MSI Press Blog

    excerpt from  How to Stay Calm in Chaos  by Julie Gentile Wednesday Stay Realistic You’ve reached the point of the week. Do you have realistic expectations for how your day and the rest of the week will go? As a recovering perfectionist, there are still some days I think I can get more things done than I realistically can. I accept that. Although my schedule can be unpredictable and I usually want to resolve everything I can as quickly as I can, I’m learning to be more realistic and to give myself grace when the things I think should get done don’t.   You can’t expect yourself to do it all, even if you think you should, so please don’t hold yourself to your pre-crisis standards. Accept what you can do today and let that be enough. The least important to-dos will have to wait. Like me, you’re likely not able to accomplish things in the way you’re used to, so be a rebel and set your own standards and boundaries.   To stay realistic, I anticipate a few thi...

  In this week's blog post, Julie Gentile, author of two award-winning books, suggests a way to get the best sleep of your life . For more posts about Julie and her books, click  HERE . Find out more about Julie's book,  108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas .  IPPY Living Now bronze medal  and  Book Excellence Award . Find out more about Julie's book,  How to Stay Calm in Chaos .  Kops-Fetherling International Book Awards honorable mention: Mind/Body/Spirit. To purchase copies of any MSI Press book at 25% discount, use code FF25 at  MSI Press webstore . Want to read an MSI Press book and not have to buy for it? (1) Ask your local library to purchase and shelve it. (2) Ask us for a review copy; we love to have our books reviewed. VISIT OUR  WEBSITE  TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL OUR AUTHORS AND TITLES. Sign up for the MSI Press LLC monthly newsletter (recent releases, sales/discounts, awards, reviews, Amazon top 100 list, author...

   In a world that rushes, mindfulness invites us to pause. It’s not a trend or a technique—it’s a way of being. A gentle return to the present moment, where breath meets awareness and thought softens into observation. Whether you're walking through a Mission garden, editing a tribute, or simply sipping tea beside a sleeping cat, mindfulness is the art of noticing without judgment. 🧘 What Is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention—on purpose, in the present moment, and without criticism. It’s not about emptying the mind but about witnessing it. Thoughts come and go like clouds across the sky. We don’t chase them or resist them. We simply notice. This practice has roots in Buddhist tradition, but it’s found in many spiritual paths, including Christian contemplative prayer and Franciscan simplicity. It’s also supported by modern science, shown to reduce stress, improve focus, and deepen emotional resilience. 🕯️ Everyday Mindfulness You don’t need a meditat...