The Pause and Play Dance
Where do you tend to hang out?
I am all about the pause. Taking that beat to check-in with myself. To breathe. To feel to notice.
However, I have also noticed that sometimes the pause lures me into my comfort zone with a cuddly blanket. It feels warm and safe. I don’t want to leave. The pause can be a cocoon where I am watching life unfold and it feels comfortable to participate from afar.
Therefore I can sink into the depths of the pause—turning into a freeze. Paralyzed to take action in fear of not making the “perfect choice.”
If I ditched the pause all together, I would be acting from autopilot. Not conscious of the choices I am making.
Letting reactivity and strong emotions guide me instead of a wise knowing. Or letting the loud external noise and influence of life blow me in the direction they want me to go in. Wondering down a path that doesn’t feel authentic.
Over the years, I have come to realize I need both.
It is a dance to embody both the “pause” and “play” button.
The pause is here to literally stop me in my tracks and help me tune into my inner wisdom. To connect to my values and listen to my intuition.
The play button is here to help me act and integrate. My voice and footprint get to live.
This Week’s Practice:
I welcome you to notice how the pause and play dance shows up in your life.
Share your noticings with me in the comments or send me a DM.
Where do I spend more of my time and energy, in the pause or play?
What does being in the “pause” feel like?
What does hitting the “play” button feel like?
Where in my life am I needing more action energy? Where in my life am I needing the pause?