2 Scoops Of Inspiration Podcast: Click here to listen to our podcast titled, Power In The Pause.
Pausing is not something most people do on a regular basis. Unfortunately, we live in a culture where pausing in the moment is an unfamiliar concept and rarely encouraged. Most people live a fast paced, achievement oriented, goal focused life… a rather exhausting existence. I know because I find myself there far too often, which is way I advocate so vehemently about the importance of pausing.
If you slow down on a regular basis to feel the sensations in your body and to notice the thoughts and emotions you are experiencing in the moment, consider yourself the exception. If you do, congratulations because that is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. If you enjoy self-reflection, I encourage you to answer the discovery questions in this post and to do the PAUSE exercise at the end.
Pause: An intentional decision to stop, to unplug from distraction and to be present in the moment.
“Human freedom involves our capacity to pause between the stimulus and response and, in that pause, to choose the one response toward which we wish to throw our weight. The capacity to create ourselves, based upon this freedom, is inseparable from consciousness or self-awareness.” – Rollo May
Self-Reflection: To examine thoughts, feelings, beliefs and values
“Self-study is a great way to train for life because it focuses your attention inward, where big decisions are made.” – Terrie Elizabeth Reeves
Inquire: To question or to seek a deeper sense of knowing or understanding
“It is through self-reflection and inquiry that you can wake up to what’s important to you, in order to expand in the direction that serves a greater purpose.” – Terrie Elizabeth Reeves
Powerful Question:
What word (pause, self-reflection or inquire) most resonated with you and why?
What can you do to pause more this week?
Why do you think pausing more will be beneficial to you?
Power in the Pause Exercise:
Fill in two words that begin with the designated letter that capture your feelings about what PAUSE means to you. One example of each has been provided.
P – Purposeful, ___________, ___________
A – Awareness, ___________, ___________
U- Understanding, __________, ___________
S – Stillness, ____________, _____________
E – Expansion, _________, ____________
Did you find this information helpful? If so, reflect on why for a few minutes? I hope you will pause more often. It is good for your health, self-awareness, relationships and the list goes on and on.
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