Sit Down, Shut Up, and Be

When you hear something enough times, you have to wonder if you are supposed to be listening.

BECOMING, 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 1(d), Encuastic on wood block

I've run across variations of the phrase, "Sit Down, Shut Up, and Be" randomly in the past few days.  I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to hear it.  And given that it keeps invading my thoughts while I'm choosing what to share here, I'm pretty sure you are supposed to hear it too.

(In case you are curious, the recent run-ins with this phrase came through the most recent copy of Shambhala Sun magazine and a random podcast I listened to with Krista Tippett on Being.)

I think a lot of our world's problems could be solved if our leaders would follow this advice.

But most of us aren't concerned with the world's problems as we navigate our own issues.  So let's get a bit more personal.

Whatever challenges you face in life right now: a relationship that is ending (or maybe should be), a child that won't sleep through the night (or won't come home in the night), a bank account that you try to avoid because it makes your tummy turn each time you see the decreasing balance... try taking the advice.

Just for one hour or one day, stop trying to fix it.  Stop worrying about what might happen if you don't.

As I shared on Facebook yesterday,

Stop jumping into the noise and straining to hear everyone else's answers. Step instead into the silence and listen to your own.

Just sit down.

Shut up.

And be with what is.

Who knows what you might hear.  

Namaste.