the power of the pause

Our lives are busy, overwhelmingly so.
We say yes to so many things.

We help our kids, we support our parents, we say yes to our friends, our work, and our phones. We fill our minds with endless to-do lists, goals, and plans. Even when we try to silence it all with “Do Not Disturb,” technology still finds a way to pull at our attention, sometimes even when we’re just trying to sleep.

When was the last time you truly paused?

I come from a family of “go-getters.” Always moving, always hustling, with very little time to stop, rest, or recover. I grew up hearing, “The harder you work, the luckier you get.” So we worked hard. We stayed at Mom’s store until every task was done, and when we left, more work came home with us. Of course, when that work was finished, there was always more waiting.

The truth is, the work is never done.

We can fill every waking moment with tasks. But if we never stop to enjoy the life we’re working so hard for, what’s the point?

Why the Pause Matters

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, underappreciated, burnt out, or just plain tired, here’s something you can try today:

Stop.
Close your eyes.
Ask yourself: “What will bring me JOY right now?”

TRUST your first answer.

That first thought is your TRUTH.

Maybe you can’t act on it fully at the moment: if joy looks like Disney World, you probably can’t hop on Space Mountain this afternoon. But, you can find a smaller version of that joy right now. Music. A movie. A memory. A step in that direction.

My Pause

For me, joy yesterday meant spending an extra 30 minutes with my son. He’s been wanting more time with me, and I felt called to slow down and give him my full attention.

We sat on the floor while his toy piano played music. He sang along to his favorite song, danced to “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” and leaned against me while we pressed the keys together.

That half hour shifted my entire day.

I went to the gym lighter.
I drove with a smile on my face.
I sat at my desk more inspired to serve.

All because I paused and chose joy.

Joy Brings Energy

When you pause and do something simply because it brings you joy, you create energy that no amount of coffee or hustle can replace. Even just a few minutes in a state of joy can reset your nervous system, renew your energy, and help you move forward with a clearer mind and a lighter heart.

So the next time you’re drained or overwhelmed, give yourself the freedom to pause. Trust that first thought. Follow it toward joy.

Joy is where momentum begins.