A brief pause, a deep breath, and reflection on what truly matters
Dear friends,
No matter your political views, I hope we can agree: murder is wrong.
Like many of you, I’ve been grieving the recent tragedy in the news—the senseless loss of a father whose life became a video his children will have to contend with for years. And in the same week we mark September 11—days of sadness, remembrance, and gratitude—I’ve been reminded how short and precious our time really is.
I’m 49, with two kids—12 and 17. If the average life expectancy is roughly the early 70s, the math is a nudge: every relationship matters; every moment matters; how we make people feel matters. None of it is guaranteed. None of it should be taken for granted.
Marcus Aurelius put it plainly: “Stop whatever you are doing for a moment and ask yourself: Am I afraid of death because I won’t be able to do this anymore?”
That question always stops me. Would I be at peace if this were my last day doing this work, spending this time, or treating someone in this way?
So here’s my invitation...
Take Time to Pause
I believe between every stimulus and its response, every piece of information and our decision, there is space. A brief pause.Â
It is brief, but always enough time and room for our philosophy or interpretation to be inserted.Â
Within that space creates choice.
- Will we use it to think?
- Will we use it to examine?
- Will we use it to wait for more information?
- Will we use it to insert our own story, give into first impressions, harmful instincts, and old patterns?
 The pause is everything.
The pause before…
…jumping to conclusions.
…prejudging.
…assuming the worst.
…rushing to solve your child’s problems for them.
…forcing a problem into some kind of policy
…assigning blame
…taking offense
…turning away in fear
As a younger leader I struggled with my emotions. I would not say I am cured but 15 years of evaluative experience, yoga, better exercise and self care. Learning to create better relationship with myself and loved ones. I have participated in mastermind groups an...
