"Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, 'Stay awhile.' The light flows from their branches. And they call again, 'It's simple,' they say, 'and you too have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.' "
- Among the Trees by Mary Oliver
Is it just me, or does autumn seem to be the busiest season? There's school and school shopping. Recitals and dances and meetings and soccer and homework and projects and play practice and football. There is also all the decorating for the holidays. Halloween, Thanksgiving and, dare I say, prepping for Christmas. (GASP)
While feeling pulled in a million different directions, finding our footing is important. As much as we would like to think that certainty actually exists, it's the fluctuation that is real, right? The world is constantly moving, and we are constantly trying to catch up. With life in a tizzy, it's hard to stay grounded. And by grounded, I mean not letting your thoughts and emotions spin out of control. But sometimes it happens. We get all caught up in our own heads or hearts. Feelings and thoughts get bigger and bigger and bigger. Being flooded can almost become a way of life this season. We have to remember, though, the ground is always there, it's just hard to feel it sometimes.
I have been taught to practice "grounding techniques," ways to bring us back to ourselves. There are all sorts of these. The first one I want to share with you is always a go-to for me and it is the easiest to do. It is all about breathing. Concentrating on your breath can immediately bring you back to the present. So take a deep breath, all the way down to your belly button..... Now one more..... Then try this: inhale slowly for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4. And repeat. This is called square breathing. FYI, some people don't like how holding your breath feels, so if you don't like that part just don't do that part. Find the controlled breathing that works for you. You can also try making your breath go in and out just like the sound of ocean waves. I have found that that one works well, too.
There are also ways where we can literally ground ourselves. For example, find a comfortable position, either sitting or standing. Make sure you feet are firmly on the ground. Concentrate on what that feels like. Can you feel your toes pressing into the ground? How about your heels? Can you feel the firmness of the ground in your calves? What do your knees feel like? You can work your way all the way up to the top of your head if you find this exercise helpful.
You can also use your environment to help ground you. Try naming all the things that are red in the space where you are. Now do things that are blue. You keep going with different colors until you feel more grounded.
There is also an exercise called 5-4-3-2-1. I have found this to be a really good one. It works because it uses all your senses. First, name 5 things you can see. Next, 4 things you can feel. Then, 3 things you can hear. Now name 2 things you can smell. Finally, name 1 thing you can taste. What do you think? Did that help?
Speaking of tasting, eating super sour candy like Warheads works. I keep them on me all the time. In fact, I bought 2 POUNDS of them. I have enough to last me for the next decade. Any body want some?
Ultimately, if all else fails, a cold shower definitely helps my body to reset. Feeling the warm water turn cool and then cold as it hits the top of my head works almost miraculously! I know it doesn't sound like fun, and fun is not a word I would use to describe it. But it most definitely works when I am feeling flooded or out of emotional control.
I hope these are helpful for you in this chaotic season. The next time you are feeling out of control and feel the need to come back to yourself, try one of these grounding techniques. Please let me know if they work for you by commenting below. Or if you have your own grounding techniques, I would love to hear about them!
As far as the Miniphany Tree itself is concerned, I wish I could give you a better update. I am still working on its ground. Can't have a tree without the ground, right? I am using wood putty to fill in the corners where there are small gaps. Once that dries, its sanding time! Then, we stain. I will post some pics when there are changes to show you. Right now, though, I am trying to stay grounded myself.
I am so glad you are here on this journey with me. Thank you for being by my side. We are doing this together. I am learning that it's okay to be uncomfortable. Uncomfortable is not the same as unsafe.
So in the midst of all the chaos this season, let us stand in it together, do our best to stay grounded, and, as Mary Oliver would say, let our lights shine.
xoxo
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