I'm Emily P. Freeman and welcome to The Next Right Thing. You're listening to episode 343.

This is a podcast about making decisions, but it's also about making a life. If you struggle with

decision fatigue, chronic hesitation, or if you just need a few minutes away from the constant stream of

information, and the sometimes delightful but also distracting hum of entertainment, you're in the right

place for discerning your next right thing. I'm an author, a spiritual director, and an occasional

workshop leader. I live in North Carolina with my family,

and through my work, I've helped thousands of spiritually thoughtful people overcome decision

fatigue so that they can discern their next right thing in faith, in work, and in life.

Today's episode is a little bit different. We're going to engage in a grounding practice for an anxious time.

You may likely recognize this as the 5-4-3-2-1 method.

Perhaps you have this practice as part of your own set of tools that you reach for

during times when you just need a little bit of settling down

and grounding on the inside. Even if it's familiar, I invite you to keep pace with me and follow

along. You can do this while driving, walking in a crowded space alone in your office or room, or even while you're

laying down to sleep at night. All you need is to stay present with me and with yourself.

Are you ready? Listen in. Take a moment to look around you.

Look up, look beside and beneath you.

Let your eyes scan the room, the yard, the street, the space where you are.

Notice color, object, shapes, furniture, nature, maybe even people.

Notice how the things around you relate to the environment they're in.

Now begin to zero in on just five of them.

Can you count them on your hand?

...