Don’t Miss the Milestone: The Power of the Pause

You know that moment when you're climbing a hill — maybe metaphorically, maybe literally — and you finally reach a bend where the view opens up?

You’re not at the summit yet, but suddenly you can see how far you’ve come.

It’s breathtaking.

It’s grounding.

And it’s motivating.

But only if you stop long enough to look.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how often we skip that pause.

We make progress — real, meaningful progress — but we breeze right past it in pursuit of the next goal, task, or to-do list demand.

Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s one-page report method, which I wrote about in last week’s newsletter, reminded me of something essential: Reflection isn’t just a nice habit…It’s fuel for a sustainable, purpose-filled life.

And part of that reflection?

Noticing and celebrating our wins — not just the big, shiny ones, but the quiet, steady ones too. I believe that, in the long run, the smaller ones, when added together, can have an even more profound impact than the bigger ones that are easy to see.

Why This Works

When we acknowledge our progress, our brains release dopamine — the “reward” neurochemical that boosts motivation and focus.

But this isn’t the fleeting dopamine hit we get from scrolling Instagram or eating a cupcake.

This kind of dopamine — the kind that comes from recognizing meaningful progress — builds real momentum.

It says to your soul:

✨ “This matters.”

✨ “You’re growing.”

✨ “Keep going.”

Neglecting that pause can leave us feeling stuck or disheartened — even when we’re actually gaining ground.

Stones of Remembrance

There’s a powerful moment in the book of Joshua that captures this truth.

After God led the Israelites safely across the Jordan River, He instructed them to gather twelve stones and set them up as a memorial.

Why?

“In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them…”(Joshua 4:6)

Tell them the story.

Tell them about the journey.

Tell them about God’s faithfulness.

Tell them about your progress.

The stones weren’t just symbolic. They were markers of identity, growth, and gratitude.

We need those too.

Whether it’s journaling a breakthrough, lighting a candle, off

ering a prayer, or sharing the moment with a friend — pausing to mark progress reconnects us to our why.

So… what’s your “stone of remembrance”?

Maybe you made peace with your reflection this morning.

Maybe you ate the holiday food — without the side dish of guilt.

Maybe you turned off the negative self-talk and tuned in to grace.

Maybe you showed up consistently even when you couldn’t see the progress you had hoped for.

Or perhaps, like me, you'll place a stone for some meaningful connections made recently.

That counts.

It all counts.

You don’t have to wait for a perfect ending to celebrate a powerful middle.

Pause. Acknowledge. Mark the moment.

You are becoming the person God already knows you are.

💬 I’d love to hear from you: What’s a recent win you could mark with a “stone of remembrance”?

Comment below or email me — I’d love to celebrate with you.

#growth #faithbasedcoaching #spiritualhealth #progressnotperfection #christiancoaching #bodyimagehealing #celebrateprogress