In many a piece of music, it’s the pause or the rest that gives the piece its beauty and its shape. And I know I, as a writer, will often try to include a lot of empty space on the page so that the reader can complete my thoughts and sentences and so that her imagination has room to breathe.
—Pico Ayer
Mookie is barking. Gizmo is crying for me to lift the water bowl to his chair so he can drink without having to get down. The cat is knocking his bowl against the wall to indicate he’s out of food. The house is full of treats and sweet details packaged up for Saturday’s Yoga + the Animals and Sunday’s TDJ Soirée [join the waitlist]. My graphic designer is waiting on my edits to wrap up Sunday’s workbook design.
I notice the thin coating of black hair covering everything, yes everything, and realize the Pink Palace needs a deep clean before Mom arrives on Friday for 10 days. My desk is overflowing with paperwork that needs processing, drafts, a pink sketchbook filled with ideas, and an author proof copy of the Daybook that arrived last night. I call around trying to find someone to remove sutures from my latest gum graft as the periodontist has unexpectedly gone on medical leave.
Welcome to my morning.
Despite the chaos, I knew I had to make time for a pause. I enjoyed a green smoothie, tackled the to-dos I could manage, and hit the yoga mat before heading in to the office until late tonight.
It’s when life is at its craziest that our self-care often takes a back seat. After years of studying and teaching tranquility, I know how important these pauses can be.
Do they solve the pet hair, overflowing event supplies, or life’s unexpected setbacks? Nope, but they sure make the process more pleasurable.
What pause can you take today? Savor a cuppa tea, walk around the block, take five deep breaths, go to bed early, spend time with your journal, roll out your yoga mat, take a nap, call a friend, or thumb through a magazine.
Hit the pause button and tune in. Listen to your soul’s longings despite the barking dogs, crying kids, and buzzing phones. Just five minutes can make a BIG difference. Give your imagination room to breathe. Bisous. x
