The Power of Standing Still

For me, the last few weeks have been beyond busy. From meetings to classes to events, I have been coming and going. And as holiday season fast approaches, I’m sure many others can relate to a filling calendar. My days are usually pretty tightly scheduled, and my departure reflects that. My mornings generally start with about 10-15 minutes of devotion and reflection followed by 30 minutes of scrambling, running from the shower to the ironing board to the Keurig, packing bags and checking calendars. Usually, in tow I have my work bag, gym bag, lunch bag, water canister, travel coffee mug, protein shake, and several sets of keys. Yet no matter how late I am or am about to be or far I have to commute or how long my day is, I always take a moment before I leave to take inventory. Wallet? Check. Running shoes? Check. Cell phone? Check. But beyond that, I take a moment to set my intentions for the day, dispatch my angels, and I always make it a point to leave home and return to home with a “thank you.” I’ve left home with a frazzled, scattered energy, and that energy follows me the whole day. My lesson learned has been "how you start is how you finish.” And it generally starts with those moments of stillness and silence before I depart.

And in these experiences, I hear God, recognizing the power of standing still. There are so many references in Scripture and history of men and women getting the direction and guidance they needed by standing still. One of the most ultimate expressions of faith is to stand still. Teachings of faith often reference being “like a tree” or “as a rock” in reference to stillness equating steadfastness.

Many great men and women have spoken to receiving their greatest enlightenment in times of stillness and silence. The Bible Itself often references the voice of God as still and small.

Scientifically, kinesiology speaks to the significance that standing in stillness brings to improvement in balance, strength, and well-being. Athletes from figure skaters to power-lifters have elements of stillness in their training and routines. No effective regimen or routine will succeed without equilibrium of stillness—physically and otherwise.

So, my question is in what parts of your life do you need to slow down and be still? Many of us are seeking direction and guidance and inspiration, but are you being still long enough and often enough to receive it? So many of our days are filled to the brim with activities and the spaces in between gorged with frivolity. As we move into the holiday season and into the new year, I encourage us all to create and maintain stillness. Let us make certain to create and maintain a place and time to get what we need in the still, quiet times. Once we silence the noise and slow ourselves down, we just might get what we need. Quiet time? Check. Direction and guidance? Double check.