Hi y’all,
Lines of poetry or song lyrics can carry us through life.
This song lyric is one of my favorites:
There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.
- Leonard Cohen
I know this line in the very soul of my very being.
For years, I have posted this quote on my whiteboard at work as a reminder of its grounding significance. The quote also inspires me to notice and photograph the cracks of imperfection in my walkabouts in nature. They are tangible reminders to embrace the beauty of being imperfect.
Seeking and noticing a "crack in everything" helps me slow down to be still and be present.
Mindful stillness also helps me embrace the beauty of being imperfect. And the three-breath pause is a simple way to practice stillness when you are overwhelmed, stressed, or burnt out.
You just need a moment.
Mindful stillness doesn’t have to mean doing nothing. It can mean doing one small thing with your full attention.
Most working tech professionals, especially women I know, are constantly moving but not arriving. The problem is the more we rush, the further we drift from what matters: our peace, our people, ourselves.
Here's one simple practice to help pivot back to the stillness of calm in the present moment.
#1. Take 3 Conscious Breaths
Set a timer once a day to stop and take three slow, intentional breaths.
That’s it. Why? Because your nervous system needs a signal that it’s safe to slow down. A few deep breaths can shift your body out of fight-or-flight mode and into a calm, grounded state.
#2. Anchor It to a Home Moment
Link this pause to something you already do: brushing your teeth, walking in the door, or turning off your laptop.
One common mistake? Waiting for the “right time” to slow down. It doesn't come. Instead, choose a moment that already happens and make it your cue for stillness.
#3. Let It Be Imperfect
You don’t need a candle, a yoga mat, or a quiet room.
You just need a breath. Sometimes your toddler will interrupt. Sometimes your brain will wander. That’s normal. Stillness isn’t about total silence. It’s about presence. Even a messy presence counts.
Allow yourself to embrace the beauty of imperfection.
That's it.
Here’s what we covered: A micro-mindfulness practice to try this week: Breathe. Pause. Begin again.
Take 3 slow, conscious breaths once a day.
Anchor this pause to something you already do, like brushing your teeth, shutting your laptop, or walking through the door.
Let it be imperfect. Your toddler might interrupt. Your thoughts might wander. That’s okay. Stillness isn’t silence. It’s presence.
Notice the “cracks in everything.” Embrace the beauty of being imperfect.
Start today. One moment. Three breaths. Real stillness.
Remember, take what you like and leave the rest.
Thanks for listening. I appreciate you being part of the journey.
Have a mindful week, and we’ll see you next time. Thanks.
Denise
I'm a former nun who, at midlife, pivoted to corporate life with zero business experience and became an award-winning program manager. I want to help you find stillness in the ball pit bouncy house of life.
Mindfulness begins with tiny steps toward being present. You can start micro-mindfulness right now without adding one more thing to your calendar. Join my newsletter, and I will share simple micro-mindfulness tips every week that you can start today.
In my book Burn Without Burning Out: 7 Micro-Mindfulness Habits for Clear Thinking, Decisive Action, and Recovery from Burnout, I share other skills I learned as a nun. Grab your copy today.
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