How & Why Daily Practices Impacts your Happiness

Last blog post I made a list of 10 things you can do every day to stay happy.
Every practice on that list deserves a spotlight, which is why I’ll do a post on each.

But first, I’d like to go a little deeper on HOW & WHY your daily practice impacts your happiness (and overall well-being).

I just completed a personal development program from Tony Robbins called Personal Power II…
A-MA-ZING! (If you don’t know who Tony Robbins is, check him out here).

I learned SO much about myself! I also learned about the importance of daily rituals (which I call daily practices).

He explains that failure and success are not a ONE TIME big event that happens in your life, but rather it’s the result of all the little rituals you do every day before you’re living successfully.

Plus, what you do EVERY SINGLE DAY is quite literally the results of your life!

Now, if you’re familiar with his work (and based on what I’ve shared with you here), you’ll know that his teachings are driven to bring you success in your life.
My approach with this concept is to apply it to become successful at feeling happiness and love.

You see, for me, success IS joy…its living in the present moment, feeling good, feeling self-love, living happily ever after in the NOW.

Once I can accomplish feeling those emotions on a regular basis, then I know FOR SURE I can accomplish all the goals and desires I set up for myself.

So how & why can daily practices impact your happiness?

Based on what I learned from Tony Robbins, happiness is not a one-time event, that once you reach it, it’s yours forever more.

When you regularly practice happiness, you start to become familiar with that emotion, and once your mind and body become familiar with that emotion, you’ll be naturally feeling joy more of the time.

Also, daily practices are a powerful way to prime your mind, body, and energy to get you through the day feeling connected to yourself, and more importantly, feeling a sense of fulfillment.

Over time, you’ll start to believe that you can accomplish ANYTHING – big or small – because you conditioned your mind to believe that you can…all thanks to your daily practices.

Remember, life is happening NOW. Practice feeling good now! Don’t just let life happen to you; get control of your emotions and your states so YOU decide how life is going to turn out.

Make it a ritual, and you’ll see the impact your practice will have on your happiness and life.

I’d love to hear from you!

What daily practices do you have that set you up for the day?

Feel free to share this post with family and friends 😃

Also, for more love and inspiration, stay connected and follow me on Instagram & Facebook !

Sending you love, from my heart to yours,

Mari Medina 💗😘

 

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How to stay Happy – 10 practices

I used to think that living happily ever after was something that took place as soon as all my dreams come true.

I’ve come to realize that I AM living happily ever after – NOW.

Right now, I’m a happy wife, artist, entrepreneur, daughter, sister, friend, dog owner, traveler, dancer,  writer…happiness is happening NOW!

Happiness is not a place you finally reach once all of your dreams and desires have been met. Happiness is a state of being, that when practiced, can become our natural way of experiencing life.

I know life can be tough given the horrifying things we hear every day on the news. Those negative situations are out of our control.

The only thing you do have control of is your reaction, and how quickly you can shift your emotions when facing a difficult situation.

So how do I stay happy in life?

I simply practice happiness.

Since we are experiencing life from within, we have access to all states of emotions.

All emotions (the good and the bad) play an important role in our existence, and I believe that a natural balance will help you live a more joyful life experience.

How does one go about practicing happiness?

A good athlete spends hours training for each game. Think of yourself as an athlete in the game of life. The more you practice feeling good, the more you’ll show up as a champion of your emotions.

There are 10 practices you can start doing every day to start choosing joy as your natural way of being:

