Stillness
Monday, August 4, 2014 at 08:57PM 
In a perfect world, on a perfect day..I look for stillness. I love the layers of my life..so many interests. So many people to share my world with..they fill me up and make me grateful. However, as much as I love the movement of my life, the direction that it is taking me in, the joys that I have been given, the gratitude that I experience..I am also a seeker of stillness.
On a perfect day I find stillness in many places...it does not just happen, I have to seek it out and through experience I know that without stillness in my day, I will not fulfill my expectations of a day well spent, or a life well lived..I took me many years to figure this out.
I have established a pretty nice routine for myself..it started many years ago..when I had one of my biggest challenges...I had to get myself healthy, and as I traveled this path to health, I learned that I had to put my self first in order to serve those who needed me. So it began...
So here is my perfect day, filled with moments of stillness....
First thing, every day...exercise for 90 minute...5 days a week..all year long..I'm into my 32 years of this routine and it's where I get to think about what will happen in my day..an hour of that 90 minutes is spent walking, somewhere...treadmill, park, neighborhood...weather is not an excuse to skip it. In the summer, in Maine I add in kayaking and biking and swimming, both at home and Maine.
After working on my computer for a few hours or doing household tasks I need more quiet..so I sit, on my porch, surrounded by a private backyard, just myself (well Gracie comes of course) and I rest..meditate a bit, maybe read but always quiet...no music, no tv...no husband.
Again at 4 o'clock I take 30 minutes of so to have tea and maybe knit or read..winding down...
I can meditate in my room with my little table, I can walk in my labyrinth garden. I can sit on my bench outside with just the sounds of the bird...I can bike ride, although that is getting more dangerous here...so many choices to find a bit of stillness. BTW did you know that swimming is really very meditative...just being in the water is so soothing to the mind...
In Maine..oh now that is stillness all by itself...the lake, the loons, the deck facing the mountain for morning meditation and stretching...after the treadmill. Sitting quietly is never a problem in Maine...we are the second to last house on a dead end street (actually both of my houses are the second to last house on a dead end street), that is strange isn't it. Stillness surrounds me there, sometimes to much. But the thing that always reminds me of the gifts of life and a higher power are in a Maine sunset...nothing makes me understand the preciousness of life, like a Maine sunset..right off the front of my dock...For 22 years I've been watching the sun set over that lake and each night it is different...in color, texture, hues and saturation. Most nights we sit in the rockers and just watch, not even talking to each other...then there are nights, like the one above, this past weekend, where I am running for the camera and snapping the majestic image before me..There is power in stillness, in nature and in quiet. It's where we find out who we are and what we stand for. It's what helps to make creativity flow and when we are still we know that we are able to understand that there is a life force beyond what we can manage...we learn, in those moments, that sometimes we just have to let go and give in...to Life.
Wishing you quiet moments of stillnes...but it won't just come to you, you have to seek it out...Go on, be a seeker...find yourself a ball of fire, a mountain or a molehill...and get quiet..
Reader Comments (13)
What a great and profound gift to be able to watch the sun set over water every night! And to be aware enough to notice the differences from night to night. And to be able to capture it so deftly so as to preserve this unique and "wonder full" moment. As you know, I'm a huge appreciator of stillness too -- and I do believe that is where so much that is good in life ultimately resides. I love this post and seeing how you insert times for stillness in your day. Beautifully expressed, my friend...
Beautiful my beautiful friend. I concur wholeheartedly.
Cheryl I so wish I could take the time to find stillness everyday. There will come a time when I can. It just sounds so ideal. All I can say is I do reap happiness when working on my photography. Other than that life is busy.
Next week I am headed to Maine for a week with my daughter and granddaughter. And while I agree about the peace it brings I will again be busy with my 2 year old granddaughter who never stops as long as she is awake. I fear it will not be a restful vacation but time with two of my favorite girls I look forward to!
Lovely thoughts and such a wonderful daily routine you have, my friend. I admire your dedication to your health, physical and spiritual. I, too, seek stillness. Unfortunately, I seek it more than I find it!
Just Beautiful.. and I love what you shared. So many of us find stillness in many ways. So glad to read this. I added you to feedly so I wont miss your updates as well.
Magical image.
I have been reading your post again and again and I think your words have inspired me . Thankyou so much for letting me see into your world...
What a beautiful website! I'm so happy to have found you! I just spent time browsing through many of your posts and LOVE them all! I'll be visiting very often! Have a great day!
It makes me happy to see other people finding & appreciating your blog :-)
This is a wonderful window into your world & it helps me to understand you more as well as understand how you do so much... You've found balance & work it into your life everyday. I'm beginning to see that's the secret. Seek stillness, make it happen every day. Seek health & do what it takes to achieve it.
These things come from valuing oneself- believing that "I am worthwhile". I wonder if that is where so many fall- we don't value ourselves enough to care for ourselves.
Thank you for being a trailblazer into this world of health, wellness, creativity & stillness.
I so enjoyed your post, Cheryl. I needed this reminded that we have to seek out stillness ... I'm going to do some meditating today - no excuses. Thank you.
You have a perfect routine down. I hope to get to that point, I have a good start. This was so beautifully written. The place in Maine sounds magical.
like a dream my friend... such beauty in your image and words..... and so true... you must seek stillness.... thank you for the reminder....
happy weekend... xo
I love the quotes you end with "loneliness is black coffee and late-night television." What a vivid image!
Oh girls, I'm afraid I'm neglected to answer you all...after posting this...I was on my way to my 50th Class re-union, a three day event. No computer, just an i-phone and camera...I loved each and every comment...I love that you are seeking stillness even though you might not have found it yet...it takes time and years. None of this would have been possible when I was bringing up my kids...but you younger ones today are at least aware of Stillness...I wish I had known then what I know now...but know this...I welcome your visit, I rejoice in your comments and you all make my life happier just in your being here...Thank you for coming and I promise, as the week goes by, I will visit all of you...