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Sharon

It’s a funny word that rolls uneasily off the tip of the tongue…hiatus…hīˈādəs. Yet, once mastered, it is a delight to pronounce.

The dictionary offers this definition: a temporary pause, break, or interruption in an activity or a sequence. Other synonyms include gap, interval, discontinuity, recess, vacation. 

Hiatus is not unlike lying fallow. The googled definition: “To lie fallow means to leave arable land unplanted for a season or more to restore its fertility and disrupt past cycles. Metaphorically, it refers to ideas, talents, or projects that are temporarily inactive, resting, or held back to allow for future growth and regeneration.”

In this Act III of my life I am developing a deeper appreciation for hiatus and its sister notion lying fallow. This practice is leading me into times of being as counterpoint to doing, discerning rather than analyzing, watching and waiting rather than reactively acting, contemplating rather than scrutinizing, ripening rather than forcing self-imposed deadlines. It invites me to an honoring of all the seasons of my life.

I’m living my way into a new rhythm that honors hiatus. In the process I’m discovering the practice of hiatus offers much more than pronunciation difficulties. It gives life to worry-weary people making their way through tumultuous times.

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Comments

5 responses to “BLOG hiatus”

  1. Emily Passino

    Regeneration, not stagnancy. Respite, not avoidance. Intermission, not abandonment. Generating energy, not just treading water.

    I’m so appreciative of the way you consider how words themselves can offer insights into how we can understand our experiences and intentions.

    You reference Act III, and as a sister traveler along this arc of life, these thoughts certainly resonate. And yet, they also call to mind hectic younger days when taking a pause seemed neglectful- “we must carry on”- yet when we listened to our heart these pauses could be restorative.

    So fallow periods, hiatuses, don’t need to wait until we “deserve” them. Even taking a nap, a siesta, can be a small step toward finding our way.

    One more image comes to mind- the way lifeguards enforce “rest periods” for children at swimming pools. It is for these few minutes you see adults, no longer on guard themselves, jumping into the water and maybe swimming vigorously or maybe just floating.

    Thank you for this beautiful reminder.

    Reply
  2. Sara J Chaney

    Dear Sharon,
    I appreciate that even the pots are on hiatus. They are not empty pots, or discarded pots. They are cleaned, stacked, and ready to be used again after a time, if needed. Your photography speaks, as always. I like the act iii concept as well, a dénouement, if you will. Thank you for continuing to inspire in your gentle, steadfast way. .. in these troubled times. I am on hiatus. I shall lean into this.
    As always, best to you,
    Sara

    Reply
  3. Ann Walling

    Fallow! What a wonderful word. While soil lies fallow, everything that gives life and abundance is happening beneath the surface.

    Reply
  4. Leah Popp

    Or as Ovid said, “Take rest. A field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.”

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  5. Howard

    Sharon, I’m so grateful this was a time of hiatus, not a time of illness for you or Charles. I was beginning to get worried. Then, along came the fragment gatherer reflecting upon hiatus, because that had been what she was up to. Should have guessed. Teaching herself and others, once more, about the importance of spirit refreshment and strengthening.

    Hiatus–most interesting word, particularly when reflecting upon the words you used to describe it–lying fallow and all that can mean. But, for me, the one that grabbed my attention the most was “discontinuity.” It caused other words and phrases to immediately pop into my mind–breaking in, changing course, rediscovering an old path not tread sufficiently in recent days and now seen as the right path for a time.

    How about hiatus as a refueling, restoring, restocking, regathering time? And, on and on we could go. It is all so theological and biblical. Thank you for stirring the fire–now that is another good description of hiatus, is it not?

    Must also mention how, once again, your photography enhanced your reflections.

    So good to have the fragment gatherer back!

    Howard

    Reply

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