1. Begin your day feeling appreciation.
   Before you open your eyes in the morning, take a moment to appreciate the bed you’re sleeping in and the sheets that have kept you warm at night. Appreciate the awareness that you have woken up to a brand new day! This practice cranks up the momentum of appreciation, which will more than likely carry you through the entire day in this delicious state of being.
2. Meditate for 10 to 15 minutes.
   Meditation is the most effective in the morning, but if that time is not available for you, sneak in your meditation whenever it is possible. I would suggest at night right before going to bed. How does meditation influence our happiness? Well, given that our natural state of being is one of joy, meditation is the practice that will get us to align to the happiness we inherently feel.
3. Intentionally look for things that please you.
   As you go through your day, look for things that please you, even small things like the song that has just come on the radio, or the texture of the mug you’re drinking your coffee in, or the smell of the flowers in your office as you walked by them. When you intentionally look for the things you like, you’re rewiring your brain to automatically look for these things as you go through the day. You’ll be less likely to continue observing an experience or story that makes you uncomfortable.
4. Choose to only talk about the things that please you. 
   Gossip is inevitable when you’re working at an office or with a team. I would suggest if a conversation leads to one of judgment and harsh opinions, leave it alone. Judging others simply means you are bringing up the feeling of judgment within you. The idea here is to practice more conversations that delight and inspire you.
5. Eat nutritious foods. 
   Everyone knows that a balanced diet promotes a healthy lifestyle. Did you know it also influences your happiness? Your mind, body, and heart connection are part of the system that makes you…well, you. If you are feeding your body unhealthy foods, your body will have a hard time processing it, which in turn will more likely affect your mood. Think of this practice as choosing a happy, healthy body over your cravings. That’s mindful eating at its best!
6. Drink plenty of water. 
   Water is the source of LIFE…how important is that! Water keeps our cells hydrated, our brain functions better, helps our tissues regenerate…the list goes on! Get yourself a bottle of water in the morning and keep refilling it throughout the day. Just as I mentioned with food, when the body is not properly hydrated, our emotions are affected. Drink water to be happy!
7. Have human connection. 
   This is SO IMPORTANT. There must be someone in your life you can give a hug to like a family member, a co-worker, a pet, your kids, your neighbor…ANYONE! Why is this important for our happiness? According to an article I read from Happyologists.co.uk, they say that “Oxytocin, also known as the “love drug”, calms your nervous system and boosts positive emotions. Here’s how a good hug resulting in oxytocin flow affects you: It lowers your blood pressure, especially helpful if you’re feeling anxious. It lowers your cortisol (the stress hormone), enabling a higher quality of sleep.” Read the full article her e.
8. Connect with nature. 
   We are a part of this earth and much like our need for human connection, our body also responds to our connection with mother nature. When you place yourself in nature, begin to feel the breeze on your skin, listen to the birds chirping, feel the connection with the trees or the ocean. Don’t take my word for it, try it yourself! You’ll see how nature will inspire you to naturally feel happy.
9. Perform a physical activity. 
   Just to be brief, physical exercise is important for your body because it cleans out your lymphatic system (which means it flushes out the toxins in your body), and it also releases serotonin which is a chemical that makes you feel, well, happy!
10. Maintain a clean, fresh environment. 
    As my mom used to say, a clean home is a happy home. How exactly is this so? Without throwing at you scientific evidence, I’ll stick with the metaphysical approach. Your physical world is a reflection of how you feel. A messy house that is ALWAYS messy is an indication you’re probably feeling sad, anxious, or overwhelmed. If you make time for and practice cleanliness, it is a clear indication that the things you own MATTER to you, that you’re placing importance on your environment, keeping it clean and tidy.

These are 10 practices I have included in my daily life that have immensely supported my happy state of being. There are SO MANY more practices we can do to stay happy, these are just the basics I believe can be done by just about everyone.

The beauty of this list is that it can be modified to fit your schedule and lifestyle.

All 10 of these practices are habits you can start including in your daily life, and once you’ve mastered them, you’ll become a champion of happiness!

I’d love to hear from you!

What are some of the daily practices you do to stay happy?

Thanks for reading, and feel free to share this post with someone you may know could benefit from 🙂

Sending you love, from my heart to yours,

❤ Mari Medina

 

What NOT to do during Meditation

About 3 years ago I was an Associate Director of Administration at an art complex near Wynwood Miami.

With this title came a great deal of responsibility, and it was the very reason why I started having anxiety attacks.

At that time, I felt that a steady meditation practice would surely cure my anxiety.

So I started meditating…everywhere, at all times.

