Making Time for Pause
Time doesn’t stop for any of us. Time, by it’s very nature is ongoing. It seeks no rest. There is no end to it.
Time doesn’t stop, thought it would be nice. In the middle of the hustle, I find myself becoming more intentional on creating and taking a pause for myself and sharing that example with my family. I find that if I don’t take pause, it will never happen, and life will just as soon pass on by. I have one hundred and one things going on these days. I’ve always been that way, since my youth. Yet, it seems to be the pattern these days with most of society. I wouldn’t consider it something to admire. The older I get, the more I admire the ability to pause and enjoy moments of meaningful beauty - staring into the face of a child, listening to a child tell a nonsense story, sitting in silence to listen to the sway of the trees, or stopping the multi tasking to enjoy the activity at hand - the ability to pause oneself, mind and body and to tune into spirit - that eternal part of ourselves that has no time limit.
The discipline that it requires to do “nothing” but be, is something I admire, because it’s far to difficult for me at times with the numerous aspirations. The ability to be in the “here and now” is an ongoing effort and a worthwhile one for it is this very moment that is my life. To narrow in on what is truly important, and being patient with all the rest of life to unfold naturally and graciously, is a wise way to live.
How am I taking pause even better these days?
Below I share a few things things that I “do” in order to “be.”
Let this inspire you in your own ways of living.
-once I sense that I am, yet again, multi-tasking, I stop it. What was once a prideful ability to behold, has become the ultimate mental and emotional (and physical!) energy saver. I stop the multi, and focus single handedly on a task. That could be listening to someone speak, or stirring a pot of sauce, or filling up a bathtub and maybe watching the water trickle down if I have the time to do so. It’s about the task at hand, and focusing on it without bringing in other activities (that can wait). This is what it means to live meditatively and to live consciously. Is this perfect? Nothing ever is. Perfection belongs to the Lord - we aim for goals. With small children, multi-tasking is a must. Still, there are times we can lay it down and it’s these times that I’m talking about.
-when I find myself doing things fast, I slow down. This could mean I, yet again, am eating too fast, walking too fast (when I don’t have to be) and talking too fast. Slowing down the body, helps to slow the down mind. It’s a win-win for bodily and mental health.
when I’m tired, I rest. I aim to rest when I’m tired rather than fit “just one more thing” into the time I have left. Especially if you live with chronic pain, resting is essential. It could mean two minutes of sitting down and closing the eyes. I don’t recommend engaging in reading or television at these times. These activities are not restful.
-I make time for play. I’m a playful person naturally but my young kids make it easier for me to remember to stop my million and one tasks to sit and play cards on the floor or to go outside and chase my baby around. So simple, yet mentally invigorating, not depleting as one might think. When you’re tired, aim to make these sessions short, so you are not feeling too taxed out, and then you’ll be desirous to do it again in the future.
Take a moment to think of the many different ways you can create moments of pause. Perhaps you’ll want to sit and light a candle and stare into its ebony fires, or stop your busyness to hold the hand of a loved one, just because.
You and everyone around you will be blessed by your creating moments of focus and intention.
Journeying together,
Kari