As Laurie and I prepare to leave our soul sanctuary in Kerikeri and begin our new chapter in Panama, I’m letting go of some cherished treasures—including a beloved Persian rug and this joyful beeswax artwork, Aroha Rangitane.
This piece holds so much heart.
Created with pure NZ beeswax (encaustic) and mixed media, it captures the misty, magical mornings overlooking Aroha Island along the Rangitane coastline in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand—a place that has shaped my art, my spirit, and my life.
Aroha Rangitane
🖼 400 x 400 mm
✨ Encaustic (NZ Beeswax) + Mixed Media on Board
🌿 Inspired by the serenity and soft, luminous light of Kerikeri’s coastal mornings.
If you’ve ever wanted to own a piece of my New Zealand collection before I head to Panama, this is the moment.
Art with soul. A landscape of love. A reminder that beginnings and goodbyes can coexist beautifully.
Take a peek at the few available works I still have in my studio
https://shop.thejoyfulartist.co.nz/product-category/featured/
Message me for price, courier options, or to view before I leave.
Serenity is the vibe for Cloud Dancer, Pantone’s 2026 colour of the year.
Blanks slates and calm waters. New chapters, new vibes. Amen to that.
Cloud Dancer, a vanilla-whipped, fluffy off-white that appears less like a colour trend and more like the inside of a marshmallow.
It didn’t feel serene and cloud-like yesterday when we made the epic round trip to Auckland to the lockup. Only to find ours was filled to capacity, so we needed to order another. And this despite having let so much go – selling or donating!
My Golden Future mantra netted us a rental car upgrade…to a giant ute. And then that oh so welcome bottle of Krug at the end of the day!
Buen viaje! Happy travels to the much-loved table and chairs from the studio. Imbued with so much joy and creative energy. I’m so happy that it will become the center of a creative family’s home who have always wanted a large dining table around which to seat their huge family.
Buen viaje also to three of my beautiful rose paintings. Who knew that letting go could be filled with so much joy. It’s true when you make people happy, you make yourself happy too.
I also love the fact that Pantone‘s colour of the year is called “Cloud Dancer”. My mind, heart, and soul have always danced in the clouds ⛅️☁️
I received a message from a former coaching client yesterday. Her message absolutely lit me up. Panama feels like a grand, wild new adventure opening beneath our feet, and knowing that you’re excited for us makes it even sweeter.
And yes — I will definitely keep sharing on YouTube, in my writing, and with little updates from the road. It means the world that you want to come along for the journey. 
Amazon l Kobo l iBooks l Barnes and Noble
When you’re packing your entire life,
making international arrangements,
sorting storage,
booking flights,
selling furniture,
handling logistics,
navigating emotions,
and preparing to move across the world…
It’s stressful!!
Here are a few things I do to keep myself (in) sane!
1. Aromatherapy is a fav!
As I share in my book, The Art of Success: How Extraordinary Artists Can Help You Succeed in Business and Life, (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MDN8ILA)
Coco Chanel knew the alchemical potency of flowers and plants. She surrounded herself with nature’s elixir and amassed a fortune from the essential oils which helped make her perfume Chanel N°5 famous.
The transcendent alchemy of the potions that went into the Chanel N°5 formula was not left to chance. Grieving after her lover Boy Chapel’s death, Coco drew upon the essences of jasmine, ylang ylang, vetiver, and other restorative scents to imbue Coco’s Chanel N°5 with hope, healing, and the sensual confidence that love lost would be found again.
Aromatherapy, using the scents of plants and flowers, is one of many ancient remedies validated by modern science today. It’s the Swiss army knife of all things healing—physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
2. Laugh!
“I love people who can smile in trouble.”
~ Leonardo da Vinci
“Discovering more joy does not, I’m sorry to say, save us from the inevitability of hardship and heartbreak. In fact, we may cry more easily, but we will laugh more easily, too,” says Archbishop Desmond Tutu in The Book of Joy.
“Perhaps we are just more alive. Yet as we discover more joy, we can face suffering in a way that ennobles rather than embitters. We have hardship without becoming hard. We have heartbreak without being broken.”
Taking yourself or your life too seriously only increases stress. When you learn to laugh in spite of your difficulties, you light up the world.
“When people just look at your face,” the Dalai Lama said to the Archbishop, “You are always laughing, always joyful. This is a very positive message.”
Call to Action
You may not feel like it, but give laughter a go. Watch a funny movie, stream a stack of whacky comedies, go to a comedy show, or watch a clip on YouTube. Hang out with people who know how to have a good time, go to a Laughing Yoga class, or ask someone to tickle you!
Personally, I have found great joy in my painting, my writing, my community (you), and my soft, little friends.
Stress is part of modern life—but chronic stress doesn’t have to control you.
In today’s fast-paced world, millions struggle with overwhelming pressure from work, relationships, family demands, and constant digital overload. If you’re feeling burned out, anxious, exhausted, or simply stuck, you’re not alone.
The good news? Relief is possible.
Joy is reclaimable.
Resilience is learnable.
In Stress Less. Love Life More, international bestselling author and holistic therapist Cassandra Gaisford (BCA, Dip Psych) shares proven, practical stress management strategies to help you feel calmer, clearer, and more empowered—no matter what life throws your way.
Drawing on positive psychology, neuroscience, and over two decades of professional experience supporting high-performing executives, teens, creatives, entrepreneurs, and everyday people, Gaisford reveals simple, effective tools that truly work.
Quick fixes and long-term strategies to reduce overwhelm, boost resilience, and restore balance.
Science-backed ways to reconnect with joy, purpose, and passion.
Learn to recognise early warning signs before burnout takes hold.
From workplace pressure to sudden life challenges, gain confidence and clarity.
Build resilience that lasts a lifetime.
Revitalise your energy, creativity, confidence, and motivation.
Simple rituals and mindset shifts to feel lighter, brighter, and more aligned.
Stress Less. Love Life More blends evidence-based psychology with holistic wisdom, offering tools such as:
Gaisford’s compassionate voice and real-world experience make this the ultimate lifestyle guide for anyone wanting to feel calmer, happier, and more grounded.
You’ll love this book if:
If you checked even one of these boxes, this book will meet you exactly where you are—and lift you higher.
Expanding on Cassandra Gaisford’s bestselling titles—The Art of Success, Mid-Life Career Rescue, and How to Find Your Passion and Purpose—this book explores the real tension between living an inspired life and managing real-world responsibilities.
Stress isn’t a weakness—it’s a tool.
When understood and harnessed, it becomes a catalyst for growth, creativity, and transformation.
Packed with uplifting guidance, powerful insights, and practical stress relief techniques, Stress Less. Love Life More will help you:
This book is your personal coach, cheerleader, and companion—here to encourage you, inspire you, and remind you that:
Happiness is your birthright. Joy is your nature. Calm is your power.
And you can claim all of it—starting today.
Thanks to everyone for your encouragement and for your gorgeous wishes — I’m receiving them with a full, grateful heart.
Here’s to joy, new horizons, unexpected magic, and a beautiful Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 for you too.
Much love,
Posted in: Blog
Tags: panama
ABOUT CASSANDRA
I am an artist, storyteller, intuitive guide, mentor and Reiki master. All my creations are infused with positive energy , inspiration, and light. I believe in magic and the power of beauty, joy, love, purpose, and creativity to transform your life. My greatest joy is helping your realize your dreams. That makes my soul sing!
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