Pause.

On trips to meetings, my car pool crew and I would just randomly pull off to see something. I’d just yell out “life pause” and we would go check out some scenery and get out of the car to get some fresh air. This doesn’t have to just be on long commutes, we’ve been known to pause whenever the mood strikes.

This led to sharing snap chats of the ocean, sun rises, sunsets, pet moments, fields of green, filled coffee cups…whatever. You get the idea. The mission was to just take a moment to appreciate that moment. Be aware and be grateful. We would celebrate each others time to pause and it would set as a reminder to take a moment for ourselves. It can be as easy as focusing on something around you that has brought you joy…you don’t have to go anywhere.

Take the inhale.

Our days are so full of stuff. Sometimes its important to recognize the difference of being busy and being productive. Anyone can fill their days to be ‘busy’, but how much of that is productivity? How much of the busy buzz is bringing you closer to your goals? In the development of this rushed society, we are compelled to have full days..but full of what, exactly?

Social media. Instant gratification. Amazon. Uber. Apple. Things have changed us and how we do things. They’ve also changed how we treat each other, how we connect and how we see ourselves and others.

Take a step back. Take a pause. What’s the rush?

I remember years ago, when Shane was a toddler, we were in the lawn and he was looking and touching the grass. I noticed that there were so many shades of green. Some blades had different texture. With the sun shining and basking in the happiness of the lawn, we had no where to go. Why was this the first time I’d noticed the grass like this? Because I’d paused to take a look.

When my commute was different, I’d stop on a bridge and take a pic of the sunrise several days in a week. It was a highway, but it was early…still doesn’t mean I should be pulling over to the shoulder of the road, get out of my car and take some photos. But I did. One morning on my pause, a police officer pulled up. I’d turned and he said, “so worth it, right?”. And it was. I appreciated his understanding and he stayed in his car taking his own photo before pulling away with a “be safe”. He got it. And in a job where you run into danger, I’d imagine he was also very appreciative of these stolen, quiet moments.

You don’t have to be in a high stress job, or have too many mouths to feed…there’s no stipulation on what should be stressful to you. Everyones lost a loved one, everyone has their strife. Take the pause.

Appreciate the moment.

You don’t need permission. Just pause.