The Power of Pause

Spring has officially arrived and so has the rain that comes with it. The old saying “April showers bring May flowers” feels like it’s taking a little longer this year. And that’s okay because we’ll blink and it will be summer. I love the warmth, the sunshine, and the positive shift summer brings to how people are feeling. It’s been a long winter in Toronto where I (and possibly you) live, and I think we’re ready for some sunshine.

On the note of blinking and missing important moments, I bring you my latest speaking topic: the Power of Pausing. I delivered a new keynote presentation on this topic to a group last week and I was fascinated with their response.

Audience members shared that they know that pausing is an important concept but it’s something that we all seem to forget in the moment. I agree with this. As someone who relies on practices like breathwork, mindfulness and meditation to intentionally pause, I constantly see my mind caught in the minutia of daily life.

People often share on their deathbed that they wish they enjoyed the little things more and that they slowed down to truly smell the roses. If we all know this, then why don’t we do it more? Because it’s hard. Being in the present moment is a simple concept but it’s not easy. And yet, the moments where we truly feel seen, heard and connected to someone else are the moments we value most. You know that feeling when someone looks into your eyes and their heart is open to receive what you’re giving them? Or when you feel someone’s heart talking directly to yours? It’s something we all desire and we don’t have to meditate on a mountain top to get there.

A simple way that I like to practice coming into the present moment, is by taking a moment to pause. You can do this now. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Set your intention by saying to yourself, “I’m here now, I’m here now.” Truly sense yourself here now while you say this. Take another deep breath. Blink your eyes back open. That’s it. You can do this again and again until it becomes a new pattern for you.

It’s your intention that’s so powerful in this exercise. Each time you set your intention to come back, you’re breaking an old pattern. You can try this when you catch yourself disengaging from a conversation with someone, mindlessly checking your phone, or when you’re lost in a thought bubble. Pause, take a breath and come back. It’s a simple and powerful way to return to what truly matters: the here and the now. Let me know how this lands for you after you’ve tried it. I’d love to know.

-Dena

Community Updates:

Thank you so much to everyone who joined for the Self Help Me Live event last month where I had the chance to share the new talk: The Power of Pause.

And many thanks to the team at Obesity Matters for the Wellness Community Leader Award Nomination I received at the Your Health Matter Summit. I will be joining Obesity Matters as their guest speaker at their upcoming OM Wellness Workshop on Wednesday, May 13^th at 12pm EST. This virtual event is open to the public and you can register here: https://obesity-matters.com/events/om-wellness-workshops/

I’m now booking speaking events for summer/fall 2026. To inquire about having me speak at your next event, you can learn more here: https://www.selfhelpme.ca/book-dena

Our latest episode of the Self Help Me Podcast is available here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2XEyK48sufbPDSiWV4yJVB?si=ba744468760c4bc7.

Reiki Clients: We now have a web page designed specifically for Reiki bookings and you can find that here: https://www.selfhelpme.ca/reiki 

As always, you can find me on social media @denatalks and @selfhelpmeinc