PAUSE the Treadmill of Life

Does it ever happen to you that your world seems to be spinning out of control and you can barely breathe? Perhaps it is because you have too much on your plate, or because you are in a job or relationship that hasn’t been working for a while. It may be that your daily routine is hectic and allows no time for rejuvenation or recuperation.

“Busy.” It seems an all familiar response to the question, “How are you?” I find that to get a real sense of how someone is, you must evaluate the body language that comes with that response. We are all busy to some degree, but I think what matters more is how you feel about what you are busy doing. If your days are full but clearly reflect your values, you will feel quite differently than if you are spinning like a top just to survive each day that is filled with people and activities that do not serve you. The reality for most is somewhere in the middle.

I have made a conscious effort to create a world that reflects my purpose and my vision of success. At times, however, my choices result in overwhelm and my mind plays like a fast-forwarding video despite my efforts to remain in balance. Just last week, my head was spinning because of the number of commitments on my plate. By the time Thought-full Thursday rolled around, I knew I had had enough. I needed to PAUSE and regroup. I allowed myself some space from family, friends, work and other obligations to clear my head and slow down. (Sometimes, taking a PAUSE is just that, and it only takes 5 minutes to get clear and gain some perspective, but last week was particularly taxing on a number of levels for me, so I took three hours.)

Stopping the treadmill of life is therapeutic for the body, mind and spirit. In that space, you grant yourself permission to breathe and get present. All of a sudden, things do not appear as urgent. You can see possibilities, alternate solutions to crises. The weight of the world that you are carrying can disappear in minutes if you slow down enough to see what that burden is doing to you and those around you. Taking time to evaluate your circumstance and accept responsibility for your part in its creation is a great Lesson Learned. “Accepting what is” is the next phase in this process of Embracing Your Potential. Stay tuned.

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