Time Off

Beautiful grey darkness and likely rain today – cannot quite tell yet because of the dark. The temperature is 54 degrees fahrenheit. Today is Saturday.

Why take time away from our regular routines? It is sometimes hard because so much of life gets set in routines that keep a certain kind of "momentum" going so there is more ease in the day or week. Also, guilt surrounds the idea of taking time for oneself. Especially if children or elders or others rely on the routines. Worry about absence making things a little harder for them might delay a pause. But if you don't take the time to take time off, then things can get tense, routines become burdens, and others don't really get the benefit of someone who is ready, and capable of taking care of things that need attention.

It is like a muscle that constricts when the possibility of hurt comes along and there is nothing yet, but the anticipation is definitely there. There can be more damage in a constricted state than in a relaxed state. Ease, softness comes with rest and time off.

In social circles it is time to pause when you find yourself in situations where you become cautious with friends. Conditions in our world today create for individuals, new complexities. Is it safe to raise a question about something in the news with this friend? Will it cause judgment? Am I only capable of friendships with those who think just like me? Is this a relationship where trust is really there or, will this conversation lead to a rupture that could then lead to a break?

Here is where a pause might be a good thing to do. Go into silence for guidance on whether now is the time to engage or take a little time off. A pause is not a thing. It is, in fact, just allowing nothingness or a break from the known to enter and then, to see what might arise as "insight." Allowing yourself the benefit of another lens on life is something most are never encouraged to do. We are led to believe that routines, work, goals are the norm. And what about the having time to see things as they exist. As what is reality, not what is routine? What a shame to miss reality.

Pausing is how we might be able to re-set and see things that we miss because of the daily routines and preferences we have created for ourselves. How about taking time to engage in things that are not routine, not our preferred way of living, and not familiar? There are those who say that this can be a way to see things afresh. We realize that the unfamiliar actually sharpens our senses. For locals, the beautiful mountains are nothing to get excited about; but for a visitor - they can be breathtaking. And isn't that a great way to receive what the world has to offer?

That's one of the beautiful things about being a human. We can break things, even routines - and new discoveries can be found.