests and contributors of our #JournalChat Live Events on both Twitter and Facebook. You can read the full list of what we engaged in with our #JournalChat Live friends! I so enjoy connecting with other journal keepers and those who encourage others to keep a journal for all the myriad benefits we can experience when we journal our lives.

New on the Dawn Herring Front is my newly re-launched website, Refresh with Dawn Herring, where I have added two new consulting services, Your Life Refreshed!, which is focused on Activating Your Creative Center for Daily Refreshment Authentic to Your Personality, Preferences and Purpose in Life, and Your Business Refreshed!, which is a combination of Creative Infusion and Social Media Marketing for greater visibility on the web. I'm excited to work with folks in these areas of development for their refreshment and success in their lives and businesses.

Wow. What a year it has been. My life is FULL, thanks to the many journaling, art journaling and writing and artist and many other friends I've connected with. It's been an insightful and fun journey as we learn and grow and care for each other.

I want to thank YOU, my readers and subscribers to this blog, For A Fresh Perspective and my newest blog, Refresh Daily. I appreciate your interest in what I do and who I Am. It's been fab sharing my life with you in 2014!

I look forward to what 2015 has in store for us; let's continue to enjoy this journey together---Refreshed! :)

© 2014 By Dawn Herring

Transition

When we are in transition, change is inevitable. I suppose that's why transition can often create challenge and difficulty for us; so we don't like change necessarily. Change means we have to do things differently than before when we've gotten so used to the way things were.

But that can also mean that we're in a rut. Sometimes it's good to change things up.

But what kind of transition are we talking about?

There can be the kind that we don't necessarily choose. The kind that blindsides you, like when you lose your job or your house goes into foreclosure because of financial difficulties or a relationship comes unraveled and you simply don't know how to put it all back together.

These kinds of transitions can throw us off our center, even for long periods of time. That's why it's so important to listen carefully to our inner wisdom so we can move through these transitions as authentically as possible, paying close attention to Who We Are and Who We Are Becoming.

Because with transitional change comes inner change as well.
But are we resisting that inner change?
Is it triggering questions about Who We Thought We Were?
Are we finding ourselves reckoning with possible Illusions about Who We Thought We Were?

That can make a transition painful, but if we choose to be honest and gentle with ourselves as we face these changes, we can slow down and take a closer look and really listen to our hearts and determine what is our most authentic path.

Perhaps these changes are a gift and we just don't see the ribbons or bows just yet.
Not all packages come in fancy attire. Sometimes they're just plain and we don't realize the gift that is inside, that is showing us Who We Really Are and it's the most beautiful thing we've ever seen in ourselves.

That can truly take us by surprise. But what a lovely surprise it is.

That can make that transition transform into one we now Choose for ourselves, knowing we are now following more readily our authentic path that we had found ourselves lost without. But we have found it once again, and now we know where we want to go and maybe, just maybe, we have the courage to follow that path into a place we thought we'd never reach. But it's just right there. We just have to go a little further.
We just need to hang on and not give up.

The world we live in needs to see us not give up and to follow our authentic path so others can be encouraged to follow their's, just in the nick of time because they almost turned away too.

You can never know how you can help make the world a more courageous, authentic place by choosing your authentic path, whether or not you feel afraid or doubtful or discouraged or wonder if you're simply crazy for wanting to go in this new direction you've never been on before but you know it's totally right for you and so you will go there.

But you know you need to have Faith that the Universe will be with you every step of the way so you are not alone. No, we are NOT alone. All is well.

So, be strong. Don't be afraid.
Listen to Your Heart.
When you're in transition, see it as a gift given to you from the Universe as your way of getting back on your authentic path, and as you walk it, look out for all the good stuff that's coming your way and don't give up when you meet up with resistance, because it will come. It's only part of the process.

But don't give up. Stay on the path. Be strong and full of courage.
Then you will see the sun rise and you will see good things come to pass.
Just believe and be strong.
You won't regret your authentic path; it is a winning way.
The only way that will truly satisfy.

© 2014 By Dawn Herring

A Rewind of 2012: My Life Dimensions

I find it such a joy to look back at this past year to see and remember all I have experienced both personally and professionally. I wanted to share my musings and rememberings with you, my dear readers!

