The Great Pause: Blessings & Wisdom from COVID-19

I drew great comfort and inspiration from this book. In it I saw that so many of my experiences and reactions in response to the pandemic are shared by others. Drawing from a diverse cross-section of society, this compilation is a personal look at the place of Covid-19 in each of the writers’ lives. Personal stories are interwoven with overarching themes of resilience, new connections, grief, appreciation for slower schedules, financial fears, family adjustments, racial justice, and the place of humor in a pandemic. The book’s framework explores what Covid-19 has done FOR us, not TO us. In the midst of all the upheaval and unknowns, the authors inspire the readers to wonder with them, “what future do we dare dream of?” This book was like a warm, non-social-distanced hug with each other authors offering their hearts, personal stories, and encouragement. I highly recommend this timely read!

I liked reading about all of the different author's perspectives. It goes to show how framing something so terrible like with the global pandemic and Black Lives Matter, how much reflection and good can come from these troubling times. I enjoyed how varied and the diversity of thought and backgrounds. People from all different walks of life coming together for a project like this is beautiful.

Uplifting, empowering, encouraging and spiritually fulfilling! Who knew Covid19 could be a blessing? The Great Pause offers a collaborative and worthy effort that enlightens and dares us to deep soul search. True authentic connections from authors of all walks of life, each with their own perspective. We are reminded that each of us is a gift and what we do with that gift to impact our lives and more importantly the lives of those around us. It’s time to take a “pause” and be hopeful in humanity. A well written book to be read again and again!

Each chapter is written by a different author. It is refreshing to learn, or be reminded that this does NOT need to be a time of great personal and collective depression. Rather, each author shares their strategies for uplift. We need some reminders and road maps. Thank you.

Beautiful words shared by beautiful humans from all perspectives and life stages. I found wisdom, joy, comfort and love in these pages. It was like a big comforting hug. This is the kind of book you can read over and over and get something more from it each time. It makes a great gift for someone who is struggling or even just for anyone you love.

In the times we are living in, it is refreshing to read these stories. It is a reminder that we are all in this together, and although we all live different lives, we are all being affected in one way or another by this pandemic.

Thank you to all of you beautiful authors for sharing your stories with us. You bring a feeling of hope, love, inspiration and connection during a very difficult time on our planet. May many others be inspired by your words and experiences. And may everyone who reads this book also find the beautiful gems that have come from having a take a "pause" and be a beacon of light in the darkness. 🙏

This book gives very personal accounts as well as inspirational insight into the many highs and lows of Covid 19 to real people in a very real way. We are all experiencing this Pandemic together, no matter our color, age, country, state, etc. However, it has impacted all of us in many different ways. One thing is clear in all of these accounts-these 25 authors walked away with hope and a better sense of who they are because of it. Some spiritual awakenings, and others who were forced to look inside themselves and find their inner strength. Definitely a must read for those people who feel hopeless right now. You are not alone, and you too can find your own peace, whatever that may look like, even in the wake of a world pandemic.

Loved reading the different perspectives adding light during this time of transition. Definitely a good read... get this book.

Thank you to the authors who share the many real and open experiences that make this book exactly what should be. The honesty is overwhelming and indeed helps us to look inside ourselves to find a positive drive forward. At the very time when we need it most, we have an opportunity to reflect, examine and question or observe, understand and believe in ourselves. This book gives us a starting point for vulnerability and growth by showing us others who have allowed themselves to be vulnerable so we may learn from their examples. Whether directly or indirectly related to COVID, we can choose to benefit from this Great Pause.

I drew great comfort and inspiration from this book. In it I saw that so many of my experiences and reactions in response to the pandemic are shared by others. Drawing from a diverse cross-section of society, this compilation is a personal look at the place of Covid-19 in each of the writers’ lives. Personal stories are interwoven with overarching themes of resilience, new connections, grief, appreciation for slower schedules, financial fears, family adjustments, racial justice, and the place of humor in a pandemic. The book’s framework explores what Covid-19 has done FOR us, not TO us. In the midst of all the upheaval and unknowns, the authors inspire the readers to wonder with them, “what future do we dare dream of?” This book was like a warm, non-social-distanced hug with each other authors offering their hearts, personal stories, and encouragement. I highly recommend this timely read!

