What a Stingray Taught Me About Energy
By Terre Short
A couple of years ago, I had the joyful experience of interacting with stingrays in the wild, in New Zealand. Ten of us suited up in waders, and followed the two leaders into the ocean to summon a handful of stingrays that frequented the area. We each had large sticks to both steady us as we waded out and to position in front of our bodies if a stingray decided to bump us. The instructions were clear, the danger evident, and the excitement high.
One woman expressed anxiety straight away. She kept telling her friends she was scared. Everyone encouraged her to stay calm and remain in our tight semi-circle. The stingrays were known to be playful, the guides had names for each of them. Once they began checking us out, they gravitated to the nervous woman. I knew instinctively it was due to her energy, the rate of her heartbeat. The more anxious she became the more the playful ones were attracted to her. Or they interpreted her energy as fear and wanted to gain the upper hand in the interaction. Either way, it was not what she wanted or intended.
I wanted to interact with calm, peaceful stingrays, so I slowed my heartrate immediately. I created the energy I wanted reflected back to me. It totally worked. Everyone who remained calm and curious had a wonderful experience. I’ve used this for decades with people, initially unknowingly. And I use it personally.
We have mirror neurons that cause us to naturally take on the energy of those around us. How often have you entered a meeting and felt the charge of negative energy in the room, emanating from those you are about to meet with? I sure have, and I have learned to navigate such a scene by owning my energy.
As a student of Positive Intelligence (PQ), I now have many tactics to lean on to change or elevate my energy in the moment. In the Positive Intelligence framework, these are called PQ reps. Doing PQ reps has been proven to build your mental muscle. Why wouldn’t we want to build our mental acuity as much as a physical strength and business acumen?
I am confident that elevated positive intelligence in leaders is becoming a differentiator in organizations, as well as in the lives of those who are evolving their mental fitness. While there is a benefit for organizations, the greatest benefit is for the overall wellbeing of the individual.
We will share more about PQ in the future and invite you to reach out if you would like to learn more. To better understand the effect of our energy and how to clear negative energy, I suggest this article written by my colleague, Lisa Solis Delong: Demystifying Energetic Hygiene.
I will leave you with one PQ rep, my favorite! Touch your index and thumb together on each hand. Rub them until you can feel the ridges on each finger. Do this for at least one minute. Breathe. You have changed your energy.
