Sitting Still: A Powerful Tool for Overwhelm

42-16586298Lately, I’ve been working to return to a ritual that had fallen off my plate for awhile. The ritual is claiming ten minutes of quiet stillness every morning.

I don’t always do it first thing, but I am working to take ten minutes and just sit quietly with my morning coffee every morning before the day really takes off. Ten minutes–just sitting. Sometimes it seems like an eternity and sometimes it flies by. It definitely takes discipline. Sitting can be very difficult for someone who has been told her strengths include “energy and zest.” But those ten minutes of quiet are well worth it.

Here is what I am finding:

  • When I start my quiet time, it is positively absolutely guaranteed that I will immediately think of something that I HAVE to do or something I have forgotten that I HAVE to write down before I forget again. I now have a pen by my side so I can write that thing down and be done with it. That time doesn’t count though.
  • The ten minutes I take each morning are some of the most profitable of the day. I sometimes sit down with my mind cluttered and racing. Somehow, just by sitting, my thoughts find more order. I gain more clarity about my priorities. I feel more focused.
  • I am feeling less stressed.
  • One question I ask as I sit is about the purpose of my day that day. What’s my goal or what are my priorities? Even if I am not crystal-clear about the answer when I move on to other things, I am finding that my day feels more cohesive. I am spinning my tires less. I have more energy and feel more purposeful. I am absolutely getting more done.

Will this practice do the same for you? I can’t say. But I highly recommend that you give it a try.

Take good care,

Melissa

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4 Responses to “Sitting Still: A Powerful Tool for Overwhelm”

  1. Elizabeth Stanfill says:
    February 12, 2009 at 1:16 pm

    Hi Melissa,

    I meditate every morning and it does wonders for my peace of mind and my decision making.

    Great post.

    Elizabeth Stanfill

  2. Molly Wilson says:
    February 15, 2009 at 11:16 am

    I came across this article and it made me think of my 10 or 15 minutes a day that I try to have to myself. Since I began doing this my life has changed.

    My yoga practice is another extension of time to myself, I just happen to be getting a fab workout at the same time ;) Overall I am much less stressed and in control of my life.

  3. melissa says:
    February 16, 2009 at 11:48 am

    Thanks Elizabeth–Glad you enjoyed it the post.

  4. melissa says:
    February 16, 2009 at 1:12 pm

    Molly, thanks for taking the time to share your comment. That time of stillness makes such a profound difference for me–yoga too. It’s so easy to get pulled into the mindset that we need to do MORE to be in control. Sometimes the secret really is stopping or doing less.

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