Stop doing something and start standing around...

Have you ever heard the saying “stop standing around and do something”? Well, I think it’s sometimes valuable to “stop doing something and start standing around”. In life, it’s important to breathe and to be comfortable just being where you are. Validation isn’t always necessary.

Many people run away from what they are feeling or try to cover it up. Oddly enough, many people feel like something is missing in their life. Coincidence? I think not.

Could it be that they are always trying to run away from discomfort? It’s OK to feel. It’s OK to cry and to be frustrated. It’s OK to be overcome with joy and feel like your heart might explode. Emotions make us real. You can’t progress until you’ve taken then time to experience and process where you’re at.

Ok. I know. I know. This sounds pretty hokey pokey, but when was the last time you actually sat in your sadness and just felt what that was like? Most likely you bought something, ate something, called someone or tried to come up with a solution as to how you could remove the discomfort.

It’s amazing what you notice when you take a few moments to just sit/stand there and observe your life. For me, when I’m confused, I notice my left temple pulses and my teeth clench. When I’m joyful, my chin lifts, my shoulders push back and my eyes feel wider. What happens to you? These reactions are patterns that have a big reflection on your life.

So what becomes available to you when you start to notice these things? Simply put, awareness and choice.

Awareness of the fact that your body has a natural tendency to react in a certain way. This knowledge is powerful because you can catch the reaction before it starts to control your life. When I feel confused and I notice that my teeth are clenching; I make an effort to breathe and relax my mouth. Usually this simple action gives me a new idea or perspective on my problem. You are now in the drivers seat and things become more pro-active rather than reactive. You also now have an choice - do you feed it? 

Meditation is teaching me that we always have a choice.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, out of control and like your day (or life) is starting to be a constant string of reactions then I suggest you stop doing something and start standing around…even if just for a little while.