We are a rushed society. Research says many people are not using, and in some cases, losing vacation days (e.g., https://www.projecttimeoff.com/research/state-american-vacation-2016). Even when we go on vacation, we still frequently handle work email and join conference calls. The ability to set and keep boundaries between work and “not work” is so compromised as to be remarkable when someone even attempts to do so. The fact that I just used a negation to identify life outside of work is also an issue or the sign of a limited vocabulary. How can life be adequately described by work and not-work?
So when I challenged someone recently to practice the pause, they immediately assumed the challenge related to taking vacation. And at some level, that was correct. However, I was also challenging them in a more significant way. Practicing the pause also means pausing before rushing to judgment, making a decision, responding, or reacting. We are not gathering facts and forming responses or judgments. We are trying people in the Court of Social Media. We are allowing ourselves to be manipulated by sound bites. This is creating an intolerant, uncivil society.
We have become mentally lazy and socially arrogant. I would also say, we have adopted a herd mentality based on fear. Broad and sweeping generalizations I recognize but pause and reflect. If we don’t jump on the current hate-wagon fast enough or with just the right words, we are fearful of being labeled. And in many cases that fear is well founded.
Life is too short and too fragile to continue with this deluge. I have found that stepping back and pausing helps not only my reactions and behaviors but also my mental health. There are things that deserve my attention and by pausing, I can identify those and live in that space. All too often when I spend my energy in emotional outrage and reactions, I neglect to do the things I can to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.” (Micah 6:8) I know better and I need to do better.
My husband frequently admonishes “balance in all things”. Where do you need balance – to practice the pause?
Just Sayin' 