I liked reading about all of the different author's perspectives. It goes to show how framing something so terrible like with the global pandemic and Black Lives Matter, how much reflection and good can come from these troubling times. I enjoyed how varied and the diversity of thought and backgrounds. People from all different walks of life coming together for a project like this is beautiful.

Uplifting, empowering, encouraging and spiritually fulfilling! Who knew Covid19 could be a blessing? The Great Pause offers a collaborative and worthy effort that enlightens and dares us to deep soul search. True authentic connections from authors of all walks of life, each with their own perspective. We are reminded that each of us is a gift and what we do with that gift to impact our lives and more importantly the lives of those around us. It’s time to take a “pause” and be hopeful in humanity. A well written book to be read again and again!

Each chapter is written by a different author. It is refreshing to learn, or be reminded that this does NOT need to be a time of great personal and collective depression. Rather, each author shares their strategies for uplift. We need some reminders and road maps. Thank you.

Beautiful words shared by beautiful humans from all perspectives and life stages. I found wisdom, joy, comfort and love in these pages. It was like a big comforting hug. This is the kind of book you can read over and over and get something more from it each time. It makes a great gift for someone who is struggling or even just for anyone you love.

In the times we are living in, it is refreshing to read these stories. It is a reminder that we are all in this together, and although we all live different lives, we are all being affected in one way or another by this pandemic.

Thank you to all of you beautiful authors for sharing your stories with us. You bring a feeling of hope, love, inspiration and connection during a very difficult time on our planet. May many others be inspired by your words and experiences. And may everyone who reads this book also find the beautiful gems that have come from having a take a "pause" and be a beacon of light in the darkness. 🙏

This book gives very personal accounts as well as inspirational insight into the many highs and lows of Covid 19 to real people in a very real way. We are all experiencing this Pandemic together, no matter our color, age, country, state, etc. However, it has impacted all of us in many different ways. One thing is clear in all of these accounts-these 25 authors walked away with hope and a better sense of who they are because of it. Some spiritual awakenings, and others who were forced to look inside themselves and find their inner strength. Definitely a must read for those people who feel hopeless right now. You are not alone, and you too can find your own peace, whatever that may look like, even in the wake of a world pandemic.

Loved reading the different perspectives adding light during this time of transition. Definitely a good read... get this book.

Thank you to the authors who share the many real and open experiences that make this book exactly what should be. The honesty is overwhelming and indeed helps us to look inside ourselves to find a positive drive forward. At the very time when we need it most, we have an opportunity to reflect, examine and question or observe, understand and believe in ourselves. This book gives us a starting point for vulnerability and growth by showing us others who have allowed themselves to be vulnerable so we may learn from their examples. Whether directly or indirectly related to COVID, we can choose to benefit from this Great Pause.

As a Christian and Pastor, I greatly appreciated the diversity of perspectives expressed in this book. While my perspective is certainly that of a Christian, I recognize that God also wants us to strive to understand the hearts and minds of others who may see the world differently. It is most important during difficult times, such as this pandemic, that we strive to listen and understand each other so we can collectively figure out what to do about this mess! We may not always agree, but the thing we all have in common right now is struggle! For this reason, I was particularly touched by Chapter 23, written by Melissa Molinero. I loved her prayer, "Lord, show me what you want me to do. Speak to me and tell me how I can make a difference. How can I allow my light to shine on this Earth right now with so much pain and helplessness surrounding us?" Well done!

What a beautiful collection of voices. I really enjoyed the variety of backgrounds, life experiences, and writing styles shared within, and I particularly loved learning about the ways in which every author has (and continues to) cope during these trying times. There is something unique and impactful for every reader to take away. I thank you, Dr. Milton, for alerting me to this anthology; I too find a lot of calm in the simple acts of noticing the flowers and breathing deeply. Thank you to all who contributed - your words and stories were so great to read.

This time of the Great Pause provides opportunities for expansion and transformation amidst the ills of the pandemic and society. The authors' spiritual and physical practices during this indeterminate period are inspiring in coping with reality. Engaging and well-written chapters.

The collection of stories in the book shines a light of hope in a dark time for us as a society. Each of these authors telling their experience and what they have taken away from living through the pandemic is inspirational and poignant.

