Welcome to a special edition of my Eye Opener blog and newsletter. Today, I’m excited to share a glimpse into some of the amazing work we’re doing over at Thriving Blind Academy, the nonprofit I co-founded. Each week, my co-founder and I send out a little something we call the 5 to Thrive, which is packed with practical tips for navigating life’s challenges and thriving, no matter what comes your way.
In fact, today’s 5 to Thrive is all about emotional resilience—a critical part of our THRIVER Formula for Success, which we developed to help people take control of their lives, regardless of the challenges they face. Whether you’re a longtime reader of Eye Openers or new to the blog, I know you’ll find these strategies helpful. And if you want more of these weekly tips, you can always check out Thriving Blind Academy to stay connected!
Now, let me tell you a little story I first heard from Rory Vaden that perfectly illustrates how we can manage our emotions more effectively—and it all starts with a simple observation about cows and buffalo…
The Buffalo vs. Cow Mentality: How Are You Facing Life’s Storms?
Picture this: a storm rolls in over the Colorado mountains, and the cows do what seems instinctive—they start running! But the problem is, they run with the storm, staying stuck in it much longer and using up all their energy trying to avoid it.
Buffalo, on the other hand, have a different approach. When they see the storm coming, they don’t run away. Instead, they turn and face it head-on, charging straight through it. By doing this, they move through the storm faster and with less effort.
That, my friends, is emotional resilience in action! Life is full of emotional storms, but how we choose to respond makes all the difference. We can run from our feelings like the cows, prolonging the struggle, or we can face them like the buffalo, pushing through to the other side more quickly and emerging stronger.
So, in today’s 5 to Thrive, I’m sharing five ways you can channel your inner buffalo and thrive emotionally, using the strategies we teach at Thriving Blind Academy through our THRIVER Formula for Success.
1. Emotions Are Data, Not Directives
First up, let’s change how we think about emotions. They’re not there to control us—they’re there to inform us. Think of your emotions as data points that offer insight into what’s going on inside. But, like the buffalo, we need to face those emotions and use them to guide us forward.
Thrive Tip: The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, pause and ask yourself, “What is this emotion telling me?” Maybe it’s a signal that something needs to change, or perhaps it’s a call to take action. Use that emotional insight as valuable information, not as a reason to panic.
2. Recognize Emotional Triggers
We all have emotional triggers—those things that seem to send us into a tailspin without warning. Identifying your triggers is a key part of emotional resilience, as it allows you to be prepared for emotional storms before they hit.
Thrive Tip: Keep a journal of your emotional responses. Pay attention to when and why your emotions spike, and track what triggered them. Over time, you’ll start to notice patterns that will help you better anticipate and manage future emotional reactions.
3. Develop Emotional Resilience
Emotional resilience is like your emotional immune system—it helps you bounce back from challenges and stay grounded when life gets tough. Building resilience doesn’t mean avoiding emotions, but rather learning to process them in a healthy and empowering way.
Thrive Tip: Practice small habits that build emotional strength, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or taking a quick walk to clear your head. These simple, daily actions will help you stay emotionally steady, even during life’s most chaotic moments.
4. Turn Emotions Into Action
Emotions carry a lot of energy, especially the tough ones like frustration or anger. Instead of letting them drain you, think about how you can harness that energy and turn it into something productive—just like the buffalo using its strength to push through the storm.
Thrive Tip: When you’re feeling emotionally charged, stop and ask yourself, “How can I use this emotion to move forward?” Whether it’s tackling a difficult task, making a decision, or simply getting through a challenging day, channel that emotional energy into action.
5. Practice Gratitude to Shift Your Focus
Gratitude is one of the most powerful emotional tools we have. When we focus on what we’re grateful for, it shifts our attention from what’s wrong to what’s right, and that shift can make all the difference in how we experience emotional storms.
Thrive Tip: Each day, write down three things you’re grateful for. They don’t have to be big—maybe it’s something as simple as a good cup of coffee or a kind word from a friend. This small practice can help elevate your mood and build emotional resilience over time.
Final Thought: Be the Buffalo
So, Eye Openers, the next time an emotional storm hits, ask yourself: will you be a cow, running from it and dragging out the pain, or will you be the buffalo, charging through it head-on and emerging stronger?
Facing your emotions doesn’t mean they’ll magically go away, but it does mean you’ll move through them more quickly and efficiently. And that’s what thriving is all about—facing life’s challenges, learning from them, and using them as opportunities to grow.
If this edition of 5 to Thrive resonated with you, I invite you to check out the work we’re doing at Thriving Blind Academy. Whether you or someone you love is navigating life with blindness or just looking for ways to thrive in challenging times, TBA is a community that offers resources, support, and encouragement to help you turn obstacles into opportunities.
Thanks for joining me today, and I can’t wait to hear how you’re embracing your inner buffalo and thriving through life’s storms!
Discover the power of embracing ability and advantage in disability through Kristin Smedley’s transformative books, impactful speaking engagements, enlightening workshops, and thought-provoking films. Dive into her best-selling book “Thriving Blind” on Amazon, and elevate your next event by booking Kristin at kristinsmedley.com to ignite conversations that foster inclusivity and empowerment.
