Being Still

Lately I have been pondering the idea of stillness. Mostly internal stillness. The kind that allows you to take a deep breath in, exhale it long and slow, letting your shoulders drop, and your mind relax.  In this space the opportunity for personal reflection and introspection becomes much more available. The voice of spirit and soul can be heard more readily and perhaps clarity of one's next steps become more evident.
I am taking my explorations of stillness beyond the usual frames of meditation, and placing into the larger context of my life. Recently, while working with my personal coach, I came to recognize that part of me who attempts to be Super Womyn. You know, totally independent, doing everything myself, not asking for help, wanting to achieve and do it all. I bet she resides inside you at times too. While initially she served me very well, by helping me to push through a very hard time in my life, her usefulness is wearing thin. She exhausts me and requires me to deny myself of important things like self care, fun and adventure, and rest. She always has a huge list of things to do and lots of reasons why I can't just enjoy life.

In the absence of activity there is stillness. When I let go of the to-do lists, let go of the need to be something to somehow prove myself to the world, let go of running myself ragged for an extra dollar, I can find a deeper sense of stillness within myself that invites calmness and clarity, like a still pond on a summer day. From this place I can access the truth about my activity: is it serving my values and visions, is it important, do I enjoy what I am doing? As a coach myself, I know this is an important piece to discovering my personal bliss so that I may live a fulfilling and enjoyable life while on planet Earth.

I'm going to create a ceremony to acknowledge Super Womyn for all the ways in which she has served me, and then invite her to  go serve someone else, as our time together is complete.  I encourage you, in this month of Saint Valentine, to  breath in the possibility of stillness in your life, as a simple act of self courtship. And if you recognize a Super Womyn (or Super Man) in your life, check to see if it's time to  bid them adieu, so you can get on with what's real and true and right for you!

Blessings on this snowy, desert day,
Coach Margie