Violaine: I want to ask you how and when was the moment for you that you knew, like your “aha” moment, oh yeah, I know everything is just perfect for me. Or is there even such a moment?Just keep that in mind!
Michelle: Yep yep!
Violaine: Before, because you mentioned goals. In everyone’s daily life, like going to work, we have certain goals and a sense of control—whether it’s managing a team or meeting specific achievements. There's tension sometimes, depending on one’s professional level. Is there a way to combine those work targets for which we have a level of control with a sense of just letting things happen as they should? Can we balance the need for control with stepping back and letting go?
Can people still manage to trust that whatever goals they have will happen perfectly in their own time, even while maintaining a certain level of control?
Michelle: Yes, if we come back to understanding that we are the creators, we hold the power, and we have ultimate control over what we wish to manifest or intend. Everything is energy, including the concept of work.
In a system where we need money to live, work is necessary to maintain our environment and sustain our lives. But work can be approached in two ways. We can suffer by thinking, “I wish I didn’t have to work,” or “I have to get up at a certain time every day.” Suffering is a choice, though—not working, but how we perceive work is a choice.
You might not have a choice about whether to work or where you work right now. So let's take that out completly in the contect in which we are speaking.
We can choose how we think about it. We could suffer by dwelling on negative thoughts about work, or we could shift our focus. For example, if you’re dreading an early start, you don't want to get up but you have to. Instead of attaching negative emotions to it, you can decide in that moment, as soon as the thought comes about, you could say, “I’m grateful I get to wake up, that I am able to get my physical bpdy up, get my body moving, go to work, drive my car, and meet different people, enjoy conversation.
By practicing gratitude, we focus on what we can do rather than what we can’t or don’t like. Remember, perception is either your power or your prison. Are we going to trap ourselves by thinking, “I don’t like this,” or are we going to bring positive energy to each experience?
Initially, this practice might be exhausting because you’ll notice all the thoughts and emotions that usually go unexamined. But over time, it becomes easier, and that shift in perception can profoundly impact your experience.
Once you start noticing it and working on small steps to build a different perception of what the ego has taken on, everything starts to seem amazing. It's like, “Yes, I get to wake up today and go to work.” Say it out loud: “I'm grateful that I've got work to go to. I'm grateful that I can get up at this time, go there, and experience that.” Even if you're not! It changes your whole energy field, bringing joyful experiences into your life. You go into work, and everyone feels happy because they're basking in the positive energy you’re projecting.
And then, maybe you get a phone call from the boss saying, “You don’t need to do this anymore; I'm giving you a promotion.” All this energy comes into play when you start to change those simple small negative programs that can hold you back, but that also come into play when you need growth.
If you keep doing the same thing, nothing will change. You know the saying, “Nothing changes if nothing changes.” If you keep repeating the same patterns, the same things will keep happening. You really have nothing to lose by trying something different.
Violaine: I'm very much into this lately. I hope it’s not just a passing trend but a genuine “aha” moment. I’d love to hear your “aha” moment before we move forward in the discussion.
It was in a video I heard, sorry if it doesn't come out very well. the essence was; if I want a different outcome, I can’t keep doing the same things I’ve always done—waking up at the same time, having my coffee, going to work, coming back. These routines, even if they vary slightly day to day, mostly stay the same, and that will lead to the same results. If I want something different, I have to break the cycle.
I resonated with that. Clearly if I want something different, I can't keep on doing the same things.
For me, it’s mostly about emotions—how I react to things. Recently, my mom said something that triggered me. Normally, I might respond immediately, but this time, I just sat there and didn’t react. I couldn’t think of anything positive to say, but at least I didn’t react negatively.
Michelle: In that moment, that was your opportunity for growth. It’s not about your mom; she’s there for a divine reason, contributing to your growth. The focus here is on you.
You made a decision not to react outwardly, which is a significant step. But now, let's look at what was happening in your mind, because that’s where the real work is. Once you've moved past the outward reaction, it's about what's going on internally.
Can you remember what you were thinking about your mom at that moment? Were there any negative thoughts, like “She shouldn’t be saying this” or “Why is she still doing this?”
