The term time out I know mostly from soccer games. It’s when the referee whistles and time stops until all the players are in a new position. In other words, time is stopped. Time stands still.
Wouldn’t it be nice to do just that once in a while? Especially during this time of the year, I notice that people are in a tremendous rush. Seldom, it seems, they take time to stop from hurrying around looking for presents, getting this special ingredient for the Christmas dinner, giving or going to parties, taking part in this or that activity. And by the way, the invitations and offers are countless. It’s so tempting to go with that flow of running around. It seems to me that people often want to make good for what they missed out on during the year. Now, all has to be done before the new year comes.
I believe it would be so helpful to have a referee blowing his whistle calling for people to take a time out! Stop, breathe, and think! Do I really have to bake all these cookies? Do I really need to buy all these presents for the grandkids, and all the other family and friends? Do I really have to accept all these invitations? Of course, I don’t have to! But wouldn’t it be nice? Of course, it would! However, at what price? Getting exhausted, getting stressed out? No, for me it is not worth it. As so often, less is more.
I have to be my own referee, whistle myself for a time out, stay home, relax with a nice cup of tea and maybe a good book, or just do nothing. I give myself daily timeouts by meditating for around 20 minutes, doing my yoga practice, or going for a walk in nature. All that keeps me calm, keeps me centered and gives me peace of mind and body.
This year, I decided to take a longer break over the New Year. Not partying, eating and drinking, and having so-called fun, but taking a time out by attending a Zoom meditation-yoga retreat. I am sure I will start the new year with more clarity about my goals, more confidence, and more happiness. As often during meditation, time truly seems to stop, and makes room for a timeless space where all these earthly thoughts and worries seem to vanish. What a relief! Thanks to the decision to take a Time Out!
Time out doesn’t need to be called meditation, just call it a break, a pause, give yourself a little breathing time. And it doesn’t have to be 20 minutes either. It can be as short as a few minutes or a few breaths long. Maybe in the middle of your shopping trip or Christmas card writing, you stop and take a deep breath – in and out a few times. That will help you come back to the present moment and allow time to remember what is relevant.
A short version of a meditation that I find helpful is the technic of Autogenic Training. I offer this course for free on my website:
https://www.corcoach.ch/autogenic-training/
Give yourself this Christmas gift! It’s a great way of practicing daily timeouts.