How to Live More Courageously

In this episode, we'll explore how moving into "judgment mode or fix it mode" can be exactly what you DON'T need. We shouldn't expect life to be as if we're walking around sedated by singing bowls. It's okay to feel the way you feel. Without judgment from yourself or others. When we invite anger, resentment, and anxiety in, we are accepting those emotions for what they are- part of us.

“Nobody objects to a woman being a good writer or sculptor or geneticist if at the same time she manages to be a good wife, good mother, good-looking, good-tempered, well-groomed, and unaggressive.” Leslie M. McIntyre In this episode, we explore "people pleasing" and how exhausting it is to direct your energy to the whims of others. We also chat about the significance of reflection and creating a relationship with yourself. How important it is to take the time to know yourself and act in alignment with what lights YOU up.

This is a 5 minute mediation - including a visualization of the ocean. Connecting the experience of the quiet just beneath the waves with the quiet that’s within us- just below our inner chatter.

Coffee Chat @kismetcoffeecompany - Aug 9th! Be sure to grab your Tickets Coffee Chat @henleysvilllagetavern- Aug 21st! Tickets Hope you guys are doing well. If you did not already see -I posted the next two coffee chats. The last two of the summer. The first one will be Aug 9th back at Kismet Coffee and then after that, it will be a Henleys Aug 21st. Henleys is graciously offering the space for me to come in a host the coffee chat- so it won't be dependent on the weather which Kismet is. For the next coffee chat, I recommend my last episode and interview with Jacqui Deflorio. I have also created a journal guide with key takeaways from the episode to help get you thinking about the episode so when you come to share you are all set!  Hope to see you there.  Meditation ( discern the inner voice ) know your own instincts and intuition. Which ultimately allows you to know what you like, and what your passions are and therefore guide you towards your purpose.  I recently heard an interview with Light Watkins @lightwatkins. Light Watkins is an expert meditation and spiritual teacher who speaks of “following your curiosity” that whisper that may direct you in a way that is true to yourself. Internal nudges/hunches- we struggle to hear them because as we get older curiosity feels extracurricular to what’s important, job, marriage, kids, etc. But that just may be the voice that guides us towards our passions and or purpose.  The other voices are there too, and the only one that gets the loudest is the one you listen to the most and act on the most.  How do we get to listen to the Inner Voice, we create opportunities for stillness. And we listen and we take the small hops and see how it goes as Light suggests. I also loved what Jacqui said about seeing your own path in front of you. If you can see the path it’s not yours. Yours in the path right under your feet.  So when you think of taking the next step -Instead of a leap of faith it's a hop of faith. Deborah Adele also compares this to trapeze artists when she explains the Yama of Aparigraha * non-possessiveness Like a trapeze artist you must let go of the first bar to be completely suspended in the air to then catch the hands of the next. You can't hold on to what you think you know. We want so desperately to know what the right steps are and how they will lead us to the happiness or fulfillment we seek but the reality is we can’t know. We see this now. Especially with young adults. You said if I got good grades, went to a good school, got a great job- 2.5 kids and a dog I’d be happy. Why aren't I?!! Also explains why The Yale happiness class, formally known as Psyc 157: Psychology and the Good Life, is one of the most popular classes to be offered in the university’s 320-year history. But if we listen and take a chance on curiosity, not focusing on the outcome not overanalyzing the situation simply letting it be, we don't know where it may take us. We can’t be future goal-setters with yesterday's expectations. So the week we take this small practice into our days as suggested by Deborah Adele  Practice with the breath. Practice the art of letting go with the breath. Be aware of the inhales and exhales. Breathing in life without the need to hold on to it. Journal how you feel after this practice, and maybe then— try something you are curious about.  Until next time be well. 