Violaine: I wanted to say, “Do you realize how what you're saying is really not nice?” Most times, the conversation is going well, and then suddenly, she’ll say something that just throws me off balance. I’m not sure if she does it consciously or unconsciously.
Michelle: Right, it’s taken you off balance—something she said or did has affected you, and in that moment, you’ve given her control over you.
But here’s the shift: see her as your teacher. It’s not just because she’s your mother, but because anything that triggers you can be a teacher. We need to hold our teachers, especially those who trigger us, in the highest gratitude, because they’re giving us the opportunity for the most growth.
So, when you don’t like what your mother is saying or don’t agree with it, that’s really your issue, not hers. I'll get to share an experience of my own to explain how I learned to overcome this in a minute.
But fot this, ultimately, you feel she shouldn’t say certain things because they seem rude, or you think she should be more considerate. That mindset creates a victim mentality, where you feel you’re being treated inappropriately. But your mother has her own will—she’ll speak and act as she chooses. No amount of telling her to speak differently will change that. And yet, you’re still suffering because, in that moment, you’re giving your power to her. By letting her words control your thoughts, you’re externalizing your power.
To overcome this, as soon as you recognize that this reaction you need to expose it. You need to know that this is not truly who you are, because, deep down, because you love your mother.
Violaine: Yes, I mean, in that moment, I was actually proud of myself because I didn’t escalate the situation. I tend to escalate things because I don’t handle conflict well—I feel like I have to make things right immediately. But trying to fix things in the moment often just makes them worse. This time, though, I didn’t react. I had the thought, “I want to tell her this is rude,” but I held back.
Michelle: Your growth comes from not reacting. In the past, you might have reacted outwardly and escalated things, but you no longer do that.
However, the real growth now lies beyond just controlling your outward reaction, because you’ve already mastered that. There’s a bit of pride in not reacting outwardly, but don’t let it make you feel like a victim.
Nothing anyone says should truly disrupt your balance if you stay grounded. It’s like a force that enters, and it’s up to you how you respond. Now, instead of reacting physically, you’re experiencing mental reactions—thoughts like, “I want to say something, but I know how this will end.” But you still letting the though manifest in the energetic field.
So the next step in your in your progression here, when that mental reaction arises, what do we do? Do you continue suffering in thought, or can you redirect your attention to the present moment?
Look at your mom and think, “I love my mom. I’m grateful we get to communicate.” "I am so happy we get to communicate like this." If you keep focusing on gratitude, she cannot bring force back every time you say theses things. Her words lose their power to upset you. You’ll find that love neutralizes any negativity.
In my experience, I went through something similar. First, I stopped the verbal reactions because I realized I didn’t want to keep following that same pattern. I held my tongue, no matter how much I wanted to respond. Then, there were the lingering thoughts—the inner struggle of, “She shouldn’t be saying this.” At that point, I’d try to distract myself or tune her out to avoid escalating. You're trying to escape that but you know you can't say it. But so that part is under control.
So now, what’s important here is the hidden aspect, those thoughts.
As soon as negative thoughts arise, shift your focus to gratitude, to the moment or something grounding. Thank your mom, appreciate her presence, and express gratitude for the love she’s given.
From the heart, gratitude diminishes negative thoughts about what she should or shouldn’t say. You can't change her will in that moment. She says and does what she want, and it is what it is, you can’t control that. But you can decide whether to suffer or stay in peace and balance.
Our bodies are designed for balance. Like we discussed before, every system seeks homeostasis. And then, something triggers us, and we’re thrown off balance. But you have the power to decide where you want to be. If you’re content with how things are, that’s fine. Some people find comfort in suffering, and that’s okay too. It’s a personal choice.
If you want to change and want to move past suffering—whether it’s physical, mental, emotional, or energetic—then it’s essential to put practices in place that can take you from suffering to growth.
Violaine: I see it as a two-step process. First, you stop reacting, and then you respond with kindness or gratitude. It reminds me of the saying, “Kill with kindness.”
Yes, love and kindness really can disarm the person in front of you.
Michelle: Exactly.
You asked me to touch on my personal experience with this.
I ultimately decided that I didn’t want to suffer in any aspect of my life. I knew - the knowing - is that I am going to enjoy the journey to get there.
