Stillness and Patience

Unexpected “gifts” are everywhere, but it takes a special kind of awareness to see them. This type of awareness requires a greater level of stillness and patience from within. Slowing down and finding peace in the chaos allows us to see more clearly. I like to reflect on life by writing. This action makes me slow down, open up and in turn, share the unexpected “gifts” I discover.

For example the other day I noticed some leaves bunched up in our lilac bush by our front porch, as I was about to clean them out I noticed the biggest wasn’t actually a leaf, but a cocoon of some sort. Curiosity led me to photograph it then, of course, Google it. I was hoping for some kind of butterfly, but I have discovered it is a Praying Mantis egg sack, which is both scary and intriguing, especially considering the proximity to the front door.

I don’t have much knowledge about the Praying Mantis other then they kill their mates, but according to Google, they not only kill their mates but birds too. This knowledge left me even leerier! After more research, I found a plus that calmed me a bit.

The Praying Mantis symbolizes stillness and patience. According to sunsigns.org, “The praying mantis takes its time in all that it does. It takes care to pay diligent attention to its surroundings, and moving through life at its own pace. It demonstrates the ultimate power of stillness. It serves as a reminder for humans to slow down in our chaotic, fast-paced lives.

The praying mantis animal totem also teaches us how to still our bodies and go within our own mind. By doing this, we can connect with ourselves, drawing up greater physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual power. This stillness and concentration is a form of meditation, a practice that the mantis places much importance in.”

Stillness does not come easily, especially when life is chaotic, but that is often when it is most vital. When Ava was going through treatment we dabbled a bit in meditation, but only on the surface. At the time when I needed it the most, I just couldn’t get myself to the stillness I had hoped for. I could tell Ava was much like me, we both wanted to be peaceful, but we were too anxious. I think it helped during the really bad times like scanxiety and I wonder where we could have been had we had this tool before all HELL broke loose.

I have been reading Meditation: How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind by Pema Chodron and for the first time meditation makes sense. I never had a good grasp on the process until reading this book. The book does a great job of explaining the process and what to expect as you begin and how you can grow and develop from the art of meditation.

According to the author, ” We are not meditating in hopes of going further into sleep, so to speak. We’re not internalizing. This isn’t a transcendental type of meditation where you’re trying to go into a special state of consciousness. Rather we meditate to become completely open to life and to all the qualities of life or anything that might come along.”

Not up for meditation, but looking for a little peace? From my experience, peace starts by taking inventory of what is most important in life. I used to think I was forced to take a hard inventory, based on the extreme circumstances of having a terminally ill child, but in fact, I chose to do this. I remember driving home after Ava’s diagnosis and thinking, I don’t care if we have to live in our car, we will be together for every second that God gives us. Thankfully we were supported and able to have every one of those seconds in our home together. We were blessed and for that, I am forever grateful.

With that in your heart and mind ask yourself, what would be your worst nightmare? Many times we focus so much on the job, the car, the bills, the house that we forget people, faith or even ourselves. Just for a minute today, put life into hard perspective and ask yourself the terrible “what if” question that makes you choke up.

You know the question…

Ask it.

Then answer this…

What is the most important thing today, tomorrow, next week, next month?

Be still and patient with yourself for 5 minutes, then eventually10 minutes each day. Practice this and eventually, it will feel natural. This will allow you to have a clearer focus on what is IMPORTANT in life. We are often so hard on ourselves, getting to each event and completing each task that we forget that peace is right in front of us, it just gets lost in all the clutter of our minds.

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