How to stay true to yourself by taking grounded micro-pauses
A pause is a simple thing, but I am a great believer in the power of simple actions done consistently. In fact this is the basis behind the “Power of 5” practices in my book 10 Steps to Happiness. In five minutes you can give your power away, or claim it, usually depending on whether you automatically react to life or consciously respond to it. Taking a pause can help you shift into the presence of mind to purposefully choose to think and act in a way that honours your true self.
A simple pause is helpful, but a conscious pause is powerful, and in this post I am going to show you how to do that, complete with a demo video. A conscious pause can help you to:
- interrupt automatic patterns of behaviour that no longer serve you
- overcome fear
- switch out of stress mode and think more flexibly, creatively and rationally
- reset yourself
- become aware of things that get lost in the noise of rushing and busy-ness
- gain clarity about the best path or choice for you
- tune into your intuition and deeper wisdom
- acknowledge your own needs and desires
- live with intention
Here’s how to do it:
Written summary of the Power Pause Practice:
- Place your feet flat on the floor and bring your awareness to your feet and to grounding your energy into the earth
- Place your hands on your body and sense into what your body needs right now
- Breath with the 4, 7, 8 breath pattern: inhale for the count of 4, pause the breath for the count of 7, exhale for the count of 8
- Ask yourself the following reflection or focus questions:
What do I need?
What do I want?
If I truly loved myself what would I do?
If you try this process I would love to hear any feedback you have about it in the comments below. Your feedback and questions help me to provide posts and practices that give you the answers and solutions you are wanting.
Aroha nui, much love
Janine
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