This book brought many memories of emotions during the beginning of this pandemic. It touched my heart to see that many felt somewhat of what I felt. Through all this I also saw, have seen, and am seeing the hand of God. Many times we feel alone while we are going through struggles but at least we know that we are not alone, we are all in this together and sharing the faith. congratulations to the writers, you filled the pages with great testimonials. God bless you.

In Chapter 2, Dr. Barbara E. Milton, Jr. takes us along a journey by bridging a metaphor "I Can't Breathe" as seen in real-time with the senseless police murder of George Floyd to her own real life experiences of not being able to Breathe as a baby and understanding her Cancer diagnosis. This book is a solid testimony of real people surviving the Coronavirus-19 pandemic and their individual coping mechanisms to get by and get on.

This book makes it possible to view the world we live in from 25 bright new perspectives. In a time of such chaos, it sparked much thought and self-realization, which I am very grateful for. I can’t recommend The Great Pause enough!

Wow! What a read! This pandemic, without a doubt, has impacted all of our lives. Most people would say negatively, but this book helps us to put it all into perspective. As with everything, there are positives and negatives. Oftentimes, especially as it relates to unfavorable, distressing situations, we can miss the blessings that they bring because we are so focused on the negative. Thank you for helping me to put things into perspective to see the blessing that COVID-19 has brought to my life. Well written collection!

After being overwhelmed with negative news throughout the pandemic, this book provides relief. There’s transformative power in new and insightful perspectives and I’m thankful that this book exists. Read only if you are looking for positivity, change, healing, blessings, and to feel overall better 🙂

During these hard times we are experiencing, is wonderful to relate to others and understand the challenges they were faced with how they are working to make their lives better. A great read!

This book enlightens, challenges and confirms feelings during Covid-19 pandemic. It features all walks of life from around the world. This book has it all! Very well written!! Thank you all

The experiences and insights shared in these personal narratives inspire and shine a light on all the ways one can turn challenge into change, setbacks into soulful growth, pause into personal power, and separations and strife into a greater connection to the things that really matter. A thoughtful, heartfelt and thought-provoking read.

Loved reading ever single chapter. In a world filled with negative news this is a breath of fresh air!!!

Really enjoyed Facebook. Inspirational!. Definitely a tool to help us get through the times of covid-19. I recommended this book to my friends and family.

I've been locked down with this pandemic and groping for answers as I cope with the "new normal." This book has offered me insights and hope in my day-to-day -- just by reading the "blessings and wisdoms" these writers have shared. Struggle is tough on everyone. But seeing these personal challenges being dealt with in so many uplifting ways soothes a wounded spirit and provides hope. And... what are we as people or a society without hope?

This Book is Very Inspiring and Informational! It gives different perspectives and backgrounds of the individual Chapter Authors that can Help Others Understand why they have the belief's they do. Once we Better Understand the past and current events, we can have a Conversation to discuss the Future and How we can spread Kindness, Peace, Love and Understanding for All, so Everyone can have the Wisdom to Appreciate the Opportunities our Freedom and our Freedom of Choice Allows Us to Create the Life We Want! I especially Loved Chapter One: "Raising Our Vibration: Transformation 2020" and I Highly recommend this Book to everyone! It's More Than 5 Star!

Each page in this book was engaging, uplifting, and provided a glimpse into how the authors are living in the pandemic. More importantly, they are rising above the negativity and finding blessings and opportunities for wisdom to enrich their lives. I took to heart their inspirational ideas, spiritual practices, and mindsets for a fresh perspective of what living with COVID-19 means.

I so appreciate everything about this collection of essays -- the range of authors' backgrounds, experiences, and transformations, and each writer's willingness to get real and raw. I also adore Elizabeth Hill's natural talent in attracting voices that speak to our shared humanity and inspire us to dig deeper within ourselves to make our own lives and the world calmer and brighter. Challenge accepted. What a balm this book is in such an unsettling time.

Melissa Molinero’s chapter highlighted two pivotal points: possibility and transformation. To be able to see the beauty from ashes and knowing that God can use even these challenging times for ultimate growth is a fresh perspective that Melissa nailed! This is just the encouragement this world needs after feeling weighed down in despair these past five months.

This book was helpful for me because it made me realize that we’re all in this together. It’s hard to live in isolation during quarantine. And sometimes it feels like “I” have it harder than this person or that. But I could relate to many of the authors experiences and it made me feel hopeful and optimistic.