When you feel discomfort
do you shift
do you change
do you move?
Your hair
your partner
your job
your home
Do you hop from one beach, one town, one country to another
hoping
to find contentment
somewhere, anywhere else?
Do you launch yourself into a new relationship
before the last one
even ended
because you’re so afraid
to sit
with your loss
alone?
Do you fill your day with appointments
projects
errands
dates
to distract yourself
from truly feeling
what is inside?
Instead, do you ever just sit? Still?
I rearranged my apartment at least once a week
changed my outfit three times a day
spent no more than two days in one place while I traveled the world
and I never felt so lost
and so confused.
And then
I began
to sit still.
When the rain persisted
for a month
I did not go running to another coast.
When the traveler, the adventurer inside of me
was screaming to escape
I let her rest.
When the heartbreak
I diverted
by running
when it felt too hard
came back
into my world
I stopped
and said hello.
And smiled.
And knew
that it was time
to stop running
and instead
to let it go.
Because only in stillness do we have the clarity
to know
what we feel
what we want
what we need.
If it hurts
let it.
If you feel stuck
surrender.
If you think the pain will never subside
it will.
If you
just
let
it
be.
Tomorrow
I leave
for a new adventure
in Colombia
hoping
to keep
stillness
in my heart
and in my mind.
Beautiful. I can relate.
Thanks Janna! 🙂
Beautifully written. Thank you. I’m on this same journey as I travel. Learning to sit with and then let go of pain. Safe travels to your next spot.
Thank you Keli! Where are you in the world now?
So well said. Good luck on your new journey. I can’t wait to read all about it.
Thank you Paulette. I’m excited/nervous to see what Colombia will bring.
Wow- that’s all I can say to this amazing post.
Praying for health, happiness and joy in Columbia!!
Thank you Shalyn! Will keep you updated on my latest travels. xo
Hi Camille, I came home from a crazy day, cold rain, broken furnace, too many hurting people, ferral cat at my door, and read today’s post. It was good to just take a few minutes of quiet, let the chaos go, and let go of everything I cannot control. It’s still all out there, but maybe first I can have a cup of tea and catch my breath. Thanks again for the beautiful writing and for bringing your sense of calm into my world for a few minutes. JW
I love you and hope you can take more time for yourself. Really, you are my world so please do it for me.
Beautiful post! Just lovely. Sitting still and surrendering to whatever comes – maybe the hardest action to take, at least for me:) So enjoying reading your posts. Missing you lots though!
I miss you sweetie. You are the strongest and most patient person I know… so if anyone knows how to sit with their emotions, it is you. Love you.