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?
