Zen Station

Hello beautiful people of the multiverse, my name is Monica also known as zen and welcome to zen station ~ a podcast for exploring, discovering and understanding the true nature of self. We're going to be unpack on our thoughts, feelings, experiences and explore what it means to live with purpose. be prepared to get real deep in here with me and at the end let me know what you took out of this experience! Submit your comments to Hey@Monicavcao.com or send or voice note via Anchor. And of course, don't forget to subscribe to be part of the journey. Much love, thank you and let's get into it! Website: MonicaVCao.com Instagram: instagram.com/MonicaVCao // First I'd like to express my love and gratitude… To the self: the sacred temple of mine that keeps me moving, breathing, and growing. My mind, for her capacity to hold so much life experience. To my spirit, that guides and aligns me in the direction of my purpose. My ancestors and spirit guides that I carry in my heart and spirit. To those who have been supportive & shown love to all that I've been working on — whether you are still beside me, or have been before, I thank you for your wisdom to teach me the lessons I needed to learn. Cultivating and using my voice on a platform that invites all types of feedback especially on a topic that is my life and of the healing journey I still am on is incredibly difficult. But It's mine, and part of that path is for me to share. I just hope that my voice reaches those who need to hear it most, whether you are or were in a similar journey then these messages are for you, and also a leading voice my younger self wished she had. Throughout my journey I've done a lot of inner work and growing older only has gotten me to become aware of how much more there is to explore, how I could better understand myself and in turn reach others in the same capacity to better serve them. To tell you the truth, I don't really know how I've got to where I am. There is no luck, or special formula and I'm especially not a how-to book but what I am is a result of the work I put in to heal and live in my purpose. Perhaps telling my story over and over again will help you and I to better understand it all In the first place. Maybe it can be a catapult for you to begin or end something for the betterment of your life. But first, let me tell you a little bit about my journey. ✨ TOPICS & LESSONS ✨ ✨ Experiences with sex, sensuality as something shameful, to a sacred practice ✨ From a toxic mindset to healthy relationships ✨ Learning healthy boundaries & consent ✨ Finding peace & making time for solitude ✨ Dealing with abuse & trauma --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/zenstation/message

Hello beautiful people of the multiverse, my name is Monica also known as zen and welcome to zen station ~ a podcast for exploring what it means to live with purpose in our daily lives. Submit your comments to Hey@Monicavcao.com or send or voice note via Anchor. And of course, don't forget to subscribe to be part of the journey. Much love, thank you and let's get into it! Website: MonicaVCao.com Instagram: instagram.com/MonicaVCao // In this episode, Kedre (@KedreDesigns) and I play the very popular game, We're Not Really Strangers. Feel free to listen while you create, work or join us in by either playing with yourself, a partner or friends & family! WNRS is a purpose driven card game and movement all about empowering meaningful connections. Three carefully crafted levels of questions and wildcards that allow you to deepen your existing relationships and create new ones. ⬇️ Purchase them here ⬇️ Card Game: https://www.werenotreallystrangers.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/werenotreallystrangers/?hl=en Some questions we explored: ✨ What is my body language telling you right now? ✨ Rating our dancing skills from 1-10 ✨ What was your first impression of me? ✨ What do you think is the hardest part of what I do for a living? ✨ Have you ever told someone I love you, but didn't mean it? Why? ✨ What is a dream you've let go of? ✨ Is there anyone you're missing right now, and do you think they're missing you too? ✨ Wildcard: Ask a question you'd be too afraid to ask, something you wouldn't dare to ask. ✨ Wildcard: Both players write a note to your younger selves. [1 min] ✨ What do you recommend I let go of, if anything? ✨ Do you believe everyone has a calling, if so do you think I have mine? Thank you Kedre for being in another episode with me! I love recording with him so much & I feel like there's still so much for us to explore. Let us know what you'd like to hear us talk about next! Kedre's website: Kedredesigns.com Instagram: instagram.com/kedredesigns Twitter: twitter.com/kedredesigns Youtube: YouTube.com/kedredesigns --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/zenstation/message

Often times I re-evaluate if I'm on the right track, making sure I don't go off course. But the truth is, it's absolutely okay to stray off if that's what needs to be explored in the moment. Being off course, bored, and even frustrated is what can spark us to keep going and make the wins worthwhile. Being an artist doesn't mean you're full of inspiration, motivation or creating constantly, wouldn't that be amazing? The truth is we reach a plateau of creatives block, stagnancy or burn out. When the passion dies, and you're left with a big question mark on what to do next — How do you stay inspired? If you don't rely on inspiration, how do you find motivation? Creating this episode wasn't necessarily out of inspiration, rather a need to explore these questions and share them with whoever feels called to listen. I've had the privilege to hear other artists processes, their downfalls and wins — so I hope you take these episodes with a grain of salt. Be open and take what works for you and your practice, leaving what doesn't. I GO OVER THE TOPICS OF: ⬇️ Exploring Newness ⬇️ Reaching a space of feeling uninspired is a common fork in the road — plateau of creative block or / burn out. At this point you need to decide on what you need to do next to serve your purpose. Sometimes you're just bored of what you're doing & when this happens it's great to use this time to explore. This doesn't mean the journey you're on is over, but perhaps in the moment it needs to be, to start something new. Exploring: ✨Different mediums ✨Styles/ Techniques ✨Processes ✨Or a whole new hobby/career if you feel most called to — it's never too late to start over ⬇️Setting Yourself Up For Success ⬇️ When I feel uninspired, I like to make it a habit to set myself up for success even if I don't feel like it. Practicing simple exercises and habit building that make the process to create EASY & NON-EXCUSABLE. Practices/ Habits: ✨Prepping your space & tools the night before sos everything is well prepared to get started. Clear space = Clear mind — But even creating from a bad head space is good, so as long as you express it and move the energy around then it served it's purpose ✨3 Minute Loose Doodles — Just like it says, don't be afraid of a blank canvas and let loose whatever comes to mind. This is something you can practice as a simple doodle, or the underlay of a painting since it'll get covered up anyways! Let loose, and have fun. ⬇️Inspiration Comes With Boredom ⬇️ Sometimes the best ideas, sparks or inspiration come from doing absolutely nothing. Especially during a time that social media is primarily how we communicate, entertain and do business. It can be addictive, so our mind goes into auto pilot scrolling through social media & receiving instant gratification. How can we be bored & just sit still when these things exist? Practices: ✨Block out time for your sacred practice (it can be anything that benefits you — Journalling, reading, creating, meditating, moving, exercising) ✨Notice the action of you reaching for your phone, pivot and do something else Have you noticed that just like it's impossible to be happy all of the time, same goes for inspiration. Be bored. In the end of the day, inspiration comes and goes and that's okay. As long as you are true to the path of your Dharma / Life's Purpose — for me that looks like creating in any form — then you're on the right track. Remember that you're on no other timeline than your own, enjoy the process, it's yours to create. Submit your comments to Hey@Monicavcao.com or send or voice note via Anchor --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/zenstation/message

