Rooted, Centered, and Clear

You don’t have to abandon yourself to change the world.

Grounding is being rooted, centered, and clear, so that even in the hardest conversations we do not lose ourselves.

This guide holds the practice from our time together. Take ten minutes with it now, and come back to it when the week gets loud.

Come back to this guide

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Facilitated by Altagracia Montilla, A.M. Consulting · November 13 and 14, 2026

Ten minutes to ground

1. 1

   Arrive

   Put both feet on the floor. Let the chair hold you. Notice that you made it here.

2. 2

   Pause

   Give yourself uninterrupted silence. Ten minutes when you can; one minute is a beginning.

3. 3

   Notice

   You feel what is happening in the world in your body, in your spirit, in the way you move through the world. Where do you feel it right now?

4. 4

   Connect

   Speak to your ancestors, or spend time in nature. Talk to a tree. Their wisdom and resilience live in you.

5. 5

   Return

   Who are you at your core, outside of any institutional role or title?

What I noticed

The Five Pillars of Fortification

• Remember who you are

  You are more than your titles.

  Who am I when no one needs anything from me?

• Honor your ancestors

  Their wisdom and resilience live in you.

  Whose strength do I carry into this work?

• Rest

  The kind that truly restores body, mind and spirit.

  What kind of rest do I need this week?

• Create and imagine

  Art, play and imagination reconnect you to possibility.

  What did I love to make before anyone graded it?

• Build community

  Stay close to people who see you, love you and keep you grounded.

  Who keeps me grounded?

Map your community

Name five people you can call when institutional life feels heavy.

One commitment for this week

Choose one pillar and one small act that honors it before the week ends.

Facilitated by Altagracia Montilla, A.M. Consulting