“I shifted from anxiety and over-busyness after a layoff to calm clarity—using stillness to quiet my mind, trust the universe, and see new possibilities opening for my next chapter”

Before the 7 Sacred States, I was anxious and trying to do more to fill my calendar after an unexpected layoff from a company I gave 22 years of service. Each of the 7 days I learned a new state to help slow be down, life the "should" of having to do more, and how to stop over-filling my calendar to be "busy." For me, the state that really touched me the most is Stillness on Day 4, the Winter Solstice too! Vishan's statement that shifted me the most was about "the voice in your head is the least qualified to run your life. Meditation allows you to observe your own thoughts"

I noticed that as the "arrow" I was chasing a target not knowing where it was. Through the Stillness exercise it helps me to understand that answers come through being still and one with the universe that provides me the answer when I quiet my mind.

I noticed that my nervous energy calms as I quiet the noise in my mind and my heart which is where I believe my intuition resides, gets the chance to be heard after quieting the externally focused "should do" mind. I realized that no change can happen when the body is in fight/flight mode. Paired with gratitude for what I do have and knowing the universe is benevolent and meant to help me, I use stillness to find the answers. This new sacred state of being changed seeing myself as poor unemployed me ditched by an ungrateful company to realizing the universe was opening a new door for me to accept once I remove the noise and negative mind talk, stopped, quieted myself and just listened without attachment knowing the universe is always working in my best interest. This challenge changes my self perception by emphasizing that anything is possible if I remain still, listen for the true guidance and put my energies into creating that which will benefit others and me through my talents that will be impactful to those open to receiving. I have been to the North Pole and now its time to reach even higher for the sky where there are no limits!