Today I am reflecting on being still — having stillness in my life.
Merriam-Webster’s definition of “Still” is as follows:
1
a : devoid of or abstaining from motion
b archaic : sedentary
c : not effervescent still wine
d (1) : of, relating to, or being a static photograph as contrasted with a motion picture (2) : designed for taking still photographs a still camera (3) : engaged in taking still photographs a still photographer
2
a : uttering no sound : quiet
b : subdued, muted
3
a : calm, tranquil
b : free from noise or turbulence
stillness noun
In the hustle bustle of every day life, I have come to the stark realization that I have forgotten what it is like to be still. Why? I am not sure.
I find that even before becoming a mom, I seem “wired” to function better being extremely busy and moving from plan to plan. It’s what makes me tick. That being said, I miss the days of sitting and actually reflecting on how I am feeling, what I am thinking and actually absorbing where life has taken me to in this moment.
With stillness comes reflection and evaluation, and many of us (me, included) find this extremely calming, yet extremely frightening. Being alone in one’s thoughts allows for judgment, sadness. criticism and doubt. But it also allows for praise, accomplishment, happiness and contentment.
So for today, I am allowing myself a few moments of being still — of practicing stillness. Not time to plan tonight’s dinner, fold laundry or do some other task on my preverbal end-less task list, but rather, a time to reflect. To sip my coffee. Smell the flowers (cheesy, I know — but this is something I also have somehow forgotten about in life). Once I have had that time, I will move on to ending my stillness with a few minutes of reading.
I challenge you to a few minutes of being still! I results are sure to be rewarding.
Happy stillness!
M.J.
