Every moment from the time we wake up until the time we go to sleep, we feel that we need to decide and choose.

What to say or do, even what to believe. We are convinced that what shapes our lives are the decisions we make. Most probably, many times you have heard yourself saying, “I need to take the right decision.” Let me give you another perspective that might be more important than the decision itself.

The pause. The power to pause, even for one breath.

Imagine a difficult conversation. An unexpected email. A disagreement. A disappointment. A moment of uncertainty. The instinct is often an immediate reaction. It can be to defend, explain, judge, or even assume…Those of you who have read The Method know that I believe awareness begins before action. It begins with observation.So next time, what if, before answering, we paused?

Just to notice.

To notice what is actually there. To notice what assumptions we are making and how the body feels, as it often knows before the mind does.

The moment we pause, attention changes and we give ourselves the chance to focus on what is present, not on what is wrong.

This is where choice becomes possible and actually conscious. A choice that comes from values instead of fear and from compassion instead of judgment. It doesn’t matter if the pause lasts only a few seconds. Yet those few seconds can completely change the direction of a conversation, a decision, a relationship, or even a life.

Give it a try….

The next time life asks something of you, will you react immediately? Or will you pause long enough to choose who answers?

With care, Niki Smirni