Hello beautiful people of the multiverse, my name is Monica also known as zen and welcome to zen station ~ a podcast for exploring, discovering and understanding the true nature of self. We're going to be unpack on our thoughts, feelings, experiences and explore what it means to live with purpose. So be prepared to get real deep in here with me and at the end let me know what you took out of this experience! Submit your comments to Hey@Monicavcao.com or send or voice note via Anchor. And of course, don't forget to subscribe to be part of the journey. Much love, thank you and let's get into it! Website: MonicaVCao.com Instagram: instagram.com/MonicaVCao // In this episode, I introduce my first guest @KedreDesigns as we explore our collaborations in healing through creativity. Kedre and I have been exploring independently and collaboratively in both our healing and creative work. He's not only shown up for me with unconditional love and support, but is also a beacon of light to many that know him. If you've ever been around Kedre, you know what I mean. We go deeper in the topics of ✨ Beginning in film photography versus digital ✨ Beginning in exploring modelling & how that impacted our healing journey ✨ Affirmations and Life Lessons learnt from starting a Graffiti/Mural business ✨ Talent vs. Hard work ✨ Being an Artist in the time of Social Media Thank you Kedre for always being in my corner, celebrating my wins, and for reminding me of my magnificence when I'm too low to see it In myself. You're lit, and loved. Kedre's website: Kedredesigns.com Instagram: instagram.com/kedredesigns Twitter: twitter.com/kedredesigns Youtube: YouTube.com/kedredesigns --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/zenstation/message

Hello beautiful & welcome to zen station. Today's episode I go back to reflect on my last episode 002 || Getting Started Before You're Ready. During the process of feeling extreme stagnancy, in my body, mind and creative spirit, I realized a couple of things that I thought I'd share here to help you move through feeling stagnant, and to go back into living in your purpose. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/zenstation/message

Hello everyone, welcome back to The Zen Station Podcast. Today's episode was another recording back in August 2020 about "Getting Started Before You're Ready: Social Media". When I first got my DSLR camera, I was so excited for the upgrades in content creation in comparison to the Iphone 7 videos I've been making. Creating with what I had at the time was just the process of dipping my toes into something scary and exciting. Although I didn't have the best equipment, or didn't feel ready, taking the first step in the journey was the most important thing to do. I think most people are afraid of the unknown of what they can't control, and that's okay too. But will you allow your fears control your life? That is the premise of this episode. I explore getting over these blockages through three steps (applicable in all areas of life): Step 1: Recognition of your why/purpose The purpose of your path should be clear, or at least work towards bringing clarity. Why do you want to start showing up online more? What is the purpose of your content? Is it for education, entertainment or both? Why do you make excuses? What are the things that are stopping you from getting started? Step 2: Acceptance & Forgiveness When recognizing your purpose, the reason for you not moving forward should also be clear. Learn to accept these flaws, forgive & move forward with a clear space. What is it the I must accept to move forward? What are my weaknesses & strengths? What are some things I can outsource to use my time better with what I'm good at? Step 3: Action The most important step is to take continuous inspired action. What can you do to make it easy to get started? What's one thing you can do right now to move forward? ex. Journalling: decluttering, brain dump, to do lists To do lists can be small wins throughout the day which trick your subconscious mind to believe you've made an accomplishment: starting a domino effect for success --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/zenstation/message

Hello beautiful people of the multiverse, my name is Monica also known as zen and welcome to zen station ~ a podcast for exploring, discovering and understanding the true nature of self. We're going to be unpack on our thoughts, feelings, experiences and explore what it means to live with purpose. I wanted to create this podcast as a space to “brain dump” my own thoughts and have open conversations with you all. Lately I've been having some conversations with people on their specific journeys on the topics of purpose, healing, art and wanted to share the experience with an open conversation that's authentic and real. So be prepared to get real deep in here with me and at the end let me know what you took out of this experience! And of course, don't forget to subscribe to be part of the journey. Much love, thank you and let's get into it! // Today's episode is an introduction to the purpose of starting this podcast and also my 2020 reflections. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/zenstation/message