Pausing

I begin with a pause.

Pausing is full of opportunity, full of rich sensation, full of possibilities to pay attention in a new way. Pausing gives me a chance to sit back and reflect. Pausing lets me gather my perspectives, let go of what I can quickly see as my illusions, and set out on a new course of action.

I begin with a pause.

I give value to these moments of non-doing, and I let them remind me of the feeling of no effort that I can bring into my ordinary daily actions. I let them remind me to let my life symphony have cadences, one phrase or one whole phase of life coming to a close before the next begins.

I return often to pauses. Sinking into a pause, decelerating, slowing down is itself a pleasure ride. A new breath, slower and easier, this one with my attention there like a child full of exhilaration and wonder as the amusement park ride sighs and shudders just a bit to fit back into its starting blocks.

I pause again. I begin again. I pause again--an endless cycle.

I practice letting go of the cultural norms and family patterns of keeping busy. I let go, but not entirely since I am a product of my parents' well-intentioned upbringing, of having to be productive, to be of value. I do still value what I produce--ideas, dances, loving relationships, effective body therapy, service to community, body mind healing--but I also now value the time of being as much as the time of doing. I give value to rest, to relaxation, to renewal, to rejuvenation.