“You’re up next.”

That’s what the sound guy said Monday night at The Rockpile – a live music venue in Etobicoke.

I felt a rush of excitement and reminded myself of the promise I’d made before stepping on stage: Slow down. Enjoy this.

After all, we’d spent ten weeks practicing.

Our band, “The Lucky Sevens” – Bill, John, Michael, Ken, Nikki, Wendy and me – had put in the work. We sounded great in rehearsal.

Then the music started.

And before I knew it, it was over.

Not because it went badly – our friends and family loved it!

But because it went fast.

I was so focused on remembering lyrics, watching cues, and getting everything right that I almost missed the experience I’d been looking forward to.

It reminded me how often we do that in life.

We rush through workouts waiting for the results.

We rush through meals thinking about what’s next.
We’re physically present but mentally somewhere else.

One of the greatest skills we can develop for our health isn’t doing more.

It’s pausing long enough to experience what we’re already doing.

Because life isn’t just happening in the milestones. It’s happening in the moments.

Here’s a perfect example.

People spend endless hours debating what to eat.

Should I eat potatoes? Do I need more protein? Is keto better than paleo?

Meanwhile, they’re eating over the kitchen sink, in the car, or while scrolling on their phone.

We’ve been taught to focus on what we eat. But sometimes the bigger opportunity is how we eat.

When we slow down, our body has time to recognize fullness. We enjoy our food more. We often need less to feel satisfied.

And perhaps most importantly, we reconnect with the experience itself.

The same lesson applies to walking, exercising, conversations, and even aging.

Sometimes the healthiest thing we can do is stop rushing through our lives.

This week, look for one opportunity to practice the power of the pause.

Before your next meal, take one breath.

Before your next meeting, take one breath.

Before the first tee shot, the workout, the family dinner, or the sunset, take one breath.

Because the moments we’re trying so hard to get through are often the moments we’re meant to enjoy.

Play on,

Your friend and coach,

Jan xox

Helping women 50+ design lives where health happens naturally. Not someday, but today.