Day Four: Twelve Days of Christmas
Please remember that my Twelve Days of Christmas are written from the perspective of a dog. It’s quite a complex concept for me to even think of twelve ideas for your Twelve Days of Christmas, so please be patient with me! I’m brainstorming ideas for both pets and humans.
The word for day four of the Twelve Days of Christmas is stillness. In the stillness of the day were held those subtle reminders of peace and joy intertwined. No one ever has had to say to be “Be still, quit squirming” like I hear so many people say to other humans or even their pets. I suppose I would like to believe that perhaps I actually remind my companions to be still, every day. At least for part of the day, anyway.
While stillness, as defined by Oxford, is the absence of sound or motion, I’ve discovered that beautiful music can help us achieve a state of stillness. Nancy shared this new piece with me that she listened to on her drive home last night. The music is Giacomo Puccini’s Preludio Sinfonico. She found it mesmerizing and calming as she navigated the icy roads. Now, it’s a piece of music that we’ll often play in the stillness of our home. Another one of her favorites for being still is Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines stillness as a state of freedom from storms or disturbances. It can also refer to restfulness, silence, or the ability or restraint from speaking. Lastly, stillness is described as quietness, the near or complete absence of sound. All these definitions are sourced from Merriam-Webster. 
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”