I began meditating every single morning, then again right before leaving my house to go to work.

At work I would take bathroom breaks that were secretly “meditation breaks.”

I would meditate right before an important meeting and before presentations and tours.

I used any excuse to close my eyes, shut myself off from reality, and cozy up into my inner world where I felt safe and comfort.

My inner world became my escape from reality. I guess you can say my drug of choice was meditation.

All that meditation was good for me during this time because I was experiencing a critical moment in my physical reality, and I had to seriously do a lot of inner work.

The problem I began to have was when I began wishing for change.

I knew that I wanted to be a full time artist, to start my own business, be my own boss.

That idea created a lot of stress for me because I wasn’t sure how I was going to make that a reality, given the facts of my current situation.

My dream life felt SO DISTANT, like there was a huge gap from where I was to where I wanted to be.

As a student of the law of attraction, I knew the steps required to manifesting anything in life. I knew that in order to manifest, you have to feel that you already have it.

The problem was that I felt negative emotion with the dream life I was after.

I thought that more meditation meant I was closer to making my dreams come true. So during my practice, I began to think about what I wanted.

I started asking the universe for help, to make it happen faster…I felt desperate.

Thinking about what I wanted only made things worse for me because when I opened my eyes, my situation was still the same.

Meditation went from feeling like my favorite drug to feeling like I overdosed.

It wasn’t long after this cycle of mixed emotions was finally cleared up for me.

My desires switched from wanting something physical to wanting a feeling of relief.

I began to listen to the Teachings of Abraham on YouTube. Video after video I learned SO MUCH about the process of manifesting and the true reason why we should meditate.

I put it all into practice, and with time I was able to better balance my emotions. I learned that what people truly want in life is a feeling, an emotion.

As Abraham puts it, the things you want in life is because you think you will feel better when you have them.

The lesson I learned was this:

Don’t meditate to make something happen.

Meditation and visualization are 2 things that should be done separately.

Meditation is meant to give you relief, to let go of resistance.

I’m not saying you can’t think about the things you want…just do it if it feels good. If you have mixed feelings about your desires, don’t force yourself to try and solve it during meditation.

Today, I work as a full time artist in my home studio, I started my own business, I know how to balance my mind, body and heart, and more importantly I am able to teach others about what my practice has taught me.

The journey to enlightenment is different for everyone. No matter what stage you’re in, allow your emotions to guide you.

We are all at different stages in our personal evolution, and I’m happy to be able to share my experience so that it can help you in your journey.

I’d love to hear from you!

Have you come across a bump in the road with your meditation practice? If so, please share in the comments below.

Also, feel free to share this with someone who might also be struggling with their practice.

Sending you love from my heart to yours,

💋 Mari Medina

How to Meditate & why – 5 Benefits

***Everything I’m about to share is based on my own personal experience, and how I’ve come to understand meditation. 

When I talk to people about meditation, they usually ask me if they’re doing it right. My answer is always the same: THERE IS NO RIGHT WAY. There is only YOUR WAY.

You see, every single person is living a unique experience that is totally their own. Wherever you are on your journey, this article serves as a basic understanding of what meditation is, and how it benefits you in your life.

There are many ways you can approach meditation, just know that there is no single right way to go about it. Only thing you need to do is decide to commit to a practice and start exploring which way works best for you. 

First, let’s talk about what meditation is.

Meditation is the practice of becoming fully present within your body, focusing on your senses and using your breath to guide the process for a steady amount of time.

