What comes to mind when you think of groundedness?
Here is one definition: Groundedness is unwavering internal strength and confidence that sustains you through ups and downs. It is stability through change and even chaos.
The coronavirus ravaged the globe, leaving significant human and economic destruction in its wake. It disrupted how we work, play, love, grieve and participate in our communities. We all discovered that life was not as stable as we thought or would have liked it to be.
That is where the problem is. Our culture urges us to seek stability, but doesn’t reflect the reality that change is constant. However, with the right skills, change can be a dramatic force for growth.
Embracing life’s uncertainty, instability, and changeability turns out to be empowering and even comes with benefits.
People tend to respond to change in one of four ways: They attempt to avoid or refuse to acknowledge it, they actively resist it, they relinquish control, or they try to get back to where they were before an event happened.
I suggest six practices of groundedness to help support you during times of change, loss, and “lifequakes.” Practice is the repeated exercise of a skill in order to gain proficiency. In order to obtain groundedness, I suggest practicing the following:
- Accept where you are to get to where you need to go. In order to get where you want to be, you need to see clearly where you are now.
- Be Present so you can use your attention and energy, both physically and mentally, to work for what you want to achieve, not getting stuck in thoughts about the past or future.
- Be Patient and you’ll get there faster. Give things time and space to unfold.
- Embrace Vulnerability to develop genuine strength and confidence. Show up authentically and be your real self with others.
- Build Deep Community – Nurture genuine connection and belonging.
- Move your body so you fully inhabit it and become more comfortable in your own space.
When life breaks us open, and it will, we can also be grounded and fall down without falling apart. We can gain confidence, competence and compassion for yourself and others.
Reflection: When in the past have you fallen down and what skills did you use to get back up?
Today’s Practice: Today I will practice one of the skills I have learned in order to be more prepared when life surprises me.