18: Be Still and Rest

Sharon comes to you today from the peaceful setting of the Hudson Valley to share some reflections and resources related to rest and stillness. Learn what’s different about intentionally choosing to hold something (and not act) versus feeling stuck. Hear how we all need to take rest after we birth something new into the world - be it a new little baby or a brand new business. And get Point Road’s take on the steps you can take to realize your current habits around rest to making changes. May this episode be a good steward for you finding stillness in whatever way works for you.

Ideas Shared: 

Below are a few tips discussed in the episode on how to find rest amidst “busy” times.

5 Steps to Help You Downshift to Rest Get clear on your current habits Do a habits assessment  Set an intention around rest or stillness Interrupt your addictions Find an accountability partner Resources and Links: Today’s episode was recorded in the midst of a beautiful family retreat to the Hudson Valley. Here is the space where we stayed in Woodstock, NY – a magical retreat just a hop skip and a jump from downtown Woodstock, but nestled away in the woods. A perfect mix of restful seclusion and community. Soooooo good.

Resources you might like to explore on habits:

Point Road Journaling Exercise: Pick a timeframe (recommended: 24 hours and/or 1 week). Notice (without judgement!) how you spend your time. Write down what you observe capturing chunks of time in 15-30 minute increments. Review your data and notice (again without judgement!) what you see. It can be helpful to bring in a trusted set of fresh eyes to review the data as well and see what new perspective s/he might have. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg  Better than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives by Gretchen Rubin 

Resource on finding stillness after birth:

The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou

The magical poem I read at the end of today’s episode.

The Peace of Wild Things, by Wendell Berry

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.