It was a cold South African morning, during their winter season, and we were at a lodge that was located in the heart of the Sabi Sands game preserve. This area is named after the Sand River. Winter is their dry season, and as such, there were several places where the river had dried up and all that was left was this long bed of river sand. And this is where our story today begins, in that patch of dried up River, in the sand.
We came across this lioness and her three three month old cubs all laying in the sand, soaking up the heat that it provided. I really can't overestimate the cuteness factor here. There is truly something magical about cubs.
As we were observing this small pride, our guide began to tell us the story this little family. These little cubs had already had a rough start in life. First of all, as small cubs, they are particularly vulnerable to other predators. They were also under threat from other male lions. Often, when a new male comes into the territory, he will kill all the cubs (which are not his). Very recently some new male lions had been pushing into this territory, so they were under threat. And to top it all off, the young cubs had come down with a case of mange.. which is a disease often picked up from hoofed animals, and which can be life threatening to a young animal whose immune system is easily overwhelmed. The risk of starvation is very real. In fact, very few cubs actually make it into adulthood. All of these problems were very real worries. And yet, here this little pride lay, in the middle of an open patch of dried up riverbed, exposed to the very real dangers and problems.
Now listen, lions sleep... a lot! And I understand the wisdom of this mother using the suns rays which were heating up the sand combined with the sands nature of holding such heat to help keep her cubs warm on this crisp cold morning. It all seems very practical. And yet, in the midst of all this practicality... one of the little female cubs does this.... (see photo below)
She lifts her head to the sun, and closes her eyes in what looked to be sheer enjoyment of the moment. Her circumstances hadn't changed. The hard of aspects of her life were not going away, but in that little moment, she was just enjoying where she was. She was enjoying the warmth of the sun hitting her face. She was enjoying the closeness of her mother and siblings. She was enjoying the warmth of the sand beneath her. I like to think that she was even testing and enjoying
the freshness of the air on this crisp clear morning. She was "Practicing the Pause" -- enjoying everything about that particular moment. Feeling the goodness of that moment, in spite of the trouble still lurking for her and around her, and being grateful for it (as much as a lion can be grateful).
It's a good life lesson, this practicing of pausing and finding the joy in a moment. It's not always easy to do, and I very often forget to do it. It's really easy for me to get swept up in the natural drama of life, to worry about the next step, to become so busy that I tell myself that I don't have time to pause because stuff has to get done. And yet, when I don't make time to pause, I find that I become less... less peaceful, less grateful, less kind, just overall less. And by not taking a moment to pause, and really enjoy the place that I am at, I miss out on some of the small but meaningful good moments in my life.
I wrote a few weeks ago about my mom's cancer struggle, and about abundant living in spite of trouble. And I think the key to abundant life is this practice of pausing, and enjoying, small moments. Life passes so quickly and people (myself included) often buy into the belief that they do not have time to pause. And yet studies have shown that the biggest regrets people have at the end of their life are rooted in the lack of taking the time to pause and enjoy the moment. You can't get time back, once it's gone, it's gone. And I don't want to rush through life, moving from moment to moment, next step to next step, only to discover that although I may have accomplished a lot, I have no joy in those accomplishments because I never took the time to pause and appreciate the moment.
The truth of my life, and yours, is that there are big changes on the horizon. And while I am trying my best to prepare and plan for these changes, I am also trying to be conscious of the everyday moments. I am trying to keep one foot in the present while getting ready to take the next step. So what does this look like? How am I practicing the pause?
My moms illness means that I will have to say goodbye to her on this earth sooner than I want-- but my focus for now is pausing, and enjoying the time I have with her right now, in this moment-- instead of focusing on what will come (BTW-- it will be just a goodbye for now, I know that I will see her again one day in heaven). I am enjoying every meal, every talk, every hug. And I am grateful for it all.
My son is now an Airman in the Air Force. He is growing up and maturing. He is getting ready to start his adult life. And I am enjoying it with him. I am celebrating his accomplishments, enjoying our conversations, cherishing every hug, loving every meal, and cheering him on from the sidelines. I am grateful for it all.
My husband and I have a little more free time together now. He travels a lot for work, and so I am joining him when I can. I am enjoying our evening meals together, meals where we can eat slowly and talk at length. Taking time to pause and appreciate some of what we have accomplished (with God's help) so far in life. Taking pleasure in knowing that we still have great love and respect for each other. I am grateful for it all.
Spending time with friends laughing and eating, and just sharing in all that is life. Most of us are at the stage where our children are , if not grown, at least older, and we are enjoying the freedom this brings for more spontaneous gatherings. Playing lawn games, eating good food, and laughing together. Pausing for a few hours to spend life-building, uplifting, encouraging, and fun time together. I am grateful for it all.
I am making time to enjoy my gardens, reading, practicing photography, and learning new skills. Pausing several times during the day to quickly and quietly pray. Challenging myself to try new things, travel to new places. meet new people, and to take time to pause several times a day-- especially on those days that seem ordinary--- to reflect on whatever I am doing at the moment and to be grateful for it all.
This practice of pausing doesn't change the fact that life happens. It doesn't change the fact that some things in life are hard. And it doesn't negate the need for planning and hard work. It just helps me to live life with more gratitude, more purpose, more enjoyment, and more peace. An abundant life contains moments of action and moments for pause. You need both. We often plan for the action moments, but we are often neglectful about making time and intentionally pausing. But don't just take my word about the importance of pausing and reflecting, here's what the Bible says about worry, pausing, and reflection:
"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it a sense of God's wholeness will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious -- the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies." Philippians 4:6-9 the message
My challenge to myself and to you is to practice the pause and see the difference it makes. Be like this little cub who, in spite of everything going on and the dangers she still faced, took the time to enjoy something as simple as the sun warming her face. I promise you a life where you practice pausing and enjoying the moment is infinitely more fulfilling. I'll leave you with a few more photos of this little pride. Have a good day!