 

This is the very basic way of meditating, which is the one I’ve used for a few years now. Here’s how I do it:

HOW TO MEDITATE

• Sit comfortably (doesn’t matter where: chair, sofa, bed, cross-legged on the floor…)
• Close your eyes, begin to take deep breaths in, and slow breaths out
• Once you’ve got a steady rhythm in your breathing, guide your mind to start noticing your senses (sounds, smells, the way the clothes feels on your skin…)
• Next, beginning at the top of your head, start to feel out every single muscle, bone, and joint, relaxing everything along the way that feels tense/ tight.
• Next, try to get a sense of your internal organs. Think about the placement of your lungs, your stomach, your intestines. Put your awareness on your heart and keep breathing deeply.
• As you become fully relaxed, SMILE and sit in the stillness you’ve created, aware of your senses, and fully present in the moment for as long as you can. I go for about 10-15 minutes
• When you’re ready, open your eyes, and enjoy the high! 

pro tip:
If you find your mind drifting into a stream of thoughts, be easy about it and bring it back to your breathing. This always happens to me, but with practice I’ve been able to better manage the direction my mind goes in.

As I mentioned, this is a basic approach to meditation.

There are many ways you can enhance your sensory experience during meditation.
Some people use guided meditations, sound bowls, zen music, essential oils, candles, or incense during their practice. All those are instruments you can use to help guide your mind to focus on your senses.

Why meditate? 

The practice of stillness enhances your life experience. You’ll be more aware of your body, mind, and energy.

TOP 5 BENEFITS OF MEDITATING 

1. Meditation builds a healthy relationship with your body
   Rather than waiting for your body to show you signs of malnutrition, getting in touch with your body is about communicating with your cells and listening/ paying attention to the signals of what your body needs (water, nutrients, exercise)
2. Meditation helps open up a sensory dialogue
   Your senses are there for a reason! Becoming aware of your senses enhances everything you do, making the experience of life WAY more enjoyable! Even something as simple as washing dishes can be an enhanced experience!
3. Meditation connects you to your emotional guidance system
   Your emotions are a clear indication if something is off in your body. If you are feeling bad most of the time, chances are your body is lacking in nutrients or exercise. Also, if you are feeling negative emotion on a regular basis, it just means you’ve got a habit of feeling that way. You can totally amp up your vibe with a simple meditation practice.
4. Meditation balances your thoughts
   The mind is very powerful and if you have no control over it, it will control you and your life! Thinking thoughts is something you CAN’T stop doing. Even as you  meditate, your thinking about something. The key is to get the mind to focus on your senses.
5. Meditation helps control your reaction in every situation
   There are things in life far beyond your control. Once upon a time, we faced lions. In today’s world, the lions we face are given different names. Just like the lions however, we are capable of producing the same emotions in our body when faced with challenges. Today, we call those lions stress, fear, guilt, shame…but not to worry! The more you stick with your practice, the more your power will rule over those nasty lions!

I hope this basic guide has inspired you to begin your meditation practice, (if you haven’t already), so you can find that connection to your senses and better express your love in every area of your life.

 

Remember, the journey is different for everyone, and with practice you’ll improve over time, making meditation easier and enjoyable! 

Have tips of your own? 

I’d love to hear about your meditation tips! Feel free to share in the comments below.

Also, share if you have a friend that would love to know more about meditating. This is a conversation I’m happy to continue, so let me know if you have any questions!

Sending you love from my heart to yours,

Mari Medina

Overwhelmed? 5 Steps to clarity

Hello my lovelies,

I’ve been under a mental hibernation.

For a month I played tug-a-war with SO MANY  brilliant Pinterest ideas and saved screen shots from google searches that I took myself to a real place called “overwhelm.”

Talk about information overload!

I found myself inside my studio…sketches, magazine clipping and notes all around…I felt dizzy.

I couldn’t get myself to focus on ONE specific thing.

Everything seemed so important!

Time was ticking and there was money on the line…

As uncomfortable as this situation may seem, anytime I’m on the verge of insanity I KNOW I’m about to have some sort of break through.

Having had this experience before, I knew that the only way to refocus my energy is to stop, get up, and get out.

So for about 3 days I closed up my studio and got my body moving & into nature.

Sitting in front of the ocean I’d close my eyes, taking deep breaths in, and on the exhale I’d ask out loud:

What do I REALLY want?

What outcome am I reaching for here?

As soon as I shifted the direction of my focus, (which was on to the outcome) I started receiving answers.

