When I was frustrated and upset in the moment as a kid, my grandma would say count to 10. Concentrating on the 1, 2 ,3 helped calm the thoughts and circumstances and help me refocus. In today's world where we seem "connected" almost 24/7, it is hard to step back and take a breath or even start counting before the next distraction. As adults, we are often stretched to limits of managing and balancing our time with multiple demands and stressors. We want to take good care of ourselves and be present to effectively nurture our relationships with others and God. How do we achieve this balance amid stress from daily responsibilities? Caroline Oakes, spiritual director and author of 'Practice the Pause' invites readers to explore how brain science research supports pausing to find balance and essentially rewire the brain. Active, intentional contemplative meditation and prayer can effectively calm the fight or flight response. Oakes looks more closely at how Jesus embraced these strategies of meditation and solitary prayer to be more connected to God and others. We can use these strategies to become more available to ourselves, God, and others. And as Oakes explains, sometimes it may only take a 7-second pause. If you are interested in learning more strategies, please join our discussion of this book.

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