In the Stillness: Reflections on Seasons of Silence Part I

I’ve written about stillness and silence before. It seems to be a theme I come back to time and time again, sometimes willingly and sometimes by circumstance. Regardless of the reason, this summer has once again reminded me of what it means to truly steward my time, my energy, and my pace. This summer – or since our spring semester ended – I have chosen silence over all else. 

This time of stillness and silence was not preplanned. I intended to spend my summer being “out and about” as businesses reopened and travel restrictions were lifted. But my body and mind called me to something different. In June, I found myself wanting to take refuge. After 15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, more losses than I care to remember, injustices that seemed to rip my heart to shreds, strained work boundaries, questionable acquaintances, and a surge in violence across the U.S., my soul needed a deeper rest. Instead of fighting the urge – the nudge – I leaned in to my longings, let go of any guilt associated with cancelled or released plans and rested. 

I spent the month of June reading, praying, meditating (something I haven’t done intentionally in nearly four years), reflecting, and listening to some new teachers. I spent the month being renewed. I spent the month developing practices I hope to sustain even as I get out and about a bit more this month, and in preparation for our fall semester. I spent the month listening to my body and reconnecting with nature – I visited our local arboretum for the first time and booked a visit to our botanical gardens. I went to the beach every single weekend and sat for early morning meditation. I went for more walks and even got in a few bike rides. In my stillness, my heart was renewed, I was replenished and I felt more anchored than I have since before the pandemic. Even as I continued to write and publish freelance pieces, I embraced slowing down significantly. 

Perhaps my time of stillness came a little later than I needed. Maybe I took for granted that living through multiple pandemics over this last year+ automatically refreshed me and provided the solitude I needed. What last month taught me is that this was not the case. 

I believe we all need these intentional times of stillness, of quiet, and of reflection. We all need times and periods where we let go of plans, submit our bodies to the longings of lessened activity, and listen intentionally to our heart-speak. I believe we re-meet God in unique ways during these periods. I believe there is nothing in the world that compares to this practice. I believe we need more of these moments. How will you foster stillness in the week, month or season ahead? 

With love, 

Sabrina