Not only did I know exactly what project to tackle first, but a sense of relief washed all over my mind & body. I placed my hands on my heart, enjoying the appreciation I was feeling.

I share this story with you to help you see that clarity and focus comes to you when you know exactly what outcome you want.

Not sure what outcome you want?
Tony Robbins says it best:

“Ask better quality questions, to get quality answers.”

When your mind is asking lousy questions, as he puts it, it’ll reach for lousy answers!

So what outcome was I looking for?

CLARITY.

Clarity in my work process, momentum, ease, and flow. Once I connected to those emotions, I knew deep down in my heart what projects to take on first.

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PRACTICE THIS next time you visit the land of overwhelm:

1) Acknowledge how you feel.

2) Get yourself out of the space that’s causing you to feel that way, and into a peaceful environment (like in nature or a zen space in your home).

3) Do deep breathing exercises to calm your mind & body.

4) When ready, ask out loud quality questions about the outcome you want.

5) Be open to allow your heart to guide and serve you, & you’ll soon receive the answers you’re looking for.

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Be easy about this, the key here is to learn how to shift your energy from overwhelm to clarity.

May take a few days, but the more you practice, the better you’ll get.

Also, don’t push the process.

The more you push to try and resolve something, the less you’ll be able to tackle it from your heart.

I sure hope this was helpful!

If you found it useful and know someone who could use this advice, express your love & share it!

 

Thanks so much for reading,

Sending you clarity & love from my heart to yours!

 Mari Medina

A Family Portrait: My New Project

My absolute favorite thing about new projects is getting to know new friends who have an interest in my art 😁 haha…no my ego isn’t big, I just sincerely LOVE people who Love art. Doesn’t have to be mine…but its a bonus when it is. Especially if they’re placing an order!

I equally love a person who is spending some good time putting together a special gift for a special somebody in their life. I’m now a part of their journey to make someone feel loved.

All custom orders I’ve received have come from such creative folks looking for a unique gift idea <insert heart inspired art here 💗😉>

This next project is for a friend of mine who is wanting a family portrait, but a little more creative then a simple photograph.

His idea is to create a painting with colors and names, instead of faces.

Here’s the scope:

• 5 Hearts, one for each member of the family
• Their names by their hearts
• Each heart [& name] is painted using that persons favorite color
• Names can’t be too obvious
• Make sure its bright and colorful!

Here are some pics of the sketching process so far:

Next week I’ll share an update on this project and its evolution!

If you’re interested in checking out my other projects, or would like to have more info on how to order one, just send me a message, or find me on Facebook & Instagram: 👉@popheartstudio

Make sure to check out my website: 👉Popheartstudio.com

Thanks for reading!

Much love your way 💗

Marisol Medina

A peek at my next 5 goals

Hi friends!

First goal (…not part of the big 5…), is getting momentum, clearly seeing the direction I’m taking Pop Heart Studio in…which is why I’ve been postponing blog posts these past few weeks.

For close to a month I’ve brainstormed, sketched, and planned my first collection I’ll be featuring in my Pop up & online shop.

A well, thought-out creative business has the capability of creating a movement around a particular subject.

That being said, a really long time ago I chose the subject of love as the movement I joined for my life and artistic venture. Hence the hearts 💗😁

What started off as a small business idea has eventually evolved and transformed, just as I have on a personal level.

The more experience I have with my business, the more desire I have to see it grow and have remarkable impacts on the society I live in.

I see the need for gift ideas outside of paintings, and I’ll be following my intuition on this one…🙌

No matter what’s added to the shop, it’ll all serve my lifes mission: to be a messenger of love.

So here are my next 5 goals:

1. Start a YouTube channel
2. More blog posts on the subject of love
3. Pop up shop [on wheels] calendar of events
4. Collaborate with fellow artists
5. Paint heart murals around town

…and much, much more! ☝

If you’ve read this list and thought of feedback, send me a message, asap! I’d LOVE to hear from you 😁

Putting my goals out there holds me accountable to see them through…so wish me luck!

Thanks for reading 🙏💗

Much love your way,

Marisol Medina