The need to stabilize is very important. We should not remain in an unbalanced state. That would be counterproductive. Sometimes, it is difficult to achieve this on our own. Fortunately, what we need is just education. Knowing that there are simple things that can help us in those moments is extremely beneficial. In thinking about my case, I have realized that I practice several, but today I will focus on just one that I believe is one of those that can achieve a prolonged effect: mindful observation.

What is conscious observation? In my opinion, it is directing our vision to something or someone and concentrating our mental faculties there with care and commitment. The intention can be varied, but in this case it is to learn, to know, to understand, to discern, to extract lessons? When we do this we can see things that may not be in plain sight. Those are the things that can help stabilization.

Through this simple activity of mindfulness I can see some lesson, idea or principle that helps me to regain balance. In the creation around us I can observe qualities like patience, endurance, faithfulness, loyalty.... And if you focus on its designer, the range of qualities is wider. Then comes the famous formula: If they can do it, I can do it.

For example, I was once looking forward to an event, yet it seemed to be dragging on. I understood that I had to go through a procedure, but I felt it was taking unnecessarily long. Then, one morning, while waiting for breakfast to be ready, I looked out the window and began to notice a plant in the yard whose fruit had yet to reach its ideal size and maturity. Then I mused that if I wanted that fruit in its optimum state, with all its properties and irresistible flavor, I had to wait for time to do its work, and allow the molecular process of the fruit to complete. Similarly, if I wanted that event to arrive in my life, I had to wait for the normal procedure, and then I would have the joy of having it and enjoying it.

That's just one example. But I was helped a lot by a friend who had been practicing this for several years.

I remember one occasion when we were walking along a mountain trail and we saw a river of ants crossing the path. There were hundreds of ants moving so compactly that they looked like a snake. This happens because, according to some, the rainy season is approaching and they move around. My friend saw it first and stopped me by putting his arm across my chest so I wouldn't keep walking and maybe step on them. He bent down, brought his face quite close to the ground and said to me: "Adrian, look how much energy there is here."

If we had been photographed there we would have looked very different. Me, standing upright, and feeling like I've seen that before. My friend, leaning on his knees and hands, his eyes wide open in wonder, looking from one end to the other at the visible trail of these little animals, talking about all the life that little piece of land had. Of course, we could both clearly hear the constant noise produced by the collective passing of the swarm. After many seconds, he got up and we continued walking.

It was only upon returning home and telling my wife about it that I began to understand what had happened: my friend had observed something, concentrated on it, admired it, appreciated it, and was able to disconnect from everything. He probably forgot about the hot day, about the momentary tiredness of his feet, about what we had left to go... none of that. It was time to focus on the nervous signals in our eyes and give recognition and admiration to those who deserve it.

That was a great lesson for me: how could he see in something so small and everyday something so valuable and profitable? A lot has to do with the continuous exercise of that. Since then, I set out to become more of a conscious observer.

I have been reading a book that, among other things, invites us to do that, to observe in order to learn and extract lessons. I have also watched videos that help a lot to achieve this, even giving us practical examples.

Birds, reptiles, our pets, flowers, majestic trees, simple vegetation... everything around us is wonderful, and has something to tell us about themselves and their creator. The key is to stop and observe and prepare our mind to perceive what they have to tell us. Surely, the more we give them a chance to "speak" to us, the more likely they will give us good advice for those gray or turbulent days and achieve stability.