Pause Provides Perspective

I wrote a comment recently on a friend’s post that I realized was more than just my message to her. She was sharing about the realities of starting and growing a small business and the overwhelm that came in the midst of beginning motherhood at nearly the same time. I responded to her post:

“Sometimes we get so busy building, that we forget to take a pause and enjoy the glory of what we’ve put so much blood, sweat and tears into so far. The pause provides perspective.”

In retrospect, her story and mine aren’t that dissimilar. Small children, small business, big goals and an incredible work ethic. She’s someone I’ve always admired and considered a colleague and despite being in such different industries, I’ve always known she’s an incredible business woman.

Suddenly (and in thanks to a brief moment of solitude) I realized that I needed to be saying all of these things to myself. I needed to stop waiting for others to affirm what God has been telling me to be proud of for all of these years. It was time for my own pause in pursuit of perspective. That moment took place a few months back and, in the meantime, I’ve made it my intent to set aside time in each week to find the glory in my family, the successes in my business and the joy in my journey. 

I don’t want to look up in 10 years from now and wonder why I wasn’t prouder of this journey along the way. I’ve even tagged a new phrase to my fridge: “Sometimes the object of the journey is not the end, but the journey itself.” 

Celebrate a little today for yourself – you can and you should!

Author: Marie Stacks, MHSA, PMP | President, Boost Midwest