What one simple activity do you practice consistently that increases your joy, peace, calmness, focus, bliss?

I really find this to be seasonal – in the winter and early spring, my joy and peace and focus comes from my journaling practice.  I get up an hour or two before my family, grab a cup of tea and a blanket, and my basket of journals, books, pens, and meditation “tools”.  Sometimes light a candle. Sometimes the cat crawls into my lap to join me.  This hour of centering before starting my day is enormously grounding during the chaotic holidays and following months which are traditionally very busy in my business.

In the late spring through early fall, I go to the beach.  A lot.  The sand, the sun, the ocean waves, the smell of sunscreen – it all brings me back to my happy childhood memories and I feel bliss and contentment almost instantly!

What place or surroundings bring you the most joy?

Stressful Situation > Breathe.  I have learned to stop and breathe.  It really is that simple. Even in the midst of a stressful situation, a deep breathe lets go of so much stress and allows your brain to think clearly. It works.  Try it!

What one simple activity do you practice consistently that increases your joy, peace, calmness, focus, and bliss?

I do different things, but one of my favorites is to sit in my backyard find inner silence and enjoy the view; the birds, the butterflies, the sun, the wind, the clouds. It connects me to the core of my being; and with the “ALL”.

What place or surroundings bring you the most joy?

Any place outdoors. Mother Earth has its own magic and I enjoy connecting with it.

Name one moment of awareness that has changed everything for you.

Throughout the years, I have had and still have many “aha” moments that changes everything for me. The awareness that we are never done, that we are constantly changing, growing, and evolving is life changing.

When faced with a stressful situation what do you do to get through it with grace and ease?

I let it be. I believe that a stressful situation has many gifts for us if we only take the time to be with it instead of fleeing from it. After the situation has passed I often step back and up to detached from it and see the bigger picture, learning so much about me.

Monica Jones

Monica Jones is the founder of From Loss to Love, a Grief Transformation Guide, Writer, Karuna/Reiki Master, Bereaved Parent, Intuitive Energy Healer, and Meditation and Yoga Instructor, with the mission to assist grieving souls by providing them with the tools needed to heal many layers of the self which results in not only inner transformation but in a new way of flowing through life from a place of love and happiness regardless of any conditions. In this understanding you will re-discover your unique divine nature, inner and universal power.

www.fromlosstolove.com & www.facebook.com/fromlosstolove

 What one simple activity do you practice consistently that increases your joy, peace, calmness, focus, bliss?

If I have to choose one activity, I would say that is meditation. I started a few months ago, and definitely it´s a beautiful moment in my day that changes everything. I learned it by myself, I started looking for some peace, to stop or reduce my anxiety. I began sitting on the floor, closing my eyes and breathing, then I learned some techniques of mindfulness that gave me more answers, but I think I am on my way to creating my own method. Sometimes I woke up late, but I told myself that I need a few minutes for me to start in a different way. And it´s wonderful, sometimes it´s not easy, but it´s good for me, for my body, for my peace.

What place or surroundings bring you the most joy?

The beach or quite places like a park, places that have a lot of nature, big gardens, when I can see a beautiful sky. A place that I can disconnect from traffic. I love to see the ocean, to breath sea breeze.

Name one moment of awareness that has changed everything for you.

When I was studying my specialization in body coaching in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Coach told us to imagine inside our body something that is bothering us. In that moment I thought that I didn´t have anything, then I began to move my body, and there was an image that was like a fireball. In that moment I knew the meaning of that fireball, but my mind told me that I didn´t want to work around that event. In that moment, I knew what that fireball represented: an event that hurt me too much, many years ago. However, my body told me another thing, that I wasn´t over that event, and I need it to work. I chose to work, to feel it. I cried a lot, I moved my body, and created different states, and then I found peace. That day I discovered that my body knows what I need, and that is so important for me to listen, to feel and to follow it.

When faced with a stressful situation what do you do to get through it with grace and ease?

The breathing and the connection with my body. When I am really stress, I take 5 or 10 minutes to breathe slowly, sometimes I close my eyes, and only concentrate on breathing.

Another way is to go for a run or to energize my body; something changes in me when I pass through my body.

Sometimes I tell myself that I can, that I am a woman with power, and I remember events that showed me or demonstrate that I could, and if I could in the past, I can do it today.

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What one simple activity do you practice consistently that increases your joy, peace, calmness, focus, bliss?

Singing! For a too long time, I was singing for everyone, except myself. Now, I understand that when I sing or write a song, it is to express myself, release negativity and replace it with a warm feeling of joy. Doing daily warm ups is also a way to connect myself in the ”here and now”.

What place or surroundings bring you the most joy?

In my family’s home or in the forest, near a lake. So peaceful!

Name one moment of awareness that has changed everything for you.

On August 2013, I decided to tell myself (and the others) YES when I feel like a YES, and NO when I feel like a NO. I started meditation, yoga and… Singing for myself !

When faced with a stressful situation, what do you do to get through it with grace and ease?

I meditate and pray. I believe in angels and spiritual guides, so I speak to mine every night and in every – stressful or not – situation. Everything suddenly gets clearer.

Bio:

Cassy is a French Canadian, singer-songwriter and a vocal coach since 2004. She discovered few years ago that singing can make miracles to heal someone’s life. She made her students better singers, but also aware of their bodies, needs, reduce their stress, making them not just believe but achieving their dreams. From this is born The Zen Singing, a vocal approach to connect the voice, body and mind.

www.thezensinging.com