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" What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year. " - Vernon McLellan
In Britain the top 3 resolutions for 2022 were: improving fitness, better diet and losing weight. Last January, instead of making a resolution, I chose a word to set my intention for the year:
❄️ Gentleness ❄️
I have carried it in my pocket and held onto it over the last 12 months. It has been an ally on my shoulder guiding me, a whisper in my ear supporting me and a friend by my side.
As the year unfolded, I discovered that there is more to ‘gentleness’ than meets the eye. There is much meaning and depth to it. It has countless facets and fits into all areas of life. It brings smoothness to sharp angles, softens tensions and is available to everyone.
In 2022 I joined “A Touch of Gentleness”. A not-for-profit community of people who are committed to bringing ‘connection, touch, and gentleness’ back to society. Together, with a team of volunteers we attended a free training day to practice the art of listening and learn a hand massage. This service is then offered to local communities through care homes, hospices, organisations and any other venues and events. I have witnessed transformations not just in the receivers of the hand massage but also in the volunteer-givers.
I found it a very fulfilling insightful experience.
Some of the kind words people shared after their hand massage experiences were:
" My hands feel as light as a feather, I had no idea I was carrying so much tension. " - CS
"The hand massage is more relaxing than I thought and I like the way you are listening to me, I can tell you are listening for real without judgement. I feel much lighter now. " - A Gentleman at the Beacon
" I really needed someone to hold my hand - it's been so long. " - RG
As winter settles in, end of year festivities are easing off. January can feel like a slow and deflating month for some. I can’t imagine a better time to bring gentleness to life and welcome it into our world in a more mindful and deliberate way. Here are 2 ideas to get you started in 2023 it is as easy as 1 2 3!
1 - FIND OUT ABOUT A TOUCH OF GENTLENESS I highly recommend the free in person (UK) or online course which combines, reflection, theory, hands-on practice of giving / receiving hand massage and simply connecting with other people. An inspirational and solid training during which Helen Prosper, the founder, gives us the skills, motivation and confidence to go out and share gentle touch with friends, family and the wider community. This course is now available overseas too. |
2 - SIGN UP TO GENTLE JANUARY An invitation to a journey around the world of gentleness that you will be able to add to your self-care toolkit. A self-led online course bringing daily doses of gentleness into your life. 7 emails to your inbox with a short and sweet audio guiding you and downloadable worksheets to capture your experience. Start any time in January and access the course for 12 months. To celebrate their 1st birthday, all the profits of this course will be donated to A Touch of Gentleness so they can carry on training volunteers for free and spread their wings. |
Individually and collectively let’s create space for gentleness this New Year and dare to be the change you want to see in your organisation, family, community and life!
Image credit:
Photo by Laurice Manaligod on Unsplash
Dandelion logo: A Touch of Gentleness
Such a thoughtful beautiful blog expressing the uniqueness, strength and medicine that gentleness can offer. x