be still

An hour ago I posted a little video of me standing on the moving walkway at the airport. 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 racing 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.

And in an instance, there was no way to “get ahead”. The way to be was still. Standing in support (and prayer) while her husband tended to her.

We all stood still on that moving 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 moves around us - beckoning us to catch up. To keep up. To speed past.

Yet, I felt my best today 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.

May you find an opportunity to be still today.