My Life Dimensions of 2012:

As Grandma: I have had the joy of watching my grandboy grow and develop into the precious person he is and to know what a difference he makes to me and to my family. His laughter, his conversation, his point of view, his stepping stones, and his personality just light up my world adding wonderful, creative and insightful energy to my life experience which I enjoy sharing with friends and loved ones.

As Artist: I continue to immerse myself in the fun and fabulous world of art journaling, collage, and watercolor exploration. I have immensely enjoyed watching videos, reading and seeing art journaling/collage in living color on blogs, in newsletters and in books, and experimenting with my own layouts with new products and new approaches. Watercolor continues to be my medium of choice both solo and in my art journaling work (or should I say, PLAY!) I love its transparency, its versatility, and its vibrancy in my work as an artist. I look forward to every moment spent in my art studio in 2013 as I make time to refresh my spirit and soul in the process. It is my True Authentic Refreshment!

As Writer: I am delighted to share the publication of my first book, an e-book, titled, "The Birthday Wall: Create a Collage to Celebrate Your Child," a how-to book that shares our story of making a creative visual collage I put together for each of my daughters, and now for my grandboy, for their birthdays each year. It has been a fun journey to put the word out about how parents (and grandparents) can create a collage to celebrate their child's (grandchild's) birthday.

I was delighted to have my good writer friend, Sarah Bryant, share how The Birthday Wall helped her connect with her son for his birthday and beyond.

I have enjoyed sharing a fresh perspective in all of life's dimensions through my weekly Refresh Journal which coincides with my weekly #JournalChat Live for all things journaling.

When I have been impacted by a life experience that I find insightful and meaningful, I have enjoyed sharing these gained insights with you, my dear readers, right here on this blog, Refresh with Dawn Herring~For a Fresh Perspective. I appreciate all comments and feedback from those who have shared and with whom my message has resonated.

I also have had the wonderful opportunity to share and contribute to book tours. One was featured on my newest blog, The Birthday Wall, called, "Happy Birthday To You: My Childhood Memory," to spread the word about the book, Finding Emma by Steena Holmes. The other was featured on my #JournalChat blog, titled, "A Mom's Point of View on Mental Illness with Madeline Sharples," in connection with #JournalChat contributor, Madeline Sharples with her book, Leaving the Hall Light On.

I have written book reviews on Raw Art Journaling by Quinn McDonald and Creative Journal Writing by Stephanie Dowrick.

I have also published articles, "Finding Your Authentic Refreshment," (starts on page 25) in Outlet Zine, a online magazine focused on creative outlets and on All Things Healing.com titled, "Journal Your Way to Refreshment."

As Host of #JournalChat Live for all things Journaling on Twitter: I must say it has been a delightful, insightful and inspiring year of chatting with folks about the life-enhancing and life-changing benefits of keeping a journaling practice. Each week has been enlightening, fun and enlivening as we have shared personally about keeping a journal, asked questions, perused journaling resources from our #JournalChat Pick of the Week, and as we've encouraged one another to keep our practice as only We Can Do. Journaling is a Custom Creation of the Heart. MY THANK YOU.

As Journal Writer: I continue to benefit from a journaling practice that continues to thrive and grow and change as I do. This year I added a morning entry with no set page number where I can ready myself for the day, make plans, set goals, and remember what needs doing. I also write a nightly entry to help me summarize my day, write down my insights gained, and congratulate myself on a daily job well done. Journaling continues to help me appreciate, validate and nurture myself the way I need to each day, custom created by whatever approach, question, prompt I decide to use.

I have read many journal writing book titles to learn from other's approaches and read other's journal entries, and understand even more the benefits of journaling. There is always something new to learn from others who have kept a journaling practice and can share how they  have benefited; something I never tire of.

This has a been a delightful trip down memory lane as I've considered all of my wonderful life experiences; it has helped to give me a fresh perspective on all of my life dimensions and it fills my heart with gratitude for all I have been blessed with.

To my family, my friends, my network of artist, writing and journal writing friends, my readers and my subscribers, I wish a Fabulously Refreshing New Year of 2013.

May your year be filled with authentic refreshment that feeds and nurtures your heart and soul to enliven and enable you to make your very best mark in the world.

