This sit is about not flipping our lid.
As we've learned in the brain science of mindfulness that the prefrontal cortex has the power to self-regulate,
To have critical thinking,
To problem-solve,
To allow us to really have somewhat of control over our experiences.
But when we get really angry or any negative emotions really get the best of us and we do things and say things reacting without responding and not doing things that help us and help others,
We're flipping our lids.
So there's a bunch of different ways that we can practice not flipping our lid.
It can be finding the breath,
Creating space,
It can be listening to sounds or thinking a thought or checking into our body.
It can be so many different things.
Basically anything that we can use to create space and time between whatever was making us angry or frustrated and instead of reacting choosing a wise response to a challenging situation.
So today I just want to have us do a mindful sit that really gives us an opportunity to remember that there's a lot of techniques in mindfulness that we can use that creates a space and time that then gives us a chance to step away from the situation or look at the whole picture of the situation and do what's right and do what's best for ourselves and others in healthy ways.
So let's get into our position.
Feet flat on the ground.
I've got my spine in a line.
Got my hands on my lap.
I got my heart to the sky.
Now let's close our eyes.
Close your eyes.
Now close your eyes.
Remember every time we hear that bell we tune into our mindful listening and allow ourselves to fully arrive in this new moment,
This present moment.
So just quickly just check in to how you're feeling mentally right now.
Are you feeling calm and relaxed?
Are you feeling frustrated or upset?
No judgment.
Again awareness and mindfulness means we're not deciding that we are any emotion.
Just as emotions pass through us just like every other person in the world and that when strong emotions come we learn how to navigate them with wisdom and ways of really making healthy decisions for ourselves.
So now maybe picture the last time that you reacted.
You flipped your lid.
It could have been on the playground.
It could have been at home.
It could have been with a teacher and think about how we can use our mindful skills to create that space and time so we don't react without thinking.
So we don't make decisions that might hurt ourselves or others.
And think about what skill you could have used.
So maybe on the playground and someone took the ball away from you or you're in the classroom and a student says something rude to you or you're at home and an older sibling told you what to do in a really mean way.
Whatever the situation is and you flipped your lid,
Think about could you have taken a few mindful breaths and then communicated to the person how it felt and how you really didn't appreciate it or could you have done a body scan and checked in to see if you're feeling really tense or on edge.
Could you use your mindful thinking?
What could you have done to have given you the space?
Could you have named the emotion to tame the emotion?
Maybe you might have needed to name the emotion five times anger,
Anger,
Anger,
Anger or whatever it is.
All we're trying to do in mindfulness is remember that we actually through awareness,
Through paying attention,
Can gain that awareness,
That opportunity to make wise responses to more challenging situations as well as be present with all that life has to offer.
Remembering that we actually can activate the prefrontal cortex.
We can get the prefrontal cortex to be working for us through these other skills we talked about.
And let that amygdala fight,
Flight,
Freeze or faint response system from starting to take control.
We have the power through mindfulness so let's use it.
Let the bell sound happen and stay with the sound.
Be present and have a mindful day.
