Hello again, friends! So glad to be back from my ‘pause.’ I’d like to get more intentional about this subject here. This particular pause was, not unlike the Covid pandemic pause, a ‘pushed’ pause--------in other words, I was pushed into it, without much choice. And yes; sometimes we need this, particularly in our fast-paced, constantly busy present American society; we don’t often create our own intentional and purposeful pauses.

What is a PAUSE?

It is a temporary stop in action or speech.

It can be purposeful or not (what I call a forced or pushed pause).

I often say that when the Universe wants you to pause, stop or take a break, it’s worth listening to------but alas, most of us don’t, me included. So, the Universe creates another way for you to pause or stop and ponder, this time a bit tougher. Let’s say you get sick and don’t pause; then, the Universe might make you even sicker so that you have no choice but to stop. This is what happened to me, more than once, I’m almost embarrassed to say.

In my case, it’s about my joints. I’ve had numerous joint replacements, due to osteoarthritis. I was a dancer, gymnast and dentist so, physically these problems are somewhat explicable. But the frequency and severity of the issues (necessity for surgery) made them impossible to ignore. A couple of weeks ago, I had my second knee replacement. (Thank God there are only two knees). This was my 4th major surgery in the span of 10 years (and hopefully, the last..).

It took me a while but I have, finally, understood and learned to listen to this wonderful body of mine, this temple that protects my soul. Its signals tell me when it’s time to stop, sit still, perhaps reconsider and reroute paths taken, both personally and professionally. Even with all the financial, business and personal concerns involved in pausing, I have learned to let go…………I now take the time needed to pause my life as I’ve been living it, sit still and reevaluate.

These ‘pushed’ pauses often occur as a hint (a big one) that we have to listen to our body’s sensations, intuitions and impulses, to start understanding where life is trying to take us. We must learn to stop fighting ourselves, even if what we’re being shown or told is different than what our conscious mind wants (or thinks it wants). You can’t fool the body. It knows first, before the conscious mind, what’s desired and needed by your soul and spirit. Sickness or dis-ease can be taken as a signal to: pause, reimagine and replace your ‘old’ way of living for a new, unique, freer, happier and better way for you. We are often taught to let our conscious, rational mind try to control us but this doesn’t work in the long run.

Personally, my joint discomfort and the onset of Covid, caused me to have a big ‘pushed’ pause. There was no choice. I live and work in NYC and we were forced inside. As a dentist and practice owner, I couldn’t work and I wasn’t sure where this career would be going. Truth be told, I had done this work for 37 years and though I liked it and really liked my patients, I knew that there was other work that I wanted to do, as a healer and creative. I wanted to continue as a life coach NYC, hypnotist and speaker and develop my abilities (and portfolio) as a painter and as a writer.

So, I listened to the ADVICE that I had often given to others:

1)take the PAUSE. Stop. Center. Calm. Let your body, spirit and mind relax, wander, imagine, create and dream what your best and most successful life (your unique version) could look like. And so I did. My body was hurting, my hands were arthritic and aching. For the first time in my life, I let myself go. I did things that gave me joy: painting, writing, learning, developing my new online lifecoachNYC/hypnosis practice, etc. These activities that give me joy and allow me to be ‘in the flow’ also give my mind and body pause. In this way, I could let myself ‘feel’ the hints, impulses and sensations in my body, giving me the intuitive hits or gut hunches needed to either continue life as is or to change it in a more appropriate and fulfilling direction.

2)LISTEN (and FEEL) to my body, which had been aching for years, including my hands, so necessary for work as a clinical dentist. I saw my orthopedic Dr, who told me that it may be time to stop. I also spoke to my financial advisor, who knew what I’d have to do, financially. After doing this conscious mind homework, I then let myself sit and dream about my future: what I wanted it to look like, where, etc. I pictured myself working—but more in the field of coaching, speaking, writing and regarding mindset change and transformation, including trauma-informed work. I wanted to paint and eventually, sell some of my work. I wanted to write…..I wanted to continue to be of service; just in a less physical, more communication oriented way. I imagined myself spending winters in a Mediterranean environment, conducive to painting, writing and social life (South of France and Tel-Aviv come to mind).

3)Make the DECISION, after doing the research (inner and outer; conscious and subconscious; right and left brain). This is the hard part; actually making the decision. After gathering all the necessary information, just sit with it, meditate, whatever………and see how it feels in your heart and gut.

4)Take ACTION. I had decided that my 37-year career as a clinical dentist and assistant professor was over and I had to sell my practice and then, renew my website, ideas and orientation in my coaching/hypnosis online business. I contacted dental friends and one put me in contact with a lovely and capable colleague, who bought my practice. I wanted my patients to feel comfortable and continue with good oral care. This business/sales is the part few of us like to do but, you just gotta do it. And learn to like it. And I have and I do. Then, it was time to focus more on my new business. I specified to mindset coaching (trauma-informed) and created programs for both mindset coaching and hypnosis.

I started writing weekly blogs, to give value and information to my clients and others who want to know HOW to make changes to their mindset (the neural pathways in their brain and the neuroscience, psychology and epigenetics behind it).  I have become an Executive Contributor at Brainz online magazine. I am a multipassionate person and love to learn. I took new business courses having to do with online business (quite different than the business side of dentistry).

I have taken online art courses (incredibly fair priced) and have learned new painting techniques. I am loving my new life and lifestyle……….and I haven’t even returned to one of my other passions yet---travel. Life is good!

The PURPOSEFUL PAUSE:

There is no doubt that taking a pause, on purpose, is a much better idea than getting (metaphorically) banged on the head with illness, etc. It is a great step to decide to take a bit of time to get out of your habitual environment and events and to sit still, clear your mind and heart and let your imagination and creativity fly and go wild! The ideas and things that come up will surprise, astound and amaze you. Who says, with this new online business, that I can’t travel and/or live abroad for some time each winter? Or that I can’t take that painting, cooking course in Italy while coaching clients? The world is more accessible now; there are so many possibilities: to work in different places, in differing ways and to have new and different life/work experiences? Coming from the baby boomer generation, I find it so exciting that now, folks have so many options: staying single or in partnership, having kids or not, working from home or not (if possible), and so many more variations of personal and professional living.

If you haven’t yet made it vital (it is) to take your intentional pause, then, at least listen when the ‘pushed pause’ comes along…….. and it will, if your life is not presently in alignment with your soul’s purpose, passions and priorities.

For Americans, pause is a bit of a ‘foreign’ concept. In other countries, pauses are mandated (4-6 week vacations, trainings, maternity/paternity leave, etc.). Folks are able to take some time and space to become, or return to, who they really, authentically are. This only helps society. If every individual is in alignment with his/her soul and what he/she is born to do, then the world will certainly be a happier and more peaceful place.

I’d like to point out that, in some situations, it’s about money but, even with finances as an issue, we must pause, even just to take stock of our situation and to, perhaps, change it as needed.

Sign up for your FREE Discovery session @www.gigiarnaud.com or DM me at the social media links below, so that we can ‘Pause’ and discuss where you are and where you want to be…….and start creating a plan to get there…………….

So many options, so many possibilities, so much potential for abundance and joy; it’s time to go for it!

With smiles and love,

Dr Gigi