Happy Spring Equinox and Hello March!

I got to thinking about something Michelle Obama talked about in an interview when discussing raising her girls. She said she tried to instill something in them - the fact that life is mostly the mundane - the in betweens - it's not the BIG moments of wow that fill our lives. It's the tiny, small, micro-moments - folding laundry, taking your kids to their 10000000 activity, making school lunches, binge watching a series (or several!), quiet mornings, the routine of our lives. Yet we are constantly comparing our lives to others on social media, in pop culture and wonder why we are so discontented? What if we focused more inward on the beautiful moments in our everyday lives?
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What if you could find EXTRA in the ordinary? It is so easy to find joy if we only seek it...notice it. It's all around us.
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This gorgeous cup of delight is a great example of pure joy. The "Ooooh Baby Matcha" from Makana's Eatery in Asbury Park, NJ, a lightly-sweetened, ube-infused creamy delight is full of so much YUM. Not only is it gorgeous to look at, but the creaminess, the way the flavors balance each other, the size of the ice cubes, the separation and how the colors blend as I sipped it. Everything about it was delightful. Why? I was uber present to its ube magic. Ask my kids, they will tell you I do a Ted Talk on the magic of this matcha.
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Consider this an invitation. What can you do to find pure joy in the ordinary of the everyday? It's a challenge perhaps. The state of the world is OUT OF CONTROL - for those of us who are SA survivors, or feel easily triggered by our news cycle, I encourage you to protect your peace. Spend more time creating than consuming and take BIG breaks from your social feeds. The Epstein Files, Iran, ICE, Israel, Ukraine, and now Cuba? It's all just too much. I get it. The world is filled with heartbreak. I feel it and I honor it. It's why I make it a priority for me and those I work with - it feels like joy may be the ultimate rebellion. Pursue joy at all costs, not only do you deserve it, but it is the elixir to calm rattled nerves and balance the pain we took often feel in our everyday lives.
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So start to get excited about the everyday. Create joy practices to buoy the bad. I encourage you to try it out - how much joy can you find in the everyday?

Take time to notice more nature, more kindness, more connection. Remember our focus goes to where our energy flows - so flow into the magic of the mundane. Focus on the EXTRA in the ordinary - let me know what you find!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
​xoGabrielle

In other news...

BUY MY NEW BOOK!!

​Click here for your copy. I really LOVE the book. The response has been beautiful - and I'm excited for more people to check it out.
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I'm doing a little pop up event on Saturday, May 1st at Lifetime Fitness in Red Bank. I will be selling copies of my book, and promoting Mother's Day boxes in collaboration with my friend and colleague Aubriana Sweet of A Sweet Production! Together we do event decor, weddings, florals, private events and projections big and small. You can swing by to pre-order a Mother's Day Joy Box complete with my book, a bouquet of fresh flowers (two styles to choose from) and whimsical gifts that reflect joy expressions from the book. Just one more way to infuse more joy into the everyday! Sadly, the event scheduled for 4/30 at White Chapel Projects was cancelled.

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JUNE - JOY POP UPS / LOS ANGELES

As is life, all things change. I thought I was going to do a retreat in Michigan this May however the stars were misaligned so I am setting my sights on LA for June. In the early stages of planning, however I hope to do at least one or two events in LA hen I come to town to spread more joy. If you are an LA-based friend or colleague and want to connect about potential collaborations, lunch & learns, workshops, pop-ups, or leadership events please connect with me here.

MORE JOY - MORE PRESENCE - MORE LIFE!