Pausing

I have been taking a pause from a lot of things lately. I took a pause from this blog, my daily practice of drawing in my sketchbook and time spent painting in my studio. I sometimes felt guilty! Good grief, huh?

When I was sketching at the MN Landscape Arboretum I felt connected to a wood bench. I saw it as my metaphor for my pause. So I leave you today with sketch and this poem by Rachael O’Meara about “Pause.” I hope that it reminds you for taking time “off”, whether a few minutes on a park bench or in some other way.

P A U S E

Stop.

Breathe.

Be.

Repeat.

P A U S E

Stop.

Breathe.

Be.

Repeat.

P A U S E

Stop.

Breathe.

Be.

Repeat.

P A U S E

Why are you here?

Don’t answer that.

Just Pause.

Rest.

Create space to slow down and be present.

Listen Deeply.

To your own self.

Not your outside voice. 

Your Inside Voice.

The one you know but sometimes is

Drowned out by clamor of life.

Pause.

Remember this feeling.

The ability to do nothing and not want to do anything is powerful.

Just do nothing.

Right now

And Pause.