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Hi Reader,

Last week, I wrote about building mindfulness into our rhythms and routines. The natural extension of this is to embrace the pause and build them into our days.

To me, embracing the pause is a way to question habits and to ask myself why I am really doing something. Am I buying this out of habit or do I really want it or need it? Are we rushing home because we need to get there or because I have gotten used to rushing? Am I really hungry or am I just snacking because it is there?

All of these moments give me the opportunity to question my habits, to determine if I am intentionally making decisions or if I am just doing what I've always done.

Doing what we've always done isn't always bad, some of our habits have been intentionally cultivated through the years, of course. But many, are just habits, formed with little to no consideration. These are the habits worth questioning. And embracing the pause is the best way that I know to question my intention.

Do I really need to say yes to this event, item, task? PAUSE. Consider. Then decide if I do or don't. But at least consider. And then act.

For us, it has helped with our clutter, helped slow down when leaving parks. Important. But more importantly, just by training myself to pause before answering, I am more easily say no to things that I would immediately say yes to.

And that pause, right before reacting to my kids, usually gives me the opportunity to move from reaction to response. And, we all benefit from that.

As always, I'd love to hear how you put pauses in your day and what this has done for you and your family.

Warmly,

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