When Life Gives you a Pause, Take It.

We are all moving through life in “The Current.” Made up of expectations, cultural norms, hopes, dreams, FOMO, and current social trends, this force is the engine that pushes us forward. But forward is not necessarily a good direction to travel if approached without intention. 

Some people naturally understand this and as necessary make their way out of life’s current and onto the shore for a personal intention check. These periodic pauses help ensure that where they are heading is truly where they want to end up. Most of us, however, don’t, and when life creates these moments for us our tendency is similar to the way we feel when someone abruptly pauses a movie; push play as soon as possible. I’d like to suggest that the next time this happens to you, push pause instead. 

Over the past few months, I have had the privilege to sit with people I love and respect in such moments. Each pause was caused by life, and in every case, my friends’ fingers were hovering over the play button without even a second consideration. It is easier than most of us would like to admit to ending up with an unintentional life. Putting the remote down and spending thoughtful time within the pause is one way we can infuse our lives with intention, and channel the current’s momentum productively.

Don’t let what potentially has the power to wake you up, simply pass by without a second thought. When life gives you a pause, take it.