Usually when I write a blog, I have something specific on my mind or heart – a message I want to share with any readers.
Tonight, nothing. There is no bit of information I’m burning to share. No cause I’m standing up for. No recipe or healthy hack that I must post-or-die.
Tonight I’m simply settling in to a good evening after a good day. Nothing really earth-shattering happened today. But according to some voices in culture, I did today wrong. I’m told I need to get out there and chase after my dreams… make things happen… go big or go home… get things done… make the most out of every moment.
I don’t want to calculate or measure all of my moments. Sometimes I just want to press the pause button, rest, and do nothing. I don’t want to catch up on my reading or chores or bills or goals.
For a little while today I just sat out on our front porch and watched as leaves fell off the tree. It’s just so, so beautiful outside right now.
Tonight my youngest son is home from college. I wanted to sit and enjoy conversation with him, maybe share a meal. I wanted to put my feet up and take off my shoes and socks. I wanted to sit in front of our [fake] woodstove and just feel the heat on this chilly autumn evening as we talked about life.
Our culture is quite forward moving, which much of the time is a good thing and helps me keep on top of all the things an adult must do. But I think we could all do well to take time to just “be,” with no agenda. Listen to the birds, watch the clouds, observe the fall colors, feel your chest rise and fall with your gentle breathing. Close your eyes, if only for a moment.
Some call this “mindfulness,” and some call it “meditation” – being aware of the many simple blessings around us. Pressing pause. Slowing the body and mind down.
Be present with your children. Be aware of the beauty around you. Feel the warmth of the sun (or [fake] woodstove). Watch the squirrels. Smell autumn. Listen to the birds.
The stack of dishes, the bills, the dreams… they will all still be there.
What about you?
Where is your favorite place to press pause?
Hi Julie, I liked your blog! I remember how much those pauses meant years ago during those times when my days were full and sometimes hectic. I thought back and chuckled to myself when I realized that I now live in the PAUSE phase all the time now!LOL. I step out into the stream of life here and there until I run out of gas and get back to what is now my norm. This phase sort of snuck up on me due to physical limitations, dictating a much slower pace not to even mention my ever increasing downward spiral of mental sharpness.! The challenge for me is to find a realistic level of activity of involvement in everyday life as the future unfolds itself with new situations. When to push myself into physical activity is one example of what I find difficult and yet my tendency to be lazy often clouds my judgement in deciding ! Thank you for your stimulating conversation I think your blog is very encouraging to all us gals regardless of which season we find ourselves!
Ruthie! Thanks SO much for your comments. You are a person I look up to who has lived a life of “going for it!” You have inspired so many people. You continue to inspire even in your physical limitations. Like you’ve said, “Gettin’ old ain’t for sissies!” And yet, there you are, showing up in my Facebook feed, very much involved in life around you. I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog. Love to you…