Thursday, February 3, 2011

Be Still and Wait



Purple Night - Weldon Spring 2/2/11



I said to my soul, be still, and wait...
So the darkness shall be the light,
and the stillness the dancing. - T.S. Elliot


Be still. Wait.

Three insignificant words create two small instructions, and yet on some days they  are the most impossible to understand, let alone accomplish.

We are such a busy, busy people. We seem to think at times that our 'busy-ness' is a sign of how important or worthy we are. Be still? Our puritan genes rebel at the notion, equating it with idleness.

We are also an impatient people. Our drive and determination, which serves us so well in many situations, also serves to make us want what we want when we want it. Delayed gratification is an ancient philosophy to many who grew up in recent decades. Wait? The very word's anathema to us.

But what if, by being still, we can see the darkness become light?

What if, by waiting, we can witness the stillness become the dancing?

It is an exercise in discipline to be still. It takes a willingness to silence the chatter, to seek peace, and to look inwardly. It requires time.

It is an exercise in faith to wait. Knowing  that there is a transformation yet to come, a dance to come from stillness,  requires us to believe.

Storms rage. Governments topple. Families are in crisis. I'm not suggesting naively that we can turn all our problems around by sitting in a lotus position and thinking happy thoughts.  What I am asking is this; can finding a few minutes of stillness each day help you to feel more calm in the face of our difficulties? Can acquiring the ability to wait help us to see what may eventually transpire?

I believe it can.

Today I encourage you to be still and wait.

The music selection is Chopin's Nocturne (the word 'nocturne' means "painting of a night scene") in F sharp Major, Opus 15 No. 2. It's played by Polish pianist Krystian Zimerman, whom many consider to be one of the world'g greatest living pianists. What I love about him is the way he expresses himself completely as he plays, not just with his hands, but with his entire soul. Watch his face as he plays.

Though one can sense the stillness of the night in this nocturne, we also hear the winds of a storm brewing, and yet Chopin brings us back to peace in the end. He seems to be saying, "just wait...the dance is coming."



6 comments:

  1. Della really gave all of us a boost-up today, didn't she? Not to mention t.s. elliot! Words are so powerful!!

    Thank you for reminding all of us to CHILL OUT! Oh yeah.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you, Reya. You know I believe there are no accidents, right?

    I posted the photo on my draft last night and went to bed, knowing it would mean something more significant in the morning.

    Della inserted this beautiful golden thread into my tapestry this morning, delivered by you. Thank you very, very much. The wisdom in Elliot's words are undeniable.

    Was he really that wise? I missed that about him!

    ReplyDelete
  3. After almost 2 years here in the country aka Mo'ville, it amazes me how the people just stop everything when it snows. We are stuck within this little burg where no one plows the streets except for the farmers. But the hills are so iced over, we are house bound for God knows how long. So I am forced to chill out and am trying to make the best of the situation. Three days and counting.

    Perfect post and music for me today... Lots of love coming your way!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks, Vicki.

    What a great time to forget about everything and turn on the music, read, or just CHILL (ooh, no pun intended).What ever you choose to do, I hope you're able to recharge those batteries while you're snowed in, Vicks.

    much love to you,
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jo, what a beautiful picture and post! My first thought on seeing the picture was Van Gogh! However, I love the turn you took with it a LOT!
    We do lose a lot of our energy circling a problem in our mind or staring at insurmountable obstacles that - when we get closer - we find are not as large - not as impossible - even not necessary to tackle. One step at a time and stillness - and you made me LAUGH (lotus position) and sing (chopin...LOVE it!). Thank you for the moment of peace!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you, Nancy. The photo IS very Van Gogh-esque, isn't it? ;-)

    The image of our energy circling around and around in our minds is a good one...and great to recognize that we can break that exhausting and futile cycle.

    I'm so glad you stopped by to brighten my day...thanks for the kind words! xoxo

    ReplyDelete

Your visit makes my heart smile. Thank you.