Sometimes life makes us Pause. We are suddenly stopped in our stride for no fault of our own. Our plans go awry and we get agitated at the turn of events. We go through emotions ranging from anger to fear to regret and confusion.

We feel life is being unfair to us. Not making much progress, we start doubting ourselves and wonder whether we have lost our drive and motivation.

But Pause is necessary. Justifying that we are too busy and important to pause, is like driving a car on the expressway at top speed and saying we are too busy driving and have no time to stop at the petrol pump. No matter how good the car and driver, we will come to a halt with an overheated machine, running out of gas.

Pause provides us the space to reflect. On how life has been, our relationships and what is truly important. To reflect on what we want to start doing, stop doing, and continue doing. This framework of Start-Stop-Continue is very effective.

Pause allows us to review – what has gone right, and what could have been done differently. Just like an artist who stops regularly, takes a step back and looks at his painting from a distance. The pause between his brush strokes helps creates the beauty.

Pause is the time for recreation. Recreation is not just fun, it is the re-creation of our energies. In our busy daily lives, we sometimes don’t get time to nourish ourselves physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.

When paused, we are able to see things clearly and prepare ourselves to redirect our lives. To live an enjoyable and meaningful life from hereon.

Such is the Power of Pause. And when we are re-energised with a renewed sense of purpose, we perform better and move faster. A pause is not an impediment to our growth. It accelerates our growth, giving us an opportunity to see and explore things we had no time for but are necessary for our growth. We need to recognise its disguised power.

And if we learn to pause every day, then life’s forced pause will not become a burden.

When we slow down to notice something beautiful. Give someone a helping hand. Feel the fresh air we are breathing. Spend moments with our music. Enjoy the silence of our own company. Give gratitude for all that’s in place. Review the day and make our minor adjustment. And feeling refreshed and energised to face the world with renewed enthusiasm, we have truly learnt the value of Pausing.