Stillness

Today’s Consideration

I taught school three days this week. On two of those days events came up to remind me of Stillness. And I was reminded that each day I suggest a pause. But perhaps for some that is putting the cart before the horse.

Students right now have Spring fever. Actually, not just the students. One day I just called for a pause. I asked them all to just stop whatever they were doing and pause, close their eyes, and be still. Of course, some were more comfortable than others. But what really popped out were the students who couldn’t be alone with themselves. You could see it. As soon as they started to go there, they had to disrupt the silence. That made me sad.

The second incidence happened yesterday. A student asked me what you do if you are all jumpy inside? Yes, I know all of the labels. But drop those for a second. Consider for a moment, what if that jumpiness is sadness and/or not being comfortable in your own skin. I told him the same thing I say here. When I am jumpy, I go silent. The HOPE here is  he identified what was going on, asked the question, and listened for an answer. That is a giant first step for anyone let alone a child. Hey, I could tell you all kinds of ways my Mom told me to be quiet. Most of them would be inappropriate here. But there is a difference between be quiet and be still. What if we taught our children to be still, notice what they thought and felt, and even asked them to journal it? Can you see where this might be a game changer? For them? For the world?

Frequently, almost always, when you mention meditation you get one of two answers. Some people will say it is great. I love it. But the vast majority of people will say they can’t. See I know that. So I have tried to trick you a little in the action steps each day. I don’t use the word meditate. I just suggest pause. Pause seems more doable for most and a great way to start. Success breeds success.

I have been in both these spots. In fact, until last fall I was the one who said I can’t. While I knew the benefits, I had that monkey mind thing going on. The game changer was pausing daily and giving myself permission for it to be whatever it was. If all I could do is a minute, perfect. If I have random thoughts disrupt, perfect. I notice them and let them go. IT ISN’T A PERFORMANCE. THERE IS NO JUDGEMENT. IT IS PERFECT EXACTLY AS IT IS.  When I stopped beating myself up, meditation became easy almost every day. Then the information started coming, what I need to know, what I need to do etc. You see, the real answers, the ones that help you  go with the flow,  are in the STILLNESS.

Bit by bit, piece by piece, hope by hope steps anyone can do…

-Go on line and google Stillness. There are great articles, websites, poems etc. to express Stillness far more eloquently than I could ever do.

-Pause for as long as you can and just notice. Remember …. no judgement.

-Take 10 deep breaths outdoors

-Go for a walk

-Take at least an hour of your weekend for only you, just you, nobody but you

What made me smile yesterday…

-My physical therapist prescribed one exercise to be done every waking hour. Are you ready for this…10 reps with the breathing. See the irony?

-Every time I get down on the floor to exercise, Dude lays down too. When I come up, he puts his head down in front of me. So when I relax and come down, it is right onto him. What a silly dog! But he makes me smile.

-We had a great thunder shower complete with amazing light show.

Blessings and Gratitude,

Chris