So, when I experience suffering, I now embrace it as my teacher. I know I’m not a victim; I’m learning. Even if I slip up and let my thoughts get the better of me.. I am not perfect! I stil have those moment where I slip out of that.
But what happens is that straight away, these triggers don’t put me on autopilot. As soon as it happens between my thoughts, I have rewired that program to be a postive one instead of a negative.
Instantly, what happens is that it is a chance for me now to learn and grow from the situation instaed of being in suffering and pain. So, now I get exited when a trigger happens, I think, “Great, I get to learn something here.” I know the feeling I get from the growth of that is so outweighting the comfortable area I might want to stay in.
Now it's releasing in me a feeling a joy from that trigger, because I love growing from it.
Before, I’d go hiide or stand and fight, in a fight o flight mode—the heart rate increase, face turning red, anxixous, feeling sick or shaky. Aweful place to be.
Now, I experience balance, which is a beautiful place to be. I don’t want to go back to that world of illusion, pain, and suffering. But everyone’s journey is different. If someone chooses to stay in their current mindset, that’s okay. For those who want freedom from mental chaos, it’s a matter of embracing the difficult moments and shifting our perspective. This comes in a form of self love.
And we hear about this a lot on the internet.. oohh, self love and self care, and it's a very individual journey. But it's about tackling the things that are difficult for you. Putting a spin on it where it's joyess and fun to do. And all I can say is that the only way you can experience that is in the present moment.
And for example, when you're on the phone with your mother, and it's causing you a bit of suffering, if you continue to be in your mind, these test, or challenges, or energy will continue to happen, until you make the change.
Violaine: That makes a lot of sense. It’s definitely a practice. Like we’ve said, it’s one thing to know what’s right, and it’s another to put it into practice.
Michelle: It's a logical part of the mind that will know that this is correct. and feel that. Putting it into practice is a whole other thing.
Our community’s logo is “Truth with Application.” Knowing the truth is one thing; applying it is what creates real change.
What you know to be right and true for your experience, you need to put that into practice and into place. Then things start to unfold with new opportunities for growth.
When I realized that each trigger was a chance for growth, it transformed my perspective. Led my whole world. Just knowing, not believing.
Next time you’re on the phone with your mom, you can choose to practice gratitude and love, instead of dwelling in suffering or fear. This will shift the energy around you both, creating balance in that experience.
It’s the same with work. People who don’t like their jobs but continue with the same mindset are likely to stay in that cycle. If they’re suffering but don’t make a change in their perception, they’ll keep receiving the same negative energy they put out.
Violaine: Sometimes, people aren’t even aware of their suffering because they haven’t taken a step back to question it. So many people just live life the way it’s always been without asking themselves, “Am I suffering?” But that’s their journey, and it’s not our place to dictate it.
Michelle: But that's their journey. Their journey is so unique to them, and who are we to say, "You should practice gratitude," or "You should change." If someone is happy in their suffering, then that’s where they’re comfortable. They might complain daily about the weather or their aches and pains, but if they don’t want to make a change, that’s absolutely fine. No amount of force will make them change. If they want change, they have to seek it and put in the practice.
Violaine: What kind of advice would you have for someone starting this journey? Someone who is really new to concepts of mental freedom, starting a healthy diet, and then dealing with family or friends who might draw them back into old habits. Sometimes, because you want to be with family or friends, you end up slipping back into things you don’t want to cultivate in your life anymore.
Michelle: That’s is a perfect for them at that time, and it’s a teaching moment in itself. This is where we can ask ourselves: “Am I going to make the same choices, or am I going to change?” Unless you make a change, nothing else will change; it will just repeat. The cycle will continue unless you break it.
That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy time with family or friends.
I went through something similar with food. My family loves having meals together as part of a celebration, and I love that. But initially, I stepped away from it because I felt uncomfortable sharing that experience when I knew I ate differently from them. Growing up, we were all the same—we had the same food, the same values. Suddenly, I took a different route and felt judged, so I judged the situation as well. I thought, “I don’t feel comfortable,” and I stepped away, missing out on a lot of family time where I could have been present with their energy.
Now, the difference is that I attend every event, take every opportunity to be social with them, and eat with them while staying true to myself. They eat their way, and I eat mine, but we still come together. I wouldn’t change my diet to match theirs because I know that going against my truth wouldn’t feel good. If I conformed to what others expected, I’d suffer—physically, mentally, or emotionally—because I wouldn’t be in line with my truth.
