Sunday, October 05, 2008

GROUNDING

I hear a lot about the need to stay grounded, and I've been operating under a limited understanding of just what that was. I can easily recognize a person that's "so grounded," and one that's "so ungrounded," but can't so easily identify what makes them so, let alone myself.

I know that when talking about electricity, the wires have to be grounded, or you've got yourself a problem - they cannot handle all the energy/current/charge running through them, if you don't do whatever it is you're supposed to do to make them grounded.

And so I guess it's the same thing with we humans? We can't handle all the energy/current/charge that runs through us, if we don't stay grounded?

So what do we DO to stay grounded?

I've been doing a little research, and here's what I've come up with:

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO TO STAY GROUNDED

10. Remind yourself you are in a body - sounds simple, but for me, isn't
9. Feel all that your body is feeling - check in with it
8. Put your body ON the earth - lie on the ground, take your shoes off and put your feet in the dirt/sand/grass/what-have-you
7. Drum, or listen to drumming - something with a strong and steady beat, like a heartbeat
6. Walk in nature
5. Get to the ocean
4. Eat food straight from the earth
3. Drink water
2. Bring nature inside: fountains, rocks, crystals, etc...
1. Breathe

12 comments:

Deb Shucka said...

Lovely analogy. Great timing of this reminder that our bodies matter, no matter how much some of us try not to let them.

Angie Ledbetter said...

FMTA. Just had a post on staying balanced/juggling. ;)

Angie Ledbetter said...

You asked about FMTA --Fine Minds Think Alike! ;)

Amber said...

Soooo true.

For me, I need to be out in nature where it is beautiful, and I am reminded that we are just passing through.

:)

Joanne said...

The ocean is sublime. That would be my first pick.

Kathi said...

Just came from the ocean today and feel very put together.

I usually do the walking thing and gardening - never underestimate the power of soil.

Unknown said...

ok don't laugh but when I read #4 "Eat food straight from the earth" what popped into my mind was a person shoveling dirt into their mouth for some reason. ha ha ha!! ;)

Michelle O'Neil said...

Great suggestions. All this talk of the ocean is making me feel a little trapped. At least we have Lake Erie.

Jerri said...

"Grounding" electricity literally means giving it a path to get to the earth, to the ground beneath your home. Back when plumbing was mostly copper, ground wires were connected to it, and it carried the load to a "house ground" that offloaded into....the ground.

For me, to be grounded is to be connected to the earth. My dear former counselor encouraged me to stand outside barefoot and imagine roots growing from my feet, deep into the earth.

Weird, maybe, but a very cool--and effective--grounding exercise.

Drama Mama said...

Lovely.

Admittedly, I am not an earth-y type person. I mean, I love it, I appreciate it - but it's not my go-to pick for grounding.

For me, it's being in the middle of everything, in the middle of a busy street, talking, connecting with people...

Jess said...

Great list, I should try some of those.

Tracy has some drumming music for you, ask her about it. :)

Michelle, if you need to see some ocean, come visit us!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the reminders! I'm enjoying your blog.