Searching for Stillness

"In the midst of movement and chaos,

keep stillness inside of you."

My brother gave me this painting almost 12 years ago and I doubt he knows how often I stare at it and read the quote to remind myself to press pause and try to find a moment of calm in the midst of chaotic times.

Finding the stillness inside is what yoga is all about for me. It's a few hours a week when I can quiet my mind.

The last two weeks have been go-go-go. I've been constantly on the run, from one thing to the next, mostly in a good way - the time has been full of family and friends and sandy toes and water in my ears, packing and unpacking and packing again, washing beach towels and finding my flip-flops and heading out again, to find another body of water, another sunny deck.

But even in the midst of the laughter and the good times, I still need to find that time to breathe. The quiet spaces. The calm in the midst of the chaos of life.

So today, in between unpacking, packing and looking for goggles, I sent my son on a play date (thank you GOD for wonderful friends) and sent myself to therapy in the morning and yoga in the afternoon.

A little therapy reminded me to focus on what I can control. A little yoga reminded me to face my fears and not run from them.

And I reminded myself to breathe and to take some time for me. To work on myself, for myself, by myself. And embrace the stillness and peace that I can only find by looking within.

Namaste.