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I'm so paused.I'm not sure if that even makes sense but it sounds right. For the past few weeks, I've been off the grid. No newsletters. No posts. Just silence. Why? My mother-in-law passed away. And in order to grieve, to support my husband, and to show up for his family, I pressed pause. And at first, it felt strange. we treat stillness like a malfunctionWe live in a world that worships productivity. If you're not doing something, making something, documenting something, it's like you've disappeared. There's this gnawing feeling that if you stop moving, everything will crumble around you. The revelation that changed everything for me: stepping away isn't abandonment of purpose but honouring the natural rhythm that sustains all living things the necessary inhale before the exhale. It's wisdom. It's necessary. And, paradoxically, it's one of the most powerful things you can do for your brain. what the ancients knew (and we forgot)The Stoics had a word: ataraxia. It means a lucid state of calm, free from anxiety. The idea wasn't to chase happiness or grind endlessly but to cultivate a kind of mental stillness, an unshakeable inner peace. Blaise Pascal (the mathematician-turned-philosopher) once said, "All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone." Turns out, he was onto something. Research shows that when we allow ourselves to PAUSE........ we access deeper levels of creativity, clarity, and resilience. We reset. We process. We grow. here's what nobody tells youPausing feels uncomfortable at first. If you're used to running on adrenaline, stillness can feel like withdrawal. Your brain will itch for distractions. You'll feel guilty. You'll wonder if you're falling behind. Do it anyway. The pause isn't the enemy. The pause is where everything integrates. It's the space where healing happens, ideas form, and perspective sharpens. The world won't stop spinning if you step back. But when you return, you'll be clearer, sharper, and more aligned than before. what to do nowThis week, I invite you to turn your curiosity inward. When you notice that impulse to fill every quiet moment with noise, with tasks, with distraction - pause and listen to what it's trying to tell you. Then, give yourself permission to do something that feels almost forbidden in our busy world: simply be. Find a comfortable spot. Let your gaze soften. Breathe deeply. Release the weight of constant doing. In that sacred stillness, you might discover the very thing your soul has been whispering for: the clarity, the peace, or the answer that couldn't reach you through all the noise. I'm learning this journey alongside you. When we make space for pause, we make space for healing. Until next time, embrace the quiet moments. They're speaking to you. Be gentle with yourself, and remember: sometimes the most profound notes are written in silence. Your friend, Lisa Marie ***** Love this email? Forward this to a friend so they can get in on the action and sign up below
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The Hook
You won’t believe what happened next." Five words that hook you instantly. The Hook is your weekly guide to storytelling that captivates, persuades, and sells. Sign up to master the art of irresistible writing.
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