9 Habits to Keep You Grounded

Much like an electrical current is grounded to prevent a potentially damaging short circuit, your being needs a connection to the earth to stay grounded, balanced and healthy in body, mind and spirit.

get-you-grounded

Motorcycles are literal proof positive of its necessity. Although only two small contact patches of rubber keep your motorcycle in touch with the ground, having that contact is essential for your safety and wellbeing.

They’re also excellent teachers of lessons you can bring into the rest of your life.

 

 

9 Habits to Keep You Grounded

 

 

  1. Take a deep breath at a stoplight. While maintaining your grip on the handlebars, relax your shoulders. It helps relieve tension that may have built up during your ride and brings you back into the present moment.

 

  1. Ride in the rain. I love riding in the rain. While I don’t intentionally seek it out, it doesn’t stop me, provided it’s safe. The earth needs the rain as much as it needs the sun. Feeling the rain on your skin is part of being alive and experiencing the natural world you’re a part of.

 

  1. Get well out of the city. Given the way it engages your senses, motorcycling is the perfect vehicle for getting grounded. Notice the natural beauty of the rocks, trees, streams, wildflowers. It puts everything in perspective.

 

  1. Visualize your connection. As you put your foot down at a stop, briefly and with gratitude, envision your grounding. At that moment you and your motorcycle share a powerful connection to the earth.

 

  1. Stop at a place of natural beauty. Get off your bike and sit beside a stream. Bask in the sunlight or rest in the shade. Lean up against a tree. Even better, take your boots off and feel the cool earth on your feet.

 

  1. Go for a solo ride. You get so little time to be alone. Enjoyable as family and friends can be, you need dedicated time alone. Even a few hours by yourself can get you reacquainted with who you are.

 

  1. Slow down. Sure it’s a huge adrenaline surge to go racing through the twisties, but when you’re going at breakneck (pun intended) speed, you must be so focused on the road, you miss what’s around you.

 

  1. Perform basic maintenance. Simple things like an oil change, adjusting and lubricating your own chain, or even something as simple as checking your tire pressure. Knowing a little about how mechanical things work creates confidence that transcends to other areas of your life.

 

  1. Volunteer. Motorcyclists are famous for their generosity and penchant for charity rides. But in most cases, you are still removed from those on the receiving end. Go one step further periodically and give time to those less fortunate. It can be a real eye-opener and shift your own priorities.

 

 

Stay grounded and you’re more likely to notice overloads that can lead to illness. It helps you stay focused, be a better listener and keeps your energy level up.

 

 

photo credit: Norma Desmond via photopin cc

About

Author, writer, and student Liz Jansen combines her artistic mediums to create stories that inspire readers to embark on their own journey of self-discovery.

4 Comments on “9 Habits to Keep You Grounded

  1. The reason 2 (ride in the rain), 5 (stop and enjoy) and 7 (slow down) are so right! I do that very often. Actually seeing the beauty around me and smelling the air and feeling the cool or warm air around me is the main reason why I ride. I simply love to be outdoors and being emerged in all. The motorcycle is for me the perfect venture. I walk and enjoy very often the Nature close to my home, but the bike allows me to FEEL it all even on the way to a further destination. Holiday or work, it makes a big difference which vehicle you use.
    Will remember though the deep breath while stopping, I normally only do that consciously after a stretch of difficult road surface or so… Good advice!

    • Thanks Barbara. It’s makes me feel so alive, even when, especially when, it’s pouring rain.

      Liz