The Power of Small Pauses
I used to think rest was something you scheduled—a vacation once a year or maybe a lazy Sunday if you're lucky. But waiting for those big breaks to recharge? That's like trying to drive cross-country on a single tank of gas.
Recently, I've discovered something revolutionary: small pauses. Not grand sabbaticals, just tiny moments of stillness scattered throughout the day. Five minutes here. Three minutes there. A deep breath while waiting for coffee to brew.
These micro-breaks feel insignificant, almost silly. How much difference can 60 seconds of closed eyes really make? Turns out, quite a lot.
The space between notes is what makes music beautiful, not just the sounds themselves. Our lives work similarly. Without pauses, everything blurs into noise—constant, overwhelming, and exhausting. Moses needed a burning bush moment, but he had to pause his regular shepherding routine to notice it. What miracles might we be missing in our relentless rushing?
Try this: set three alarms on your phone today. When they ring, just stop. Take five deep breaths. Look out a window. Stretch. Then return to whatever you were doing.
These small pauses aren't lazy—they're strategic. They're the difference between reacting to life and responding to it. Between surviving your day and actually experiencing it.
You don't need permission to pause. You don't need special equipment or perfect circumstances. You just need to remember that the world won't fall apart if you take a moment to be still.
The most productive people aren't those who work every minute—they're those who've mastered the rhythm of work and rest.
What small pause can you add to your day today?