I was a Girl Scout when I was young, and I can honestly say that experience served me well. I can build a fire. I never leave home without clean underwear or Chapstick. I look both ways before crossing the street. I know how to find my way when I am lost, and I know how to make a meal if I don’t have a can opener. Practicality isn’t my first nature, but I can fend for myself and go into battle if necessary.

 

I believe what is more important than being prepared for a disaster or knowing how to fix something that is broken is to know how to connect to your wisdom within. We all, yes you and me and your next-door neighbor, carry an internal compass that is ready to guide, lead, direct and show us the way. Some name this intuition, others refer to it as your soul, I call it your Cup. If you view coming home to yourself, getting grounded and connected to your inner compass, or listening to your essence as impractical than read on my friend. I want to show you that it is through what you may have not been taught as impractical is where we find great meaning. Listening to your soul may not be something you have done before so I don’t want you to miss out. There is some fruitful, beneficial good stuff waiting for you.

 

Think of this as some tips to tuning in when you are lost, and the world is crashing around you. This is your tool belt for getting present in a world focused on the future and perhaps a history of hanging out in the past. This is the way to connect to answers, direction and guidance.

 

Step One. (Surrender)

Realize the time is now to plug into your Cup. You got to this overwhelmed place by saying yes out of fear and by obsessing over things that might happen. You can no longer say, I will do this when the dishes are done, the laundry is put away or when I have called back my client. Nope. Nada. The time is now.

 

Now. This means embracing the mess, uncertainty and all appearances. Your first job is to be uncomfortable with incompleteness and imperfection. One could say in one word it comes down to ACCEPTANCE. Pull over to the side of the road even if there is traffic. Step into the bathroom in the middle of a party. Tell someone you have to call them back or better yet let the call roll over to voice mail. For the present moment engage in what is in front of you. Allow everything else to just be what it is–your vital energy and attention is needing you to Be Here Now.

 

Step Two. (Physical Connection)

Get in a safe place and if it isn’t quiet, remember the part in step one about releasing perfection and embracing acceptance? Standing or sitting, notice your feet on the ground. Wiggle your toes to establish connection to the inside sole of your shoe and to feel the earth/floor/ground underneath you as best you can. Drop your shoulders. Notice where you are holding tension in your body and take a breath. Exhale. Breathe at least one intentional breath, up to five would be earth shattering and frickin’ stupendous. Remember one is plenty and perfect. Better than perfect. One breath is life-altering, lifesaving.

 

Step Three. (Mental Connection)

Take mental note of what got you to this point. Are you in fear over something that may or may not happen? Are you stressed out over something that just happened or you believe will happen? Make these notes as an eyewitness examining a scene. “I am worried that I don’t have enough money in my account for the transaction I just made.” OR “What if I don’t get the job?” Notice–try your best not to react. These are thoughts, reactions and observations. State them as observances and breathe.

 

Step Four. (Emotional Connection)

Now connect to what you are feeling about these facts, events or thoughts. “I am sad. I am mad. I am afraid. I am lonely.” Remember you are not your emotions but they’re a temporary state of how you are responding to something. Use the feeling as a guide for your next action step. If you try to ignore, brush off, or bury the feeling you are experiencing you are only delaying its effects, it will come back and continue to come back until you have learned the message or lesson. This is your invitation to experience it. Give it a name and greet it. Hello Fearful Felicia, Angry Anita or Worried Wanda. Allow your feeling to be felt as you name it, get in touch with it and truly embrace the essence of this temporary state. Now breathe again.

 

Step Five. (Spiritual Connection)

As you are breathing, no matter your spiritual beliefs, you’re not alone. There is a tree, rock or cloud in your vicinity. This is an invitation to get in touch with the holy and sacred power within and around you. Let the earth support you, there is nothing you need to do. Ask for help. A simple ask and don’t worry about to whom the question is landing, you’re asking the air at this point. “How can this be resolved?” “What is my next step?” “What is the most helpful/beneficial/useful next step?” Be open to receiving answers that at first appear impractical. Drink a glass of water, take a nap, go for a short walk, sit here for a bit longer—all may seem inactive, but please remember it is in the stillness that mountains move. You are making space for the light to get in. And only then can it point the way.

 

Step Six. (Integrate)

Is this the time for a practical step? Perhaps your worry is legit, and you need to transfer money in your account to cover that recent transaction. Food or water may be your practical next action, you need physical fuel to function. Sleep or rest is often the only thing that will cure exhaustion. In order to integrate this present state of awareness you must allow. Forget your time frame but honor what is accessible and necessary now. When we ignore the actions that fuel and ignite us–a breath, putting up our feet, a glass of water–that is when we get depleted. Make these vital steps part of your daily practice. Incorporating a pause between clients, a glass of water and three breaths between projects and responsibilities provides more stamina and that necessary rejuvenation. Don’t try to be Wonder Woman.

 

Step Seven. (Be Curious)

Start to recognize that the nudges you receive are your Cup trying to get your attention. Even when you don’t want to slow down and instead cram in one more task, be like a child, and be in wonder. What if I slowed down? What if I actually pulled the car over and took three breaths before my next action, task, or decision? Fueling up over getting by on fumes can do wonders. It doesn’t hurt anything to try, does it?

 

Begin to notice the practice of getting present not only at the beginning and end of each day but throughout the day can shift you from overdrive to cruise control. When we are in the practice of living in the past, dwelling on what did or did not happen or in the future, on what could happen we are ignoring what is front of us. We are not utilizing our resources efficiently.

 

Every good Girl Scout checks her backpack for supplies before hitting the trail. It shouldn’t be any different for you and everyday living. Tap into your well of wisdom with getting present. Throw in a few extra handfuls of patience, trust and joy for good measure and you’re ready for anything.

Cheers, Jenny