Don't ever forget to refresh yourself; from my heart to yours.

© 2012 by Dawn Herring

Freedom

freedom n the condition of being free, independence; frankness, outspokenness; exemption from a defeat or duty; unrestricted use.

When you think of freedom, what comes to mind?

The ability to come and go as you please? Eat whatever foods you want? Shop for your wardrobe without a concern for price? How about getting up and going to bed anytime you choose? Or being your own boss? Maybe it's choosing the activities that refresh you without regard for guilt or someone else's expectation for your time.

There are some dimensions of life that we wouldn't necessarily see as 'free' in our experience.

We have to budget our money, setting aside what is needed for clothing, food, shelter, etc. So we don't just buy whatever whenever, right? Otherwise you just end up in debt or worse. So we're more careful with how we handle our finances. But does being careful give us less freedom or more freedom? Do we feel inhibited by our choices or grateful that we have choices to make?

There are the choices we make for our work. Are we free to choose our own business rather than being employed outside our home? If we do, do we feel run by our business instead of us running it? Do we feel a sense of freedom to choose clients, or do we feel overwhelmed by our choices with whom to work for?

How about our relationships? In a sense, we are free to choose who we spend time with, whether with family, friends, or even colleagues, depending on the circumstances. But does our freedom to choose inhibit or liberate us? Do we feel obligated to be with someone when we don't necessarily want to be? Or do we know that the choices we make determine our sense of peace and personal freedom because we know how to set proper boundaries without severing ties, if we need not do so.

Sometimes responsibilities that we know aren't ours get into the life mix; what do we do with what feels like a loss of freedom in connection to those unexpected tasks and relationships? How can we fix a situation that we don't deem fixable? Do we compromise, yield, give in to whatever is asked of us and not getting what we know is important for our well being? Do we give up what we thought was freedom in our situation before this unexpected responsibility came up?

Or do we simply need a change in our mindset?

How we view or perceive things will determine the sense of freedom we actually have, whether concerning relationships, circumstances, responsibilities, challenges, new expectations laid upon us by our own selves or another, or choices we make in our daily existence.

If we understand that what we experience is presented to us as an opportunity to grow, to mature, to love, to nurture, these opportunities will enhance the quality of our lives when handled with gratitude, expectation, and willingness to let the Universe do what it will. Then our sense of freedom will grow and become an underlying mainstay.

When we resist the circumstances or the developments in a relationship and see them as just bothersome, heavy handed, and too challenging for our taste and refuse to transform it into a mine for gold, then our sense of freedom will be skewed, leaving us feeling angry, resentful, and even bitter toward our life circumstances.

And that's not a win for anybody.

It's not always easy to see the gold just below the rippling or even raging surface. But it's there. Just waiting to be discovered, appreciated, and used to our great benefit.

And when we become the stronger, the more capable, the more flexible, the more wise in the process, then our sense of freedom emerges and grows and spreads like a gold fire, filled with all kinds of possibilities that we would not otherwise know or experience.

The next time you sense your freedom being infringed upon, keep an open mind and an open heart to new possibilities. It will grow as you do.

© 2012 by Dawn Herring

Rewind

Stop. Pause. Rewind.

Remember those all-familiar buttons on those Sony Walkmans we used to keep on our hips for music portability? Of course, there was the all important Play button we used most often to keep those cool tunes floating into our headsets as we hung out in our rooms or walked the streets of our towns.

When we stop, we decide what song we will listen to.
When we pause, we want to hold the song in that very spot so we don't miss a beat no matter what may be interrupting us.
When we rewind, we just want to play that song again since it was so good the first time.

It is the same with life.
We stop what we're doing to decide what comes next.
We pause when we want to relish the moment rather than run right past it in our haste.
We rewind in order to go back to a previous time to rediscover our experiences and consider them with gratitude.

I'm ready to rewind the tape of my life that I've experienced in the year 2011 to ponder, pause, and consider with gratitude all that has come my way. I decided I wanted to share my musings with you, my dear readers!