My expectations and judgments are my own. I’ve let them go, so I can do what feels right for me in the moment without wondering, “Should I have done this?” or “Could I have done that?” All those “should’ve, would’ve, could’ve” thoughts create suffering. They make us feel we have to live up to others’ expectations.
Violaine: I suppose we all have to go through these lessons.
Michelle: These experiences are divine teachings, and they’re amazing opportunities for growth. It feels so good to be authentic and, for example, tell your parents at a family gathering, “I’m excited to be with you all. I’m so happy to spend time together. I’ll bring my own food, and we’ll enjoy our time together.” That way, you’re staying true to yourself while still being part of the experience.
So, there's no suffering. You're still going; you're participating in the family gathering, you're excited, and they’re excited. Your truth is bringing your own food because you know how it makes you feel. There's no hidden agenda, no "Oh, what if they think this of me?" because that’s just suffering again.
This is an ultimate opportunity to stand up and be authentic—communicate properly with them so they know you're bringing your own food. That way, it’s not just an awkward moment where you show up with a suitcase full of food. We actually do this whenever we travel; we bring all of our food with us, and it becomes something fun that everyone can laugh about. Embracing that authenticity and addressing the “elephant in the room” is enjoyable.
Instead of hiding things when they’re uncomfortable, you can bring joy to it. Just say, “Yep, here’s my suitcase of food,” and have fun with it. That approach can really diffuse any situations where the energy feels heightened. Embrace the teachings and moments in our day-to-day life as they come.
Violaine: Let's be open to the teachings. Just to share a little about my life, every day, I expect little surprises from life, like gifts for my growth, but I’m not attached to the outcomes. And it’s funny—growth can come in the strangest ways.
For instance, I try to feel my emotions openly, to expand with them instead of contracting. One night, my husband, Trevor said: “Let’s watch a thriller!” So we did, but by the end of the movie, I felt annoyed. I’d spent all day practicing good emotions, and here I was, feeling strange after one movie! I turned to Trevor and said, “We should not be watching thrillers if I’m working on this.” But, of course, I thanked him for picking the movie, even though I felt it threw me off a little.
So how to respond to that. I see the frustration, I need to reroute. Anyway, it was a little side story.
Michelle: Here’s something to contemplate, not to overthink, because we don’t want thought patterns to run wild. When we comtemplate, we see things more clearly for growth.
When we say, “I want to watch a movie,” there’s often an expectation, like, “I’ll cuddle up with my husband, and we’ll have a nice evening.” Your perception of the movie makes certain feelings manifest. In actual reality, the balace state being is unchanged, allowing you to watch a thriller without emotional attachment or suffering afterward.
When you watch a movie and then think, “We shouldn’t have watched that; it’s making me feel off,” you’re adding thoughts that create suffering. We have the power to pause and observe what’s happening in the mind. The mind has a perception of that movie; it’s not reality. It’s not happening now. You should be able to watch a movie without emotional attachment.
If you're feeling regret or doubt after, it's almost a form of self-sabotage. You initially wanted to watch the movie and went through with it, but now you’re suffering because of how you’ve interpreted it. At some point, we have to pause and observe what’s going on in the mind. The mind interprets the movie as though it were reality, but it’s not happening now. It’s just an experience that’s there for a reason.
What’s happening here is that you’re suffering because of the images you’ve taken in. The best course? Watch it again, but this time, be at peace with it. Don’t avoid it. Growth often comes from revisiting what challenges us. Each time you rewatch, you’ll desensitize yourself to it and won’t feel that contrast between “trying to stay positive” and “feeling unsettled.” When we let an external source influence our internal state, we give away our power.
You have the power within you. You have the choice to feel differently. You are not a victim. You control everything that happens afterward, but if you allow those feelings to run away, you end up saying, “I don’t like it. It’s not for me. I’ll never do that again.”
This attitude can create a mental prison. My advice, based on my experience, would be to keep watching that film until you no longer have any lingering thoughts about it.
Violaine: Wow, that is quit a challeng!
Michelle: And the challenge is what?
