As published in Brainz Magazine.
It has been said that “life is a game”. The are many quotes that include these words and there is a synchronicity however they are all individual.
For example:
Life is a game, play it.
Mother Teresa
Life is a game. Happy people are the players. Unhappy people are the spectators. Which would you like to be?
Ernie J Zelinski
I’d like to explore the times we choose to ‘pause the game’. To unpick our reasons and excuses around feeling the need to simply pause, stop or freeze time.
When you think about pausing the game of life, what comes up for you?
Later you can discover 5 tips on how to identify when and why you are pausing your game, but first I wanted to share the inspiration for this article.
One of my grandchildren is an only child and her games involve great imagination. When she is in the middle of one of her games and there is an interruption from her parents, she says “Pause the game”. The game stops. She listens to what is being asked of her or suggested to her and then when the conversation is finished – it’s “game on”. She understands the complexity of being totally committed to one activity and like most children has the ability to seamlessly shift from one focus to another.
This made me think – how often do we simply ‘pause the game’? Call a halt. Step back into safety.
If we had paused the game in days gone by we would never have invented the wheel, explored our amazing planet, or ventured into the mysteries of space or the deepest of oceans. To explore, discover and create.
Recently I had a shoulder injury. I had to ‘pause the game’ to compensate for injury and pain, however, it did not stop me. I didn’t stop the game. I paused just long enough to work out a plan. Keeping up the momentum. Planning to deal with change. Planning to get the result I wanted and needed.
Have we become so insular that we cannot connect freely even online?
On Zoom calls – people have become accustomed to muting or shutting down the video stream to show a still portrait pic or a picture of a tropical island.
Dis-engaging. Why?
For what purpose?
What do you gain?
Anonymity?
Safety?
Freedom?
Do we feel the need to ‘pause the game’ so we can stay safely within our own space and not be noticed? Being noticed is a big fear for people as it (perception) involves judgement and sometimes criticism.
When we watch something on TV we are used to hitting the ‘pause’ button so we can do something more urgent, more important, something that requires our attention immediately. Maybe just to refill the wine glass, get a cold drink or that urgently needed treat.
We are used to manipulating our engagement with each other and outside sources.
Is this good? Is this bad? Is this productive? Is this now a habit?
When things get too hard we hit the pause button and say “Well, I’ll get back to that later. When the time is right. The planets are aligned. When I don’t have to wash my socks. When…”
Sometimes we must pause the game, but often it is an excuse.
Notice when you do this. Notice why you do this.
Then look at ways you can re-join the game and be engaged and productive. If you need to ‘pause the game’ and take a well-earned break then do that with full commitment to doing what is best for you. Maybe you are simply engaging in a different more relaxing game.
If you notice you are wanting to ‘pause the game’ more often then think about what’s behind that. Your game needs to change completely.
Global events often create the need to ‘pause the game’ to allow for realignment of politics with regard to trade and a myriad of political issues, recovery after a disaster, or to re-assess how we are operating as a planet. The decision to ‘pause the game’ is often thrust upon us.
What does ‘pause’ mean?
The Dictionary says: Pause – suspension, hiatus, stop, rest, wait, breather, break in proceedings.
What does it mean to you?
5 tips to identify when and why you are pausing your game:
- You are feeling overwhelmed by life and just need to stop and regroup. Your autopilot setting says to push through and you will work it out, however, you have already paused the game and are struggling through each day.
- You hit a roadblock in your business or private life, and it seems insurmountable. Pausing the game is a way of managing a crisis.
- You have been impacted by ill health or injury, and this has affected your ability to function as you would like to but you haven’t been able to put a new plan in place.
- You want to step away from a meeting or group situation where you feel you are not equipped to participate or simply too exhausted to participate and you are concerned about judgement around this. Your own and others.
- You need to create space for new ideas and strategies which will have a positive influence on your future and also others. Pausing the game here to really consider possibilities is OK as long as you see it for what it is.
What meaning does ‘pausing the game’ have for you and how will it change the way you think about taking a break?
I would welcome your questions or feedback.
