I have reached a point in my life when I want to pause and be still without the need to be doing something or attending to some sort of to do list. I want to be quiet and listen for that still small voice inside me to speak and let me know what it is wanting me to hear at this time. What is the wisdom I need right now? What is it that I want to share with others? I still want to live fully in my life. I am not slowing down per se, I just feel the need to take some time out for self reflection.

Have you ever brewed a cup of coffee using a French press coffee maker? The coffee grounds are put in the pot, then hot water is poured over them, next a screened plunger is placed into the pot just to the top of the waterline. After that you wait for the coffee to brew and bring out the flavours and rich aroma of the coffee grounds. That time of waiting is like a sacred pause. You wait quietly and patiently for all the experiences of life to create an enriched knowing. Eventually the plunger is pushed down to the top of the grounds and gently the clear liquid is poured out into a cup.

There is lots inside me that is brewing and bringing forth the wisdom of my years of experience. After the sacred pause it is knowing the perfect time to push the plunger down to the top of the grounds so you can savour what remains. For me, the hot water represents the difficult challenges that I have faced in my life. Without the challenges life is bland and has no flavour. It is just a bunch of grounds sitting in a pot dry and uninteresting.

My Life can be very quiet and still at times especially now that I am retired. Sometimes I need to stir things up so I can appreciate what I have . Other times I need to review what I have just been through and be grateful to still be here. Like having a fresh cup of brewed coffee.

I have friends who never think about their age or how many years they have left on this earth. They are still working without any thought of stopping any time soon. They see no need to. Their life is all about getting things done and having lots of new experiences, meeting new people and travelling around the city exploring and embracing what life has to offer and most importantly being grateful for it all.

I am glad to be retired now with lots of time on my hands to spend contemplating and writing. It is a great time to be alive and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. It is also a good time to be very grateful for all I have and all I am given each and every day to enjoy what this world has to offer.

I confess I do not own a television or watch any news channels. I am only just aware of the headlines that bring attention now and again to what is happening in the world. It is a choice I have made to remain peaceful and calm not to ignore the hardship of others rather to live in gratitude and bring light and love into the world. We have enough pain. I don’t need to feel it or contribute to it to know that it is there. Compassion is what is required and kindness.

So I take a Sacred Pause to be still and offer the light, love and kindness that is mine to share each and every day. May you also have peace in your heart and thoughts of generosity in your mind.

What has bubbled to the top of my mind today is this:

• I appreciate what it means to grow older and live in a body that is slowly breaking down.

• I am grateful for it all and no longer take anything for granted.

• I have no regrets only lessons learned.

• I have gifts I was given when I was born and have grown up learning to use them for the betterment of others whenever possible.

• I am given opportunities to expand my awareness and broaden my perspective with every choice I make.

• My world view is limited by my own social and cultural understanding based on where I live and though I may not fully understand or be able to relate to those from other geographical locations and cultures I am always open to learning.

• I have learned that life is what you make of it and how you brew the grounds you have been given to work with.

• I drink in each day and enjoy it to the fullest as if it is my last so I don’t miss one moment of pleasure and when things get hot I embrace the pain.

So dear readers Savour life and take time for a sacred pause every now and then. You never know what may bubble up for you. I would love to hear about your sacred pauses.