Once again (or as is often the case), I’ve heard from quite a few of you sharing that you’re experiencing passages of ‘standstill’, ‘stuckness’, and/or ‘in-betweens’.
All of this despite it being a season of busyness and even anxious frenzy as holidays unfold and a new calendar year looms.
Given that it’s Advent on the liturgical calendar — which means waiting (with a sense of positive expectancy) — it seems a fine time to share this updated Standstill post from the Sophia’s Children treasure vault.
As you’ll see, sometimes ‘standstill’ is both the right action and the right place. Enjoy.
“My Life Came to a Standstill…”
That’s what Leo Tolstoy wrote in his Confessions about the period in his life when his old priorities and accomplishments no longer held meaning for him, but a new sense of meaning and authenticity hadn’t yet become clear.
At the time, Tolstoy was between stories, as many of us have been or are now. In fact, the entire Western culture is at the cusp of the old dominant story and an emerging, not-yet-clear new story that’s being born.
Tolstoy was pretty depressed about being at standstill or between stories, he said.

That’s often the experience for those who are, as I was, conditioned to view perpetual action and unending (and seemingly forward-moving) momentum as good; and stillness, standstill, or in-between as being bad, indicating that there is something wrong, when neither is the case.
It’s simply a phase, a passage, a lilypad; part of a cycle — and a potentially rich and fertile one at that, though the not-knowing facet of it can seem unbearable at times.
“My life came to a standstill…,” Tolstoy wrote.
I’ve experienced that very potently, too, at various junctures and cycles.
In the full Sophia’s Children article (link just below), I share more about a couple of my own eco-tone, stand-still, and in-between passages.
But I’ve experienced that standstill or in-between eco-tone since the onces I mentioned in my original edition of that article, too, as I’ve lived into the unfolding spiral of life in the years since.
And I know that there are many more people — friends, clients, readers, and kindreds that I don’t yet know and haven’t yet met — in this time of great transformation who are experiencing this standstill or in-between or re-storying.
If that’s you, or if you’d just like a refreshed perspective about the potential riches to be found in the stand-still terrain, have a look at the full reflection. You’ll find it here:
Standing Still, Taking Stock (and the Message of the Queen of Disks)
There are a couple of related reflections if you’re seeking insights and ‘aha’s’ in the in-between:
• Behind the Scenes with Not-Yet
• Are You Experiencing a Life-Milestone Passage?
Big Love (and Breathe Deeply),
Featured Image Credit: Roots 2. Photo by Piotr Wojtkowski via PD Pictures.
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Big Love,
December 7, 2018 at 6:52 pm
That has been me this week.. Intense energies, body purging, and lethargic, sleeping have been my week. to the point if I never logged into WP again I wouldn’t have worried.. Then today a total change of energy..
As what ever cleared.. So here I am and you are there confirming for me I am not alone..
Love and Blessing Jamie.. Thank you <3
December 7, 2018 at 7:09 pm
Blessings to you too, Sue. Yes, they come, they go. Ebb and flow. 🙂 Sometimes for a few days, sometimes longer passages. It’s always good to share what we learn from them, yes? 🙂 Thank you for visiting and for sharing yours.
December 8, 2018 at 3:52 pm
🙂 <3
December 7, 2018 at 9:32 pm
Reblogged this on Infinite Shift.
December 8, 2018 at 6:07 pm
Thank you for sharing via Infinite Shift!
December 8, 2018 at 5:12 am
Reblogged this on dreamweaver333.
December 8, 2018 at 6:06 pm
Thank you for sharing, ViGold!
December 8, 2018 at 12:25 pm
Reblogged this on Blue Dragon Journal.
December 8, 2018 at 6:06 pm
Thank you, Eliza! 🙂
December 9, 2018 at 6:07 pm
I’m hearing this from many people, too. For me, November was the Standstill, and December is proving that time away from time extremely productive as all the percolating ideas are now ready to create. Lots of love …Laura
December 13, 2018 at 12:05 am
It’s in the shared consciousness field for sure, Laura. 🙂 And it does seem things are bubbling in the creative cauldron! Lots of love to you as well, and Season of Lights blessings! xo Jamie
December 9, 2018 at 7:15 pm
I think the between is a very powerful place and I think the transition from autumn to winter is one of those liminal times.
December 13, 2018 at 12:06 am
I feel that way as well, Andrea. The liminal times always seem and feel delicious to me! Thanks for stopping by (and liminal-times blessings to you!).
December 14, 2018 at 6:46 am
I have only just discovered your blog. What a treasure trove of wisdom and insight. I love the idea that the feeling of being at a standstill so many of us are experiencing right now is because we are looking for new stories – both on an individual level and a global level. That insight feels like the key to unlocking my own feeling of standstill. I have been searching for that key for such a long time so thank you very much indeed.
December 14, 2018 at 11:16 am
Welcome to Sophia’s Children, Suzanne, and thank you for sharing your comment. We do seem to be in an “In-Between” collectively, don’t we, at least in various collective pockets. And to be sure, most of us – and particularly those of us with certain soul-path/purpose – navigate those in-betweens and story-line shifts. I’m so glad that you enjoyed your visit and found a valuable insight or two! Blessings to you, and stop by and visit again sometime. 🙂 Jamie
December 14, 2018 at 11:25 pm
Thank you very much for the welcome Jamie. It’s good to find a site that looks at astrology and also the archetypal figures from Greek mythology – two of my favourite subjects.
Your thoughts on navigating these in-between times are really helping me sort out my ideas on what’s going on.
I will definitely visit your blog again and could well become a regular 🙂 – Suzanne
December 14, 2018 at 11:35 pm
Thank you, Suzanne. I enjoyed a visit to your site as well! 🙂 Jamie