Violaine: A teaching
Michelle: And the teacher is what?
Violaine: Growth!
Michelle: Yay!!
Violaine: I passed the test!
Michelle: Everything is divinely perfect at any given moment. So if I ask you that question again; is everything divinely perfect at any given moment?
Violaine: I want to say yes, but I don’t feel like I can say it fully.
Michelle: That’s okay. You’re still growing. It’s absolutely perfect for where you’re at in your journey. When we can't say “yes” from a feeling of truth, it’s often because we aren’t fully aligned with that knowing.
When I say to you that everything is divinely perfect at this moment, it doesn’t mean it feels that way right now. But every part of your journey, every single moment, is guiding you to grow and develop from birth to death in this life in this physical aspect of you.
When you fully understand this, it will all unfold and become what it’s meant to be. Everything, every moment, is exactly as it should be. Perfection is what you are.
Violaine: That’s a powerful perspective.
Michelle: I run a six- to eight-week transformation course with my partner, Josh. We’ve seen incredible results with people who practice these holistic teachings.
We give people tools to manage these types of challenges, rewriting subconscious programs and freeing themselves from these mental traps. This process gradually brings us back to a balanced state. Our bodies are always striving for balance, pointing us in that direction.
Simple pointings can help, like journaling. When you write down your triggers, times of day, or certain people who evoke strong feelings, you start to see patterns. Oberserving that, and bringing our attention back to the present moment. This is the toolkit that you need in every aspects of suffering. We got obervation and then attention.
Violaine: So, is that the advice you’d give to someone who has the will to start this journey? Should they begin with something simple, like a notebook, and try observing their experiences?
Michelle: Yes, exactly. For example, I use a simple sheet where I jot down things that trigger stress or a reaction. It could be anything—a certain day, a specific place, music, a person, or an environment, like feeling uncomfortable in a cold room. I list the trigger and note the type of response I have.
Was it emotional or physical? Did I feel discomfort or even repulsion? Then, I document how to reduce that response. Some people use breathwork, meditation, or tapping techniques. You may have heard of methods like tapping.
Violaine: Is that with eye movement also?
Michelle: Yes, things like that. All of this is just about bringing our attention to the present. When a thought arises, it often links to an emotional state, causing stress levels to rise. The quicker we can redirect our attention—whether through breathing, focusing on flowers, or other calming methods—the faster we can reduce stress. Each time we practice this, it gets easier and quicker until these reactions don’t affect us in the longer term. Eventually, triggers come up but pass without influencing our mental or emotional state.
First of all, observation is the key, unless we know it's happening, we can’t manage it. By observing, we can identify specific triggers, whether they’re caused by certain people, environments, or even the weather, that make us feel out of balance or suffering. We can write, journal it down the time of day, note our stress levels, and then focus on calming ourselves through breathing.
At first, it might take a few minutes to return to a calm state, but with practice, it becomes almost automatic. Eventually, a trigger can occur without disturbing our physical or emotional balance. It just “is.” Then, we no longer need a structured practice because we naturally stay in the moment.
But in the beginning, we need to practice to improve. No one reaches their goal without putting in some effort. That’s what makes the journey so precious—every moment of that journey is a learning towards our ultimate goal.
Violaine: Is that chart you showed part of the six-week transformation program you mentioned?
Michelle: Yes, it is. Many people come to us with different areas of growth they want guidance on, and this is just one of the ways we help. This chart supports stress reduction and self-reflection. Each participant keeps a journal of what arises throughout the week, which we review during our weekly calls. We go over the issues that came up, whether mental or emotional, and then tackle each one, step by step.
After each call, we develop a practice plan for the upcoming week, tailored to the participant’s experiences and goals. It’s rewarding to watch the journey unfold and see the transformation take place. You can go take a look at some of the being that we helped and just changed their whole world.
Violaine: I’ve seen some videos on your Instagram of people in the six-week transformation program, and they look so different—truly transformed.
Michelle: The transformation doesn’t take years and years; it starts with a simple commitment. Observing what you’d like to change, deciding if you want to change, and then starting. Happiness is what we all seek, and freeing ourselves from suffering is essential to that. When someone comes to us looking for freedom from suffering, joy, and happiness, we can guide them through that change. If they’re open to it, transformation can happen surprisingly quickly.
