be still

” When we’re faced with a decision whether or not to do something we need to ask ourself if our resistance to doing it is down to a real need to be wary or just our fear”—Terasa A George

I find it very hard to distinguish between irrational fear and a rational sense of danger. Being still seems to help in an unexpected way.

One of my favorite headstones (I know, weird statement) reads very simply, “Be still.” While my goal isn’t to be still like that, I would like to take more time in my life to let my mind and body just be. I know it will do wonders for my stress levels, and should help me live with more clarity, productivity and peace. So, I will take at least twenty minutes to be still in the evenings… and hopefully carry that with me into other parts of my day too.

A good place to be still

goes along with “be quiet”. I move so fast all the time-physically, mentally, emotionally. I walk fast, talk fast, eat fast, process information rapidly, react quickly and emotionally, you get the idea. i just want to “be still” on so many levels. my soul is tired of all the movement.

easier and more difficult in summer when teachers like me have off. more time and less structure takes some getting used to. it’s tempting to fill up my days with as much business as I can, but I’m more free to work in time to be still, to take a bike ride, to go hiking, to do yoga.

lately, i’ve been the wrong kind of still, the kind of stillness that comes from paralysis by anxiety.

Jill Bolte Taylor

this amazing talk about the brain gave me a new way of thinking about stillness and quieting the mind. especially when she talks about the right hemisphere of the human brain.

even aside from that, its a wonderful talk about a brain scientist having a stroke, realizing it, and studying her own brain.

I finally feel ok, I broke up with my boyfriend and it was like a weight was lifted. A calmness spread over me. I was always worrying with that kid, and even though I still have feelings I had to end it. Not trusting someone and always wonderings and the wnat ifs take a toll on a person, basically anxiety. Not anymore. Plus I also realized that I didn’t have to always do for others and that I should do more for myself.