VALUING STILLNESS IN SEASONS AND OUR LIVES

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“It seems like everything sleeps in winter, but it’s really a time of renewal and reflection.” —Elizabeth Camden

A SURPRISING BENEFIT OF SEASONAL CHANGE 

Many of us find it easy to rattle off multiple joys of summer like long days, fresh produce, outdoor gatherings, vacation, and travel. These joys are often energizing and uplifting, especially as they encourage physical activity and time outside. But when the school buses return and daylight starts to recede, it may also be easy for us to view the fall cycle as one with more losses than gains.

We can console ourselves by thinking about fall colors and winter holidays, yet in doing so we miss the more subtle, often hidden gem found in realizing that these seasons can help us focus inward on the non-physical aspects of our lives. Without intentional focus, our thoughts, feelings, aspirations, and sources of meaning may escape our notice in the busyness of modern living. However, the absence of balance among physical and non-physical dimensions of life diminishes our prospects for attaining harmonious states of being.

How might seasonal changes help us achieve balance? One way is in realizing that while summer activities energize through movement, fall and winter activities energize through stillness.

One way is in realizing that while summer activities energize through movement, fall and winter activities energize through stillness.

STRENGTH IN STILLNESS

If we want to harness the power of stillness, we’ll need to practice being still. Fortunately, we can learn from the many examples that fall and winter offer. Edna O’Brien writes, “In a way winter is the real spring, the time when the inner thing happens, the resurge of nature.” O’Brien reminds us that although bare trees and landscapes appear to be sleeping, they are actively renewing and replenishing from spring and summer’s exertions. They are also preparing for the vigorous activity of the upcoming season. Luckily we can follow nature’s example and renew and re-balance from our own activities by practicing stillness.

By pausing and turning our attention inward, we deepen our perception, insight, and composure. This enables us to become more skilled in successfully examining thoughts, reflecting on feelings, and contemplating what brings us meaning. Drawing inspiration from seasonal patterns and incorporating more quiet activities in our lives strengthens our non-physical abilities and helps us moderate activity’s constant pull.

THE INVISIBLE POWERS THE VISIBLE

Although they mostly escape notice, our non-physical activities exert powerful influences on all aspects of our lives including how well our body’s cells function, how clearly we think, and how successfully we manage relationships. Stillness lets us engage in quiet activities that have the potential to build the healthiness that enables us to better handle life's demands.

Marshaling the ability to practice stillness requires intention and resolve, but if nature values seasons of stillness maybe our best option is to mirror nature’s patterns.

While creating sufficient balance between visible (physical) and invisible (non-physical) dimensions of life is necessary for healthiness, finding the means to learn how to do so is not easy. Fortunately, a hallmark of Advanced Wellness Systems’ mission is making these and other extraordinary health-building methods easy and accessible. If you or your company want a robust and radical approach for solving modern, health-related challenges, contact us and find out more.

Joyce M. Young, MD, MPH
Managing Director, Advanced Wellness Systems
Lead Expert for the High Health Network

Photo by Keenan Constance on Pexels

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