281: The Power of Pause: Reflections on Loss and Renewal
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281: The Power of Pause: Reflections on Loss and Renewal
I recently returned to Work from the Inside Out after taking a significant pause, one that wasn’t planned but deeply needed. In late June, I lost my father. While it wasn’t a complete surprise, it was somewhat unexpected at the time, and it shook something deep within me. I needed space to breathe, to grieve, and to begin seeing life through a different lens. My dad was woven into the fabric of my everyday thoughts. And while he’s still with me in so many ways, it’s not the same.
During this pause, I learned something powerful: stepping away isn’t the same as stopping. In fact, it opened me up in ways I couldn’t have imagined. By releasing the pressure to “keep up,” I found room to reflect, rest, and notice the quiet lessons that grief offers. There’s something grounding and comforting about allowing emotions to ebb and flow, and show up in their own ways rather than trying to anticipate or predict them.
As I reflected on my own journey, I found myself thinking about several Work from the Inside Out guests who have faced profound turning points in their lives. Michael O’Brien, who rebuilt his life after a devastating accident; Luis Velasquez, who reinvented himself after surviving a brain tumor; and Jenny Lisk, who found purpose and healing after the loss of her husband. Each of them showed me that even in trauma and heartbreak, there are opportunities for renewal.
Their stories helped me see that pauses, chosen or forced, are part of the rhythm of a meaningful life. They allow us to listen, recalibrate, and step back into the world with a new perspective. My father lived with curiosity, insights and joy. And as I move forward, I want to carry those qualities into my work, my relationships, and how I show up here with you.
If you’re in a moment of pause right now, I hope you give yourself permission to embrace it. It’s not wasted time. It’s fertile ground for what comes next. Sometimes, the stillness itself is where the next chapter launches.
In this week’s Work From The Inside Out podcast, learn more about:
Why I chose to take a pause and what it taught me
How loss can reveal new layers of gratitude and insight
The unexpected gifts that come with slowing down
The resilience and reinvention of past guests Michael O’Brien, Luis Velasquez, and Jenny Lisk
How honoring life’s pauses can help you live and work with more meaning
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About Tammy, host of
Work from the inside out
Prior to establishing her practice, Tammy held a variety of positions in mental health services, higher education administration, public policy analysis and fundraising. Her practical knowledge and experience in organizational development, program management and business operations builds a relatable relationship with clients striving for higher performance results.