Contemplation: A Pillar of Resilience That Brings Many Benefits…

In the quiet moments, when the world slows down and the noise fades, I find myself drawn to contemplation.

It is a gentle refuge, a soft place where resilience begins to take root.

When health hardships weigh heavily, contemplation offers a way to breathe, to feel, and to heal.

It is not just a pause but a profound act of nurturing the soul.

It is something that I have found has been inherited from some special women that have come before me.

Contemplation is more than just thinking deeply. It is a sacred space where we can meet our pain, suffering and/or hardships without fear.

When we allow ourselves to sit with our suffering, we begin to understand it. This understanding is the first step toward resilience.

Benefits Of Contemplation:

• Emotional clarity: Contemplation helps to untangle the knots of confusion and overwhelms that we see and feel our feelings more clearly.

• Calmness: It slows the racing mind, bringing a soothing rhythm to our breath and thoughts.

• Perspective: We start to see our challenges as part of a larger story, not the whole story.

• Strength: By facing pain gently, we build inner strength that carries us through difficult days.

  
  

For example, when I feel overwhelmed by my complex health problems , I sit quietly with a cup of tea, letting my thoughts drift like leaves on a stream. This simple act of contemplation softens the edges of frustration, anger, sorrow and opens a space for hope and creativity to flow and blossom.

Contemplation doesn’t need a special place or time to begin. It can be woven into the fabric of any day, like a gentle thread of light.

Here Are 5 Ways That Comtemplation Has Become A Staple For Me Everyday:

1. Create a small ritual: Light a candle, play soft music, or simply find a comfortable seat.

2. Focus on your breath: Let your breathing be slow and steady. Feel the rise and fall.

3. Observe without judgment: Notice how your thoughts and feelings are like clouds passing by.

4. Use art as a guide: Find a painting that invites you to pause and reflect. Let that piece of art hold space for your emotions and explore them gently. Below is my piece of art titled “solitude “ and it was created to tell my own story of using contemplation. This one of piece is in my online store and will be available for purchase in the next few weeks.

5. Write or sketch: Let your inner world flow onto paper without editing or censoring.

   
   

Try to set aside even five minutes a day. The more you practice, the more natural it becomes to find calm amid chaos ~ believe me it really does.

Resilience is not a fixed trait but it is a skill that we can nurture.

Contemplation is one of the most accessible and profound ways to build it.

Practical Ways To Build Resilience Through Contemplation:

• Mindful pauses: When emotions surge, pause. Take three deep breaths. Notice what you feel without rushing to fix it.

• Nature walks: Walk slowly in nature, observing the details ~ the rustle of leaves, the breeze blowing across your skin, the play of light and shadow. Let your mind rest.

• Journaling: Write about your experiences, your fears, your hopes. Don’t aim for perfection; just let the words flow.

• Creative expression: Paint, draw, or craft. Use your hands to express what words cannot.

• Guided meditation: Use recordings or apps like Insight Timer that lead you through gentle contemplation and breathing exercises.

  
  

Each of these practices invites you to slow down and meet yourself with kindness. Over time, they build a reservoir of calm and strength that you can draw on when life feels overwhelming.

Again I share these with you because they have been so valuable in helping me to build strength to keep walking forward in life despite enduring complex health conditions.

Contemplation is not a quick fix.

It is a lifelong companion, a quiet friend who walks with you through every season of suffering and healing. It teaches patience, acceptance, and hope.

When I look back on my own journey through health and life hardships, I see how contemplation was the thread that held me together. It was the soft light in dark rooms, the gentle voice that said, "You are not alone."

If you are struggling, I invite you to explore this path. Find your own way to pause, to breathe, to reflect. Let the art of stillness guide you. Let the rhythm of your breath be a lullaby for your weary heart.

May you find in contemplation a pillar of resilience, a sanctuary where healing begins and hope blooms.

If you want to explore more about how art can support your journey I invite you to get in touch with me at Studio Kre’at so that I can create a piece of art that will build peace, hope and resilience into your life.

May your path be gentle, and your heart be strong as you keep stepping onwards and forward .