My husband and I recently attended a Wellness day in the beautiful Gold Coast hinterland. It was a retreat from the world for one day where we could leave our problems at home and concentrate on nourishing our souls.
One of the sessions was about ‘Calming the Heart’ and Sally MacKinnon who facilitated, started by reading this beautiful poem – ‘Today’ by Mary Oliver.
‘Stillness‘ is something that we don’t include enough in our busy lives.
There is no need to speak, but just ‘be’ – in stillness and calm. The ability to ‘just be’, concentrating only on our breath, and clearing our minds sometimes evades us. This year, one of my intentions was to create a daily ritual morning and evening. To create ‘stillness’ in my life. It has certainly started and ended my day in a calm way and with thoughts of gratitude for all I have in my life.
Do you take time to ‘just be’? To create Stillness in your day?
41 Comments
We fill our world with words Sue – and I don’t think we stop long enough to be still and to inhale the peace we so desperately need. It’s something I’m becoming more and more aware of (hence my post on Monday). You obviously feel the same 🙂
Too much noise isn’t there Leanne. We concentrated on being mindful as part of the Wellness day Mike and I attended. I’ve written another post for next week about what else we did. We both came away feeling so relaxed and calm but of course life starts up again and the challenge is to bring back the stillness.
It is a great reminder thanks Sue. We get so busy we forget to be still sometimes.
We do don’t we Debbie. I’ve found that taking 5 in the morning has helped but of course life does get in the way. We just need to pull ourselves back and take time out. Have a great weekend!
“Just be” is a phrase I’ve used for a very long time. However, I have to admit that while I definitely think about it, it’s usually when I find myself too far over the edge. I could absolutely do more to find stillness and moments to “just be” in my day EVERY day.
Love the poem – have to save that.
I have found when I first get up in the morning if I just take a few moments to be still and think of something good in my life that it really sets me up for the day. Thanks for stopping by Lisa and have a great weekend x
If there is one thing I have learned in my retirement life now and in dealing with some anxiety and chronic health issues is to take time to ‘be’. I do this at least twice a day. I often find a spot outside just to let nature enfold me. I stopped relying busy a long time ago to distract me but busy remains when we are afraid to face ourselves alone and without distraction. Meditation now twice a day and listening to some inspirational people on CD helps me tune into me.
Great post.
Thanks for linking up for #lifethisweek 10/52. Next week: My Favourite Colour.
It sounds like you have been finding stillness Denyse. Meditating each day even if only for a few minutes can really help to ease the stress. Good for you and I hope you start feeling much better. Have a great week and thanks for the opportunity to link up.
I’m making a conscious effort at being still each day. Often it’s just when I wake up. Before I reach for my phone. Just to be there, listening to the sounds of morning. So good for the soul.
SSG xxx
Yes that is when I try for stillness SSG. Before I reach for the phone or the laptop. It isn’t easy but taking that extra time really does help my day. Have a beautiful week x
Hi Sue,
Thank you for bringing your post to the Blogger’s Pit Stop.
Janice, Pit Stop Crew
Thanks for hosting Janice. It is always a pleasure linking up.
This is a fab reminder and definitely something that I need to remember! I very rarely get calm or still moments or take the time to appreciate things!
Yes you are pretty busy Charlotte and will be even busier when you new little one arrives. Just make sure you make the time for yourself it is so important to look after YOU! xx
[…] you don’t need to speak but just be still and in the moment. Last week I wrote about ‘Finding Stillness in your Day’ which we touched on during this […]
No, I never take the time to just be or to find stillness. Ugh. Sometimes we all get caught up in the whirlwind of our daily activities and never take the time to do anything meaningful, much less find stillness, but it’s something I think we all need.
It is really important Fabiola but I understand it isn’t easy all the time. Especially if you have a family and work. Even 5 minutes though can be really helpful.
