I often find that there are times when I have so much going on in my life that there is so much running through my head that I become overwhelmed.

During these times thinking about doing a meditation or grounding exercise simply feels like it is beyond my ability. Here is one way that I have found to bring myself back into the moment.

I take my shoes off and go outside. I find that the feeling of the hard rough surface of the asphalt or soft cushiony surface of the grass is enough to make my mind aware of the sensation. Then I am able to turn my mind from whatever is troubling me and focus on the sensations in my feet. By rubbing my feet against the surface I'm standing on, I create new sensations and am farther able to be present in where I am and what I'm doing know.

The more I do this, the more aware I become of my surrounding, I begin to notice the warmth or coolness, of the ground, whether it is wet from the rain the night before or just from the cool morning dew. I begin to notice other things as well like the warm glow of the sun against my skin, or the cool breeze as it brushes against my body, then I begin to start to notice sounds, the birds singing in the yard, the passing cars as the go by, the insects buzzing around me and the sights the birds sitting in the trees or on the porch railing, the squirrels scampering across the yard, and perhaps even an air plane trail high in the sky off in the distance.

Then it hits me, I'm present, I've been meditating and I don't even know when I started. I have at least for these last few minutes forgotten what I was anxious or stress about. I usually feel stronger now, more balanced, I can continue on with my day.

Remember all things are not going to work for all people, if you have an experience that works for you please share it.