Be honest with yourself: do you crave chaos or stability?
Today, my answer is stability. My past addiction to chaos simply hurt me too much. I got sick of the constant mental tug-o-war with myself.
I'm not interested in feeling impatient with one thought and having to pull or push at the next one. Impatience promotes chaos and doesn't feel good.
The antidote to this is patience. Patience feels good. It feels like a return to mental stability no matter the chaos around us or what other people are thinking or doing. The ease of a patient mind brings about mental stability.
And that feels good.
Just like we build a solid yoga pose from the ground up, we need stability to form a strong foundation for our lives. In Sanskrit this is known as Sthira. Grounding serves us as a simplifying force in order to stabilize our minds.
When grounded, we plug back into our best selves and become fully present and balanced. Our energy stabilizes. Once centered, we are able to clearly see the circumstances of our lives. We no longer over-respond or over-worry because the static noise of chaos doesn’t pull us apart.
Here are 5 ways to promote stability in your life:
1. Practice yoga.
After all, yoga poses help us feel more stable. Today devote your yoga practice to getting grounded. Sequenced, standing poses help us achieve the security that comes from connecting our nervous system to the earth.
2. Meditate.
In a short amount of time, multiple studies have shown that meditation promotes inner stillness.
3. Use a mantra.
Practice saying this mantra to yourself:
I will let go of the need to be needed.
I will let go of the need to be accepted.
I will let go of the need to be accomplished.
4. Unplug from technology.
Take a media break for a day a week.
5. Get your hands or feet dirty.
Try gardening or a walk on the beach. Or simply put yourself as close the ground as possible by going for a walk.
This year, choose stability instead of chaos. I promise that you'll feel more grounded and at home in your heart.
