Living Ever So Gently

I’m thrilled to share the collaboration has begun with an amazing illustrator for my first children’s book!! The release date will be later this year, specifics TBD. This road is one I haven’t traveled before, so a learning curve is ever present. But the journey will be delightful as I watch my adorable character come to life in color on pages through beautiful illustrations. Not to mention, the important message included in the story for both children and adults. More information will follow throughout the year as progress moves forward, and I’m sporting a Big smile…

like this happy canine!

So, food for thought in haiku form…

visualize dreams
transform into intentions
rewards lie in wait

As I’ve mentioned in prior posts, the progress for my upcoming book, Ever So Gently, is slowly advancing. Life has interrupted at times, but the plan is to release it next month. For the cover, I wanted a minimalist design with soothing shades to complement the title and message I’m conveying. I may play around with the font and placing of the text, but below is a mock sample:

A snippet from the introduction:

Ever So Gently expresses how I welcome nature’s offerings. The gentle way in which I should react to life’s challenges. The gentle grace in my heart that is full of gratitude for the love in my life, for being loved. For the support of my family and friends through every stumble and every celebration. When I greet a new day, I am reminded to breathe and live gently. We live in a world riddled with chaos and tragedy, but beauty surrounds us if we open our eyes. I may not always succeed in gentle, but if I slip up, I will try again. A variety of emotions is felt throughout the collection because life can be joyful, but it can also be messy. As to the style of poetry, most are free verse, but since I enjoy trying different forms, I’ve included syllabic poetry as well.

Style notwithstanding, the purpose of compiling this collection is for you, the reader, to discover at least one, but hopefully, a few poems that will evoke a special memory or remind you that you are not alone living with the emotions in your heart. Perhaps you’ll get a good laugh or experience an aha moment. Most importantly, when you turn the last page, I hope you discover the reward of living Ever So Gently.

Thank you for reading and for your wonderful support in the past! Stay tuned for more information on both books in future posts. May your weekend be filled with adventure and big smiles! ❤️

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Canine photo by Marco Carrillo on Pexels.com

In Good Company

When we stroll through
a redwood grove,
our steps become gradual,
knowing we are in
good company.
We don’t want to rush
the experience,
and we won’t hesitate
to hug them with
wide open arms,
because, why not?
They deserve reverence
for their generosity.
You see,
in their company,
we feel silk threads
of peace
flowing through
our hearts and souls,
centering us.
Any worries
burdening
our minds before
fall to the earth
to be walked upon
and buried.
And we listen
as their leaves
whisper to us
in the breeze,
“Be filled with joy
and do not fret,
for there is no time
for that nonsense.”

Lauren Scott, baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

The Gift

Life is like a package
placed in our cupped hands,
wrapped in festive paper,
tied in matching ribbons
we unravel first.
Heartbeat increases
from excitement
of what we’ll find.

We lift the lid,
peek inside,
but unlike paper,
recyclable,
the gift of life
cannot be tossed back
into the universe.
No spare awaits

on the sidelines.
The contents
require tenderness,
but first lies a set
of instructions
unique to the recipient,
as visible as
a red rose in
a garden of daisies.
If those guidelines

are followed
with gratitude, bravery,
and tenacity,
the purpose of our gift,
so delicately given,
will come as naturally
as the moon on a night,
deeper than the deepest sea.

Lauren Scott (c) 2022