Sacred Stillness: Finding Magic in the Pause

Sacred Stillness: Finding Magic in the Pause

The holidays are often depicted as the most magical time of the year—a season filled with joy, togetherness, and celebration. But for many, it’s also the time when the pressure to “make everything perfect” leads to stress, burnout, and an inner emptiness that echoes louder than any carol.

I witnessed this firsthand through my mother. She was the epitome of holiday spirit—always making sure the house was filled with decorations, the table was brimming with food, and the gifts were wrapped in perfection. Yet, somewhere along the way, she lost sight of what the holidays were really about.

Every year, as December rolled around, I watched her work herself into exhaustion. She burned the candle at both ends—overcommitting to family gatherings, volunteering for community events, buying more gifts than we could ever need, all in the name of creating “the perfect holiday.”

But in her frantic attempt to make everything special for everyone, she stopped listening to the quiet whispers of her own soul and my rather loud voice saying: “This is all about you. Not what we want.” The joy she once felt from giving and sharing was replaced with a growing sense of frustration, resentment, and fatigue. She was no longer present for herself, let alone for anyone else.

It wasn’t until one fateful holiday season, when her body finally gave out from the stress, that she realized the toll it had taken on her – and on us. She had been so caught up in the “doing” that she had forgotten the magic of simply being. She had spent the entire season trying to fulfill everyone else’s expectations—while silently losing her own sense of joy in the process.

That year, in the middle of the holiday craziness - I took her to a 24-hour silent retreat. It wasn’t an extravagant escape—just a small retreat nestled in nature, designed to help people slow down and reconnect with themselves. The idea was simple: no talking, no distractions, just stillness.

I’ll never forget how difficult it was for her at first. Her mind raced with thoughts of all the things she “should” be doing. “I should be cooking,” she said. “I should be planning.” But as the hours passed, something shifted. The silence, the absence of outside noise, allowed her to hear something deeper. Her own inner wisdom began to surface—wisdom that had been drowned out by the rush of everyday life.

By the end of the retreat, my mother was a different person. She looked lighter, more peaceful, and most importantly, present—both with herself and with the world around her. She realized that the holidays weren’t about perfect gifts or extravagant meals; they were about connection, love, and slowing down to appreciate the small, simple moments.

She had forgotten that the greatest gift she could give was her own presence, and in doing so, she discovered the real magic of the season.

That experience taught me something invaluable about the need for rest and stillness. The world pushes us to keep going, to never stop, especially during the holidays. But if we don’t take time to pause, to listen deeply, and to nurture our inner selves, we risk losing the very essence of what the season—and life itself—are meant to be.

In this chaotic season of giving, don’t forget to give to yourself. Find moments of sacred stillness, where you can reconnect with your soul and remember what truly matters. Even just an hour of mindfulness can make a world of difference.

Here are three practices I’ve come to cherish during the busy holiday season—simple tools to help you slow down and rediscover the magic of the pause:

1. The 24-Hour Silent Retreat (or Just One Hour)
   Sometimes, all it takes is a moment of silence to reset. Whether you’re able to do a full 24-hour retreat or just take an hour to disconnect from the world, allow yourself the space to just be. Put down your phone, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. In that quiet, listen for what your soul is whispering.
2. Sipping Tea in Total Presence
   Instead of rushing through your day with a cup of coffee in hand, take a moment to truly be with your tea. Close your eyes, feel the warmth of the mug, and inhale the scent of the tea. Let the experience ground you in the present moment, reminding you that this stillness is where the magic happens.
3. Journaling: “What is my soul whispering?”
   Take a few minutes each day to journal. Ask yourself, “What is my soul whispering to me right now?” Don’t censor your thoughts—just let them flow. This practice can help you reconnect with your inner wisdom and gain clarity about what truly matters.

The holidays don’t have to be about the hustle and bustle. They don’t have to be about pleasing everyone else or creating a perfect image. Instead, they can be about quiet moments, deep connections, and rediscovering the magic in the stillness.

So this December, take a moment to pause. Rest. Listen to your soul. And remember: the greatest gift you can give yourself—and others—is the gift of presence. It’s in the sacred stillness that the real magic happens. Love, Szilvia