Practicing the Pause

An Invitation to Slow Down

Introduction by: Deena DuFour

At Chautauqua Wawasee, we are beginning a new series centered on a simple but powerful idea. Life is not meant to be rushed through. It is meant to be lived, noticed, and experienced.

Practicing the Pause invites us to slow our pace and pay attention to the moments we often move past without a second thought. The ordinary moments. The quiet spaces between responsibilities. The small experiences that, when we take time to notice them, reveal their deeper meaning.

Finding Balance in a Busy World

We live in a world that constantly competes for our attention. Schedules fill quickly. Screens demand focus. Notifications arrive without pause. Choosing to slow down can feel difficult, even uncomfortable. Yet it is often in those intentional pauses that clarity, peace, and connection begin to surface.

This initiative is not about stepping away from modern life. It is about finding balance within it. Practicing the Pause encourages us to be more mindful of how we spend our time and where we place our attention. It asks us to be fully present, even in the midst of busy days.

Reflections From Everyday Life

Over the coming months, members of the Chautauqua Wawasee marketing team will share personal reflections on what it means to practice the pause in everyday life. Each reflection will offer a different perspective shaped by lived experience, reminding us that there is no single right way to slow down.

Our First Reflection

We begin this series with a reflection from Karen Kroemer, who shares what practicing the pause looks like through a grandmother’s eyes. Her perspective centers on intentional listening, being fully present, and choosing where our focus rests in a world full of distractions.

Pause-

By Karen Kroemer

In a world filled with constant noise and endless distractions, pausing has become a spiritual and necessary discipline. Phone calls from unknown numbers, message alerts, emails, and social media notifications clamor for our attention. Yet we are not powerless. We can choose where our focus rests.

If an important call comes from an unfamiliar number, the caller can leave a message. Unless you are awaiting an urgent text or email, those notifications can wait. When we slow down and fully engage in the moment before us, we make space for peace. There is deep comfort in knowing we can choose what matters most.

Many of us turn to Facebook or Instagram to “catch up,” only to find ourselves lingering far longer than intended. Reels appear, minutes slip away, and suddenly precious time is gone. Pausing helps us reclaim those moments and refocus our hearts.

As a grandmother, I’ve come to treasure the sacred act of listening-truly listening. Looking someone in the eye, giving them our full attention, and being fully present are gifts we offer one another, especially to our grandchildren. When we model this kind of attentiveness, we reflect the love and care we hope to receive in return.

Take Control. You get to decide how you spend your time.

Our Second Reflection

Next in our series is a reflection from Kevin Miller, who explores the art of the pause in a fast-moving world. His perspective invites us to rethink our relationship with time, embrace stillness, and recognize the quiet moments that often hold the most meaning.

The Art of the Pause-

By Kevin Miller

There’s an age-old story of a pastor bragging to a colleague: “I don’t take vacations,” he declared, “because the Devil never takes a day off!” His friend looked at him thoughtfully and replied, “I don’t think you’re following the right role model.”

When it comes to hitting the pause button, whose example are you following?

Pausing is not only part of the story of creation, but seems to be how we, ourselves, are created. I caught myself typing “seems to be” here. After a moment of reflection (pausing), I decided that I intuitively resisted using the more definitive phrase, “IS how we are created,” because for years, I programmed myself to believe – like many others – that “pausing” is a weakness. After all, he who hesitates is lost, right?

There is a plethora of evidence that as technology has developed more rapidly, our patience has worn thin. In the days of “dial-up” internet, it took a minute (or so) to connect, and we were fine with it. Today, however, if we’re not connected instantly, we become frustrated. This is why I think pausing is an art. It is a necessary micro-vacation for not only your mind, but is also necessary for your soul.

And so I invite you to do the hard thing…look for opportunities to pause. How?

• Be present in the moment, and embrace the pause – It often happens unexpectedly. Maybe it’s sitting in traffic, or the internet goes out, or you’re enjoying technology-free time with your family. Recognize the opportunity.

• Embrace boredom – As I’ve aged, I’ve decided that boredom is highly underrated. Give yourself permission to allow time to slow down and be okay with staring out the window, or getting lost in the quiet.

• Realize that this particular moment is unique, and won’t be repeated – At the end of the day, it’s still the end of the day. Pause and be grateful for a text from a friend, or a moment with someone you love. Every moment is precious and unique.

We invite you to spend time with these reflections as they are shared here and on our Facebook page. Sometimes, even as adults, we need permission to slow down, breathe deeply, and look at the world with a sense of wonder once again.

As this series continues, we hope you will continue to pause right along with us.