Violaine: I am surprised by the six weeks duration, I am curious and I know everybody is different. And I am sure you called it six weeks for a reason. What types of changes do you see happening in an indivual about halfway in the program? And let's pick someone that is very serious about change.
Michelle: For sure, there has to be a will going here, because ultimately you're the one going to make the changes. You have to apply the truth and the practice. Every beings is such an individual journey. It's that motivation that you have to work toward your ultimate goal. I know that every journey takes time and energy and the initial steps and practices. The reason for six weeks is that at first you have so much to practice that it can become a little bit too much. We usually have six weeks and a break for six weeks and then we come back to revisit and look at achievements. All you have to do ultimately is be you!
Because we have so much inserted over time and the things that we pick on along. When we say "letting go", it just meaning, being your divine self. We have to unpick the patterns that no longer serve us and go back to our essence.
Tacklling these teachings can be quite overwhelming at times. Six to eight weeks seems like a nice time to get what you need and have some time to practice for a while.
Violaine: Okay, so it comes in cycles of six weeks.
Michelle: Yes, some beings come and stay there the whole time but you can decide how much or how little to want to get. Sometimes we have such incredible transformation because they're all in! They're like: "Let's go for it!".
But you have to be ready for the journey and willing to apply the changes. It happens differently at different times depending on the beings but for the majority six weeks is a great starting point to see what areas we can work on in the initial part.
Violaine: I see. Now can I ask you a personal question, which may be the last question of this interview, which by the way, was a great interview! And thanks again for taking so much time in explaining all the details for my audience and your audience on this topic.
This was added last minute, a personal question from me to you; How do we overcome doubt and fear, when we still have a part of us that seems to be hanging on strong to the personality?
Michelle: So, when fear arise, it's always coming from a place of inauthenticity. Fear, doubt, worry is a concept that's made up within the programmable mind.
The mind would say "remeber last time when you tried to do that, it was scary or it was difficult", all of this energy will be reflected within your experience.
The knowing we need to adopt here, is that we are not the fear or the worry. It's a made up concept. Actually, when we do go and do it as part of our practice it's not as fearfull as we anticipated it to be.
Fear of heights or spiders that we have from our upbringing. A huge amount of emotions comes with that. You can notice that you start feeling that fear when actually nothing is happening. So many scenarios happening in my mind. That's why it's a concept that is made up.
When we look at other beings' experiences and what they have in the moment, compared to what's actually happening, we can start to deal with the aspect of, is it harmful? Are you okay? How are you suffering? It’s a very experiential part of our development and growth, something we can really learn from.
Do you have any experiences that you feel fearful about, or do you have any worries or doubts?
Violaine: I think it’s mostly from a health standpoint.
Michelle: So what's happening with doubts and fears from that standpoint is that it's bringing that experience to you for you to overcome. When we have a knowing that everything is the way it is for a very divine reason, then we're often faced with things for our growth.
Once we’re in control and empowered with self-knowledge, doubts and fears lose their power. When you reach a point where you have that empowerment and self-knowing, everything becomes clear, and all of that fearful energy disappears completely. But we have to take on certain practices and realize.
For example, "Okay, this is just in the mind." You've got your health, which you’re supporting with a whole-food diet—no chemicals going in. So you know that’s beneficial and you've seen the positive effects over the past few years. But even so, the mind still might say, Am I doing the right thing? Is this right for me? Will I still be okay in years to come?
All of these thoughts are creating your reality. So, how do we change it?
First, let’s recognize that this is a teacher for you. Let's embrace it and no longer be fearful of it. We need to use this experience to create something new, to rewrite a pattern or program that has happened in the past.
Now, every time that worry comes up, maybe in an hour or two, when something triggers a response in your mind—like a thought that says, Oh, is this going to impact my health?—we make a decision to not run away with that thought. Instead, we bring our attention to the moment. Am I healthy right now? Yes. There’s no other thought that needs to enter that energy field at this time to make you feel down.
What’s happening is your past program is setting the stage for an uncertain feeling: Oh, I’m not sure. It’s a very unsure space to be in. But be at peace with the uncertainty. No one knows what’s going to happen in the future. There are multiple possibilities, infinite possibilities. We can’t control what will happen, but we can give power to the energy that we have right now. All we truly have is this moment.
