Be still.
Just for a moment.
Listen to the world around you. Feel your breath coming in and going out. Listen to your thoughts. See the details of your surroundings.
Be at peace with being still.
In this modern world, activity and movement are the default modes, if not with our bodies then at least with our minds, with our attention. We rush around all day, doing things, talking, emailing, sending and reading messages, clicking from browser tab to the next, one link to the next.
We are always on, always connected, always thinking, always talking. There is no time for stillness — and sitting in front of a frenetic computer all day, and then in front of the hyperactive television, doesn’t count as stillness.
This comes at a cost: we lose that time for contemplation, for observing and listening. We lose peace.
And worse yet: all the rushing around is often counterproductive. I know, in our society action is all-important — inaction is seen as lazy and passive and unproductive. However, sometimes too much action is worse than no action at all. You can run around crazily, all sound and fury, but get nothing done. Or you can get a lot done — but nothing important. Or you can hurt things with your actions, make things worse than if you’d stayed still.
And when we are forced to be still — because we’re in line for something, or waiting at a doctor’s appointment, or on a bus or train — we often get antsy, and need to find something to do. Some of us will have our mobile devices, others will have a notebook or folder with things to do or read, others will fidget. Being still isn’t something we’re used to.
Take a moment to think about how you spend your days — at work, after work, getting ready for work, evenings and weekends. Are you constantly rushing around? Are you constantly reading and answering messages, checking on the news and the latest stream of information? Are you always trying to Get Lots of Things Done, ticking off tasks from your list like a machine, rushing through your schedule?
Is this how you want to spend your life?
If so, peace be with you. If not, take a moment to be still. Don’t think about what you have to do, or what you’ve done already. Just be in the moment.
Then after a minute or two of doing that, contemplate your life, and how you’d like it to be. See your life with less movement, less doing, less rushing. See it with more stillness, more contemplation, more peace.
Then be that vision.
It’s pretty simple, actually: all you have to do is sit still for a little bit each day. Once you’ve gotten used to that, try doing less each day. Breathe when you feel yourself moving too fast. Slow down. Be present. Find happiness now, in this moment, instead of waiting for it.
Savor the stillness. It’s a treasure, and it’s available to us, always.
—From the Tao Te Ching:
It is not wise to dash about.
Shortening the breath causes much stress.
Use too much energy, and
You will soon be exhausted.
That is not the Natural Way.
Whatever works against this Way
Will not last long.
Wish you a happy, healthy and productive August! ❤
Thank you for reading. Love you for that!
—–Have Hope.Keep Faith—–
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ECLIPSEDWORDS BY AISHWARYA SHAH || AUGUST’2018 || ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ©
Well said
Thank you!
Follow my page for some awesome short stories
I’ll surely check out your page!
I am all for be still moments…..maybe longer.
Yes! 💖 💜 💙
I agree with what you say. I say I have to stop to smell the roses.
❤ Wish you more smiles and love in life
Great post. My mom and I sat in the kitchen a couple of days ago snapping beans for that night’s dinner in silence. It was lovely.
That’s great to know! It’s those little moments full of comfort, peace and happiness.
Thank you for reading ❤
This is something I’ve been working on for over a year now – I used to be completely wrapped up in the race to “do the most.” My body’s forced the slow down and even then it took forever to pay attention. I really like the line about stillness being a treasure by the way.
It does take time, I’ll agree. But it’s all about those little moments full of joy, comfort and peace.
Hope you have more smiles and love in life.
Thank you for reading ❤ ✨ 😊
How true it is that the unnatural stressing about ‘nothings’ does make you
ill and unhappy. At times the body will react with a severe breakdown that
forces a change. So much the better to work with awareness and to take
time for life.
Important issue you take up
miriam
I’m glad you enjoyed reading it and connected with. Thank you so much 💫
Keep smiling
xoxo
Be still; perfect words for me this morning. Spoke to my heart. Thank you
I’m glad you found the words to your use. Thank you for reading ❤
Happy Morning!
Keep smiling 😊 ✨
This is so true and so good to read. I try to live this way but its all too easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle again, thank you for bringing my mind back to how it should be ! namaste 🙂
I’m glad you could connect with it so purely.
Thank you for reading and God bless 😊✨
Beautiful words. It very hard staying still but the moment I do everything changes
Interesting and thought provoking piece of work
Really loved this. Thanks you ✨
BEAUTIFUL. SO TRUE. I LOVE THE ARTWORK… I KNOW ART IS INTERPRETIVE. I ASSUME IT’S A PLAY ON ENERGY, AND A SCATTERED MIND? TO UNPLUG AND BE STILL??
I love this!
Plug your mind into your heart! Perfect image to compliment the message. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. 🙂