Being still is one of the most wonderful and simple ways we can manage our lives, our feelings, our stress, our actions … you name it.
I try, and generally succeed, to journal every day in the morning. Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, refers to this as a “morning dump,” getting rid of all the garbage we’re holding in our heads so we can begin the day fresh and with minimal interference from negativity. While she is recommending this for artists, it is, of course, of the same benefit to everyone. I do love to write so this is a wonderful and freeing piece of time, a gift to myself which I do not allow to be disturbed. It’s a great way to sort out some of the stresses and problems we’re dealing with and look at them afresh, as well as plan a new day.
It’s more than that, however. It’s also a time for stillness. Along with my writing, I often take a few minutes to do any of the following — center my breathing, meditate a little, read something metaphysical, and/or do a few affirmations. The stillness is a tremendous benefit to beginning the day, but it also teaches us that we can practice stillness any time things starts to get stressful. When we are still, we connect spiritually with ourselves and with our God, higher power, however one perceives that. We open and can listen for guidance.
There are times during certain work projects that I am ready to up and buy myself a ticket on the Crazy Train, it gets so stressful. But if I can remember to pull back, change my scenery just a wee bit, and breathe rhythmically and easily, restore my balance and be still, it can do wonders. Ideally it’s best to do this way before I’m at the ticket booth, but better late than never!
So consider, as your stress and anxiety begin to mount, that you can do something about it before it gets out of hand. Be still and breathe for a minute or two, opening your mind and releasing negativity. It may take a little practice at first, and the beginning of your day is a great time to try it out along with a little journaling. Both are gifts to and for yourself.
Such good advice. Nice and useful post, thank you!
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Thank you. The challenge, as always, is to to actually practice it regularly, but especially when we start to stress.
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Love this, Jeanne 🙂 It’s an excellent reminder! I literally never allow for true stillness. I am a woman in motion—constantly—mostly mentally, but also physically when need be. I really SHOULD figure out a way to make this a habit. To sit still and quiet, regardless of the time of day. Thank you 🙂
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You’re so welcome, Donna. My mind seems to always be running somewhere as well, and journaling and the still time that comes with it really is the one way I can find to settle down with myself on an almost daily basis, and open to the “bigger picture.”.
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Have you read Cultivating Stillness by Eva Wong?
Oh yes, stillness is essential–:)
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No, I’ll have to go look it up. Thanks, I’m taking notes …
My little town library is too small to carry a lot of titles, but happily, we have inter-library loan and can get many selections from the main county library.
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Hi, it’s a slim little book which, if taken as a kind of practical guide to meditation based on Eastern concepts becomes much more than an esoteric text–as some have labeled it. Inter-library loans are great. 🙂 All the metaphors correspond to physical states. Or so I think. It may or may not appeal to you. 🙂
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Hmmm … this may be more esoteric than even my county library would have, but I’ll give it a try. They can only say they don’t have it! 🙂
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