“Statistics show that it doesn’t matter how rich, accomplished or educated you are, it doesn’t predict someone’s happiness,” said Monique Martineau, keynote speaker for Skin Inc.’s Face & Body Southeast spa expo and conference.
During her presentation, “Ancient Wisdom for Beauty, Serenity and Success,” Martineau shared three tools on how to find balance between your ego and serenity. She compared the tools to each part of a bird that allows it to soar: the wings and tail.
1. Principles (Wing)
“Your ego is like a skunk,” she said. “When you react with ego, you can act anxiously, with urgency or with compulsion…basically like a skunk ready to spray.”
“If you get stressed thinking you don’t know how to ‘properly’ meditate or if it’s too hard, don’t call it meditation. Just close your eyes and relax." --Monique Martineau, keynote speaker
Instead of reacting quickly, take time to look within to your true nature, which Martineau likened to a wise owl. “Rise above the situation you are in to get a better perspective, like an owl,” she added. “Be patient, resilient and know what’s enough.”
2. Practices (Wing)
Take time to do activities to help you be less stressed. That can be time in nature, music and movement or meditation.
“It’s important to appreciate ourselves, because you might not get it from the outside."
“If you get stressed thinking you don’t know how to ‘properly’ meditate or if it’s too hard, don’t call it meditation,” said Martineau. “Just close your eyes and relax.”
3. Partnership (Tail)
Martineau said to increase your success rate for serenity create partnerships with:
- Teachers: those who you can connect with;
- Community: your friends and neighbors in your area; and
- Mentors: those who teach your teachers.
“It’s important to appreciate ourselves, because you might not get it from the outside,” shared Martineau.
