Try This One Simple Practice

A time between time is a…. pause. Where we stop one thing before we begin another.

Read those 2 sentences again.

This spiritual practice is meant to center us and make us conscious of what we’re about to do. It helps us be present to the God who is present to us.

I don’t practice this often enough. I am a multi-purposer and I actually thrive on doing several things at once. I get energized by completing the items on my to-do list! My brain seems to work efficiently and effectively, and before I know it, the day is done.

As I reflect back over my day, I notice I’ve accomplished a lot. Yet, the day passed by so quickly that I wasn’t really present or attentive to my surroundings or interactions with others. Running through my day unconsciously is a little unnerving for me.

There’s an invitation to pause. Joan Chittister states in her book, Wisdom Distilled from the Daily, “A pause is a desire to do consciously what I might otherwise do mechanically. It’s the virtue of presence.”

I know when I purposefully take a breather between one experience and another, I have a tendency to be more aware of myself and others. I notice how I’m breathing, I think clearer and feel more prepared. Colors become vibrant, I enjoy my meal and still get my to-do list done but with more awareness of God and the goodness around me.

Practice of Grace- #3 Pause

Be deliberate about taking a short break between events. Each day try one of these and notice what’s different.

·      Stop for 20- 30 seconds between one phone call and then next.

      Close your eyes in silence before your next meeting

·      Sit in your car for 1 minute before you drive to your next destination

·      Become aware of what you’re going to do next.

·      S…L…O…W… down. On purpose.

·      Focus on breathing in and out for 1 minute

Share with us how taking a pause…..a time between time is impacting your day.