Being Grounded

~When I was young, being “grounded” was horrible. I grew up in an era before technology could bombard my life. I had the pleasure of good old fun in my youth with the only interruption being the street lights in the evening signaling that it was time to go home. Running around outside, going to the malls, walking or riding my bike from one side of town to the other. Hanging with friends, going swimming at the park, roller skating (rollerblading got to be big but I always favored 4 wheels to 2,) quad running, sports, any and all activities that required fresh air. To me, being “grounded” was right at the top for punishments. It was meant for reflecting on the seriousness of whatever infraction had been committed. Being trapped inside was to serve as a period of downtime where I’d be forced to think. An apology and time served would conclude my sentence of isolation.

~When I became a parent, I too followed in this same footprint. It was just as effective on my son as it was on me. Not so much my daughter who hated going outside. As soon as I would say the magic words, “your grounded,” that familiar look of depression would sink into his eyes as did mine. I would tell him the same thing my parents told me. Think about what you did and get back to me about what you learned during your time out. Maybe the thinking cap wasn’t always the sharpest since it would be dampened by the desire to hurry up and get back outside with friends. As a parent, I hoped what mine had hoped. That the time off was used as a reflective period to learn from mistakes. To put right what had been wronged. To regroup and recharge the internal battery from corrosion to correction.

~As I got older, I realized the significance of “being grounded” could also be a good thing. It meant rerouting myself in modesty. Being steady and more in control of my faculties. Not flying around with no purpose but rather with clear direction. When a plane is grounded, It can be refueled and cleaned. Maintenance checks can be run to assure quality control and smooth soaring for the next flight. This is much like humans. Those lessons taught as children are to help us rest and see the broader picture. Even as an adult, I can still benefit from “being grounded.” I am allowing myself to center my mental and emotional plane so I don’t break down from the frustrations of life. When things are out of control, a quiet time out serves well.

~”Being grounded” got a bad rap from the connotation I used to associate it with. It’s funny how the meaning changes from childhood to adulthood. Like most truly teachable moments, the wisdom forms through the years instead of any instant gratification. When someone says, “she’s well grounded,” I don’t think she has been stuck indoors her whole life. I think she is down to earth. She is approachable and relatable. But, that is probably because of all the moments she sat in contemplation. In the future, it will be interesting to see if my son grounds his son. Right now, my grandson is only 4. Time will tell if history repeats itself for the 4 generations. I am proud of how “grounded” my son is. “Being grounded” wasn’t all bad. He will even tell you himself that he is a better man for it. And, I am a better woman for it. A special thanks to my Mom in Heaven for the moments I was “grounded.”

LupusMariposa #Godbless #StayGrounded #LifeLessons #WellGrounded 🙂