Stillness

It’s something difficult to write about (for me, at least) because I find it easier to write about topics as I am actively imagining them. But to write about stillness while experiencing (or remembering) stillness takes practice, I think. It’s not something possible to do every day, to at once let go and focus on putting pen to paper. When you can manage it, though, it is an incredibly, if strangely, peaceful feeling. It requires disciple, wrestling with doubt, and calmness all at once—something I find to be uniquely human, but perhaps that’s a tad egocentric of me.

I think peace and stillness are too often confused with inaction and indifference. This, I think, happens mostly when one has yet to really experience stillness in their life. I don’t blame them, as stillness is not something easy to teach or to let yourself experience. It requires a certain letting go that is immensely uncomfortable at first, especially if you, like me, are the type of person who prefers doing things in the most active sense of the word.

You might feel restless, feel guilt for being “unproductive”, and just plain weird. But keep working at it! Pay attention to the quiet moments in your life when your mind stops racing and when your soul feels at peace. This, my friends, is stillness. When, unless prompted, there is nothing but quiet coming from you. You are taking in everything around you, but you don’t feel the need to put anything back out in turn. Just, acceptance.

This is the moment where you have pure choice. Nothing prodding you, nothing pulling you one way or the other. Just pure you at the cusp of something grand. Let inspiration and ideas come to you. Be open and receptive to these mysterious forces. Then, when the moment hits, write.

P.S. Joy’s post will be coming tomorrow or Thursday as she is a real student with real work to do. Thanks for your patience!