Stillness 6-14: We want to make a difference. We want to reach out, to help others, to be seen, to be kind, thoughtful, generous, and caring. In our hearts, we know that’s what it means to be human. But we can’t all be making great speeches or traveling somewhere to aid in disaster relief. We can’t all be heroes, or at least not all the time.
But we can offer splashes of kindness and generosity in various ways throughout our day. A friendly smile, a thoughtful gift, a dash of concern for someone else is all it takes. It’s like splashing water into an over-heated, dusty situation.
Making a splash doesn’t have to be big, major, or unsettling. Splashing waves are gentle and playful. Jumping in puddles after the rain creates spatters of muddy joy. Splashing water onto your face on a hot afternoon cools and refreshes. When you splash a little color in your outfit, you’re freshening and brightening it. When you splash champagne across the bow of a boat as you toast its launch, you’re celebrating.
Splashing doesn’t have to be anything other than what it is. Once you realize that, try deepening this wonderful stillness practice of splashing. Go beyond splashing someone else in an impish, friendly way or splashing yourself with lively good-humor. Try to be the splash itself. Imagine what it feels like to become, in your own spirited way, drenching, playful, cooling, and effective.