In this episode, we discuss the importance of meditation and how it can be accessible to all. Jacqui explains that meditation is a vital necessity. She emphasizes that meditating is an invitation to cultivate a relationship with oneself as the most important person in one's life. And if this is not the priority, other relationships will wane. We also discuss how meditation can be part of your day and not an addition to your day.  As always -this conversation with Jacqui is one of my favorites, she is always opening my eyes and heart to new teachings and I am forever grateful. Her words really are medicine. I hope you enjoy this. Here is my interview with Jacqui Deflorio.  Takeaways : Meditation is vital. Actually, it's a vital necessity. If you can breathe, you can meditate The meditative state is our intrinsic nature. If your relationship with yourself is not the priority then all other relationships will wane in comparison. By not knowing ourselves as intimately as we are meant to we never actually touch our essence and thereby we're only half living. Like Yoga, meditation is an inner size, not an exercise. A committed daily practice of 5- 10 min a day of meditation is going to hone the skill or build the muscle necessary for that presence of mind and that presence of being in order to know what our purpose is. Your breath is always with you, and your breath is a tool to drop into the self, slow down the moment. Know your passion. know your purpose. If you can see the path out in front of you, it's not your path. Your path is the one directly under your feet. I know this was a long one but I hope you enjoyed this conversation and if you did post about the episode tag me @ morningmugspodcast or tag Jacqui @omtarayogastudio or share this episode with someone.  Lastly, the most impactful thing you can do is leave a review on Apple podcast.  ***Don’t forget to check out Jacqui’s podcast It’s All Yoga which can be found on Apple Podcast and Spotify.  So until next time. Be well.

In this episode Jackie and I discuss self-care, motherhood, and the importance of community. We also have a laugh at how Jackie interrupts that awful, judgy little voice we all struggle with. Jackie is a Women's Empowerment Coach -helping women uncover their purpose & define their own path in the world. She is also theBeyond Small Talk creator & co-host: IG Live turns podcast. To hear more from Jackie be sure to follow Beyond Small Talk on your favorite podcast platform and check her out on IG @jackie_janiec If you are interested in one-on-one coaching or co-host opportunities on Beyond Small Talk- reach out to Jackie @jackie_janiec Takeaways from the episode: -Empowerment is being able to stay curious, and vulnerable, and being able to ask yourself those really tough questions that bring you on this journey.  -It’s important to make tangible bite-size actions -Just do little things. Momentum and consistency are what will get you where you want to be in the long run -Self- Care becomes contagious -Don’t  be afraid to experiment with self-care, see how you feel after -No is a complete sentence -Women setting up boundaries is perfect for self-care -When you begin a practice and hate it, that’s okay remind yourself of how you feel after -Women's circles can provide a place to be seen and heard

Morning Mugs workshops and coffee chats are here ! Listen along to hear all about the new events that are rolling out this summer . For more details be sure to follow- @morningmugspodcast on Instagram. #summerofaction

"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. " - Anne Lamott In this episode, we explore the ancient teaching of the Upanishads to shed some light on how we can move out of chaotic business and into stillness. When we are coming from a place of overwhelm it is very difficult to tap into our creativity. When we are caught in the external stimulus of the world, unable to drop in and hear ourselves- we get stuck. Using breath as a tool to switch off the noise and give the nervous system a break- we can come back to ourselves.

In this episode we’ll chat about the ending of the year and the beginning of summer. In many ways the ending of the school year is ritualistic. However ritual helps us to end and begin again without carrying the deadweight of what we have left behind. As we begin the summer season I invite you to reflect on how you want to show up and feel these next two months. I invite you to reflect on your previous summers do a little inventory. And try some time blocking strategy is that will help you enjoy the experiences you look forward to during summer as well as maintain your goals that you’ve been working on throughout the year.

“The world will ask who you are, and if you do not know, the world will tell you.”― Carl Jung In this episode, we explore the importance of listening to your inner voice. With all the external chatter that surrounds us, it is often difficult to "hear" ourselves. If we want to live a life on our terms -we need to take the time to know what our desires are. What kind of a life are we seeking? Absent from the noise of the world, we need to come home to ourselves.