Embrace Busy – Practice Stillness
Busy moments, busy days, busy weeks, busy years make up a busy life. To slow down and take a breath is a choice, it will almost never just happen. At times it is necessary to embrace the fast-paced busy nature of life. While acknowledging the need for busy, we must also honor our need for stillness.
Stillness is calling your name. It can be a scary place to explore if you have developed a habit of running from quiet. Inner peace is available in this very moment – all that is needed is the courageous choice to get still. All of our feelings wish to be heard. Joy, pain, loss, excitement, love, and even fear – each of them long to be acknowledged and accepted. Sitting in the quiet of Now takes practice.
Our breath is an amazing thing. It happens naturally and can guide us into a place of serenity. Start by committing to two minutes each day. Add a minute when you are ready.
- Find a quiet place. My first meditation teacher often told the story of his “meditation closet.” Because of his busy home life and lack of space, a small closet became his first meditation room. The best place to begin is where you are – nothing fancy necessary.
- Sit in a position that feels easy and comfortable. Sit up nice and tall with a straight spine. Let your shoulders drop down away from your ears and relax your body on an exhale.
- Begin to deepen your breathing, allow your belly to expand as you inhale deeply. Let your exhales be long and slow.
- It is that simple: Deep full inhale, long slow exhale. If your thoughts won’t stop thinking, that is okay! Thinking is what our minds do! Gently guide your attention back to the breath.
Embrace the busy, practice presence, invite and acknowledge your feelings, and allow your breath to anchor you into this very moment – it is where all the Peace is happening.