The Power of Pause: Becoming More by Doing Less [Hardcover]

Terry Hershey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2009

Terry Hershey, a popular author and retreat leader, understands that slowing down is difficult when you live in a fast-forward world. However, he also knows from personal experience that there is always a price to pay if we don’t regularly take time simply to pause—to cease activity, to treasure quiet time, and to discern the deep meaning of life’s little moments.

In The Power of Pause, Hershey uses powerful stories and meditations, inspiring quotes, and a specific call to action at the end of each chapter to help us understand the profound value of slowing down in our daily lives and taking time for the truly important things. Over the course of 52 brief chapters, we learn how to take back the life God always intended for us to have by letting go of the things that keep getting in our way.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Retreat leader and speaker Hershey offers his growing fan base of faithful Christ followers a smart, sensible and so practical primer on the power of pausing. Hershey (Soul Gardening) presents 52 nifty ways to hit the pause button no matter what the season of life. In an eight-part text in which sections are defined by the four seasons, each with an early and late aspect—readers will find themselves removed from the tyranny of the urgent and moved to a peaceful, reflective and deliberatively inactive place of reflection. Hershey, funny and honest about his own foibles, will have thoughtful readers resonating with his human struggles while gratefully accepting his kindly offered yet stern cautions on the dangers of the busy life. Well-written and issuing continual invitations to pay attention, live in a centered way and say yes to the moment, Hershey shows people how to pause and makes them want to do so. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Book Description

Discover the life-changing benefits of pushing the pause button in a fast-forward world.

Terry Hershey, popular speaker and frequent retreat leader, understands that life is busy and getting busier. However, he also knows from personal experience that there is always a price to pay if we don’t regularly take time simply to pause—to cease activity, to treasure quiet time, and to discern the deep meaning of life’s little moments.
In The Power of Pause, Hershey counters the cultural decree that says we cannot lead a fulfilling life unless we are constantly doing something and, at least metaphorically speaking, going somewhere. Through 52 short chapters—each filled with an inspiring quote, a powerful story/meditation, and a practical suggestion for applying the lesson to everyday life—we come to realize the profound value of stillness in our days and balance in our lives.
From overworked employees to overwhelmed parents, from ministry leaders to spiritual seekers, The Power of Pause encourages all of us to slow down, reconnect with what’s important, and take back the life we were always intended to have. In the end, we will become more only when we learn to do less.
 

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Loyola Press; First Edition, First edition (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0829428623
• ISBN-13: 978-0829428629
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,217 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Terry Hershey is a writer, inspirational speaker and founder of Hershey & Associates, an organization that provides resources on building balanced lives and healthy relationships. Terry is also a professional landscape designer who savors daily pauses in his personal garden behind his home on Vashon Island, Washington, where he lives with his wife and son. He is the author of ten books, including The Power of Pause: Becoming More by Doing Less (Loyola Press), Sacred Necessities (Ave Maria), and Soul Gardening: Cultivating the Good Life (Augsburg Fortress).

To read Terry, or to hear him on his audio book, The Power of Pause, is not just to gain information. It is an experience. And everywhere Terry speaks, the feedback is unanimous, "Terry Hershey was truly humorous and enlightening all in one. He gave us permission to be embraced by grace. He was truly a highlight of our year!"

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review: The Power of Pause, August 24, 2009

By 

Andrea Liston "Ed.D." (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Power of Pause: Becoming More by Doing Less (Hardcover)

The Power of Pause reinforces that Sabbath is something that we choose to live each day rather than perform one day each week! The book's "year-round" short chapters provide the reader with an awareness of God's grace and explicit simplicity in the ordinary but sometimes complicated and confusing events of life. End of the chapter reflections provide a "powerful pause" for the day, and an opportunity to reflect on how the reading resonates in one's soul. As a professor of Education at a Christian university, I find that Terry's writings can easily be used as an opening devotion for each class session. His storytelling style leaves both readers and listeners with a fresh (and sometimes humorous) look on the journey through life. This book is well worth the money to have as a professional resource. It's a golden nugget, for sure. I loved it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Experiencing" this book, January 4, 2010

By 

Kathy Cleveland Bull (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Power of Pause: Becoming More by Doing Less (Hardcover)

I sat down to read The Power of Pause. I had to read it, and I only had the weekend to do it. It was a task, something on my to-do list. I was interviewing Terry for a radio show (From the Inside Out) on Monday, so I felt "obligated" to read his book, in it's entirety, before the interview. Within 10 minutes of opening the book, something happened. Something shifted. The task became experience. I noticed myself slowing down, I noticed the warmth of the fire, the coziness of my couch and blanket, the slow ticking of the clock. I even noticed my breathing. The book it full of insights, inspirational moments, phrases to be savored. I hope you will give yourself the gift of reading this book - - even if it starts out as one more thing on your to-do list!
~ Kathy Cleveland Bull

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To "Pause" is to Empower Yourself, October 26, 2009

By 

Jan C. Pedroza (Southern California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Power of Pause: Becoming More by Doing Less (Hardcover)

The latest book by Terry Hershey is a must have. I have read it once, loaned it out twice and am now reading it again. I like the flow of the book - it is simple and not overpowering... I don't feel like I can't put it down and just pause to think of what I just read. It is in the simple reminders that Terry brings us back to the reality of who we are, why we are here and how we miss that in the busyness of life.... I love to Pause...