11/03/25
Normally, I’m either working from my home office or traveling for a speaking engagement.
This past Wednesday, I had a nice change of pace, and I took the train from my home in New Jersey to New York City to meet with someone.
As you would expect, everyone on the train was looking at their phones as they made their commute.
On the train from Secaucus to Penn Station, there was a point where we entered a tunnel and everyone lost service on their phones.
When I realized this, I thought to myself…
“How wonderful. The temptation to look at my phone is gone, and I can just sit here. I can let my mind rest.”
For the next few minutes, I just sat and breathed.
I didn’t try to get my phone to work…
I didn’t go into daydreaming about this or that…
I allow myself to be bored.
With my eyes open, I just looked at the seat in front of me, and I took long, deep breaths.
It was so peaceful, and it was exactly what my mind needed.
How often do we allow our minds to rest?
When you’re in a waiting room at the doctor’s office…
On the train commuting…
Or you have a few minutes to yourself between Zoom meetings…
Is the default move to grab your phone and seek out stimuli?
We all do it; it’s become the norm in our society.
But today, I’m offering you a challenge.
This week, when you have a moment like this where you normally grab your phone and start scrolling…
Pause.
Allow your mind to rest.
Just sit and breathe.
No agenda.
No grasping for the next thing.
Just…BE.
And while it may be uncomfortable initially…
You’ll soon come to realize the peace you can tap into when you’re not running from one thing to the next.
Rooting for you,
Jay (encouraging you to give your mind a break every now and then)