Finding wisdom in being still

Sitting on my deck, surrounded by trees and enjoying the sounds of the birds’ chorus and the breeze blowing through the leaves, I’m amazed at how seldom I’ve sat still long enough to enjoy this.

Our world is — or has been — a constant rush, push, hurry of life to achieve the next goal, accomplish the next project. Somewhere along the way we’ve lost the gift of rest and don’t realize it’s a blessing. Maybe during this time of enforced staying at home, we might learn the lesson anew.

Life itself demanded busyness for decades. Keeping house, cooking, laundry and caring for small children required constant alertness, multitasking and seldom offered still, quiet time.

As a young person, and even as a young adult, I had little patience for anyone who impeded what I viewed as my progress. I wouldn’t sit still for long, couldn’t walk slowly, and did most things at high speed. Over several decades, there were many opportunities to learn the lessons of slowing down, but I was stubborn and found ways to work while being forced to sit still.

When I dislocated and fractured my ankle, being forced to be off of it for many weeks, I improved my smocking skills, learned French hand-sewing and organized sewing and embroidery lessons for my daughters. I also taught them to can green beans and enhanced their cooking skills.

I can remember silently asking myself why anyone would walk slowly and thinking it was a waste of time. Now, I think differently. It’s most definitely a product of aging, but hopefully, also a bit of wisdom.

During the last five decades, I’ve seldom watched a movie at home without also trying to accomplish another task — smocking, sewing on buttons, ironing. Part of that may be my great-grandmother’s voice echoing in my head, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”

But, I think, too, maybe there was pride interwoven in the message that I had to accomplish something to have worth.

That thought is actually at the root of evil bigotry. We modern Americans tend to value people based on their productivity. Hence, a lack of value is often attributed to elderly and very young persons.

Every person has worth. Their worth may be, most definitely is, different than your own. But, we each have intrinsic value and need to practice appreciating one another’s worth as well as accepting our own. Sometimes the people who are the most loud and obnoxious are not as confident as they appear, but are using that bravado to cover a lack of awareness of their own value.

Learn to be still. To sit still. To read more than to watch TV or something on an electronic device. Think. Contemplate. Meditate on lessons learned.

Instead of complaining about all the places that are closed and all the events (sporting, amusements, etc.) not happening, find the good to be had in this time of change.

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.” Psalm 62:5

“And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11

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Editor’s note: Annette Beard is the managing editor of The Times of Northeast Benton County, chosen the best small weekly newspaper in Arkansas for five years. She is the mother of nine grown children and 12 grandchildren. The opinions expressed are those of the author. She can be reached at abeard@ nwadg.com.