That’s the power. This is the power. And you’re the creator, not the thoughts. If thoughts are allowed to be the creator, they’ll just create suffering. But it’s up to you to decide what to do with that thought in the moment.
Are you going to continue to let it affect your reality? Or are we going to start putting practices in place to observe when those thoughts of doubt or fear come in? Are we going to continue this pattern, or are we going to say, Okay, this is where it ends. My attention is here, whether it's on your breath, on flowers, on nature, on the sun—whatever works for you in that moment to bring your attention to the present.
This will initially take a conscious effort. Conscious practice creates autopilot responses in the future, but at first, it requires energy and time. If that’s what you want to achieve, is this something you can start applying practically now, daily, whenever these thoughts come up, if that’s the freedom you're looking for?
Violaine: Yes, I mean, in my case, I don’t even want to label them, but they feel like this huge mountain.
Michelle: Of course, because it’s like you’re looking at the end goal. But if you take it moment by moment, nothing’s really happening. Right now, you’re seeing it as this huge mountain to climb because your perception in your mind is making it that way.
Violaine: Right, and my mind is really good at doing that!
Michelle: Exactly! It’s learned that behavior, but now, how do we learn a new behavior?
You’ve practiced seeing it that way for however many years—20 or more. Now, you’re looking at it as a mountain, but nothing is happening right now in this moment. By thinking, Oh, it’s such a big mountain to climb, you’re already creating a barrier, a kind of mental prison, trapping yourself with belief in fear, worry, and doubt.
So, it’s just a matter of changing that perception and practicing a new way to respond. Once you recognize that it’s a made-up concept, you realize the mountain only exists because we’re feeding it with beliefs and doubts. The mind has spent years building that pattern, but by focusing on the present and breaking it down, step by step, we stop adding to the mountain.
By practicing a new behavior, whether through breathing, grounding yourself in nature, or any moment-to-moment awareness technique, you create a new reality where the mountain no longer holds the same power. It becomes manageable, and soon it may even disappear entirely.
So, let’s be free of that “mountain,” starting with one conscious choice at a time.
The way we change this is by focusing our attention. It’s not a mountain because you’re not climbing a mountain. You’re sitting here with me, having a lovely conversation, and I’m grateful for your energy. That’s all we need to do—focus on this moment. As soon as I stop saying that, your attention might go back to the mountain you feel you need to climb. So, let’s refocus again. I’m grateful to sit here, to breathe, to feel my hands, to touch my pen, to see the screen, the lights, the energy around us.
Then, when the mind says, Oh, but what about that mountain we need to climb for our health? bring your attention back. This drink I’m having—oh, it’s so refreshing. Look at the water. Every time a distracting thought arises, refocus. Initially, it may feel exhausting because the mind will keep interrupting. But each day, as you practice, it becomes easier. Within two or three weeks, maybe six weeks, that mind chatter fades away. You've moved from "A" to "B," and suddenly there’s clarity—Oh my gosh, I feel free because I’m not constantly in thought. I’m not suffering anymore.
Then, you can take on bigger challenges. Start with the small, moment-to-moment ones. Everything is perfect in every divinely given moment. I keep saying that, programming you subliminally.
Violaine: It should be on the radio, like a broadcast!
Michelle: Yes, with the media controlling it all! But what you're saying is such a good reminder.
It all comes back to that ultimate question. The fact that you feel like there’s a mountain to climb—that’s the barrier blocking you from freedom. But you’re not actually climbing a mountain. You’re sitting here with no apparent health issues. In this moment, nothing is happening. Yet the mind, when it’s not present, is telling you something’s wrong.
Now, we need to reprogram that thought from something’s wrong to everything is perfect and divine in every moment. If we have a challenge, we’ll tackle it in that moment, not in the future or past. When it arises, that’s when we’ll know what to do, because we have a knowing that everything is as it should be.
The future can hold a mountain if it wants, but we’re not living there. We’re here. This is the power of observation: nothing is happening outside of now. Everything just is here and now.
