Because Stillness Speaks
I remember a time — about ten years ago — when the idea of stillness made my whole body tighten.
At the time, I was working with my life coached through Unbeatable Mind who gave me a simple challenge: “Stare at the wall for 60 seconds. Just... watch. See what happens.”
My immediate reaction? Something along the lines of “Are you f**ing kidding me?”
Whenever I paused, even for a moment, all I could feel was noise.
Restlessness. Anxiety. A kind of static that pulsed just beneath the surface of everything.
So, I did what many of us do: I stayed busy. I kept moving forward. I filled my days with doing, producing, planning — anything to avoid sitting with the discomfort that came in the quiet. Although I had crossed finish lines—races, half marathons, even two full marathons — had been practicing yoga regularly for nearly seven years, and was deepening my self-development through a 200-hour yoga teacher training, I still found it hard to just be.
That moment, so small on the surface, was a turning point.
I paused. And asked myself, what do I have to lose?
It was my first conscious choice to meet the stillness instead of resisting it. And it changed everything.
“Be still. The quieter you become, the more you can hear.”
—Ram Dass
Of course, it didn’t happen all at once. My relationship with stillness has been built over time, in tiny moments. Baby steps. Learning to allow the quiet to last for just a few minutes, then a little longer, and longer still.
And I’ll be honest — those old patterns of rushing, busying, avoiding? They still show up. Especially when I’m facing something I don’t quite feel ready to meet. But now, I can see it. I can honor it. And I can recognize — with compassion, not judgment — how far I’ve come.
And from there, I come back to my breath.
Back to stillness.
Back to myself.
Experience This Month’s Featured Practices: As part of our intention to help you cultivate a life rooted in presence, here are two simple and supportive offerings available through the Wild Minnow app:
Intro to Qigong : Join us for a 15-minute bi-weekly Qigong series led by Danny Lang, designed to restore flow and harmony through gentle movement and breath. This month’s Intro to Qigong session is on Friday, July 18 – a beautiful opportunity to explore this ancient practice, known to support energy balance, nervous system regulation, and a grounded sense of vitality. Available through the Wild Minnow app and included in your 7-day free trial.
5-Minute Refresh Practices: Our 5-Minute Refresh practices are designed for those moments when you need a quick, nourishing reset. This month, our featured practice led by Renée Davenport focuses on coming back to center, while creating a sense of calm, and an invitation for expansion; this practice is available to all users through our free membership offerings. To access this practice or check out our other 5-minute practices also available through the app with your 7-day free trial, Sign in to the Wild Minnow app.
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Stillness doesn’t require hours of free time or perfect conditions.
It begins with a breath.
A pause.
A choice to listen.
And when we do—stillness speaks.
