Lessons on Stillness Learned from Max

This morning I went for a walk with Max. I left my phone at home and decided to pace my walk to the pace that our dog Max went.

Max noticed everything and took his sweet time getting to where he was going — which in him mind, he has no idea where he’s going. He sniffed, he stared, he sauntered, he stopped, he stalled, and he savored each step.

I did the same.

I breathed deep. I looked around at everything I could see. I heard birds singing. I saw moss growing. I noticed things I had not seen before on the many times I have walked around the block.

I practiced stillness.

I learned from Max how to wonder and not just “get my walk in.” I need to do this more often.

Food for Thought

Stillness is what aims the archer’s arrow. It inspires new ideas. It sharpens perspective and illuminates connections. It slows the ball down so that we might hit it. It generates a vision, helps us resist the passions of the mob, makes space for gratitude and wonder. Stillness allows us to persevere. To succeed. It is the key that unlocks the insights of genius, and allows us regular folks to understand them. -- from Ryan Holiday's book, Stillness is the Key

Its your turn

What can you do today to remove yourself from the stress and strain of life and put yourself in a place where you simply wander?

Go for a walk. Sit quietly in a chair with no distractions. Paint a picture. Write a poem. Listen to a song with your eyes shut. Sit on the floor and play with a child.

Take some time to wonder and keep your eyes, ears, and heart open to what you see.