Pause

Kevin Cashman’s The Pause Principle points to the importance of finding ways to break from activity in order to gain a broader perspective. I’m thrilled by how closely his concept of “pause” aligns with my intention of creating space for leaders, teams and their organizations. Pause is an essential ingredient for creating space; in fact, it’s the starting point. I love getting inquiries about coaching, facilitation and training because each one signals a pause. Behind each inquiry is someone who has taken a step back to reflect on what might be different, on how they could improve or even create a new reality. And it’s only those who have the courage and discipline to remain in the pause, to resist demands and distractions that threaten to pull them back to the daily grind, that begin creating space for themselves and for others.

Two weeks ago we gave birth to our first child, Charles Clay Larson. An unexpected gift has been the instinctual pause that his birth creates for our family. Once urgent tasks pale in comparison to the importance of simply being present to him. Holding him, the world stands still. In this extended pause, I’ve re-discovered my most fundamental purpose in life: to love and to nurture. And I find myself wondering, what does this renewed clarity of purpose mean for the rest of my relationships – personal and professional? How can I grow my capacity to love and nurture everyone I encounter, regardless of those ever-present demands and distractions? This is just one power of pause: to create space for clarity of purpose and renewed intention and energy for living out that purpose. When did you last take a pause? Was it a fleeting break, or were you able to remain in the pause long enough to experience its full blessing? It took a major event to evoke a significant pause in my own life. Many people can relate, whether the activating event is the birth of a child, the loss of a loved one, an injury or illness. Do you really want to wait until you’re forced to pause to experience the power of pause? Or might you have the courage and discipline to pause simply because you realize that you need to create space for yourself and for others? My gift to you is this invitation.