Within The Pause ...

 

"What has happened to our ability to dwell in the unknowing,

to live inside a question and coexist with the tensions of uncertainty?"

Sue Monk Kidd

Life style is often equated with the fast lane.  We demand faster technology, immediate resolution, and expedient service.  Push has started to override our ability to pause.  This is regrettable, as it is within the pause that advancement is facilitated.  

Impulsive or pressured decision making frequently falls short of heightened understanding.  It is within uncertainty that we are able to explore creative options to age old or repetitive problems.  When we choose to endure the unknown, creative resolutions arise. 

When we step away from immediacy, we are able to explore what is best for the self.  We can redesign a template for living a more meaningful life.  We begin to create experiences that will refresh and rejuvenate our unique approach to living a more meaningful life.

Difficulty with Reflections

"You think you want to know something, and then once you do,

all you can think about is erasing it from your mind."

Sue Monk Kidd

The Secret Life of Bees

Introspection grows more intense as we learn bits and pieces of what makes us tick.  Yet self-discovery can overwhelm us with grave feelings of inadequacy.  Understanding the patterns of our personality bring insight but emotions flood us with the realization of our own actions.  

Patterns of our personality hold us responsible for actions taken during crisis or drama or unfulfilled dreams.  To hold oneself accountable, blame cannot be entirely placed upon our foes.  We are faced with accepting outcomes and not being an innocent bystander.

As we recognize our weaknesses, we endeavor to do better even though our first response may be to shut down completely.  If we close our awareness to our own lessons, it will just take longer to correct and succeed.   When we can say, "This is who I am and this is who I will be," we can begin once again to master our earthly contribution.

Invest in Ourselves

"There is an extraordinary need in our lives for silence.  

The constant noise and chatter, internal and external, 

causes us to lose touch with the center of our being."

FIRSTLIGHT

Sue Monk Kidd

Even when surrounded by those we love, we may find the need to excuse ourselves for a few moments of silence.  This is true when we attend a seminar or workshop, our concentration may falter after a few days of being held in continuous attention..Without exchanging words with anyone, we may withdraw into some form of privacy just to escape from the noise around us.

All of us may have a special place for silence.  It may be far away or at hand to visit often.  It may be physical space or a meditative state.  The emphasis is on experiencing silence and not the how.  When we find ourselves surrounded by business whether in activity or non-stop mental chatter, we can rest assured we are avoiding something.  We use the noise to drown out our personal thoughts or to avoid what is facing us head on.  

Whether we use the term contemplation, meditation, or prayer, we need to experience silence.  We truly benefit when we pause within our day.  This is an easy way to rejuvenate or refresh ourselves.  It is an opportunity to disconnect from meaningless distractions and refocus or reconnect with what we hold sacred.

Do not wait for a spa day, holiday or vacation.  Build a time for silence within each day.  It costs nothing, and is a great investment in ourselves.