#1434 - Ready to sail?
Ships do not sink because of water around them; ships sink because of water that gets into them. Don't let what's happening around you get inside you and weigh you down.
I'm not a sailor, but I think a good sailor checks the hull's integrity before putting a boat in the water. I'd imagine they also check if they have all the tools they may need on board in case some water gets in.
Why shouldn't we before we step into the sea that is our day?
Out there, many are trying to sneak into your head to get as much of your attention as possible. If you want to get to the other side of your day without sinking, you must be sure about the integrity of your vessel.
That's why I do my morning rituals before everything else can get inside and start weighing me down. We should do it before jumping into any kind of water, from the ocean to a small pond.
Before starting the day, going to work, entering a meeting or having a conversation, we should take the time to check our state. Do we feel confident enough for what's ahead? Is our hull strong enough to surf the water without sinking? Or are there cracks in it that we must take care of before? Will we be able to be present and listen to others without letting emotions, ours and others, weigh us down?
I have a few rituals that I use to prepare myself. Like my morning rituals to prepare for the day, a quick recentering before a meeting, a few minutes breathing in silence before a mentoring or coaching session.