The First Move

Pause Power
-- 05 December 2007

Isn't it interesting that in the Northern Hemisphere’s winter, the time of year when nature slows way down, rests and rejuvenates itself in preparation for spring, humans have created a whole bunch of activities that cause us to go, go, go? It makes you wonder "what were we thinking?". Out of all the things we could have chosen to do, we created a rush of activities guaranteed to leave us breathless.

There is the whole holiday thing. Shopping, planning, whirlwinds of social activities, family gatherings, and a general atmosphere of non-stop motion.

There is the whole “year end” thing. In many work places, this is the busiest time of year. In retail, there’s the two sided shopping frenzy - got to make the numbers for the whole year, AND deal with all those frantic people seeking the holy grail of perfect gifts. In health insurance it’s “open enrollment season” , and in health care, there are all those people trying to use up their health benefits. And lest we forget, many businesses “close the books” at year end in preparation for tax season. (I’m tired just thinking about it!)

It’s way too easy to be caught up in all the activity and find yourself trying to push forward to meet a deadline or an objective. All of a sudden, you discover yourself in the throes of tighter and tighter circles, trying to move forward and yet feeling like you’re stuck in one place. Short tempers, frustration, panic and overwhelm have a way of creeping in and taking over.

Your best friends at times like this are your awareness and your heart. They can encourage you to take time to go down and in rather than simply acting up and out (so to speak!).

Awareness gets you to pay attention. It's the thing that helps you catch yourself in the middle of your self-created chaos. When you do, this is the time to pause, and connect with your heart.

Heart can inform your actions with great wisdom. It takes practice to learn to listen to your heart, but when you do, you'll discover it is the wisest friend you have.

The pause we're exploring here is not about silencing everything that is going on. It's about creating the stillness to allow your heart's voice to be heard, to help you know exactly what is needed in the moment.

Maybe you'll discover that some of the things you thought were so important and just had to be done fall off your list. Or you discover a simpler, easier solution to a complicated problem. Perhaps your heart asks for a mini-vacation in the middle of the day . (Or a cupcake! Who knows?!) The possibilities are endless when your heart takes the lead.

As with all good things, this takes trust and practice. Trusting your awareness to know when it's time to pause. Practice to listen to your heart. It's yet one more way to be kind to yourself, so that you can extend that kindness to others.