The Mindful Mom

Riding the Waves of Positive Emotions: A Surfer’s Guide to Mindfulness.

I hope this week was one that brought you blissful moments and that you were in them as they were in you.

Imagine standing on a beach, the sun warming your skin, the sound of waves crashing in the distance. Surfers, with their boards in hand, scan the horizon, seeking the perfect wave to ride. They aren’t looking for the currents that will pull them under or the waves that will overwhelm them. Instead, they focus on finding those uplifting waves that will carry them smoothly to shore. This analogy beautifully illustrates how we can prioritize positive emotions in our lives, especially through the practice of mindfulness.

Finding the Uplifting Waves;

Surfers are selective. They wait patiently, observing the ocean’s rhythm, and choose the waves that promise a thrilling, yet manageable ride. Similarly, in life, we can learn to identify and prioritize positive emotions. These are the moments of joy, gratitude, love, and contentment that uplift us. By focusing on these emotions, we can navigate through life’s challenges with greater ease and resilience.

Mindfulness plays a crucial role in this process. It is the practice of being fully present in the moment, aware of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment. For children, mindfulness can be a powerful tool to help them catch the streams of good reactions and emotions. When children learn to be mindful, they become more attuned to their positive experiences. They notice the warmth of a hug, the excitement of a new discovery, or the satisfaction of a job well done. These moments, like the perfect waves, can carry them through their day with a sense of joy and fulfillment.

Flowing with Positive Emotions;

Once a surfer catches a wave, they ride it with skill and balance, flowing with its energy. Similarly, when we catch a positive emotion, we can choose to flow with it, allowing it to enhance our experience. This doesn’t mean ignoring the negative emotions but rather acknowledging them without letting them dominate our mental landscape.

For children, this can be particularly beneficial. Teaching them to acknowledge their negative emotions—like frustration, sadness, or anger—without letting these emotions overpower the positives can help them develop emotional resilience. Mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing, guided imagery, or simply paying attention to their senses, can help children stay grounded in the present moment. By doing so, they learn to ride the waves of positive emotions, maintaining balance even when faced with challenges.

Acknowledging the Negative Waves;

Surfers don’t deny the existence of dangerous currents or overwhelming waves. They acknowledge them, respect their power, and make conscious choices to avoid them. In life, we must also acknowledge our negative emotions. Ignoring or suppressing them can lead to greater emotional turmoil. Instead, we can practice mindfulness to observe these emotions without judgment, understanding that they are a natural part of our human experience.

Mindfulness teaches us to observe our thoughts and feelings as they arise, without getting swept away by them. This practice helps us create a mental space where we can choose how to respond rather than react impulsively. For children, this means learning to recognize when they are feeling upset or anxious and using mindfulness techniques to calm themselves. By acknowledging their negative emotions, they can prevent these feelings from overshadowing their positive experiences.

The Practice of Mindfulness;

Just as surfing requires practice and perseverance, so does mindfulness. It takes time to develop the ability to stay present and balanced amidst life’s ups and downs. Children, like surfers, need guidance and support as they learn these skills. Parents and educators can play a vital role in this process by modeling mindfulness practices and creating opportunities for children to practice them.

One effective way to introduce mindfulness to children is through simple, everyday activities. For example, during a walk in the park, encourage them to notice the colors of the leaves, the sound of birds, or the feeling of the breeze on their skin. These moments of mindful awareness can help children develop a habit of focusing on the present and appreciating the positive aspects of their experiences.

Pushing Through the Darker Tunnels;

Even the most experienced surfers face challenging waves and wipeouts. Similarly, we all encounter difficult times and negative emotions. The key is to push through these darker tunnels with perseverance and self-compassion. Mindfulness can help us navigate these challenges by providing a steady anchor in the present moment.

For children, this means learning to be kind to themselves when they make mistakes or face setbacks. Encouraging them to practice self-compassion and reminding them that it’s okay to feel sad or frustrated can help them build emotional resilience. Over time, with consistent practice, children can develop the ability to prioritize positive emotions and ride the waves of life with greater ease and joy.

By drawing an analogy to surfing, we can understand how to prioritize positive emotions and navigate life’s challenges with mindfulness. Just as surfers seek and ride uplifting waves, we can focus on positive emotions, acknowledge negative ones without letting them overpower us, and practice mindfulness to maintain balance. At any given moment many streams of consciousness exist around you and within you. I believe we have the power to embrace those vibrations that enhance our well being and this agency has to be practiced on a daily basis. I often asked my kids to make a choice between something as simple as the being irritated by the mosquitoes in the patio and being enthralled by the stars above them. This journey requires patience, practice, and perseverance, but the rewards are a more joyful and fulfilling life.

I hope the upcoming week allows you the gift of choice. The purest agency you possess is the one that provides you with the mindset to choose which emotions you will strengthen. I send you much warmth ….Namaste