The gift of pausing

August often feels like a month of great movement, especially here in the northern hemisphere. Between holidays, family gatherings and travel, it can be hard to find true moments of calm, even with the longer summer days. And while we tend to associate this season with joy and freedom, it also brings its own challenges: heat waves, changes to our routines, or the pressure to “make the most” of every moment. Even the times we set aside for rest often become filled with plans, commitments or unfinished tasks.

In the midst of it all, it is easy to think that mindfulness requires a special set-up: lighting a candle, sitting on a meditation cushion, or dedicating half an hour in complete silence. And while those practices can be valuable, mindfulness also lives in the ordinary. It is present in informal practices — simply paying attention to what we are doing in this very moment.

In the midst of all this activity and change, it is easy to believe that “real” mindfulness requires a proper set-up: lighting a candle, sitting on a meditation cushion, or dedicating half an hour in complete silence. And while these practices can be valuable, mindfulness also lives in the small, ordinary moments of our lives. Simply bringing awareness to what we are doing right now.

Pausing doesn’t have to be complicated

A pause can be as simple as noticing your breath, feeling the ground beneath your feet, or gently softening your shoulders. Even the briefest pause is, in itself, a practice.

Each time we pause, we open a little space, a breath between one activity and the next. In that space we might notice the body, our thoughts, or the world around us with fresh eyes. These small moments of awareness can bring calm and clarity, even in the midst of discomfort.

🌟 A simple practice

Here is a short practice you might try:

1. Stop for a moment and set aside what you’re doing.

2. Take one (or more) slow, conscious breaths.

3. Notice one thing around you that you hadn’t paid attention to before.

That’s it! One pause, one breath, one noticing.

As summer begins to turn into autumn, may we carry this reminder with us: mindfulness is not only about sitting in silence, but about living with awareness. Taking a pause, even for just a few seconds, is always within reach. Each pause is an opportunity to gently return to the present moment and open ourselves to what comes next. With practice, we may discover that these pauses are not interruptions at all, but nourishing moments that support us, whether we are in ease or in discomfort.

And as you move through these summer days, I’d like to leave you with three simple wishes, inspired by the practice of loving-kindness:

• May you be safe, or as safe as possible.

• May you be well.

• May you find ease, even in the midst of summer’s chaos.