“Only those who know inter- nal peace can give it to others.” – Lao Tzu
We all have so much going on at the same time that it can be overwhelming. Just yesterday, when I was done for the day and ready to go home, I took a moment to pause and reflect on my day. As I sat there in my car, appreciating my day and imagining myself enjoying a relaxing evening, a light bulb turned on. I realized that I had another appointment that I had completely forgotten about. Thank goodness I took a moment to sit and breathe before rushing home.
Life is not a linear process. There is rarely, if ever, one simple thing going on. In order to successfully navigate these ever changing waters, it is important that we take time in our day to reflect on what we have done, and what we are going to do next. By doing so, we give our mind some much needed rest, and will catch some of the things that we might overlook if we just rush from one thing to the next. The peace of mind alone is worth the effort, and will greatly improve our experience, decreasing stress levels and making us magnetic to whatever good we are seeking.
I was listening to a professional surfer being interviewed recently. He is a young surfer named, Kolohe Andino, who is in his third year on tour. He described how the mental aspect of surfing has played a major role in his sudden improvement in the standings, and his recent string of good results. Along with more knowledge of which surfboards work best for him, and improved strength, he noted how much more relaxed he is when he goes out to surf a heat. This is what caught my attention. When we prepare, and reflect on what we are doing along the way, we are better able to relax and give our all to whatever we are doing when it comes time to take action.
When students come to me, particularly those who are struggling, it is often the case that their biggest challenge is staying organized and on top of their work. It is rarely due to a lack of planners, or reminders from the adults in their lives about what needs to be done. It is often at these times, when all options are exhausted, that they arrive in my presence. The first thing I observe when meeting these students is the ways they are thinking about their world, and if they are taking any time to personally reflect on what is going on.
One of my former students recently started a math class at the West LA Community College. On the day of her first quiz, she checked in to let me know how nervous she was feeling. I encouraged her to take a moment at the beginning of her quiz to breathe and check in with herself. I encouraged her to relax and imagine all the supportive people in her life being there with her. I suggested these techniques because they have been very effective in my own life.
When I was younger, I used to mentally strain when studying for tests. When test time came I would be mentally exhausted. Then I would strain even more to try and remember anything I had studied. I managed to get by doing this but it was at a great cost to my own well-being and I rarely achieved my potential. Through self-reflection and working with mentors, I learned to relax and take moments of silent reflection to clear my mind. From that place I could better access the knowledge I had, and sometimes discover things that I did not even know I knew. I have since learned to use moments of silent reflection in every area of my life, from parenting to surfing, to waiting in line at the grocery store.
Set aside some time in your day to reflect silently on what you have accomplished and what you would like to accomplish. This is a time to relax your mind and engage your creative imagination. Science has shown that the chemicals released will actually enhance your thinking and give you better access to all the knowledge you have and open you up to spontaneous new discoveries. The best part is, you feel better, and have more energy to enjoy your life. The time you take to take a break will pay dividends moving forward.
Edward Biagiotti is the Inclusion Specialist for Culver City Unified School District. He is also co-host of the popular radio show, Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed, live each week at 3 p.m. on www.UnityOnlineRadio. org. Visit www.TappingIntoGenius.com for more articles and a free, inspirational parenting download.