In the second episode of The Winter Orchids series, Jodi Rose Gonzales explores grace as the art of holding both — softness and strength, boundaries and compassion, gratitude and grief. Drawing on her artwork Grace, adorned with jeweled armor and delicate fern fronds, Jodi invites you to consider how creative practice teaches us to embrace the AND instead of living in either/or. This episode offers a timely reflection for the holiday season and closes with a powerful art-based mindfulness practice to help you move with both courage and tenderness. Key Takeaways 1. Embracing the AND Our culture often demands we choose: strong or soft, grateful or grieving, generous or boundaried. Grace invites integration. You can say no AND remain kind, protect your energy AND stay connected. 3. Gratitude as Reciprocity True gratitude flows both ways: giving AND receiving. Grace-filled gratitude honors what we conserve as much as what we contribute — thanking ourselves for the boundaries that preserve our ability to give wholeheartedly. 3. The Neuroscience of Grace and Integration Holding paradoxes engages the brain’s integration networks, cultivating emotional flexibility. Creative processes like artmaking help the nervous system practice coexistence — where protection and openness can live side by side. We’d love to hear your reflections or stories of transformation. Share your thoughts with us @JodiRose.Studio on IG or Facebook or tag us on social media using #TheiROSEPodcast. Resources & Links iROSE Society: https://www.jodirosestudio.com/society Explore the Winter Orchids Art Collection: https://jodirosestudio.square.site/product/winter-orchids-collection-hope-faith-grace-set-of-three-prints-/LCZDQLQGUFNMLX7WESRRWG3R?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=VY3O2NG4MYGDGMHWUTLJSCXZ

In the second episode of The Winter Orchids series, Jodi Rose Gonzales explores grace as the art of holding both — softness and strength, boundaries and compassion, gratitude and grief. Drawing on her artwork Grace, adorned with jeweled armor and delicate fern fronds, Jodi invites you to consider how creative practice teaches us to embrace the AND instead of living in either/or. This episode offers a timely reflection for the holiday season and closes with a powerful art-based mindfulness practice to help you move with both courage and tenderness.

Key Takeaways

1. Embracing the AND
   Our culture often demands we choose: strong or soft, grateful or grieving, generous or boundaried. Grace invites integration. You can say no AND remain kind, protect your energy AND stay connected.
2. Gratitude as Reciprocity
   True gratitude flows both ways: giving AND receiving. Grace-filled gratitude honors what we conserve as much as what we contribute — thanking ourselves for the boundaries that preserve our ability to give wholeheartedly.
3. The Neuroscience of Grace and Integration
   Holding paradoxes engages the brain’s integration networks, cultivating emotional flexibility. Creative processes like artmaking help the nervous system practice coexistence — where protection and openness can live side by side.

We’d love to hear your reflections or stories of transformation. Share your thoughts with us  @JodiRose.Studio on IG or Facebook or tag us on social media using #TheiROSEPodcast.

Resources & Links

iROSE Society: https://www.jodirosestudio.com/society

Explore the Winter Orchids Art Collection: https://jodirosestudio.square.site/product/winter-orchids-collection-hope-faith-grace-set-of-three-prints-/LCZDQLQGUFNMLX7WESRRWG3R?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=VY3O2NG4MYGDGMHWUTLJSCXZ