The great pause

Sometimes the best step forward is no step at all. Sometimes we need to take a step back, evaluate, and chill before we can move forward. Sometimes, all we need is a pause.

When caught up in mindless activities, be them emotional eating or reacting to the actions of others, take a pause and step back. Observe your surroundings. Observe your environment. Who is there? What time of day is it? Collect data.

After you observe, are you present? Are you in the moment? Or are you progressing through this time with mindless abandon? Unaware of how your actions are being affected?

More often than not, we find that we are not present. That we are not being mindful. And this little pause can help to bring us back to the moment.

So the next time you find yourself in an undesirable situation, pause. If you are acting with intent then you will have no worry of being knocked off course. If, however, you are being unintentional you can quickly right the ship. And that is how progress is made.