Cup of Inspiration

Today, September 21^st, is Pause the World Day. Today is the day to find some time to tune out the noise in life. Turn off the computer, turn off the TV, silence the cellphone, and sit outside to listen to a calming breeze. Instead of listening to loud crowds and piped in music at the coffee shop, listen to some singing birds while enjoying a cup of coffee on your patio.

Life gets very busy. We have responsibilities at work and home that never seem to stop. It can be all too easy to continue running from one meeting to another, then running out the door to swing by the store on the way to the next event. The world tells us that accomplishment is about cramming as many things in your day as possible, building up retirement savings, saving for that house, and working for that next promotion at work. Just grab an extra cup of coffee in the afternoon to give you that jolt you need to make it through that next item on your calendar.

There is nothing wrong with staying busy. It is great to feel a sense of purpose in your day and ending it knowing you were able to click off items from that to-do list. However, it is very important not to forget along the way the reason for your staying busy. Are you working hard to build up relationships, or working to build up a bank account? Are you saving for your child’s college fund, but still remembering to also spend time with your child in the present? Are you working hard to save up for that house, but still treasuring time with your loved ones while living in your apartment?

Today, we celebrate the chance to take a pause. Take a breath. Enjoy that second cup of coffee before rushing to the office. Turn off the TV and listen to the sounds of nature. Instead of staring at a computer screen, take a little time to stare up at the sky. Use those precious moments to reflect on why you work so hard. Appreciate what you have in the here and now.

It is good to work hard, plan, and achieve goals. However, it is all meaningless if we forget why we are doing these things. Don’t let your loved ones only remember you as the one that always had to stay late in the office. Don’t pave the way for a future full of regrets for not enjoying time with friends and family. Don’t work yourself so hard that all you can do is collapse at the end of the day, only to repeat the process all over again the next morning.

Take a pause, enjoy the peace, and rejuvenate. Your renewed self will be more productive, but also more appreciative of the simple things in life which have no price tag.