More Than A Black Hole – Pausing Defined (Energy)

What really is a pause? Is it always a complete, dead, full stop? An emptiness? A void? A total absence of action and thought? Although from time to time a pause may be just that, more often than not, a pause is so much more than nothing.

A pause is a refocusing of action – a chance to get your bearings. It’s a time out on the football field. It’s a station identification break in a 24 hour broadcast.

A pause is a shift of intent and activity. It’s that moment of silence in a thoughtful conversation as you move from listening to speaking. It’s stepping away from an experience to harvesting the learning.

A pause is a change in point of view. It’s shifting your sights from the road ahead to the rear view mirror. It’s moving from absorbing the input of others to tuning in the inner wisdom of your heart.

A pause is a place of grace. It’s the six inches between an open window and the sill below – the space where fresh air flows. It’s the six car lengths between you and the vehicle ahead.

A pause is a change of pace. It’s lifting your foot from the gas as you coast to a stop. It’s a cool glass of water at a checkpoint in a 10K race.

A pause is a change in state of mind. It’s shifting from complex problem solving to daydreaming. It’s moving from endless spinning to purposeful progress.

A pause is a change of heart. It’s noticing you’re reacting in a way that’s totally out of proportion to the trigger event. It’s going from all out war and fury to a peace fire armistice.

A pause is a physical change. It’s shifting from an all out sprint to a low-key jog or walk. It’s dropping your shoulders from up around your ears back to where they normally hang out.

A pause is a moment of reverie. It’s attending to the beauty of the sunset at the end of a stormy day. It’s sinking deeply into your seat as you soak up the last few notes of a concert.

A pause is a momentary temporary stop – a gap – a lingering – an interruption – a redirection – a suspension. A pause is a precious gift of time and attention.

A pause is the key to restoring the rhythm of renewal.

© Patricia Katz MCE CHRP of Optimus Consulting is a speaker, author and consultant who helps individuals and organizations restore the rhythm of renewal to work and life. To bring Patricia’s expertise to your organization, contact her at www.patkatz.com or toll free at (877) 728-5289