Recently, I came across a video of stunning fireworks in front of Mount Fuji. The email claimed these fireworks were meant for the 2020 Olympics opening ceremony, which was canceled due to the pandemic. Instead, Japan decided to share them with the world. It sounded like a great story, but something felt off to me. This feeling of doubt is what this article is all about: the importance of pausing.
A pause is when you stop temporarily to think things over, especially when you’re uncertain. In our fast-paced, internet-driven world, learning to pause is crucial. So, what made me pause about the fireworks video?
First, the email had been forwarded multiple times with no clear original source. Usually, Olympic videos have watermarks, but this one didn’t. The music was the William Tell Overture, which seemed odd for a Japanese event. The fireworks didn’t seem practical for a stadium, and there was no smoke. Plus, it was the kind of feel-good story that often goes viral. All these things made me stop and think.
1. **Notice the Impulse to Pause:** It might be a small doubt or question in your mind. Pay attention to it!
2. **Heed the Urge to Pause:** Before reacting, take a moment to think. Whether you’re excited, angry, or just curious, give yourself time to reflect.
3. **Deliberate During the Pause:** This can be quick or take longer, depending on the situation. For the fireworks, a quick Google search revealed it was a computer simulation from 2015.
4. **Decide What to Do After the Pause:** Based on your reflection, decide how to react. Maybe you’ll stay quiet instead of getting angry, or maybe you’ll still feel delighted.
Here are two fun examples where I paused:
First, I read that soap operas are called that because they were originally sponsored by soap companies. It seemed too good to be true, so I paused and found out it was indeed true!
Second, a tweet claimed that “eye of newt” from Shakespeare’s Macbeth was a code for a kitchen spice. It sounded cool, but I paused and couldn’t find any reliable sources to confirm it.
Pausing helps us avoid spreading misinformation or reacting impulsively. It’s not about being a buzzkill but about making sure our actions are thoughtful and informed. Pausing is like a superpower in modern life, giving us a chance to choose our reactions wisely.
Here are some tips for when to pause:
Pausing is especially important when something is emotionally powerful. Marketers and storytellers know how to use emotions to influence us. By pausing, we can decide if we want to let those emotions guide us.
In conclusion, learning to pause is a valuable skill. It helps us navigate the flood of information we encounter daily and make better decisions. So next time something catches your attention, remember to pause and think it through!
Think about a recent situation where you acted quickly without pausing. Write a short paragraph describing the situation and what made you act impulsively. Then, identify the impulse that you felt and discuss with a partner how pausing could have changed your reaction.
Find an online article or video that seems too good to be true. Work in pairs to verify the authenticity of the content by checking the source, looking for watermarks, and researching the claims. Share your findings with the class and discuss the importance of source verification.
In groups, create short skits that demonstrate the four steps of a good pause in action. Each group will present their skit to the class, showing how noticing, heeding, deliberating, and deciding can lead to better outcomes in everyday situations.
Keep a journal for a week where you record moments when you felt a strong emotional reaction. Note whether you paused before reacting and what the outcome was. Reflect on how pausing might have changed your response and share your insights in a class discussion.
Write a short story where the main character encounters a situation that requires them to pause. Use the four steps of a good pause to guide the character’s decision-making process. Share your story with the class and discuss how pausing influenced the character’s actions and the story’s outcome.
Pause – To stop briefly before continuing, especially to think carefully about something. – Before answering the complex question, she took a moment to pause and consider her response.
Think – To use one’s mind to consider or reason about something. – Scientists think critically to solve problems and develop new theories.
Misinformation – False or inaccurate information that is spread, regardless of intent to deceive. – It’s important to verify facts to avoid spreading misinformation in scientific discussions.
Emotions – Strong feelings derived from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others. – Emotions can sometimes cloud our judgment, making it essential to think critically.
Source – A place, person, or thing from which something originates or can be obtained. – When researching, it’s crucial to use a reliable source to ensure the accuracy of the information.
React – To respond or behave in a particular way in response to something. – In science, it’s important to react to new data by adjusting hypotheses and experiments accordingly.
Decisions – Choices made after considering different possibilities and outcomes. – Making informed decisions requires analyzing all available information critically.
Reflect – To think deeply or carefully about something. – After conducting an experiment, scientists reflect on the results to understand their implications.
Doubt – A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. – Doubt can be a healthy part of critical thinking, prompting further investigation and questioning.
Information – Facts or details that tell you something about a situation, person, event, etc. – Gathering accurate information is the first step in conducting a scientific study.
