It seems that our lives are super busy these days.

In a world obsessed with doing as opposed to being, who has time to slow down? Who has time enough to listen to the advice and guidance from professionals, from successful stakeholders, from the soul that beckons you?

Sometimes it feels as though time is speeding up—truly speeding up. Einstein and Newton would be especially curious to study the current energies in our collective field of consciousness.

Although it does seem that time can play tricks on us—or perhaps it is merely our perception of reality that is tricking us—we exist in a reality that appears linear yet manifests from the non-linear.

So, what does one do? How do we exist and be in a world that is asking us, as human beings, to constantly do and produce?

To recognize our worth by simply being, without doing, can feel like a daunting and impossible task. However, we must start somewhere, and we must start exactly where we are at in this moment, knowing that our work is never done. Human beings are perfectly imperfect. We are under constant construction, as this is the nature of being a spirit in a physical body.

Here are five daily practices and rituals we can engage in to assist us with our beautiful beingness, in grounding, and to help us land softly and lovingly into the present moment where we embrace the perfect nature of us:

(Then we will connect to something greater than ourselves because we are all connected. We are all one.)

1. Breathe. Invite five to 10 deep, mindful belly breaths. Observe your thoughts and allow them to pass on by while remaining focused on your inhalation and exhalation. As long as we are in a physical body, our breath is the best, most reliable tool in helping us come into the present moment; breathe to relieve.

2. Slow down to speed up. Utilizing breath, clear your mind to consciously set your mood. Yes, you can create your mood because you are the captain of your ship. When waters get rocky and unstable, slowing down can allow you the opportunity to witness the flow and will aid you in making grounded, authentic decisions. You may also be more productive with your energy output and input, and this will ultimately lead you to where you want to land.

3. Be intentional. Ask yourself: What is my intention for today? What do I want? What is the outcome that I want to achieve? Consider the best-case scenario, root yourself in that desired feeling, and leave the “how” up to your highest self. This is where putting trust in your gut feeling—your intuition—will serve your path.

4. Practice compassion. “Treat others how you want to be treated” is the saying. However, it’s also just as important to “treat yourself how you would treat others.” The journey of the soul, of the self (which is God), begins within. It is only when we become aware and honest about our own pain and suffering that we can feel authentic compassion for one another. “Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness,” said the Dalai Lama. To see ourselves in each other is the greatest gift of God.

5. Practice gratitude. Make time to notice and reflect upon the things, people, places, and experiences that you are most thankful for. Ask yourself what ultimately brings you joy and facilitates your overall soul growth. Contemplate these elements of your daily life. Doing so could elevate positive emotions, aid with restful sleep, increase the function of your immune system, and instill a sense of aliveness and well-being. All of this results in a state of being that is resilient, and ultimately, at peace. When we practice gratitude, we begin to experience good and bad as necessary aspects in becoming more resilient at riding the waves of life. Remember, you are the captain of your own ship.

Every moment of every day offers us a choice. We can be at the mercy of the exterior world, allowing it to dictate how we feel and how we experience life, or we can become conscious creators and align our inner state of being to where it is ready to maneuver even the most unpredictable and seemingly unmanageable currents.

You decide. What kind of captain do you want to be and how will you steer your ship?

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