“He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.” -Psalms 107:29
Are you ready to practice more stillness in your life?
Rest isn’t really as hard to come by as it seems if we’re willing to scrutinize our schedules and clear out a cozy little pocket of time. We rationalize that we’re too busy, but I can promise that there are always 5 hidden minutes (and sometimes more) that we can snatch. Where in your daily plan can you incorporate some rhythms of rest?
1 – Push Pause for 5+ minutes:
Could you forgo a few minutes of social media or TV to replace with a slice of stillness? Maybe you have little ones that nap or semi-littles that could take a few minutes of quiet time in their rooms. Maybe you work and have a lunch break. Whatever your situation, reserve 5 minutes to push pause.
2 – Practice Mindfulness
The wonderful thing about stillness is that it doesn’t always need to be solitary or silent. Use one (or more) of your daily activities, those ones you could do in your sleep, and be intentionally mindful as you do them.
Let me provide a few examples. While washing dishes, breathe deeply and appreciate the smooth, warm water running over your hands. See the radiance of the soap bubble rainbows and be thankful that we can be made clean through our Savior’s atonement. While making dinner, think of our charge to feed the hungry and visit the sick. Enjoy the colors of the fresh vegetables as you chop them for soup. While folding clothes, ponder on our charge to clothe the naked and bear one another’s burdens that they may be light. Let your fingers feel the soft folds of the fabric and delight in the fresh scent of clean clothes. While balancing the budget, listen to your favorite tunes and feel a surge of gratitude in your heart for how well the Lord provides. While brushing your teeth, think of all the successes of your day – the things that you did well. Oh, there are a myriad of ways we can bring a mindfulness habit into our daily round.
3 – Do One Delight
Finally, make sure that somewhere in your day you do something just for you. Carve out time to do your creative hobbies, talents or crafts. Whatever lights you up, be it painting, gardening, baking, or reading, spend some time investing in your life-giving joys.
Tomorrow I will be sending you all the resources for your rhythyms of rest. You’ll receive ideas for what practices and activities to include in your daily pause. And for tonight, let yourself rest…
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” – Psalms 23:2
