10 Techniques for Staying Grounded

by Liz Jansen

Excerpt from Life Lessons from Motorcycles—75 Techniques for Staying Grounded.

Knowing how to stay grounded is the foundation on which all other experiences evolve—riding or otherwise. Just as it’s essential for your safe motorcycle travel to stay in contact with the ground, so is it essential to keep body, mind, and spirit grounded and balanced. Your physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing relies on it, especially during times of change.

Difficulty concentrating, losing track of time, and constant worrying are signs that you’re losing your connection to who you are. When that happens, it’s time to re-establish your connection to the ground and restore your grounding.

1. Breathe. Notice your breathing. Use a pause in your day as an opportunity to take a deep, relaxing breath. Roll your shoulders slowly in both directions, noticing as the tension leaves your body.
2. Pay attention to what your body tells you. Ignoring unusual behavior from your bike would be foolhardy. You need to stop, figure out what’s going on, and fix the problem. The same applies when your body acts in an usual way.
3. Go solo. Even if your preference is to ride with others, make going for a solo ride a regular habit. Time alone eliminates distractions and forces you to get to know yourself better.
4. See things as they are. It’s easier to see things as you want them to be, rather than as they are. This could prove fatal on a motorcycle. Apply the same observation skills that alert you to hazards on the road to staying grounded on your life’s path. Slow down enough to see them.
5. Accept support. A motorcycle is not self-sufficient. It takes energy beyond its own to keep it rolling down the road. Left to its own devices (without a side-stand), it would fall over. You’re not meant to always go it alone. Ask for help when you need it. You’ll be surprised at the gifts Spirit delivers.
6. Express gratitude. It keeps you and your role in the grand scheme of things in perspective. It shows you’ve noticed the gifts you’ve been given, develops awareness, and extends kindness.
7. Take action. A motorcycle doesn’t get anywhere unless you apply the throttle. Neither do you. Once you’ve set your eyes on your goal, direct your energy on traveling there, staying connected with who you are, and listening to your inner guidance.
8. Remain unattached to the outcome. If things don’t work out as you planned, pick yourself up, figure out what went wrong, and learn the lesson. Take action to achieve your goals, while realizing you are not in complete control. Do the work you need to do without trying to manipulate the situation just to make yourself look good.
9. Get off the beaten track. Get off your bike. Take a break to sit or walk and commune in nature. I look forward to interstate rest stops because they give me a chance to lie on the ground, watch the clouds, and have a nap. There are many roadside parks, overlooks, and scenic areas to walk in and have a picnic lunch. Or just stop at a place of beauty that calls to you.
10. Act with intention. This requires nurturing a sense of mindfulness and being deliberate with your thoughts and behaviors.

Use these techniques to stay grounded and receptive to insights, creativity, and the gifts from Spirit that surround you. Substitute “God,” “the Universe,” or whatever works best for you. Having a healthy outlook prepares you for safe and enjoyable travels on both your earth road and your spiritual journey.

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photo credit: Youth In Revolt via photopin (license)

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