The Magic of Stillness

Henry Miller titled one of his books: “Stand Still Like the Hummingbird.”

My hummingbirds have returned for the summer. I watch them with fascination, and they bring delight to my soul.

I’m told the wings move up to eighty times per second. I’ve never tried to count them myself, so I’ll take their word for it.

I was sitting on my porch the other day with all my life before me, so many things to do, so much urgency, my heart rate accelerating. Then I saw the hummingbird and was reminded of Miller’s words: “stand still like the hummingbird.” Could I, with all the speed of life I was feeling, “stand still like the hummingbird?”

I thought: “I’ll try.” My life kept speeding, but I was still. And I heard the music—the humming of the bird…and my soul began to join the melody. And, at least for a moment, I, too, was able to taste the sweetness of life’s flower.

Now, you may be thinking, “Oh, that Landon! What foolhardiness will he come up with next?”

Or you might give stillness a moment when you feel harried.

It’s magical.

-Landon Saunders