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The Art of the Pause – Tranquil Thursday #4

Maggie

A black and white photo of a solitary boat on a lake

I am back in Physical Therapy trying to strengthen my muscles before what appears to be an imminent knee replacement.

Of course this means a multitude of leg and hip exercises in repetitive sets. There is one aspect equally as important as the exercise, and that is the pause to rest between sets.

Exercise taxes the body. It is the rest cycle that allows the muscles to rest and helps reduce fatigue. During the rest period, toxins are flushed from the body while the lungs replenish our oxygen supply.

13, 14, 15 now rest, Maggie

As I walked to my car, I thought how important it is for us to pause and rest as part of our daily process. Often I rush and in my harried state, make mistakes, drop things, or find myself getting anxious and frustrated.

This morning I stopped to watch the geese fly, even though I didn’t have the time to do so. And I realized that not having the time to do something might be the very reason why I need to do it.
~ Craig D. Lounsbrough

My rest and recuperation periods need some fine tuning as I am sure is the case with many of us. A few years ago I scheduled an hour of meditation every morning, but that time has passed. I am better about resting now when I need a break. Sometimes a break or distraction is beneficial ‘just because’.

That distraction may be a massage, or listening to music, or reading a good book. It might be a stroll outside. I will even admit that  getting lost in the fictional world of some television show is just what the doctor ordered.

My questions today are:

  1. How often do you pause to rest or simply take in your surroundings?
  2. Is this pause a scheduled part of your day?
  3. Do you think taking time for ourselves is a matter of self-worth?
  4. What type of activity feeds your soul?
  5. And lastly, what have you done for yourself today?

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50 thoughts on “The Art of the Pause – Tranquil Thursday #4”

  1. I like to keep Tuesdays and Thursdays free of other jobs where possible. They are the two days I keep just for me.
    (Watching geese flying is always worth the pause.)
    Here are my answers, Maggie.
    1) All the time. When out walking I stand to watch the river flowing. Then I sit on a fallen tree and look at the tiny wildlife and plants that inhabit it. In the woods I pause to hear the sound of the wind in the trees above me. I do this every day, in all weathers.
    2) Only in the respect that it is when I take ollie out for his walks, so it is part of that whole.
    3) I think it is essential, for many reasons. It allows our brains to ‘reset’.
    4) Sitting by the sea, watching a river flow. Listening to the sounds of nature, whether that be birdsong, or the rustling of an unseen badger.
    5) I stood quietly watching through the window, looking at the activities of the tiny birds in the front hedges. They never seem to pause
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I c9mmend you for braving in and all weather, Pete. I know some of that is because of Ollie, but it has such good mental and physical benefits. Our birds rest in the trees, but you are right. Never for long.

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  2. I remember when I was working, I would take breaks to just walk around the office. Sometimes I’d talk to others, sometimes, I’d just take the long way to a more distant restroom. I always felt better when I returned to my desk. I guess we need to rest our brain as well.

    I hope the PT (and eventual surgery) goes well.

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    1. When I worked at BCBS, we built a new building. We had chimes that rang every hour on the half hour to remind everyone to get up and stretch and move around. Our cafeteria was on the first floor, so going to get a cup of coffee was always a mini-break.

      I am not necessarily looking forward to the surgery, but I do want to be prepared as much as possible beforehand.

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  3. All so accurate Maggie! Taking moments throughout the day seems to be almost impossible for some. I have no problem with it though! I try to walk everyday and that hour is my big moment to just look around, contemplate what I see, enjoy nature and renew while letting go of stress. I love being able to do that! It is frigidly cold today so my moment might be much shorter than usual 😉

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  4. Ha. Sometimes I think I rest too much, when I think I could-should-oughta be doing something that I’m not because I’m resting instead. For me it’s about finding a balance between the doing and being. And the allowing and self accepting regardless of what I’m doing—or NOT! Always a question worth considering. Thanks for asking!

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          4. Memories are pretty grand. I used to go to the Hungarian American club with my Dad when I was young and dance the polka all night long. What great memories.

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  6. The “art of the pause” – beautiful, Maggie. And I love the questions you pose. I need to be more intentional about pauses in the middle of the day. Thank you for the reminder!

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      1. Thank you, talk about Tranquil Thursday it was fraught Friday today I lost the post twice and I have been up and down at Ruby’s and Hubby’s beck and call all day…. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh! It is finally up now 💜🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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  9. I tend to sit at the computer for too long, so I plan times in my phone throughout the day to ring reminders for me to get up and take a break if I haven’t already done so. During the breaks, I’ll take a brief walk or just grab a snack…maybe surf the Net for a few minutes. Me time! I am very grateful I have no knee issues, and I wish you well as you continue to work on resolving yours.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I was shocked when the doctor gave me the diagnosis on my knees. In my head I am much younger than my bones show! Extended sitting is also bad for the knees. Movement is important for all of us.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. I love the art of the pause. It’s something I’m learning as I become elder. There is no point for rushing around, nor did I appreciate over-scheduling in my paid-work life.

    Getting out in nature is always my favorite pause. Regardless of how Eeyore-like my thoughts are, I’m always restored to some semblance of calm when I’m outside, enjoying whatever.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So much of life seems to demand over-scheduling, Lisa. I really try to keep time set aside for myself these days.

      My knee has hampered walking these hills, but I am working toward resolving those hurdles. I, too, love my time in nature.

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  13. I love the idea of a ‘pause’ to refresh. I find a good round of exercise refreshes my batteries. Heading to the pool, now. Have a great day!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I wish we had a pool. They are trying to build a new Y here, so that will be a great option if it comes to fruition. I hope you have a great swim.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I hope you get one. Our new one is big and all encompassing, almost too big. Be that as it may, I’m getting used to the size. I try to go 3x/wk for 20-30 minutes of vigorous water walking in the shallow ( and warmer) pool, followed by 10 minutes in the hot sauna. It’s invigorating and clears my mind, to your story point. Otherwise, just good ol’ outdoor walking, even in the cold temps, is good for that, too. I bet you have lots of great walking trails in your neck of the woods.

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        1. We do have great places to walk. Unfortunately it is all hills which my knee will not allow at the moment. Fingers crossed for the future.

          Liked by 1 person

  15. It amazes me how busy I can get even though I’m retired. Sometimes I need to lie down and decompress my back for 15 to 20 minutes, but yoga stretches can do in a pinch. Best wishes with your knee. Good job on the PT! I’m wondering if PT could prevent or delay the surgery. I just started taking glucosamine.

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    1. The PT does help immensely and strengthening the leg muscles does help. I also have a brace which offloads the stress on the knee. My doctor tells me I should do it now before I get any older. My physical Therapist gave me the name of a regenerative specialist, but I fear I am too far gone for it to help. I will do a consultation before I move forward with the surgery, however.

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