I Am Standing Still

Now that I regularly do yoga on my Wii,  I have new appreciation for the question raised in the lyrics of an'oldie but goodie' song.  The song asks 'Am I standing still'? 

 

In Wii Yoga and strength training, stillness is measured throughout the entire pose or exercise.  According to the Wii, stillness = balance and stability. Both are important for maintaining optimal posture and health.  While I am doing my exercises, I'll hear my Wii trainer say '"try to stay still while you exercise or, your leg is shaking a bit stabilize yourself, pull your head up".  I often yell back to my virtual trainer, I am standing still!. However, the red dot in the yellow circle the Wii uses to measure balance doesn't lie.  It picks up my body's movement, no matter how subtle or minute.

 

Doing the Wii is helping me to recognize how much stillness I lack in my life.  This lack of stillness contributes to my lack of knowing God. My lack of knowing God contributes to my lack of stillness.  So, the cycle goes. The scriptures say "be still and know that I am God".  How many times do I pray to God to care for children, their future, my future?   Only to discover fearful and anxious thoughts creeping into my consciousness or worse, my actions. Overreacting to a daughter's bad grade(she can't get into college with that kind of aptitude!) or a report in the news media. How many times do I choose activity, over reflection or relationship? Choosing activity consistently over reflection or relationship tells me, there isn't enough stillness in my life. Then, when this lack of stillness in my life manifests itself as insomnia, irritability or ominous aches and pain, I yell to God, my life trainer, "why does everything seem to be spinning out of control when I am standing still"?.  Despite my insistence, he stays on message, much like my Wii Trainer, and says "be still and know that I am God". He commands me to stabilize my upper body by discipling my mind to dwell on what is praiseworthy, true, excellent...  He says balance yourself by lifting your eyes up and focusing on me, I have everything under control.

 

Well, after 603 days on the Wii, I am no longer yelling back at my trainer.  Instead, I try to stabilize my body and lift my head.  I get excited when I see the red dot staying centered!  After almost 44 years on this planet, I am no longer yelling at God.  I am listening and following his instruction and asking him to help me be still, even when I think I am standing still.