The Act of Grounding

"Accidents are the body's mechanism

for getting our attention.

Whether it is a car accident, sports injury,

or we trip headlong into a wall,

it is an indication that we are not really in our bodies,

that something has taken our focus away.

Accidents slam us back into reality, sometimes literally.

It's the way our bodies and the universe say,

"Hey, pay attention! You're important!"

Deborah King

TRUTH HEALS

Accidents of any kind are a sign that we are not paying attention.  Maybe we are day dreaming, struggling with emotion, or simply tired, but we are not focused.  We are going too fast and need to be slowed down, or we are to distracted and need to be alert.  We are not in the present moment navigating the life present before us.  

The word 'grounding' used here is a term referring to connecting with the earth, feeling its energy, while pulling down energy from the Divine.  By balancing these energies in our bodies, we feel connected to all things.  Some people feel calm or peace while others experience Divine presence.  No matter what we experience through grounding, there is a means of feeling whole. 

There are many other forms of 'grounding':  some people stand on the ground barefooted;  others stand in a shower letting water comfort and cleanse; and  there are those who meditate or pray.  The form a person uses is not as important as actually taking a few minutes to ground ourselves.

So this is fine for in the morning, but what about in the midst of a crazy day?  Even if we are stalled at a stop light, we can momentarily close our eyes and visualize the act of grounding in our minds, seeing it like a photo or video.  This of course is a short version, a blink of an eye thing, but the results can be just as powerful. 

It is good to ground our selves any time, but bedtime is important as grounding energetically pulls us back together, releasing fear or apprehension.  If we crawl into bed and realize too late that we have forgotten to ground our selves, no problem.  In bed, we can ground our selves through visualization from head to toe, toe to head, until we feel relaxed and ready for a good night's sleep. 

When we are grounded in our bodies, we are far more alert and less likely to misunderstand conversations, get stuck in emotion, or be distracted from the beauty of the life surrounding us.  Grounding can take as long or as short as time allows.  Just make the gesture and notice how much more present we are in our day!

Experience Entitled Living

Our task is to believe, to trust, to create, to do whatever is at hand to do in the present moment.  And to let the future be.

Our task is to affirm our own energy, our own God-identity, to use the gifts of the heart, then hands, and the spirit within, in the best way we know at the present moment.

Then comes the flow of light into our lives, as we "let go and let God," as we turn toward God, who is always and forever turned toward us.

BettyClare Moffatt

SOULWORK

Another oxymoron has presented itself to me.  I am an "intensely disciplined/easily distracted" individual.  I can be very focused, and yet easily wander.  Understanding life offers duality, I don't necessarily see one as good and the other bad.  Both offer gifts.

When I am intensely focused on an idea, I find my self researching it and experiencing it until I am fully grounded in the idea or ready to dismiss it.  Sometimes, however, during this very pursuit, I end up wandering into other areas.  The pursuit itself can become the distraction from my focus. 

This seems to be true with our dreams, passions, intentions, and agendas.  We become inspired for whatever reason and set out to fulfill our desire.  Too often, the coals of the fire burn out as we are sidetracked by limitations our life tend to project.  We may return to the fire and stir the coals, but seldom does the passion rekindle into its original heat.

Although it is in the wandering where we often times discover a higher truth or a better understanding than the discipline would have revealed.  Everything, every movement is an aspect of learning from this experience entitled living.

Perhaps this is just part of the dance of life, being pulled from one polarity to another.  I do know that we all experience it.  So perhaps the key is doing what you can, where you are, and with what you have.  Not always, but generally.  Waiting for the really big moment or the great 'aha' can deprive us from the magic in each of life's moments.

Finding Equal Happiness

How passionately we love everything

that cannot last:

the dazzling crystallory of winter,

the spring in bloom,

the fragile flight of the butterflies,

crimson sunsets,

a kiss,

and life.

Dean Koontz

Brother Odd

Yesterday was an euphoric entry into the magical rhythms of spring ... sunshine bursting, flowers radiant, green grass begging for bare feet, sweet fragrances floating in the air ... and all was well in my world.

