Where is the stillness?

Stillness

In our busy turbulent world (and that is just in our mind!), to consciously experience stillness is a gift.

As Elle Harrison (2011) offers, stillness allows us to see things as they are. It provides space for creativity to emerge and through balancing its relationship with activity, invites us to redefine our productivity.

With Coronavirus we are facing a situation we haven’t witnessed before.  And we are needing to be responsive and flexible.  Health services were stretched and people were facing burn-out even before it happened.  Even in this situation, and particularly in this situation,  it is worth remembering we can choose to access stillness in any moment.

It can be as simple as bringing attention to your breath. Honouring that. Closing your eyes and settling into a deeper and broader awareness.  On a coaching call today with a stressed executive, I invited him to do just that.   To access what was already calm and still.   And it can also include purposeful pausing, reflecting, resting and recharging.  And even doing this all together in a virtual team meeting.

A figure of stillness which served to give me inspiration and still does, is a statue. You may recognise it.

Here’s my poem in its honour.

Amidst the noise and chaos

There you are

Standing with open arms

Witnessing it all

Powerful in your presence

Serene in your stillness

Exuding wildness and control

Strength and beauty

Offering and accepting riches

Letting things flow over you

Being still

So very still

It doesn’t matter to you

Whether you are favoured or not

Whether people come to see you or not

Whether there is rain, sun, wind or sleet

You are just there

Being yourself

Being still

So very still