We all need stillness in our lives every so often…thanks for bringing thei to the Blogger’s Pit Stop
We certainly do Julie unfortunately we don’t usually make the time for it do we. Thanks for hosting Blogger’s Pit Stop and see you next week.
I was just thinking today how different seasons allow the chance to enjoy a day of “nothing I **have** to do at this moment.” But it is important to try to work those moments into every season. The busier we are, the more we need those times of “stillness.”
Sometimes we really are busier than we need to be Wendy. I can fill my days and say ‘I’m busy’ but when I look back I think there were things I really didn’t need to do at that time. Finding Stillness does work even 5 mintues. Lovely of you to stop by and have a great week!
A good reminder Sue. I like to take time to just praise and be thankful with no thoughts for what I see as my needs. The result is joy and peace which I crave. It is like a boomerang, I am not thinking of my needs but it comes back and benefits me. I am not sure I am saying this very clearly . . .
Kathleen
Oh you have said it perfectly Kathleen and I like the analogy of the boomerang. Have a beautiful week my friend. xx
This is an excellent reminder to create some time for stilness. I love that Mary Oliver poem, it’s one of my favorites! #mg
Hello! I love the name of your blog and I’ve popped over to subscribe. I love the poem too. Thank you for stopping by and have a beautiful day. xx
This is so true. I recently started mindfulness meditation every morning and it’s the best way to start the day x
#Mg
I did too Alana and it really does make a difference. Have a beautiful day and thanks for stopping by x
Due to illness I have been told to take it easy by the doctors and not to speak. This is easier said than done when your husband’s constantly asking you questions! – I digress. I certainly do see the benefit in being still and watching over everyday things rather than jumping in mind. #mg
It has really helped me Helena. I do hope you are okay and wish you a speedy recovery. Isn’t funny how husbands want to talk at totally the wrong times! LOL:)
Learning to “just be” is something I need to do. My mind never stops racing, and that makes it very difficult to relax. I must brag, however, that I have made major strides this winter in now allowing my fear of driving in the snow to paralyze me. I’ve really taught myself to block out the fear and stress and “just drive”. Made it home in tonight’s blizzard with very little stress. So maybe I am finally learning how to relax and take a moment…
I would be scared trying to drive in a blizzard. I don’t really have a concept of it as I live in Brisbane, Australia and we have sunshine most of the year. I’ve found that taking even 5 minutes to clear my mind has certainly relaxed me more. Have a great week!
I love this, reading this just made me feel more at peace and still, thank you lovely
and thanks for linking up too #mg
I’m happy you had that reaction Mackenzie and thank you for the opportunity to link up. Have a beautiful weekend with your gorgeous family xx
Such an important ritual and challenging at times. I am appalled at how hard it is to resist checking in to the online world.
Oh I know Jan! That is one of my most challenging areas of life – social media!!! We are going on a cruise soon so hopefully I will wean myself off – I can only hope!
Congratulations this was one of the most clicked upon posts from the #mg linky this past week! Stop by Monday to garb your featured writer badge, and thank you fro supporting #mg it means so much lovely xx
Oh wow thank you Mackenzie! I’m so pleased because my posts are mainly aimed at Over 50s yet others can be helpful to anyone. I’ll be sure to link up again this week xx
I aim to meditate while doing reiki every day and usually do the reiki but the meditation often gets ‘swallowed’ up in my just being with the energy flowing. In actual fact, I think that maybe I do manage to ‘just be’ on a daily basis then! Go me! #mg
Go you!!! I love your positivity. I don’t know much about reiki but am going to a yoga retreat and reiki is on the ‘menu’. Have a beautiful day and thanks for stopping by.
Time. Still time. I sure could use that. What aisle of the pharmacy would i find still time? 🙂
Great post. I will try this during my day. #mg
I know it is a killer trying to find time especially if you have a family BUT YOU DESERVE IT! Take 10 for yourself today Lisa. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your weekend xx