How many times have I thought that if I’d only paused for a moment, I wouldn’t have had to apologize! When I am agitated or doubtful, I often react using behaviors that do not serve me well. Sometimes I prepare for a situation that I expect may be anxiety-provoking with prayer and affirmations. Instead of rehearsing what I will say, anticipating how the encounter will go, worrying about how it could go while imagining how I will come out on top, I can push the pause button. I can breathe in and see my fear is at the bottom of my tiresome planning ritual. Hitting the pause button brings me back to the present from the future.
When I pause, I can turn my mind towards accepting that I do not control the outcome. My expectations of how the encounter will go are almost never reflective of the eventual reality. My anxious anticipation drains my energy, fogs my focus and is otherwise a waste of time! Once I remember that I am child of God and whatever the outcome, I will be OK, I can let go of my hopes and expectations and relax into faith that all is well. All IS well. Actually ALL of the time all is well when I stay in the present moment and forgo trying to control the future.