Being still

I tend to equate motionless with emotionless. I love doing moving hiking adventuring. Finding calm is good. But only in my mind. I become restless without reason cause desire to activate.

But sometimes, when illness has struck down me or one of my children. When injury forces a period of imposed evil rest. When my youngest has chills and fever (again) and I must cancel plans and take her to the doctor (after all, I’m not a monster), I am forced to practice recognize attempt to embrace the (practical pragmatic prolonged) of being still.

(Ugh ick dragging kicking screaming NOOOOO I don’t want to but I have things to do why me)

And so I turn to writing (after all, I am sitting still and being productive so it’s a win win). Why is there a need to always be doing making progress accomplishing completing. What motivates inspires forces me to leap out of my chair and look for things to do.

As a child, I loved to read. I could be found in any room position head hanging upside down off the edge of a bed sofa counter relishing the adventures discoveries insights of my heroine whoever she may be that day. My parents were patient to a degree and then there were chores tasks lists to check off.

(A body at rest is sitting at a bar when a body in motion walks in… physics.)

As I age get older more wrinkles emerge, I find myself ever more driven towards movement. To keep going pursuing progressing improving. At some point you look around and see what happens when people stop. They age faster, a lot. They stop being able capable durable adaptable. And not just physically. Also emotionally and spiritually.

Flexibility and openness seem to be hardwired into our muscles and membranes. When we close off shut down confine our views to within we become incapable of seeing viewing perceiving anything else. Our brains and bodies shut down, shut out new doors opportunities visions.

(Back in my day… that may or may not have been the good days for me or you or others or futures)

We need to pound the pavement explore new vistas meet new people engage in uncomfortable conversations suspend our truths and listen (I mean, truly listen hear understand comprehend so that we can sympathize empathize current untruths such that our truths become more fluid and open to the universe of truths) so that we may look into the future. Feel and taste something anything that the next generation brings to the table. We are not them. Never will be. But we can strive to be more open learn more explore more. Be more than resting at a bar waiting for motion, emotion to arrive.

(Open yourself up to learning something new today. Perhaps while getting out there being active moving joints. Perhaps while waiting to pick up a prescription for a sick child. Perhaps while sitting with your sister observing the magic of the birds in flight. Form a new opinion. Feel your radical. Welcome the next generation of innovation. And then find moments of stillness to consider and appreciate the beauty found in others. And yourself.)