Just Be!!

I was sitting outside working on my computer—writing, emailing, information gathering, compiling reports—all the necessary tasks for an entrepreneur. It was a beautiful morning, and I was feeling quite proud of my productivity. During my flurry of activity, I noticed one thing that didn’t move the entire time I was working—Louie!

He wasn’t asleep; he was lying down but fully awake. Sometimes he does this while looking out into the trees scouting for some creature that might walk across his kingdom…but not this time. He was just being! He was quietly and serenely just taking in every bit of beauty around him. I have no doubt that he thought it was all for his pleasure alone.

As I watched him, I thought, “It must be nice to be a dog and relax on the deck while his owner works to provide a nice home and good food.” Then I had to laugh. Louie was teaching me a lesson that took me years to grasp and yet it is so easy to move away from—how to just be! It is so easy to get caught up in the mode of more, more, more – More work, more networking, more socializing, more Facebook posting, etc. It’s a merry-go-round that many of us don’t even realize we’re on until we burn out.

I’m not sure what Louie was thinking as he quietly watched and observed nature, but I gently closed my computer and watched and listened as well. Ahhh, there it was, something I had been missing—peacefulness. Most of us never take the time to practice being still and emptying our minds of all the stuff that clutters our thinking and our wellbeing. And as leaders, this is crucial to our ability to lead well. I recently heard someone say if you scramble the word listen, you’ll get the word silent.

Society tells us that if we are still and quiet, we’re not doing anything of value. But in fact, that may be our most productive time of creativity or processing through an issue…or praying about how to respond to something.

Recently, something disturbed my peacefulness and my typical response would have been to bury myself in activity in an effort to squelch my mounting anger and bitterness. I received a “gift” cleverly disguised as gossip. While my initial reaction was to do something, to clear up the wrong and let everyone know it was a lie…I decided to do what Louie does and just be. As I took a few moments to process, I relaxed and emptied my mind of such nonsense. As a result the morsel of gossip became laughable and my heart broke for the person who originated the statement. In truth, the “gift” I received was to practice my quietness by being still and not responding or reacting in a way that I would regret later. And as it frequently does, the truth prevailed.

I know of another leader who demonstrated the leadership quality of “being” and of quietness. Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges, who wrote Lead Like Jesus, shared the five habits of Jesus. The first one is Solitude. “Jesus modeled solitude as an integral, strategic component of His leadership. In solitude and prayer, away from the hopes and hurts of those who looked to Him with high and compelling expectations, Jesus again received instructions on the best use of the next day from the Father.” This also gave Jesus the fortitude and ability to stand up to others who gossiped, mocked and eventually crucified him. He didn’t draw a sword nor spew angry words, yet his quiet spirit shook people to the very core of their being. Now that’s power!

Just being is necessary for us to make excellent decisions that affect our lives and those around us. Be intentional about being still.

To celebrate Louie’s sweet ability to be still, we are taking the summer off from blogging to focus on other writing projects, two adorable grandbabies and my clients whom I truly enjoy “being” with! If you miss him, check his YouTube Channel for an occasional video clip of Lou!

We’ll see you in the Fall and we hope you enjoy a peaceful and restorative Summer.

Evi and Louie's agenda for our Allday Funday Fridays!