I had an opportunity this week to interview Author Carole D. Fontaine. Carole's book is S.A.I.L ABOVE THE CLOUDS | How to Simplify Your Life.
Carol lives in Maine with her husband of 30-years. She empowers people to live their best life by sharing stories of her 20-years of living aboard a sailboat and her journey to heal from chronic disease. She is a successful professional graphic designer, and continues her life-long study of holistic and yogic philosophies and learning ways of managing her health. Carole is a certified Life Coach, Meditative Writing, Shakti Dance® Yoga, and Reiki Master Teacher. She teaches weekly online classes for stress-relief, mindfulness, yoga, and meditative writing (and when not in a pandemic, offers in-person classes at local studios).
This interview comes from my perspective as someone who has read the book obviously, but I feel that the conversation is one that even those that have not read the book will benefit from. (And then hopefully read the book). The book can be easily found here on Amazon.
This book aligns very well with the mission of Sail Junky Magazine because part of our focus is to share our journey, and sailing is only one aspect of that journey. The ability to live an authentic and happy life is a critical part of my journey and this book came at a perfect time for me personally as I strive towards that goal.
The is the first book in a series of four that uses stories of sailing as the backstory. The book series uses the word S.A.I.L. to convey to main focus for each book: Simplification, Alignment, Integrate, & Let Go.
SIMPLIFICATION
Each chapter has a story centered mostly around Carole and her husband Eric's journey in sailing, but it is truly used as a metaphor for the real lessons of each chapter. There are suggested exercises or challenges for each that the reader can use almost like a workbook. For those who read and truly engage with the content and do the exercises, there is much opportunity to gain insights into your own happiness, and find opportunities for growth.
The book carefully walks through, in order, areas that we can approach to simplify our lives, with a goal of finding a happier, healthier, less encumbered or depressed state of being.
I highly suggest this book to our readers. Is it a ground breaking epiphany? Well many of the concepts will make you say "Of course", but those are often the concepts that we need to be reminded of; concepts that we may know as fundamental for our happiness, yet we do not take the time for them. Carole's method in reinforcing them and providing actionable encouragement is reinforced by her message to care enough about ourselves to actually take care of ourselves. That is the key, and a book like this is a helpful guide towards that endeavor.
I am very much looking forward to the next books in the series and appreciate Carole spending the time she did to have such a great conversation with me about her work.
To connect with Carole and her work see these links below:
Website: https://www.inspiredlifebycarole.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/InspiredCarole
Mike D. is the founder of Sail Junky Magazine. Striving to find more purpose in life, Mike writes and shares about his journey to rediscover his passion for living a fulfilled life, especially through the medium of sailing. sailjunkymagazine@gmail.com
I'm so glad you got the opportunity to talk to Carole! Great job!
Fabulous Carole, i cant wait for the summer and I now have my reading sorted. Yeah! Take care Tan x
Awesome interview with Carole. I have read her book and I love the exercises inside. Authenticity is a very important quality for me and one that I try to uphold on a daily basis. Being self aware and genuine whilst focusing on a mission/dream brings a life of whole hearted fulfillment. Thank you for the interview share Mike and Carole.