This doesn’t mean we abandon our manifestations, intentions, goals, or aspirations. Those are part of the joy, the experience. But we aren’t attached to the outcome. If the journey takes us on a detour, great, we’ll go that way. Life isn’t a straight line—it’s full of twists and turns. Life is always changing, and that’s part of the joy of it.
But when we’re lost in thought, we lose the excitement and joy of it all.
Violaine: I love how you put it—every day’s challenges are opportunities. You don’t look at life as if it’s happening to you in a negative way, but rather, Bring it on! Let’s see how I overcome this.
Michelle: Yes, like, Bring it on! Also remember, it doesn’t have to be tomorrow or next Monday or after Christmas. The moment is now. Every moment is a decision—you can choose to suffer, or you can choose freedom.
I chose freedom. I’m not perfect; my mind still plays tricks and sets traps. But now I can identify those quickly because I’ve practiced. It wasn’t like I decided one day, I’m not going to suffer in thought anymore. I had to practice tirelessly. But I wanted that freedom, so I made the changes and put in the steps.
Just like with anything else—whether it’s learning something in school, becoming proficient in a skill, or mastering a new subject—you have to put in practice. If you want to learn to drive or use a computer, you have to take steps, you can’t do it overnight. It’s all about enjoying the journey.
It’s not just birth and death—it’s the life in between. That’s the gift. When we say the present, we mean that literally—it’s the gift we’re given, along with the experiences we can have, the things we can touch, hear, see, taste. Enjoy every bit of it. Fell thatconnection and communication we can have with one another—it’s sacred, and I’m grateful for it. Let’s try not to live in suffering, where the ego controls the environment. Let’s be authentic, and let’s open up with that heart space, because that’s where our essence lies. It’s right there, in the center.That’s what we talk about in these podcasts—it always circles back to that balanced state of being.
Violaine: Yes, I think that’s a wonderful way to wrap up everything we’ve discussed. I believe we’re nearing the end of our topic for today. I don’t have any more questions, though I wish I did because I feel like we’ve covered so much already. I hope this discussion is helpful to everyone listening.
But before we close, is there anything else you’d like to add, anything we haven’t touched on?
Michelle: I think we’ve covered everything. The tools we’ve discussed—attention and observation—are so useful. These two aspects are central to mastering the mind. Conquering attention and observation through consistent practice is what I’d love everyone to take away from this podcast.
For me personally, writing notes or journaling has been incredibly helpful. I keep a sheet with my triggers listed, and it’s helped me observe and hold them accountable for what they really are—just thoughts. When a trigger happens, I write it down. It might be a place, a temperature, or a sound that set me off. Writing it out brings it to life and allows me to step back, observe, and shift my attention.
These are the main tools I want you to take away: observation, attention, and practical application. Like we always say, truth with application is key—apply it in your daily life, enjoy the journey, and embrace the experience.
Violaine: Yes, observation and attention—and a notebook!
Michelle: Everyone loves a good notebook. Absolutely. It’s been an absolute pleasure sharing this energy with you again, sister.
Violaine: The pleasure is all mine, really. I’m grateful for the time and effort you put into sharing the best tools and insights with everyone listening. I can relate to everything you said, particularely with observing, taking notes, and then choosing how to respond.
Thank you so much, Michelle. I really appreciate you diving into this topic. It’s new to me, but I appreciate all the knowledge and wisdom you bring to this channel.
Michelle: I’m grateful for you as well. And, of course, if any questions come up, feel free to ask them in the comments. I’ll keep an eye on them. I’ll also provide my contact details for anyone who wants to reach out by email or through social media. I’m always happy to help.
Michelle: Thank you for mentioning that! We’ll make sure all your contact details are in the description below, whether this is posted on YouTube, Instagram, or wherever.
Violaine: Thank you, Michelle. Yes absolutely. thank you for catching that. All the contact details will be put below in the decription.
It’s been wonderful. Have a good night!
Michelle: You too. Take care!
Important links to reach out to Michelle: 👇
Website: xfamunity.com
Instagram: @xfamilyunity
YouTube: Josh X
Email address for the transformation: the6weektransformation@gmail.com
FOR ONE ON ONE TRANSFORMATIVE TIME WITH JOSH OR MICHELLE VIA ZOOM CONSULTATION: xfamunityconsultations@gmail.com