I want to help you lower your stress levels, stay in the present moment, and enjoy the life you work so hard to build.
I got to see Jack Kornfield on Sunday in LA and was instantly reminded of everything good this practice does for you. Just pausing and getting quiet with like-minded people settles your body, quiets the mind, and opens the heart.
When you pause, open your heart, and take a deep, long breath, you create space inside. That space is magic. The more long breaths you take, the deeper it grows. And it's that space that lets your intuition tap in, so you can respond wisely to whatever comes your way.
THE PROBLEM
Most workdays, we don't leave any room for that. An email lands, opposing counsel calls, someone needs an answer right now, and you respond before you've even taken a breath. Then 20 minutes later, you think of what you wish you'd said (or wish you hadn't).
We're trained to have the answer fast, and to back it up. So when something feels off, we reread the email six times or spiral about it. Your intuition may have been trying to tell you something the whole time, but you were moving too fast to hear it.
WHY THIS WORKS
Intuition needs space to grow, and the pause gives it that space. When you stop and breathe, your mind gets quieter. Then you can notice what comes forward and respond wisely, instead of simply reacting.
Intuition also gets stronger the more you use it. The more you practice pausing, taking a breath, and creating that space, the more you'll notice your intuition and be able to rely on it.
THREE THINGS TO TRY THIS WEEK
1. Take the Second Breath. Before you answer the email, the call, or the person standing in your doorway, take one long, deep breath: a long inhale down to the bottom of your lungs, then a longer exhale out your mouth (like you're slowly exhaling through a straw). Then take another. The first breath gets you to stop, and the second starts to create the space. You may also notice a little softening. That's your parasympathetic nervous system switching on and slowing you down!
2. Count On Your Intuition Once a Day. Pick one small decision today, like which task to start with or how to word a hard sentence. Pause, put a hand on your heart if you can, and silently ask, "What's the wise response here?" Go with what comes forward, then notice how it turns out.
3. What You Water Daily Grows. Once a day, look for one good thing and name it. Then do one small kindness, or silently send someone love. Opposing counsel counts (and earns extra credit).
THE TAKEAWAY
A pause of a few seconds can interrupt the spiraling and help you re-engage with life in a productive way, connect with others, and respond the way you want to.
What you water daily grows. What you focus on grows. So water your positivity. Look for the good, practice kindness, stay in the light, and send love to others.
And keep taking those pauses. Your wisest response just needs a little space to show up.
THIS WEEK’S RECESS
Pick the one person or situation that usually gets your fastest reaction. Each time it comes up this week, take three long, slow breaths before you respond. Then notice what comes forward once you've given it some space.
Hit reply and share: who or what gets your fastest, gut-level reaction? One or two words is plenty. (Opposing counsel? Your inbox? Your teenager? Today's election?) I read every reply, and it stays between us.