Hey Collective Crew, Shaun here. What a great podcast on Friday. We tackled a concept that sounds simple, but holds profound complexity. In an age buzzing with information, existential threats (real or perceived), and constant demands on our attention, what does it actually mean to be grounded? And more importantly, how do we cultivate it?
This Week’s Grounding Perspectives guests:
Travis Denman: Former Green Beret and firearms instructor, now student pilot.
Ben Strahan: Hot Shot Superintendent, Speaker, and mental health advocate.
What if perfect, unwavering groundedness isn’t the goal? What if the real power lies not in being fixed like a mountain, but in mastering the dynamic dance between stability and chaos, roots and reach? Maybe it’s about building a base so strong that you can afford to be flexible, to explore, to engage with chaos, to enter flow. Knowing where your feet are so you can confidently decide where to leap next. The understanding that groundedness isn’t about staying put; it’s about having the stability to effectively move. Groundedness not as a fixed state, but as a spectrum. What are the Pitfalls of Groundness: At one end lies the completely ungrounded – lost in delusion, disconnected from reality. At the other? The over-grounded – rigid, dogmatic, unable to adapt or imagine possibilities (think the accountant who can’t brainstorm). Both limit potential.
The Power Zone of Groundedness:
I proposed a “grounding spectrum.” At one end, complete detachment from reality; at the other end, excessive rigidity (dogmatic). True functional groundedness lies somewhere in between – optimally grounded (connected but flexible, like an entrepreneur), partially grounded (exploring possibilities, like an artist in flow), or even minimally grounded (daydreaming with a tether). The point isn’t to be locked in one state, but to move fluidly along this spectrum as needed, using imagination and curiosity without losing touch. Travis echoed this, emphasizing that progress requires change and the humility to learn, even from unexpected sources. True effectiveness, creativity, and resilience lives in the dynamic middle. It’s being optimally grounded or partially grounded. It’s having a strong enough foundation to launch from, not be stuck to.
Some of the Key Elements We Explored:
1. Grounded vs. Centered: Knowing Your Inner and Outer Worlds
I kicked things off by trying to distinguish between two often-conflated terms. Centeredness points inward – understanding your emotional state, achieving internal stability. Groundedness, drawing from older philosophies, connects to your external reality – where your feet are planted now, your stable foundation for action. The magic, we discussed, lies in achieving both simultaneously – being internally stable while firmly connected to the present reality.
2. The Power of the Present & Actionable Steps
Travis powerfully advocated for focusing on what you can immediately affect. Worrying about uncontrollable, large-scale issues often leads to frustration and inaction. True groundedness starts locally: your own space, your own actions. Making your bed isn’t just a chore; it’s a tangible accomplishment, a metric (as I later pointed out) for demonstrating control over your immediate environment. It provides fulfillment and builds momentum. As Travis urged, identify what pulls you away from intentional action (doomscrolling, distractions?) and take ownership.
3. Rootedness: Stability and Growth
Ben offered a beautiful perspective: of being Rooted. Like a tree, this involves establishing a deep, stable base (tapping into nutrients/knowledge) while simultaneously reaching towards the light (curiosity, expansion). It’s not static; it involves continuous growth, bearing fruit (ideas, inspiration), and existing interconnectedly with the environment. This resonated deeply, reconciling the need for stability with the necessity of movement and adaptation.
4. Finding Your Quiet & Flow State
How do we achieve that focused calm? Travis shared that for him, quiet comes not through stillness, but intense focus on a task with consequences (shooting, reloading, skydiving). I related, explaining that meditation isn’t just sitting still; it can be hitting a heavy bag or shredding a trail – finding your activity where the “thing” disappears, and you simply are. Ben highlighted the power of finding stillness even in a single breath, or through the shared perspective of conversation. The key is finding your path to that flow state where you do your best work, grounded in practice but open to the moment.
5. Ego Awareness & Choosing Love Over Fear
Dan C.’s question about ego sparked a crucial discussion. It’s not about eliminating ego, it is about awareness of it. Travis noted the difference between earned confidence and egotistical rigidity. Ben beautifully framed ego as often driving fear-based choices, while awareness allows us to consciously choose a path rooted in purpose and love. My take? Focus on authenticity and doing your best; genuine effort transcends ego games.
6. The Necessity of Conflict & Tenure
Can we stay grounded all the time? The consensus leaned towards no. Life involves chaos. Pain and discomfort often serve as teachers, guiding us back to center. Experience, or “tenure” as Travis calls it, builds the resilience and wisdom to navigate these ebbs and flows, to adjust, adapt, and find the positive angle even when groundedness is challenged. These deeper conversations, as Travis noted, are often easier with that earned tenure, and vital for the next generation to hear.
The Beginning Is Near: Taking Action Now
Travis’s recurring theme, playfully flipped to “The Beginning is Near,” holds a profound truth. Groundedness isn’t a destination; it’s an ongoing action. It starts now. Whether it’s making a list, focusing on your breath, engaging in meaningful conversation, finding your flow activity, or simply making your bed with intention – the key is to work, to do the work. Plant the tree now. Build your foundation now.
Listen to the full Grounded discussion here: Staying Grounded
Keep learning, building, and growing,
Shaun & The Collective Crew
