Ever felt like there is more to living than the incessant way the world is moving faster, getting by as quickly as we can because everything has to happen now? Being still is hard but attainable. Why? Because in today’s world, being slow is not so cool. There is timing to life and it can be full when we are attuned and prepared for the things that truly matter.
I discover the truth about time is not about going faster or slower and practicing stillness is the key to decluttering from all the noise. It also helps to build a relationship with God.
With the advent of the Covid-19 situation, the world is forced to stand still; a different kind of slowness that we are not used to. What if navigating the times is a way to get more attuned to yourself and pay attention to everything else you didn’t see in such busy world? What if practicing stillness can help you navigate and flow in order to learn, prepare for the things that truly matter and be grateful?
︱ What does it mean to be still?
Stillness is simply letting go and entering an awareness of the whole being, an activity of not always being in control.
God controls life’s pace.
In the paths of the world where there seems to be so much hurry to do things, to be somebody and to garner enough associations (social media things), there is a need to slow down. Practicing stillness is about quieting your inner man and channeling your energies to purpose. It is an ongoing process that takes a lot of discipline and time.
︱4 simple ways to practice stillness.
- Mindful Habits ( a mindset of presence ): Focus your mind to practice stillness; it requires effort and intentionality. Zone into that very present time you are in, pay attention to your body and eliminate the sensation of fear, worry or stress, and aimless distractions. Have a clean slate, accept your limitations. Develop consciousness not to worry about the things that would always be there; that’s what taking it one step at a time is there for. You can’t allow yourself to fret over every little thing.
- Meditation on just being ( a gateway to peace ): practice moments of quiet where you simply do nothing. This is not time to please yourself by watching TV or reading a book or trying to cook. It looks hard but it’s a nice fulfilling practice. Don’t ponder on anything like your to-do grocery list or that lady at the office giving you a hard time. Allow your mind to settle in peace. Meditating on God’s love and word also helps in this process. You can also try a mental or breathing exercise to help you relax.
- Walks( finding joy ): admire nature, get attuned to your surroundings, look at things you wouldn’t naturally pay attention to and allow your mind to embrace them. It would help you develop a sense of gratitude for things as they are and how far you’ve come and the little you got. Showering prayers of gratitude to God also uplifts your spirit.
- Self-care routines( embracing love ): Spend lots of time alone and develop a self-care routine that nourishes your mind to settle in love, joy, and clarity. Care routines can be long showers with dim lights, paying attention to your body; exercising, saying no, being patient with yourself, whatever works for you. In this, maintain your calm and give no room for negative thoughts or stressors. it’s your ‘me’ time, also this is not the time to scroll up and down social media aimlessly. There is no hurry when embracing self-love as it takes a lot of time and effort. There is no need to be afraid of spending time alone. You need lots of alone time to recognize who you truly are.
︱What I love About Practicing Stillness:
- Enjoying the space of my time, it doesn’t have to be regular or standard world/people time. Just my time, in being, working through at my own pace.
- The absence of anxiety: The majority of what constitute human activities are fear and worry over things. If you look closely, most of it is rooted in the lack of contentment. I had a light bulb moment in prayer when I got the clarity that one should be grateful for how far one has come through and not worry over how far we still need to go.
- Elevated bible study/reading endeavors: I have studied the bible couple of times before but it is different when there is a calm reserve in your spirit than the clutter of everyday hustle or reading as some sort of auto-pilot obligation. Gradually, I began to enjoy reading activities and quality time studying the word, learning spiritual nuggets that nurture.
- More clarity: it is like a slow way life that gradually opens up to you, to see the things that align and the things that don’t. Most of the time, we are all too dazed with the hurrying nature of the world that we barely have time to reflect on who we truly are and how we want our lives to be.
Practicing stillness helps you navigate your own timeline and work at your own pace, it helps you nurture getting ready for intentional living. Stillness is also rooted in self-love which will help you extend to others and things around you. If you can’t be still, pause a little and think, ( a little doesn’t necessary mean pause for two secs, here, it means to take a break from your usual) then you may not be able to stand your ground or handle the pressures of your true purpose when it comes calling. That’s if it is even seen, in the midst of the noise.
I hope to see you practice being still and do share your moments when you can.
I pray the world heal from her losses and be strengthened. Stay safe.
— Mind & Body; old blog archive; April 13, 2020.
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E.
Be still and know that I am God PS 46:10
