Stopped Or Paused

Lovely Day

Coffee in hand, Spotify playlist on blast with my morning motivation song by Bill Withers, Lovely Day. I’m cruising through the streets of Kannapolis, as I’ve now perfected the 8 min and 45 seconds to the highway.  After then, it’s a straight 45 min mini concert all the way to Thomasville, NC.

Stop vs Pause

I’m on auto pilot, as this is my routine for the last six months until this random Tuesday. I was mid sip, when I saw flashing lights ahead. It’s a one lane each way kind of road, so any lights ahead, mean I’m going to be prevented from driving through. In that moment, I take my foot off the gas. I am trying to assess whether it's a full stop type situation, or one where they’ll let me pass through. I spend several seconds trying to determine the next best course of action to avoid a delay. It's a flurry of thoughts like, "Should I turn here or should I take my chances and hope they’ll let me through?  It’s a neighborhood street with houses, so Is everyone ok?" I was a full 30 seconds into my mental chatter when I realized that the lights turned off and then the school bus came into view. The silliness I felt from the range of emotions I went through in those seconds gave me some good insight that I’ll share with you now. Lights may mean to slow down, take notice and assess before you actDon’t abandon the route, because of the unknownIn uncertainty, mind the chatter! It’s not your friendMy impulse was stop, but in reality, it was a just a pause (Stop vs Pause)Does your pause feel like a full stop?  Do you need a safe space, just to say "I don't know"?  I leave space on my calendar for 20 minute check-ins each week. Never underestimate the power of a 20 minute reset.   20 Minute check-in (open door)Leaving you with Peace and Blessings, Kimblyn