Stop in Order to Move Ahead  by Cherokee Billie

In order to move effectively forward you must stop on a regular basis. A tree does not grow to its full, magnificent height in a single season. Rather, it grows for a few months, sheds all its leaves, and becomes temporarily dormant. After a period of rest, the tree sprouts a whole new set of leaves and begins to grow upward again. In today's modern society we tend to keep going even when our bodies and mind is crying out for rest. I have found that many people do not know how to be quiet and being alone scares them to death. Why? Because they have to face themselves and sometimes deal with situations that are disturbing and they don't want to look at.

Life is a cycle of effort and rest. The effectiveness of each depends on the other. Get enough rest, and you'll be more effective in your efforts. Put your energy into your actions, and you'll rest well. I'm often asked, "How can I rest when I can't turn off my mind." That's when you need to do a form of meditation such as:

1. Prayer
2. Lying back and listening to music on radio or CD
3. Focusing attention, while sitting still, on a fishing rod float; gazing at a loved person, object, or scene
4. Fireside contemplation.

All these activities and many more, involve staying still and passive attention to something.

A passive attitude means that distractions from environmental sounds and the inevitable intrusion into the mind of thoughts and images are viewed casually and detachedly, this is being in a meditative state. Let them come and go, of no more consequence than clouds passing across an expanse of sky.

Going, going, and going all the time will not get you where you truly desire to be. Move steadily and forcefully forward. Then stop for a while. Consider where you are, how you got here, and where you will go next. Even the most carefully planned route requires frequent mid-course corrections. So take a regular break to get your bearings. Practice meditation and deep breathing exercises daily. Deep breathing for five minutes will relax the body and clear the mind. If you feel intense anxiety breathe in deeply through the nose and hold the breath for five seconds, then exhale forcefully through the mouth and repeat this until you feel the stress and tension melting away. Once you feel more peaceful then move on ahead, refreshed, full of energy, and headed exactly toward where you wish to be.

™®©2010 Cherokee Billie