I celebrate my 50th birthday this year. Half a century of life—what a milestone.
As I reflect on this season, I don’t feel called to prove, perform, or plan my way into the next decade. Instead, I feel called to pause. To savor. To be fully here, in this breath, in this body, in this moment.
This is the gift of a Power Pause—the practice of slowing down long enough to return to the present. It’s not about stepping away from ambition or growth; it’s about grounding yourself in the “here and now,” so your next steps flow from clarity, not pressure.
Why Presence Matters
Spiritual teacher Ram Dass captured this so well:
“Be here now.”
His teachings revealed that presence is not only a spiritual practice, but also a doorway into greater freedom and compassion. Decades later, neuroscience affirms his insight: when we anchor ourselves in the present moment, we reduce stress, regulate our emotions more effectively, and strengthen our resilience (Dass, 1971/2010).
Yet for many of us—especially high-achievers—the present moment feels elusive. We are conditioned to chase the next promotion, solve the next problem, or plan for the next season. In the process, we lose the joy of now.
But here’s the truth: the only place we can experience life is right here. The past has already gone. The future isn’t guaranteed. This breath, this heartbeat, this moment—that’s where love, clarity, and meaning live.
My Milestone Reflection
As a Latina leader who once believed love and belonging had to be earned through perfection and performance, I know how easy it is to miss life while chasing it. I’ve worked hard, crossed oceans, and proven myself in boardrooms. But turning 50 reminds me that the best moments of my life were the ones I actually slowed down to feel—the laughter with my son, the quiet prayers whispered in hard seasons, the courage to choose alignment over approval.
That’s why I created the Power Pause Activation Guide—a simple, science-backed tool to help you practice presence in your own life. It’s not about adding another task to your list. It’s about giving yourself permission to breathe, notice, and realign—so you don’t miss the beauty that’s already here.
A Practice for You
This week, as I prepare to celebrate, I invite you to try one activation from the guide:
- Pause your pace. Take three slow, intentional breaths.
- Anchor your awareness. Notice one detail around you that you’ve been overlooking—a color, a sound, a texture.
- Offer gratitude. Whisper a quiet thank you—for this breath, this moment, this life.
It may feel simple, but these micro-moments shift everything. They return you to yourself. They remind you that joy, peace, and clarity aren’t waiting in some future milestone—they are already here.
Closing
My birthday wish this year is not just for me—it’s for us. May we pause more often. May we choose presence over performance. May we rediscover the beauty of being alive, right here, right now.
Because when we live in the present, we don’t just prepare for the future—we transform it. To go deeper, download your free guide here. Once you do, let’s have a conversation about how coaching might help you further. Book a time here.