Magical Pause: The Art of Bending Time

Does it feel like time is speeding up?

So much is happening and coming to critical mass all at once. It isn’t enough to only attend to our private affairs. We are living in a world on fire with extreme weather, global warfare, and social chaos. Keeping up with current events and staying on top of personal responsibilities can be stressful. 

Humans need to feel safe. 

Life dynamics in the current Age of Information dramatically outpace what was experienced during the Age of Industry less than a century ago. 24/7 high-speed communication systems provide definite technological advantages. But they also generate detrimental side effects, including an impulsive need for immediate gratification, a short attention span, and an addiction to stimulation. Boring has become a four-letter word.

According to research, however, boring can be a good thing. Like white noise, it quiets the mind and tunes out distractions. Humans need to feel safe before they can fall asleep. Boredom helps the brain register a sense of safety. When the instinct to survive is not triggered, brainpower can freely flow into a dream state and upper regions of cognitive processing.  

Life lessons raise conscious awareness.

 We need to be at our personal best when life challenges our humanity and our wits. That’s asking a lot, considering it is in these moments that we are most vulnerable to mindless thinking and making choices we may live to regret. Such junctures afford life lessons that raise conscious awareness. They teach us the need to be comfortable with ambiguity, the value of patience, and the skill of mental flexibility. Being at ease with ambiguity is an act of acceptance, humility, and willingness to look at things differently. A larger picture will eventually unfold with a fresh outlook.   

The virtue of patience.

Being tossed into the unknown can be unpleasant. We experience emotional ups and downs when we don’t have answers or know what is happening. During these rocky times, it helps to realize our fears can be unfounded and misleading. Not knowing makes our head spin, offsetting a sense of equilibrium. If we don’t fight it or act out of fear, we’ll have a chance to listen to our intuition and shift to sharper perception. Herein lies the virtue of patience. 

Have you ever had times when your body shuts down and forces you to take a break? 

At first, I’ll fret about all the things that need to be done or figured out, ruing all the valuable time lost while under the weather. After wearing myself out even more, I finally surrender and allow all my energy to go toward healing. Paradoxically, these hallow periods are remarkably productive. Creativity simmers on the back burner when the brain is in sleep mode. When I feel better, I discover my mind has cleared and is bubbling with insights. 

Hit the pause button.

Time is relative. It can seem to stand still as well as speed up. We may not be able to make time stop or go backward, but we can slow it down when we feel stressed out. 

I’ve learned to step back and hit the pause button when tempted to obsess about worst-case scenarios. Fatalistic thoughts dwell in a no-go zone where fear and melodrama warp perception. A few deep breaths stop my mind and heart from racing. Instead of running in circles and getting nowhere fast, I slow down and take a time out until the dust settles. We may not have control over a situation, but knowing we can control how we react to it is empowering. 

Magical pauses create space to unwind and regroup.

I use my time wisely during a magical pause. It is the still point in the eye of the storm of whatever is overwhelming me. Instead of worrying, I divert my attention to household chores and hobbies. Cleaning and cooking give immediate gratification and a much-needed sense of order amid chaos. Reading relaxes nerves and lengthens attention span. Gardening and nature walks soothe the soul. Remembering to take magical pauses creates space to regroup and see more clearly. They help life look brighter and feel more doable. 

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to bend time or a wizard to conjure magical pauses.

Each one of us is capable of optimizing time. All it takes is self-awareness, intention, and trust in the process. It is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves to thrive while managing a world on fire.