During my morning meditation I practice to be still.
To listen to my breaths coming and going in a steady rhythm.
To calm my thoughts about the day ahead of me or memories from yesterday.
To listen to what’s around and inside me.
When I allow stillness to settle in, I suddenly notice a lot.
A train rattling by in the distance.
The oven clock ticking so much louder all of a sudden.
The first rain drops on the window.
The birds chirping in the trees on your street.
The wandering thoughts slowly by slowly returning to the present, sitting with me in that moment.
My life is filled to the brim with schedules, to do lists and worries. This world is full of unsettling election results, unresolved wars and so many question marks about the future.
My vision is blurred by too much action, but practicing stillness can help to adjust my perspective.
There’s so much to discover if I allow myself to truly see.
To pull away the cover of busyness, planning and worry.
To give my undivided attention to the moment right in front of me.
To not shy away from the dark spots I might find there.
To always look for the glimpses of hope leading me towards the light.
Writing for Five Minute Friday today.
thisiskatha.com 
Liked “When I allow stillness to settle in, I suddenly notice a lot.”
Thank you, Sandra!
your words give me hope today. thank you for them. FMF15
Oh, I’m glad to hear that!
It can only be in stillness
that we let Jesus near
as we ken the wilderness
we build with all the fear
that the world would have us carry
(‘Look, calamity, diaster!’),
and would have us our faith bury
to hide it from our Lord and Master.
Society seeks independence
from whatever lies beyond
this life, and then demands repentance
and frames the way we must respond
so that our proof of loyalty’s placed
not in the Lord, but in world’s haste.
Thanks for your consistent words, Andrew!