***My unexpected discovery of stillness … in the midst of a busy airport lobby on a Wednesday morning.***

Last week I was on my way to a Conference where I was presenting a workshop on Spiritual Direction. I asked my accountability group to pray with me that I take full advantage of the space and place to retreat, pray, and most of all be still to really listen and hear God's voice. My plan was to arrive early the day before the conference so that I could have time to just be.

My flight was reserved for 6:00 AM that day. It left on time …. and I was not on it.

Complete shift. Sometimes what we plan is not what life has scheduled.

But something shifted, I had time …. at least five hours worth. I listened to my music. I treated myself to breakfast, took time to fully exhale. and watched the sunrise.

I had time ……… to be still.

I had time …… to be

I had time to read my devotional for the day .... Hearing God's voice and the opening sentence was "Stillness is the most tried and true passageway into the supernatural sea of surrender" The reflection question was "How can you better incorporate stillness as a lifestyle? Talk about confirmation of timing.

My response - “ I can incorporate stillness as a lifestyle by remembering that stillness can be found in unexpected places .... like an airport lobby on Wednesday morning. “

During the workshop, I shared this experience during our presentation. This would not have happened if had not been for the delay. I thought that the retreat would happen when I arrived at my destination. In fact, it started before I even stepped on the plane. The question still remains as I ask myself, “ How can I incorporate stillness as a lifestyle?’ and it asks another question - Where do I find stillness?

***“The knowing blooms when I am still …” Quote and Art by Melanie Weidner Watson***

I remember a spiritual direction session with my client as we talked about stillness. She told me that she took time to sit quietly inside her room and it was nerve wracking.

She said, “I was still and yet it wasn’t calming at all”.

Then I asked her, “What is something that you do that completely makes you lose track of time. Tell me about something that fills your spirit and heart so much, that it’s effortless and you can do it for hours.”

She immediately responded , “Hiking … I do it for hours … and lose myself in time.”

In the midst of hiking, her spirit was still and at peace.

Being still is less about not physically moving, but more about finding inner stillness.” Find out where you can find stillness. You may find it in unexpected places.

You may find it in listening to the lyrics when Common says, “The less I move, the more I know where God is.” Discover your spaces and places of stillness. Remember they may come in unexpected spaces and places.

Be Still …..

In the midst of to do lists and obligations to fulfill

Perhaps the most revolutionary act is being still

In the midst of advocating for causes

In a world that fast forwards and never pauses

When inner and outer expectations push us to exhaustion, telling us we have to go the distance

Perhaps to be still is an act of sacred resistance

What would it mean to embrace being still as an embodiment of social action

Being still enough to slow down. Listen and remove the busyness distraction

Be still -Is a commandment with two parts you see

In order for still to activate, we first have to just Be

Justice is best when Just us can rest

Being still does not mean being dormant or stepping away

It allows us to listen and unlock of portals of restoration in a special way

When you choose to be still you choose caring for yourself

Filling your own cup rather than pouring from an empty vessel for everyone else

For those whose call is to accompany activists on their journey

Providing sacred spaces for them to be still and listen to the sound of the genuine

We remind them that in the midst to do lists and obligations to fulfill

Perhaps ……No not perhaps … I know the most revolutionary act is being still

Be still

Still,

Sheila P. Spencer

Dec 30, 2024

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My relationship with hope is still in tact. Despite the occasional “it’s complicated,” we remain connected. It’s the audacity of hope that keeps us going.

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Brewing and Stewing ....... Journey to Gratitude

“Gratitude is not always about waiting for resolution. Sometimes, gratitude is found in the people and the moments that hold space for you, in the midst and allow you to just be …. similar to the process of brewing tea, just waiting”

Oct 26, 2024

Breaking The Myth of The Strong Friend ....

“Why does someone always have to be the strong friend? The label can feel heavy if it’s the only crown we’re allowed to wear. What if the role of the strong friend shifted within the group and became something we all shared?”

My flight was reserved for 6:00 AM that day. It left on time …. and I was not on it.

Complete shift. Sometimes what we plan is not what life has scheduled.

But something shifted, I had time …. at least five hours worth. I listened to my music. I treated myself to breakfast, took time to fully exhale. and watched the sunrise.

I had time ……… to be still.

I had time …… to be

My response - “ I can incorporate stillness as a lifestyle by remembering that stillness can be found in unexpected places .... like an airport lobby on Wednesday morning. “

I remember a spiritual direction session with my client as we talked about stillness. She told me that she took time to sit quietly inside her room and it was nerve wracking.

She said, “I was still and yet it wasn’t calming at all”.

Then I asked her, “What is something that you do that completely makes you lose track of time. Tell me about something that fills your spirit and heart so much, that it’s effortless and you can do it for hours.”

She immediately responded , “Hiking … I do it for hours … and lose myself in time.”

In the midst of hiking, her spirit was still and at peace.

Being still is less about not physically moving, but more about finding inner stillness.” Find out where you can find stillness. You may find it in unexpected places.

You may find it in listening to the lyrics when Common says, “The less I move, the more I know where God is.” Discover your spaces and places of stillness. Remember they may come in unexpected spaces and places.

Be Still …..

In the midst of to do lists and obligations to fulfill

Perhaps the most revolutionary act is being still

In the midst of advocating for causes

In a world that fast forwards and never pauses

When inner and outer expectations push us to exhaustion, telling us we have to go the distance

Perhaps to be still is an act of sacred resistance

What would it mean to embrace being still as an embodiment of social action

Being still enough to slow down. Listen and remove the busyness distraction

Be still -Is a commandment with two parts you see

In order for still to activate, we first have to just Be

Justice is best when Just us can rest

Being still does not mean being dormant or stepping away

It allows us to listen and unlock of portals of restoration in a special way

When you choose to be still you choose caring for yourself

Filling your own cup rather than pouring from an empty vessel for everyone else

For those whose call is to accompany activists on their journey

Providing sacred spaces for them to be still and listen to the sound of the genuine

We remind them that in the midst to do lists and obligations to fulfill

Perhaps ……No not perhaps … I know the most revolutionary act is being still

Be still

Still,

Sheila P. Spencer

Each day is its own journey ….

“ … may we, too, speak affirmations that align us with our purpose and ignite the fire within us to make meaningful contributions to the world.”

My relationship with hope is still in tact. Despite the occasional “it’s complicated,” we remain connected. It’s the audacity of hope that keeps us going.

“Gratitude is not always about waiting for resolution. Sometimes, gratitude is found in the people and the moments that hold space for you, in the midst and allow you to just be …. similar to the process of brewing tea, just waiting”

“Why does someone always have to be the strong friend? The label can feel heavy if it’s the only crown we’re allowed to wear. What if the role of the strong friend shifted within the group and became something we all shared?”

Sheila Spencer