When a Pause is an Excuse

How is your life, lately? Take a moment to reflect. There's no need to answer immediately, although it might be interesting to see what the first word was that came to mind.

This week's Monday Pleasure Peek

"Watch out for signs that you've put your life 'on hold'.

Have you hit the 'pause' button?"

was meant to get you to take a moment and think about it.

Surprisingly, if you answered, "Oh, no, I'm way too busy for that!", you may actually be postponing moving forward. We can get stalled out in busyness. Think about when you've needed to do something important. Have you ever caught yourself organizing your sock drawer instead? Even though you might be spinning your wheels, you may just be looking for distractions to keep you from hitting your "play" button.

I've had my share of frenzied activity over the years. One time, when my kids were

young and I was struggling in my marriage, a friend commented that just listening to everything I did that day was exhausting. If you had asked me if my life was "on hold" I would have given you a look that said, "Are you kidding me?!?" The sad thing is, I definitely had my finger on the "pause" button. I was stuck in a loop of running around, looking for anything to run interference so that I didn't have to really examine what was going on. I was stuck in blaming others and circumstances and I was getting nowhere.

Paradoxically, once I slowed down -- actually, I came to a screeching halt and that was when I started to see my lack of forward motion. I had become used to agitation and borderline hysteria because it somehow felt like protection, but it had also held me (and those around me) prisoner.

Having your life "on hold" or hitting the "pause" button might mean you are taking a needed break or, it could mean you are refusing to look at things that are getting in your way. It's important to discern between the two.

Now, I look for reasons to stop & reflect. I allow for periods in my life that are unhurried and leisurely. I know that I need these in order to get a clearer picture. When I find myself spinning it often means that I'm unwilling to advance into something bigger and better. Hitting the pause button can be a good thing and it can also be just like an old record that would get caught in a worn groove and keep playing the same notes over and over. Instead of having your life "on hold", hold on to your divine spirit and step up to the next level.