Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing: an experiential course for Eye Matter’s Tranquil Tuesdays monthly session.
Surviving, Thriving and Flourishing
In this session, Eye Matter explored the continuum of surviving, thriving, and flourishing, and reflected on how these experiences can show up in different areas of our lives.
Eye Matter also discussed how wellbeing is not an all-or-nothing experience. We are rarely surviving, thriving, or flourishing in every area at the same time. For example, we might be surviving in relation to our health, thriving in our relationships, and flourishing in a hobby, interest, or area of personal growth.
The group explored the differences between these three states:
We discussed how mindfulness can support us at every point on this continuum. Mindfulness helps us become aware of where we are, relate to our experiences with greater kindness, and notice opportunities for growth without judging ourselves.
Eye Matter also explored how character strengths such as hope, perseverance, gratitude, kindness, curiosity, and perspective can help us move from surviving toward thriving, and at times, toward flourishing.
Through reflection and guided meditation, we considered where we currently find ourselves on the continuum and explored what small steps might help us move forward while recognising areas where we may already be thriving or flourishing.