There are times in our life when we need to seek stable ground. These are times where life may feel out of control or like it is moving too quickly. When our minds are racing or we are filled with sad thoughts what can we reach for to bring us safety and security? How can we refill our cups when we need it the most? Today we will explore a grounding technique that can bring us back to planet Earth when we may have floated away.
First, take a few deep breaths. Not shallow ones, but ones that fill your lungs and expand your ribs. Now breathe that air out so you can hear an audible release of air. Don’t be shy. Let the air go. Now, do it again. With every breathe in, feel your stomach get bigger and your lungs fill with life. Now let it go. Breathe it out. Let your shoulders drop. Release something.
Do it again.
Pay attention to your feet. How does the ground feel underneath you? Feel it with your toes. Touch your pinky toe to the ground, then the next toe, then the next, your middle toe, your ring toe, your big toe. Feel the balls of your feet hit the earth. It’s steady. It will always hold you up. Feel the strength in your feet touching the ground.
Now that you’ve gone through all of the piggies going to the market, look around the room. Tell me five things that you can see. What color are they? What texture do they have? How much space do they take up? Tell me four things that you can touch. Touch each item and feel it. Really, feel it and describe it in your head. Is it scratchy? Is it soft? Take a minute. Now, tell me three things you can hear. What sounds fill your life and make it meaningful? List off two things you can smell. Your home has a smell, the air has a smell, you have a smell. Now tell me one thing you can taste. Imagine your favorite food.
Think about your life so far. What are the things that are going well for you? Tell me about the big picture. Think about the promotion you are working towards, think about your children, think about your favorite day, imagine the face of your favorite person, and allow yourself to feel the strength that you have needed to get through life thus far. Let it fill you up. Just for a moment.
This is what it is like to take a minute and ground yourself. Throughout life, we are always trying to get to the next destination or the next feeling; let’s enjoy this moment. A moment that just is. There is nothing to do, nothing to change, just a moment in time that simply is.
Mind-Body-Connection 