Stillness

January 24, 2022

My word for 2022 is STILLNESS. There is a difference between quiet and stillness. Quiet is the absence or hush of sound. Stillness is the absence of movement or sound. For me it is entering a space of BE-ing, of listening, and of connecting to my inner Light.

Stillness gives me the permission to just BE.

I find myself experiencing COVID FATIGUE in multiple ways. I’m tired of wearing a mask, I’m tired of distancing from people at gatherings, I’m tired of not being able to gather, travel restrictions, and more. I’m tired of worrying about family and friends who have covid or have experienced loss due to covid.

There is also an underlying level [or maybe not so underlying] feelings of burnout. Whether it is at work or having to deal with a pandemic world; there is stress, exhaustion, and not being able to live a “normal” life. In so many ways, I just want our lives to go back to pre-pandemic so we can live again. However, that is not our path - our path is to define the new normal individually and collectively.

So, when I sat for a moment and let my heart wander - a word that resonated with me for this year was STILLNESS. It’s that place of peace, calm, serenity. The space that removes you from a storm. The pandemic can feel like an ongoing storm that never lets up because of all the emotional charges and physical challenges it brings to humanity. No matter your opinion - it is making an impact.

What if we can CALM or even TAME our personal storm by learning how to enter into the stillness of the storm? What if there is POWER in that stillness? What if it gives us a reprieve from what we’re experiencing negatively and brings REJUVENATION?

Stillness, for me, can take a quick moment or a long one. Whatever my need, I can enter into this space. What are ways that you can experience stillness? For me, I can take my hands off the keyboard and just sit still. I can soak in a hot bath. I can take a nap. I can close my eyes and just breathe until I experience TRANQUILITY.

If you haven’t already, and are interested, pick a word that you want to focus on for 2022. Define what that word means to YOU. Then make a list of practices you want to put in place to BE with your word. Remember, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about perfecting the practice of showing up in the essence of your word.

“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at anytime and be yourself.” ~ Hermann Hesse

I wish you stillness, my friends, and to know that you are DIVINE!
Janet