Hey pals meet @mer_ambruso. She is a florist, surfer, deep thinker and incredibly kind and compassionate human.
Why is surfing important?
-Surfing is important because, it just is! I think it's for the feeling of being free. The ever extensive amount of joy it brings. There is something so special about it that only someone who surfs understands. Because sometimes surfing is that good you can't describe the feeling. Something so important with surfing- I hope we see more of is more diversity in the water. That has been something surfing has lacked for so long. Diversity. It is the only thing that has truly bothered me about surfing, seeing a sea of white, or tanning into an aging oblivion.. no we need more diversity in the water.
Tell me about flowers...
-Flowers will share more about them than I could ever try to tell you! But for myself, flowers are how we should embrace one another. Each one is different. Every single flower. And some flowers leave us quickly and some stay for weeks, months, or even years. This will sound really cheesy so bear with me, but if we took time with each person like we did a flower we might see the beauty of who they are and what they are instead of what we think they should be or our assumption of who we think they are.
If you were given one thousand acres of land, what would you do with it?
-Well I'd make it my own personal tiny town that I'd have all my close friends and family move on to. It would have to be on the ocean and either in the central coast or further like Bolinas. Of course then they would have to call me Mayor Mer. I know there are just a thousand more ideas I would have but that's the start.
If you could dedicate your life to solving one problem, what problem would you choose?
-Racism. We need to keep educating and teaching people. Until we are all free, no one is free. We need to stand beside our brothers and sisters who have been betrayed for far too long. More people need to look through a lens of understanding and history. We need to "grasp things at the root" as Angela Davis says about what 'radical' means. So let's get radical.
What makes a person beautiful to you?
-A person who is trying. We are all beautiful and flawed and we always will be. The beautiful ones recognize when to grow and to do so with self-compassion, compassion of others and gosh so much can come up. Letting go of ego. The ones who try. The ones who see laughter and joy. Who create from a place of their hearts' desire. They are beautiful to me.
If you could do so, how would you change the world?
-That's a loaded question isn't it...anymore the idea of how to change the world feels so overwhelming. I think the idea of humans being understanding and not this messed up idea of fear would be a start. And an education on what things are literally killing our Earth. This question makes me sad actually.
Where do you find meaning in your life?
-Meaning to me comes in so many forms. It's making someone laugh, it's surfing, it's creating, it's being with friends and family. My meaning comes down to inner joy, that thing that lights me up and how I can take that to serve others.
What’s the most anxiety-inducing thing you do on a regular basis?
-I have endometriosis, I don't know what my days will look like at times. Sometimes I do fine, other days I am in so much pain I can't get out of bed. It stirs up a lot of anxiety for me.
What habit do you have now that you wish you started much earlier?
-I wish I understood the practice of grounding sooner. That always helps me the minute I am overwhelmed or sad or whenever my ego comes around.
How do you keep yourself psychologically healthy?
-Pretty much the things that I find meaning in are laughter, surfing, creating, friends and family, and serving others. And I love my therapist, I love weed, and I take anti-anxiety meds. There is no shame in getting help. Whether it be from talking to someone who is gifted in the art of therapy, from smoking a plant like weed in moderation (or you know do as you will), or if you need a prescription. I do all the things people might want to judge but guess what, I am happy and I have found that I am just myself as I have always been, just with even more tools under my belt to help me in life.
Mantra of the moment?
-Your light is going to irritate a lot of unhealed people.
What experiences in life shaped you the most?
-I have had such a full life, I think there are countless experiences. Of course key ones come to mind but that's what has made life feel so full - that I'm 33 and have lived so fully. I can't wait for more life to happen to see what could shape me next. I think we are constantly being shaped. In our biggest and smallest experiences.
When do you know if it is the right time to change things up and why?
-I always feel it, like the shift comes like the wind. Remember when Mary Poppins feels the wind change? That is the same feeling I get! Which is funny, I have modeled a lot of myself from that character ironically! I don't know why it is, but that's just how it's always been for me. I think it's a really wonderful quality because it's made my life so full and bright!
How does someone become better morally?
-When a person realizes they are not their ego and that their ego is not them... when they can be present with themselves and others. That's when things change for the better. But they have to want to change. No one can choose for them.
When you are having a bad day what are some of the things you do to snap out of it?
-Grounding. Literally even with shoes on, just focusing my feet standing on the ground and breathing into that moment. That moment I am safe and I'm okay. And maybe things aren't the way I wish for them, but it's okay. That feeling will pass. This bad day will pass.
At karaoke what song do you pick?
-What song don't I pick! Lately, Be My Baby by The Ronettes or Sometimes by Britney Spears - actually my Grandma and her best friend have a karaoke business! That's how my grandma met her boyfriend.
What are your thoughts on meditation?
-To me, meditation brings me into a place of awareness. It helps me to listen more deeply, to quiet my mind (which oh boy there are always an overwhelming amount of thoughts I have), and by doing so I find I am more insightful and present with myself and with others. Meditation gives me peace. And I don't think you have to meditate for an hour, or even 20 minutes! If you have one minute, you can meditate. Start there. I promise you will notice a difference in your life and how your thoughts come and go. You will find yourself more aware, and awareness will change you in the best ways throughout every day.
