This post was not the one I intended to write. About a week ago I had something different almost ready when Evernote decided somehow, in its mysterious, bloated, technological wisdom, to delete 90% of what I wrote. But I think that was as it should have been. I think this one’s better.
“Do whatever you need to slow down. It is time to explore what you are carrying within.” – Roxana Jones
You might not put the words “still” and “puppy” together. Many of you know I have a new friend at my house, and she demands gobs of time and attention.
Note: the header photo is stock – she won’t always pose the way I ask her to 🙄.
She is bouncy, silly, and more than a little sassy – and she forces me to be still. Much of the time, and indeed right at this moment, I’m sitting on the floor watching her. I have to watch her, constantly and consistently, if I’m ever to salvage the rugs in this house. I sit outside and watch her. I sit on the couch and watch her. If I have a desire to get lost in a task, rush around, or ignore her subtle signals, mistakes are made. She is training me well.
And she is often, miraculously, still for me. She sleeps quietly in her crate or at my feet when I meet with clients (and no worries, I ensured there was an iron-clad confidentiality clause in her contract when she came on board). It’s like she has a sense that the conversations require me to be present in a different way, and she can be patient as long as I’m ready to focus on her the moment the Zoom ends.
When I was in Kenya in June (and as I type I’m realizing, holy cow, this has been quite the summer), I made some deep connections between my spiritual path, my physical self, and trees. And synchronistically, tree references have been popping up everywhere for me since. That’s related to what I was initially going to write about – and may yet. For now, suffice it to say, trees are fabulous at being still too.
“Seek out a tree and let it teach you stillness.” – Eckhart Tolle
I was also reminded recently of Jungian-influenced psychologist James Hillman’s “acorn theory,” – which states that we already hold the potential for the unique possibilities inside ourselves, much as an acorn holds the pattern for an oak tree. It’s the task of life to figure out our distinctive pattern and allow it to come to fruition.
Hillman caught some criticism for his pretty much un-provable theory. Yet, I think if nothing else, it’s interesting to consider allowing our true natures, our psychic blueprints, to do what they need to do – in order to be what they need to be. The oak tree doesn’t have to do anything to fulfill its goals of deep roots and solid trunk, other than wait for the right conditions. Acorns don’t stress out or weigh the pros and cons of life as an oak, hanging out in the dark earth as they do.
What do the seemingly opposite energies of puppies and trees have to do with life order?
When you can be physically and internally still – and I mean totally still – you’re not shopping. Or downloading. Or scrolling. If your mind can be still, even for just a millisecond, that’s a wee bit of time when you don’t ruminate. Or second-guess. Or agree to something you shouldn’t. You likely save a lot – time, money, energy, brain space. Parents and kiddos are preparing to head back to school, where “still” is often forced, unfortunately (it takes all the joy out of it). But to be consciously still is pretty radical in our world, and I’ve been uncomfortable with it this week. Until today, when I fully allowed myself to let go. Watch a puppy. Sit under a tree (it’s an elm, but a very quiet one).
And a funny thing happened: I got an idea for a new blog post. Pretty much wrote itself.
What happens when you can be still?
I love this idea. I know what you mean about the stillness of a dog (or puppy) or a tree. I’ve been watching my new dog. He’s a 2 year old rescue. We have bonded completely in the short 2 1/2 weeks I’ve had him. Initially, I watched him to see if we would be a good fit. Then I was watching him – amazed that he had so many manners. He watches me too. He wants to be wanted and to have a home. There are so many times in the past couple of weeks that my heart was in my throat because he (Buddy) is so wonderful I couldn’t imagine anyone parting with him. Still – well, I will ponder that.
Sounds like we got our new family members at around the same time – and aren’t they wonderful? I’d love to see Buddy sometime – maybe you’ll write a post about him? Thanks for stopping by, Diane!
I decided to walk the dog without my phone today, to just let me mind rest. I wasn’t exactly still, but it felt still for my mind. It’s crazy to me how hard it has become to not look at that thing! But as I walked, I felt more and more relaxed, able to observe and plug into the setting. It was peaceful.
I might try it again.
Yes! I think stillness has many different ways of manifesting. I’m liking being off of my phone more and more. Thanks for the comment, Seana!
So much is possible from the place of still. Great post Sara and a good looking pooch!
Indeed. Thanks for stopping by and the kind comment, Cam – and Sunny is flattered!
I enjoy puppies on screens (though not so much when they can bite me) and I’m not much of a fan of nature, trees or otherwise. But what you’ve written is so lyrical and compelling that you’ve taken me more than halfway there. Stillness has always been a difficult thing for me to achieve; when I’m working, toiling, spinning, all is well. But when I am still, when I am not tasked, that is when my brain tends to get me in trouble. But again, you’ve written such a compelling piece, I am willing to give stillness (if not puppies and trees) my full attention.
I appreciate your honesty here – and I think stillness is way harder for most of us than we’d like to admit. It’s so counter to what we’re led to believe creates success. Perhaps my next post could get you the rest of the way there? I’ll have to ponder that.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder, Sara!! I have been the opposite of still lately, which can put me at risk for not practicing self-care around hydrating and eating well. The result was a migraine that forced my stillness and ended me in the ER with a migraine cocktail, IV, and the loss of a day full of potential. The imposed stillness brought me back to my inner knowing of what I need physically, mentally, and spiritually. I saw your heading, “Wholistic Life Order”, and my goal is to find that balance.
My new kitty, Kaizen, “Kai” for short, helps me slow down as well! Thank you for your post and for sharing the “acorn theory”! I wrote it down in my planner as a reminder to be still and listen. All the Best! Bruce
Yikes – I’m sorry you went through all of that, but happy to hear about that reconnection with inner knowing. And cats are great stillness teachers, too! I’m looking forward to hearing more about her and your slowing down experience. Thanks for the comment!
Love that, Sara! Transcendental Meditation (TM) has a neat analogy that monkey(mind)s aren’t tamed by force very effectively. But if you give a monkey a banana (or mantra), it will soon settle somewhere safe and eat it quietly. Sounds like a puppy can have the same effect, as can an owner/mom having a conversation with a client. 🙂
Has anyone ever tried this rather fascinating little technique? Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman suggests holding the eyes steady on something at the same distance at which we’d like to focus — like the computer screen — and just breathe for 60 seconds or so. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywjIzd0YW-I ) I like to think of it as 5-10 long, easy exhales. It’s OK to blink and the eyes don’t have to work hard at all, just to stay still for a little while. I’ve found he’s right that it quiets the whole system down. It’s a great thing to do just before a stretch of focused tasking. Or puppy watching. 🙂
Holding the eyes steady and quiet sounds really intriguing to try. It reminds me of “visio divina”, where you allow your eyes to gently roam around an image (or in my case, sometimes trees or clouds) to see what all can be noticed/felt/heard. Christian in origin, but I think it can be practiced by anyone. Here’s to monkeys, bananas, puppies and stillness – thanks for stopping by, Dodge!