Heidi Albritton is a dynamic Coach & Trainer, with over 20 years of experience in operational excellence and transformative coaching. Notably, she pioneered Mindfulness coaching at a global non-profit, contributing to the creation and facilitation of an organization-wide Mindfulness & Resilience program.
In the vast prairies of North America, there is an iconic creature known for its strength, resilience, and ability to face challenges head-on: the buffalo. When storms approach, unlike other animals that instinctively flee, buffalo naturally turn and face into the incoming weather. And while this behavior may seem irrational (after all, why wouldn’t they seek the comfort of shelter instead of weathering a gusty blizzard?), they naturally turn their bodies to face what’s coming and to calmly hold their ground as the bad weather approaches.
This instinctive behavior is a powerful example of how calm acceptance can influence the way we face challenge and adversity. While most of us would duck and hide with the prospect of an approaching storm, these animals instinctually understand that the storm is going to pass whether they want it to or not. They can face it with peace and resilience, or they can panic and cause chaos amongst their herd. The choice is theirs.
In our personal and working lives, it’s inevitable that we encounter various storms - be it something at work, our relationships, our health, our children, etc. These challenges can often leave us feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and defeated. There are times when the many stresses pile on to the degree that we can’t fathom a way out from under the incredible weight of them. When these storms of life overwhelm us, the easiest thing to do is to simply shut down, to go into hiding, to want to sleep and avoid whatever is coming. That is part of our ‘fight or flight’ biology, and one of the many possible responses to stress that we may feel. Much like our ancestors would have run in fear from an incoming storm, the stresses and strains of modern life can cause us to want to do the same
However, by embodying the spirit of the buffalo, we can learn to choose instead to face our storm head on, to calmly look what’s coming in the eye, and to navigate these storms with the grace and resilience of humans who have learned to overcome their limited biological response.
Mastering our own biology
Learning to overcome our instincts to fight, flight or freeze takes work. This is the art and practice of Mindfulness, and the daily grind of the practice is what can help us in these moments of fear and paralysis. Developing the practice of being present in the moment without judgment (meaning without fear, anger or other strong emotion), offers us a powerful tool to cultivate the resilience needed to face life's challenges. By training our minds to focus on the present moment, we can develop the inner strength and clarity needed to confront adversity.
That’s because the present moment is absent of the frantic scenario imaginings that our future-focused brains might conjure, and it’s also free from the sentiment and regret of our history-focused emotions. The present moment offers a clean slate where outcomes aren’t yet known, and past experience is irrelevant. Much like the buffalo facing the storm head-on, so too can we learn to confront our challenges with peace and perhaps even a sense of curiosity.
Imagine how you could positively impact your life by approaching your challenges with a sense of calm and mindful presence. Picture how doing so could also help the people around you. In the same way that a panicked buffalo would do a disservice to his herd, showing up as the stressed-out, frantic versions of ourselves that fear the challenges ahead, has a negative impact on everyone around us (whether we realize it or not).
And this takes us to the work that we humans have to do in order to present ourselves as the calm, collected, and thoughtful beings we’d like to be. Overcoming our natural reaction to stress is the result of a daily cultivation of mindfulness. And one of the key principles of mindfulness is acceptance – accepting things as they are, without resistance or judgment. When we resist challenges or cling to expectations of how things should be, we create unnecessary suffering for ourselves.
Instead, by accepting the reality of the situation, we can respond more effectively and adaptively. When we see the clouds of that impending storm begin to gather, our imaginations immediately run wild with worse-case scenarios and outcomes. But if we can learn to accept that the storms are coming whether we welcome them with open arms, or run for cover, we can also accept that we can ride them out whatever they bring.
In applying this concept to a situation at work, you can imagine facing a difficult conversation with a colleague. Rather than avoiding the conversation out of fear or discomfort or wasting precious energy imagining the possible reaction and outcome; mindfulness encourages us to approach it with openness and compassion. By staying present and attentive to our thoughts and emotions during the conversation, we can respond more skillfully and empathetically, ultimately strengthening our relationships and fostering mutual understanding.
Neuroscience research supports the idea that mindfulness can enhance resilience and well-being. Studies have shown that mindfulness practices can lead to structural changes in the brain, particularly in areas associated with emotional regulation and stress response. For instance, a study published in the journal Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging found that participants who underwent an eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program showed increased gray matter density in brain regions involved in emotion regulation and self-awareness.
Moreover, in other studies, mindfulness has been linked to reduced levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body. Chronic stress can have detrimental effects on both our physical and mental health, contributing to conditions such as anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular disease. By reducing stress levels, mindfulness can help protect against these negative outcomes and promote overall well-being.
Mindfulness can also contribute to improving our resilience through its emphasis on non-reactivity. Rather than reacting impulsively to challenging situations, mindfulness encourages us to pause, observe our thoughts and emotions, and choose a response that aligns with our values and intentions. This ability to respond thoughtfully rather than reactively can help us navigate difficult circumstances more skillfully and effectively.
The only way out is through
The concept of ‘being the buffalo" serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of cultivating resilience in the face of life's challenges. By embodying the spirit of the buffalo and approaching adversity with mindfulness and courage, we can navigate even the stormiest of seas with grace and resilience. Through regular mindfulness practice, we can train our minds to be more present, compassionate, and resilient, ultimately leading to greater well-being and fulfillment in our lives.
3 powerful ways to integrate "being the buffalo" into your life
1. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth
Instead of viewing challenges as obstacles to be avoided, see them as opportunities for personal
and professional growth. Approach each challenge with curiosity and openness,
knowing that overcoming obstacles can lead to greater resilience and self-
awareness.
2. Practice acceptance and non-resistance
Cultivate acceptance of the present moment, acknowledging things as they are without judgment or resistance. When faced with adversity, practice mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing or body scanning to anchor yourself in the present moment and respond with clarity and compassion.
3. Develop a regular mindfulness practice
Dedicate time each day to cultivate mindfulness through formal practices such as meditation or yoga, as well as informal practices such as mindful breathing or mindful eating. By integrating mindfulness into your daily routine, you can strengthen your resilience muscle and build the inner resources needed to face life's challenges with courage and grace.
Incorporating these three practices into your life can help you embody the spirit of the buffalo and navigate life's challenges with resilience and mindfulness. So, let us embrace the wisdom of the buffalo and face life's storms head-on, knowing that we have the inner strength and resilience to thrive in the face of adversity.
Read more from Heidi Albritton
Heidi Albritton, Mindfulness & High Performance Coach
Heidi Albritton is a dynamic Coach & Trainer, with over 20 years of experience in operational excellence and transformative coaching. Notably, she pioneered Mindfulness coaching at a global non-profit, contributing to the creation and facilitation of an organization-wide Mindfulness & Resilience program. A certified expert in Corporate-based Mindfulness, Advanced Enneagram Dynamics and High Performance Coaching, she's dedicated to helping individuals uncover their potential, manage their emotions, and lead a life of impact. Heidi's personal journey, marked by resilience in the face of Lyme's disease and cancer, fuels her passion for mindfulness and authenticity. Her mantra, "Change your mind, change your life,"
