Emotional Mastery: The Gifted Wisdom of Unpleasant Feelings | Dr Joan Rosenberg | TEDxSantaBarbara

How to be a 90 Second Brain Wave Surfer.

And if there's a time where you ever said to yourself, "I never want to experience that again," it's probably some of those. Those feelings are ones to move towards, to start to embrace.

• Sadness

• Shame

• Helplessness

• Anger

• Vulnerability

• Embarrassment

• Disappointment

• Frustration

For me, it was involved with that gut-punch.

Embarrassment was really difficult. So was disappointment, and so was vulnerability.

But let's get to the solution. The solution has to do with riding the wave.

Remember that biochemical rush I mentioned a few moments ago? That biochemical rush we can think of as a wave, and, when that wave gets fired off in the body, it lasts roughly 60 to 90 seconds, which means feelings are temporary. So, from the time it gets fired off in the brain and it goes through our blood stream and then dissipates: 60 to 90 seconds.

You can handle 60 to 90 seconds, right?

All of us can do that.

And, with consistent practice, you may even be able to unhook from old-life stories. I have been the joyful recipient of countless stories of individuals who have mended relationships, who have engaged in courageous conversations, who have pursued goals that they wanted to pursue. And the most important one I think is when people come back and tell me that they feel so much more comfortable in their own skin. That's the benefit.

So, the next time you experience unpleasant feelings, embrace them, join me in the excitement, know that they are the path back to you being more fully you. Stay present. Stay fully present. Experience them. Surf those waves. It won't take years.

It won't even take a day. In fact, it will take just a moment. Start right now. Thank you.