When Staying Still Is The Answer

Have you ever been in a place where you crave more out of life yet have no idea how to get there? I’ve felt this way lately; wanting more… more money, more experiences, more quality time, more followers, more stuff, more quality friendships, a bigger email list, bigger & better partnerships, more vacations….the list goes on and I simultaneously feel guilty and yet cleansed for just telling you all this.

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL….

We want more as a way of chasing happiness. I grew up learning that happiness wasn’t circumstantial and I still believe this. In fact I said those very words to my 7 year old yesterday after he told me he wasn’t happy. I said, “You’re in charge of your happiness buddy but happiness isn’t circumstantial. Happiness is inside you and you have to choose it.” How do we choose happiness? That’s the million dollar question and I think the answer has a lot to do with gratitude and hope…being grateful for what you have yet not letting go of the hope you have for the future you want to create.

I ran by a field of wildflowers this week and a swarm of butterflies were flying by. I wanted to capture an image of one on my iPhone…. I looked like a crazy woman running after them on the side of the road holding my phone out like a metal detector. The idea came to me that if I just stood in one place I might have a better chance of capturing one. I stood still in one spot and they came and landed on the flowers around me and I got my shot. As I walked away I thought “Uh, maybe this a message for me and a metaphor for this season of life.”

SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO STAND STILL AND THE GOOD THINGS WILL COME.

I like this message however there’s one teeny tiny problem, I’m not good at staying still. I have GOALS ya know what I mean?! If I’m not operating at full speed or checking off to-do boxes I often feel like I’m not getting closer to my goals. It takes an “aha moment” like the one in the butterfly field to remind me my way of doing things isn’t always the best.

When is staying still the answer? I can’t answer that for you, only you can know if you need to push pause. I know I need to stay still when I’m lacking motivation or inspiration, feeling jealous or comparing myself to others and generally feeling dissatisfied with life.

Pausing for me helps me to reflect on what I have and where true happiness comes from in my life. It also helps me research and seek guidance from sources of wisdom and clarifies what things are truly essential in reaching my goals. Maybe it’s a week, a month or a year of staying still… beauty, growth and goodness can come out of this season if you’re open to these gifts.

I’m challenging myself in this season to “stay in my lane”, say no to things that distract me from my goals and to prioritize what matters most. Leave a comment if you feel me on this or if you’re in a space like this as well. Soak up everything you learn during this time. This season may not feel  comfortable, however you are planting seeds that will bloom soon.