Since my life is multi-dimensional, I thought I would approach my Rewind with these in mind:

First off, on The Herring Home Front, we welcomed our first grandchild, Jacob Lee, into the world, thus making me a first time Grandma! It has been a whirlwind of an occasion that has calmed to a very busy, active day-to-day experience, with lots of loving, burping, cuddling, talking and walking time as I interact with this new boy, this new person in my life. And the best part is he is always glad to see me, with those bright eyes and kicking legs showing his excitement. Oh, and then there's the conversation which seems to grow more interesting every day. He has so many stories to tell Grandma, and I am very eager to hear every one. What a blessing and joy he is. Indeed.

Next, is the Journal Writing leg of things.
For my personal journal writing practice of 27 years, I've recently added some new approaches that have really worked for me. I introduced Morning Pages (which you can read about in Julia Camerons' books), which is essentially a stream of consciousness approach to writing first thing in the morning. I also write my goals for work and home each day, clarifying with my Critical Six, the six things that will truly help me get where I want to go in all dimensions of life. (See James Ray's book, Harmonic Wealth.) I also added writing with alternate hands, first with my right, which is my dominant hand, and then with my left. This enables me to initiate the activation of both right and left brain, both logically and emotionally/creatively, in my journal writing practice.

Now for the more public side of journal writing. In addition to posting journal writing links each week, Monday through Friday, on Twitter, in June I began to host #JournalChat Live, a live chat for all things journaling on Twitter with a new topic to discuss every week. In conjunction with that, I introduced the #JournalChat Pick of the Day, which essentially is the post I choose from each day's links posted on Twitter (through my @JournalChat account and some on my @DawnHerring account), which I consider the one that resonates the most with my journaling experience or one that I feel has the most take-away value. Of course, there are days when I have several that I think are just fabulous, so I pick one or two others that I label "Runner UP" before posting the Pick of the Day.

In conjunction with #JournalChat Pick of the Day, I started the all new #JournalChat Pick of the Week which I select from all the picks I have chosen in the 4 days I post links on Twitter. Out of those four, I  choose one that has the topic I decide we will discuss on #JournalChat Live, which takes place each Thursday at 5 EST/2 PST on Twitter.

In association with #JournalChat and all things journaling, I also launched my e-journal, Refresh Journal, for all things journaling and refreshing. Included are links for Pick of the Days, a special section for Pick of the Week to inform those who plan to attend the live chat what our topic is with a suggested prompt for a journal entry as well as highlights from the previous live chat. I also enjoy sharing refreshing tips for home, work, kids, and yourself.  A column for The Artist and a song to listen to to get your week musically motivated are also included.

On the Social Network front: I have enjoyed connecting with all of my journal writing and writing friends through Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn as we share encouragement, our points of view, our accomplishments, and our dreams for the future. I have found myself smiling, laughing, and relating as I read Tweets, Statuses, and conversations/discussions in the social network sphere.

On the Blog front: It has been such a blessing to me to have subscribers and readers of this blog, JournalWriter Freelance~Refresh with Dawn Herring, where I have posted my musings, lessons learned, and point of view of daily life and what it all means to me. I have also enjoyed encouraging others to refresh themselves on a daily basis, which often initiates positive change in our lives when we take the time to nurture, validate, and appreciate who we are and what we're here for.

On the Creativity front: This year I decided it was time for me to venture into new artistic territory. I have been an artist since childhood, and there are things I have never tried before. So I immersed myself in reading books and trying out watercolor for the first time; boy, am I glad I did! It is my favorite medium, hands down. I have worked in pen and ink, acrylics, pencil, charcoal, and colored pencil up to this point. But watercolor is so vibrant and fun to use! I incorporated it into my new art journaling venture in mixed media which I started on January 1st and also have painted with just watercolor.

I also use and recommend that practice of collage, through image, text, journaling, and mixed media on the page. It has been eye-opening, resonating, and down right fun!! I look forward to my art journaling and watercolor on the weekends. I do hope to do much more of it in 2012.

This year has been a busy, active and learning time for me; I have so enjoyed connecting with artists, journal writers, and writers and other friends this year. You have been such an inspiration to me. Thank you.

I look forward to all 2012 has in store for me, connecting with my true self, my family, my friends, and my Creator.

Have a Super Fabulous, Most Refreshing Year Ever!!

© 2011 by Dawn Herring