Be Still

During a trip, I posted a brief video of me standing on the moving walkway at the airport while others raced past me. Of course, it’s much easier to be still when you have time. I had ample time before a flight and could ride on the moving walkway, rather than hurrying as I usually do.

Then my gate changed three times and I found myself feeling that familiar adrenaline rush and need to move fast and “get ahead.” I was also still carrying around my own “baggage” and insecurity from being at a coaching conference where PhDs reign and status rules. Get ahead. Be bigger.

I certainly could no longer stand still.

And then, in front of me on the moving walkway, a woman had a seizure and collapsed.

In an instance, there was no way to “get ahead”. The way to be was still. Standing in support while her husband tended to her.

All of the hurried travelers stood still on that walkway until we reached the end and another Good Samaritan pushed the emergency STOP button.

Nothing was more important than taking care of these folks in need. And yet, I found myself having to say the internal mantra “Be still” over and over to turn down my own drive to get somewhere.

There are rare occasions when the emergency STOP button gets pushed for us. Instead, the world quickly moves around and past us - beckoning us to catch up. To keep up. To speed past.

Yet, I felt my best that day while not walking. And, the pace at which I was going was exactly right.

Still rather than striving. Content rather than competing. Patient rather than pursuing.

Where can you push the emergency STOP in your own life? Notice the moments that are beckoning you to Be. Still.