Relook at a Tookaway

There were several takeaways from my summer renewal.

So many important ideas and lessons from that spiritual getaway.

Today I was reminded of a key take I tookaway.

Today, I took a relook at

the Pause.

The point of my summer renewal project was to slow down and care for my soul. To dedicate time learning how to quiet my mind and be present. To learn how to hold the paradox of doing and being. Of action and contemplation. One key takeaway from this trip was allowing myself to slow down and breathe. When we slow down and breathe, we are more likely to be present. When we are more present, we are better able to notice and appreciate the beautiful moments of life. When we appreciate these moments, we find peace and joy.

And I've found that peace and joy rely on us noticing and appreciating,

which relies our being present

which relies on us slowing down and breathing.

But before we slow down and breathe,

we must first...

...pause.

I find myself doing this quite frequently.

Just stopping.

Everything.

I know I am not unique in that I'm a doer. I enjoy making task lists and getting things done. I have rituals and routines and systems and habits that help "optimize" my day and my energies so I can do all the things I want to do. But too often I find myself missing the beautiful moments along the way. I find that in my drive to GET somewhere, I forget to enjoy GOING somewhere.

I cannot forget to notice and appreciate, because I don't want to rob myself of peace and joy. I cannot forget to be present, because I don't want to rob myself of noticing and appreciating. I cannot forget to slow down and breathe, because I don't want to rob myself of presence. I cannot forget to pause, because I don't want to rob myself of slowing down and breathing. I cannot forget, because I don't want to rob myself of my peace and joy.

So how do I remember to

slow down and breathe,

notice and appreciate,

be present, and

find peace and joy?

I take a relook at the key.

The takeaway I tookaway.

The first step to peace and joy begins with

the Pause.

So don't forget to pause today.

Take a look and take this away.

And later take a relook

at the pause

you tookaway

today.

Photo by Hannes Wolf on Unsplash