Hitting the Pause Button enables me to harness my full creative powers to write, draw, speak, and strategize from a neutral space- with no over-riding agenda. Pausing also allows me to refine my intentions, e.g., for the desired outcome of a meeting. That is, my aims are preferences but not should’s or have to’s. I make space for other possibilities to arise. No attachments.
Before I began to type this blog, I paused and went within. I cleared the slate and asked “What wants to be shared? What wants to come through right now?” Some of the time I have an inkling of what to say; other times, I make the space and see what unfolds.
At the start of the day, meditation is a “pregnant pause” for the waking hours ahead. It literally wipes the slate of the mind clean, so I’m in a better state to pose a question and listen: “What is there for me to focus on today? How can I experience the most joy, confidence, carefreeness, or whatever quality I wish?”
After stepping onto the yoga mat, the Pause Button allows me to infuse greater consciousness into the practice. The consciousness that I bring onto the mat is what differentiates a yoga session from a sweaty work-out to a moving meditation. To be clear, there’s no judgement. Both are welcome. Both have their purpose.
Before walking into a thorny conflict, pausing gives me a chance to quickly assess: Am I carrying any pre-conceived notions into this talk? How can I expand my perspective to arrive at a mutually agreeable conclusion? Pressing the re-set button enables me to empty any baggage and be fully present to engage.
Right before a class, a workshop or a presentation, I pause before entering the space where I will be (sometimes I duck into the bathroom) and get aligned through deep breathing, grounding and prayer. It calms my mind, lifts my spirit, and reminds me to focus on the audience and God’s leading rather than focusing on myself, what I want to accomplish or any other agenda that needs to play out. I need to be present and flow with whatever is needed and be available to go where God directs me to go. Once I commit to the pause, I can become present.
Keep in mind this pause comes in handy all the time. It is not just for presentations or teaching. It is for any conversation we walk into, any interaction we have, anytime my children come to me. The pause also allows space where we can heal or grieve the loss of a relationship, a loved one, a job, an idea of what want, a goal which cannot be achieved, or anything else. Hitting the pause gives you a moment to become present within yourself. In order to heal we need to feel. We need to be able to listen when our soul speaks, to hear a loved one speak, to hear and see what is happening behind their smile, and especially to hear God’s voice leading us so we can follow it. For me I always want an answer or a fix. Pausing allows me to create a container for whatever the circumstance is and remind myself to let go of my attachment to outcome. It’s more about the journey not the destination and sometimes we are just too focused not he destination to notice any part of the journey we are on…..whether that be our own journey or being a part of another’s sojourn.
Pause for presence to become brilliantly rooted in your God-filtered eyes, heart and soul. We are all just travelers in the wilderness of this world and the best we can find in our travels is an honest, soul-level friend who pauses….finds their own presence….their own connection to God……and waits for us to speak.
Okay then….best be hitting the PAUSE button....and often.
Onward and upward.
