REMEMBER TO BE SILENT AND STILL AS YOU SPRING FORWARD
Robert M. Brown III, Ph.D., contributing editor
Spring is here and that means that it’s time for renewal. The weather is beginning to get warmer, finally, and many of the activities that had to be put on hold for the winter can now be resumed. For those that love the outdoors, life is good. Daylight savings is in place and in general, there is a buzz of activity, in and out of doors. And, oh yes, we can’t forget about spring cleaning, which for many is that rite of passage where all of the clutter that has built up over the last year is inventoried and purged. My question is how does all of that clutter get there in the first place? Suffice it to say that this time of year is usually filled with things that need to get done.
Last month, I was coming back from a short trip and I was listening to a radio program with a host and guests who were discussing the topic of the federal government’s role in helping to put people back to work. The conversation was very lively and sometimes contentious. Each guest had a particular perspective and several times the host intervened, more to referee the exchange rather than to ask questions. As I drove, I found myself chiming in, especially when I disagreed with a point that was made. You would have thought that I fully expected the host and guests to respond to my input, as if they could hear me. After 30 minutes or so, I couldn’t listen any further. I turned off the radio and I drove the remainder of the way in silence. Surprisingly, it was a relief! I was alone with my thoughts, I became a more attentive driver and a feeling of calmness settled over me. It turned out to be a very pleasant trip.
A couple of weeks later, I was contemplating all of the things that I needed to get done during a weekend. I was charged up and ready to get the day started. My list was about ten items deep and I was about to launch into the day. Just as I was about to catapult from my home into task one, I heard a sound that was new to the mornings of 2011. It was the cooing of the mourning dove, which typically expels a phrase of five tones. As soon as I heard the sounds, I knew what it was and I immediately saw the rosy brown colored bird on the ledge. As I was looking out of the window, it was as if that dove was looking directly at me saying “you need to slow down.” I was compelled to sit down and just be still. In my stillness, I began to question why was I trying to do so much and what would happen if I cut the list in half. You may be surprised to know that when I cut the list to one third and completed those tasks, the world still turned. It was amazing! In all seriousness, though, I chose to be led inwardly rather than outwardly by doing these things:
- Sitting and being silent and still with no distractions
- Being present in the moment (focusing only on the moment being experienced)
- Becoming aware of thoughts
- Understanding what caused the thoughts to happen
- Being intentional about what will be achieved during the day
The points listed above should be a part of the routine that begins each day. This becomes a part of the “roadmap,” so to speak, for how you live your life. The fact is that there will always be something more to do. In 2011 and beyond, the focus is living a more purposeful and fulfilled life. No matter what time of year it may be and no matter what needs to get done, we each have the power of choice. The challenge is to use this power with keen discernment. But, of course, the choice is yours.