14 Days to Go ~ Grounding a Worrier

Do my goals provide a time for getting grounded, enjoying each moment and smelling the flowers?
How can I effectively reach my goals?

I have learned that the goal will be reached more effectively through attentiveness than by supposition that merely being on the right mountain you will get to the top. 

I will fill you in on various lessons I have learned as I go along, even writing beyond my anniversary (The Deadline) in order to share with you the most amazing places my journey has taken me. But, with just two weeks to go until my 5th anniversary I must continue to focus on the moment. Taking advantage of each thought as it relates to my goals whether they be about my husband, my children, or myself. Today's blog relates to me. I have worked on meditation in order to be more grounded (or present to the here and now). Come, practice with me.

• Meditation is focusing and breathing. Observe what is going on around you, but don't judge it or yourself. See the observation with your mind's eye. Describe it, put a word to it. Then let that observation float away on a cloud, one observation at a time, until you are only aware of the current moment. Do this practice in a calm place.

• Quiet your mind to stop your wandering thoughts for a moment. Ask yourself the following questions slowly, paying close attention to your breath. Slow deep breath in. Slow deep breath out. Close your eyes. If you don't want to close your eyes, concentrate on a spot on the wall. 

1. Can you see the blackness or the spot? Describe it. "I see blackness." Don't judge it. Now, float it away. 
2. Can you hear what is around you? 
3. Can you smell anything? 
4. Can you feel your chair beneath you with your fingers or feel your shirt? 
5. What do your insides feel like? Is your heart quietly pumping? Do you feel a particular emotion? 
6. How about your outsides? Are you cold or hot? 
7. Notice each thing, describing it, and then floating it away.

This type of quieting the mind centers or grounds you. I am not good at this. My mind wanders constantly and I have to force myself to return. 

Being grounded helps us not worry about the past or the future, but to stay only in the present. This is a goal for me. It involves the awareness of others around me as well. Using the tool of meditation help to keep my worrying stay manageable. I had no idea how much I had become a worrier. I am learning to identify each worry and then focus on it as follows:

1. Can I do anything about it?
2. If so, set a goal and list some small steps to get there. Then, do it.
3. If not, leave it alone and move on to something else.

Then I ask myself some questions like these: What is day is today? What small steps toward my goal are planned for today? What needs to, or better yet could be, done today? Who needs cared for? How will that be done? Have I considered my own needs? This method beats worrying hands down!

So for today's goal: I will stay in today, make a plan, using baby steps and meditating when necessary. And, I will smell some flowers. How about you?