Pause

 

Pause…Purposefully Accessing Unlimited Spiritual Energy. One of the best ways to pause is to breathe. Slow down to take in Spirit around you, letting it guide you, fill you, and open you to the moment. I know that this message is one I return to…often. Sometimes I pause…and sometimes I don’t. When I don’t, the result is typically less grace-filled and kind…more like a whirling dervish, if you will. When we don’t pause, we ignore important “stuff”…like messages from our body, the significance of what is being said, the people in our lives, the truth behind a reaction, the ability to clear away the chaos, the opportunity to make a choice instead of being manipulated, and the myriad of other ways we choose to disconnect from our lives. Pause and take inventory of anything and everything.

 

I found myself grumbling about the snow lately, which is not usual for me. However, the snowfall offers a beautiful way to pause. (No real surprise that Mother Nature has grander message.) I eventually got to a place where clearing the snow, especially with the snow blower, felt empowering and intentional. I was able to do reflective ‘meditation’ while rhythmically tending to the snow. It was empowering from the sense that it felt somewhat cathartic, clearing away what is getting in my way, yet seeing the beauty it is providing. We’re in as deep as we choose to be and always have the opportunity to dig ourselves out.

 

It is so easy in this technology-driven world to disconnect from just about everything. The ability to be reached 24/7 from the boss or co-workers doesn’t help, either. How often do you pause from work-related stuff? How often do you push yourself just a little bit further to get things done, without realizing that the pause would connect you to your family/partner/kids/friends? How often do you push your body past the place of exhaustion instead of pausing to offer your mind a chance to attain clarity? How often do you attempt to do your work all on your own without pausing and accessing a deeper wisdom within you and being in the “flow”?

 

How often do you pause to listen to what somebody else is saying? And I mean to really listen. How often do you pause to make eye contact with the person you are talking/listening to? How often do you pause to put down your not-so-smart phone to engage with the person you are with? How often do you pause to deeply appreciate the uniqueness of the person you are with? How often do you pause to allow love to be present in all forms of communicating…free of judgment, criticism and rebuttal? How often do you pause to tell someone you love them? How often do you pause to thank someone for being in your life?

 

How often do you pause to celebrate you? Your body? Your talents? How often do you pause to engage in activities that feed your soul? How often do you pause to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea? How often to you pause to read a book, article, or magazine? How often do you pause to connect with the passion that lives within you? How often do you pause to dream the wild, crazy dreams that make you smile and feel alive? How often do you pause to imagine the unlimited possibilities of the future with the lens of love and joy?

 

How often do you pause to connect with your spiritual Source? How often do you pause to ponder the magnitude of the gift of your life? How often do you pause to take in how much of an impact you make each day that you are alive? How often do you pause to offer gratitude for the gifts that have been bestowed upon you? How often do you pause to ponder the mysteries that stir up curiosity within you?

 

How often do you pause to play? How often do you pause to sing ~loudly~ along with your favorite song? How often do you pause to move or dance around to a song that speaks to you? How often do you pause to enjoy dabbling in any form of creativity?

 

It’s time for all of us to pause. Life is too short for us to miss out on the worthwhile stuff.