How do you immerse yourself in solitude in the midst of a busy day? Do you sometimes find it difficult to land in a moment of calm? There are times when we struggle to find the quiet moments in our day that help us back to a focused center. The struggle usually happens when we try too hard. We may be pushing too much to find tranquility in our lives. Being still is less about doing and more about being. The trick is to allow stillness to find you.
Preparing for Stillness to Show Up
How do we slow down enough within a moment in life to invite silence to dine with us, or to sit and have a conversation with us? Inviting us to breathe at a deeper level of meaning? Remember you don’t have to try so hard to seek the quiet. Let stillness do the work. In order for that to happen, we need to stop running around for a moment, both physically and mentally. The quiet is attracted to our inner readiness to listen.
A Few Examples
Meditation is one of the principal tools to help you prepare for stillness to find you. There are many opportunities throughout your day to foster an inner sense of readiness for the quiet to speak to your heart. For example, if you commute to work by car, maybe turn off the radio and your phone while driving and breathe in the quiet. Or, if you are riding a bus or transit by train or airplane, wear noise-cancelling headphones and listen to nature sounds or classical music to bring you to a place of stillness.
At the office, maybe schedule a meeting with yourself to close the door to your office, sit in your chair and breathe in the stillness for a few moments. Walking alone or riding a bike can also help you focus on being centered. Walking is my go-to tool for practicing stillness. And hiking in the mountains is my favorite app for solitude.
Where and when do you seek moments of stillness and calm? How does solitude nurture your spirit and help you re-focus on your core priorities?
Trust in the process of searching for stillness throughout your day. Slow down. Pause. Take your time. Be intentional about what you are doing. Be focused on the direction you are heading. Do not beat yourself up when the chaos is so overwhelming it takes you a while to get to that place of inner calm. Stay committed to the process.
Questions to Help You Allow Stillness to Find You
Below are a few reflection questions to help in your quest for stillness.
- What are you seeking?
- Where are you going?
- What do you want to do in life?
- Where do you find meaning?
- What keeps you grounded?
- Who helps you along the journey?
- How do you help others in their quest for inner peace and stillness?
- How do you affirm your companions along the way?
Your Turn
How would you complete the following: I had a conversation with myself in a moment of stillness and here is what I learned: _________.
I welcome your insights.
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