Joy Jot #9 Seek Stillness

30 June 2024

Dear Friend,

This past week I dropped off my fourth child at the airport to go work for the summer in Nauvoo, Illinois as a performer in our church’s summer pageant. He’ll be gone for six weeks. It’s the beginning of his launch into the world—18 years old—“young and scrappy” like Alexander Hamilton.

In ten days, I will receive my third child home from serving two years in Chile.
My oldest has moved out of the state and is embarking on her first real grown up job.
Next year I’ll have three children in college and only one at home.

It’s a lot of change. As I reflected on these experiences this week, the idea for this Joy Jot emerged. Here it is.

After a coaching program I participated in a couple of years ago I pondered on my top tens takeaways from the experience. One is still sitting with me.

INPUTS.

More specifically morning inputs.

What goes in, influences what goes out.

As an avid yogi, I understand the gift of mindfulness. So, I leaned into Cal Newport’s advice on morning inputs.

He suggests we start our days alone and still before we add the thoughts of others into our minds — delay checking your phone first thing you wake up — postpone answering yesterdays remaining text and emails — defer news and social media — carve time of quiet before the busy world implodes on you.

Begin with stillness.

“Buddhism. Stoicism. Epicureanism. Christianity. Hinduism. It’s all but impossible to find a philosophical school or religion that does not venerate this inner peace—this stillness—as the highest good and as the key to elite performance and a happy life.”

—Ryan Holiday

If thousands of years of living on earth have brought humans to the same conclusion—people need stillness—then it must be truly valuable.

Our current world—more than any in history— is constantly connected and distracted. What is the opposite of this constant connection and distraction?

Alone and still.

I seek stillness when

I need to think.
I need to recharge.
I am bombarded by other peoples ideas.
I am wondering which direction to go.
I feel fragile.
I feel like my life is full of change.

If I am still…

I hear my inner voice.
I find strength.
I sift through thoughts.
I hear guidance.
I find comfort.
I am settled.

This space is worth protecting.

“Abiding joy comes to those who still the mind.”

— The Bhagavad Gita

May you find peace in your stillness.

With love,

Amy