Radical Satisfaction

One of my favorite sites posted an article "The disease of being busy". So poignant it made me wince, and got me thinking......

Contemplation and rest are a regular part of a balanced day and so for every effective and meaningful expression, there needs to be equal time for reflection.

Like the moving wheel on a bicycle, rollerskate, wagon, etc., if you look at one part it looks like it is moving forward, but if you look at the lower part it looks like it is moving backward. And yet, if it weren't for both parts, it wouldn't move at all! Looking at the whole experience of the moving wheel, there is continuity and progress, made up of many moments of up, down, back and forth. A wheel whose parts only go up is no wheel at all. Neither is a life whose busyness is always up, up up. 

Our lives need those moments of up, down, back and forth to continue to move us forward. For every effective and meaningful expression, there is equal time for reflection.

It takes a conscious effort, but I need to constantly remind myself and give myself permission to be still. And most importantly, to remove the fear that if I am still, I will miss out on important moments.

It's a big fear, this fear of missing something.  It blares at us constantly.  The best way to counter it?  Radical satisfaction. 


To be still and to realize the wonder of today. Does that sound schmaltzy? Too bad. In the mad marketing world of convincing us that we need something faster, fuller, or freer, we can stand up to this and recognize all that we have,  Deeper still, to recognize the grace and the gift of our lives now is truly radical. Radical as in rootedness. We counter the hurry of pursuit to feel satisfied, grounded, and in our right place.

Taking the time to feel rooted, grateful, and still feeds the soul and strengthens us for the times we are productive and going full steam.

The gentleness of yielding to a balanced and grateful life is seen in so many ways, including this joyful group surge of gratitude like RAK Friday.  (You'll just have to click here to love this!)

Here is a poem I've shared often, and I'll share it again. I hope you take a moment and drink it in.

Be still and know that I am God.
Quiet the noisy rush of daily duties, arguments and demands, and remember God.

Be still and know that I am.
In this stillness, contemplate the very nature of the I AM - "the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind;Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence."

Be still and know.
Soak up the confident knowing of God's gentle presence and peaceful power.

Be still.
Affirm, again, that all is well and under God's government. Out of the quiet peaceful space of God's love comes the form of all of our human activities.

Be. 
You are because God is the I AM. You are because I AM.