People in the community were holding their hearts open in celebration of spring.  Everyone seemed to be a bit more kinder and polite towards each other by holding doors, offering smiles and seemingly happy to be alive!

In search for a few new pieces to spruce up my spring wardrobe, I encountered, much to my surprise, a professional friend I had not seen for twenty years.  She looked wonderful as she shared her accomplishments and excitedly embraced my career reporting.  I felt connected to my successful past which brought joy into my present.

When I returned to my car and settled into the driver's seat, I noticed something on my windshield.  "Oh no," I thought,  "not a ticket to ruin this perfect day!"  I climbed back out and ripped the paper from behind the windshield wiper.  What could this be?  Upon closer examination I discovered the lovely handwriting of a neglected friend.  Oh how I wish I had seen her!  Her quickly written message made me miss her all the more.

Upon arriving back at the house, I bustled in vibrating with all of the energies from this lovely spring day.  Writing in my journal,  I leisurely expressed my thoughts about the unfolding of this spring day.  I sadly realized that this foray into spring bliss, as other things I surely love, couldn't sustain these feelings much longer.  

The sun would once again sink into the horizon, and the graceful appearance of the moon would glide across the star lit sky.  Begrudgingly, I would leave the porch swing and find my way to bed.  I would place my fantasy spun memories to rest in hopes of finding equal happiness tomorrow.

Step

Every breath we take,

every step we make,

can be filled with

peace, joy, and serenity.

We need only to be awake,

alive in the moment.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Every morning, as our eyes slowly open and bring us back into daily living, we can take our first regulated deep breaths of the day.  Breathe in with anticipation what goodness you may find hidden in the midst of a busy schedule and breathe out anxiety and stress.

There is material everywhere about living in the moment.  This concept can be found in self-help books, meditations, centering prayers, yoga, energy work, and ancient scripts.  It is the process of slowing ourselves down, pulling in our energy from thoughts tied to the past or reigning in the anxieties from our unknown future.   Breathe and enjoy the beauty in the now.  Restore yourself in this very moment and create an awareness of being in the present all day long.  When you feel stressed or overwhelmed, take a moment to breathe which will center you.

Unlike other practices, simple breath work does not require lengthy steps.  In the present moment, you just breathe ... breathe in peace, joy and serenity ... exhale stress and anxiety.  One step.  One moment that will restore your peace of mind.  This moment, it is all you have. 

Nothing More

When we know love matters

more than anything

and we know that

nothing else really matters,

we move into a state of surrender.

Surrender does not diminish our power;

it enhances it.

Sara Paddison

At least 6 inches of snow awaited my arrival at the Denver, Colorado airport.  The temperature was 26, but it fell to a mere 17 degrees during the night.

For a week, I am settled into the welcoming home of my college roommate Joyce Marie.  She has recently had a bone marrow transplant and has been released to her home, but cannot be alone.  I am one of many of her friends that are participating in weekly shifts to be gratefully in her presence.

Joyce has been my friend, my sister of the heart since meeting just prior to college enrollment.  We could not be any more different from each other, but we are some how tied by heart strings. 

Today is a beautiful fall day.  Joyce's home has pumpkin decor all over it and she anxiously awaits Halloween, one of her favorite days.  I watch anticipation joyfully pass across her beautiful face anticipating trick or treat participants.   I of course will be the official greeter wearing my witches hat.

Joyce is living in the moment.  She remains present and fully involved in what stands before her.  She has surrendered to life cushioned by love.  She marvels at the colored leaves, breathes in breaths that she wasn't sure she would have, and celebrates the gifts of life that remain with her.  Her positive outlook on life and her ability to embrace whatever is coming before her, totally fills my spirit. 

Life can be as simple as we make it or as complicated as we choose.  Today, in the warmth of the sun my heart is filled with love.  All of fall embraces me ... dancing colorful leaves nudged along by a gentle breeze, snow dabbled on top of the distant mountain tops, and pumpkins decorating neighbors porches and front yards.  It is as though Joyce and I are huddled together in a pumpkin patch, pulling in the rays of sunshine, settled on top of mother earth, and just being...without want or expectation.  Nothing more.

Love is all that matters ... then peace and calm follows.