It depends on what you mean by "grounded". For some people, this seems to mean something like "safe and unconfused."
But I use "grounded" to refer to something very different. Grounded means that I'm steering my actions and interpretation of life by something that's sound and valuable.
In general, the terms "sound and valuable" and "self-centered" are on the opposite extremes of the spectrum. What exactly is sound? Love is one of those things that is always valuable, not just for me, but for anyone. The truth is priceless. Justice, freedom, compassion, the alleviation of suffering, gratitude, and joy are all worthy possibilities. The list continues on, but they all have a similar flavor, don't they?
What is it that they all share in common? To emphasize the universality, I refer to these things as "universal and timeless ideals." These are things that [a] humans are naturally drawn to and [b] aren't intrinsically selfish.
Isn't it also "natural" for us to be self-centered? Everyone is entitled to it just by virtue of their birth. And, except when they provide private pleasure or comfort, the self-centered mentality is uninterested in these ideals. To achieve a little security, reassurance, or comfort for itself, or to win some useless competition with others, the self-centered mind will readily "sell out" what is universal and timeless.
So we have the makings of a decision here, which I refer to as "the basic choice" because I believe it is so important to comprehending life. I'm not going to be able to get rid of my self-interest, and that's not even a good goal to have. However, I have an option as to which value set will be more significant in my life.
Because these two value systems are so dissimilar, you may argue that they correspond to two separate interpretations of "myself." We place the self that only cares about #1, even if he claims to care about others, on the left side of the option. We put the self on the right side who desires to serve and create more of what is universally true and good.
So, who am I now? Yes, I can choose which of these persons to place in charge. When I empower the self on the right side of that fork, I get "grounded."That's when life has a certain strength and richness to it, when I have the tools to confront and resolve what's not working, when what I have to offer is most likely to be beneficial to others, and when I'm most able to appreciate what others bring to life.
When the ground is incredibly solid, that's when you know you're in for a good time.
How I Keep Grounded!!!
You must see the world as it is, not as you think it could be. To affect change, you must work with what you have and never, ever say "If only." You must think logically rather than emotionally, and keep your focus on your goal rather than the goaltender or the barriers. Nothing on earth can stop you from attaining your goal if you set one and stick to it. You have nothing but airy dreams and desires, and if that's all you have, you'll never get anywhere. Remember that each aim must be sufficient to reach your desired outcome; it must also be feasible and practical. Every strategy for achieving that goal must be focused on something that leads to advancement.It must be measurable and doable within a realistic time span. You'll never be able to judge progress if you can't quantify it.
More money can always be obtained in life, but more time can never be obtained. As a result, you only have control over two of the three prerequisites for meeting your objectives: time, money, and features. You're going to have to spend money if you want to get there quickly with the best. If you want to be among the greatest but lack the financial means, you will have to make time sacrifices. "We do three sorts of jobs: cheap, fast, and good," as many people put it. "Choose two." You must also maintain a positive, can-do attitude and have faith in yourself at all times.And you must always, without fail, maintain a positive, can-do attitude and believe in yourself, regardless of what happens, how many times you fail, or what others say. When others ask how you're doing, all you have to say is "I've never been better," and you have to believe it and work hard to make it true. Every step you take toward your objective, no matter how insignificant, is a step forward. To remain motionless is to perish. It is impossible to succeed if you are uncertain. "A good plan implemented today is preferable than an excellent plan implemented tomorrow."
Boldness, confidence, and attitude win wars, win women's hearts, and propel you closer to your goal. Any road will take you there if you don't know where you're going... right over the cliff. Never confuse motion with action, yet motion is sometimes necessary to gather momentum. It's preferable to rusting while standing stationary. "The battlefields are littered with the bodies of men who stopped to rest on the verge of victory, and died while resting." The difference between victory and defeat is razor thin, and you never know when you're on the verge of crossing it. A single stride forward can put you on the path to victory. Taking a step backwards or stopping results in defeat.
"Getting tossed to the mat signifies nothing since everyone is knocked down sooner or later," Muhammed Ali declared. To be a champion, though, you must rise from your mat and fight one more round. All you have to do now is fight another round." And never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, Create and maintain your contact list. In history, the most important factor in achieving success has been who you know. Never surrender. Never, ever say no. Never, ever utter "impossible," and never, ever, ever say "if only."