Metrical Breaks, Rest Checks, and Listening to Your Life's Song

There’s a song I love by a band I’m sure you’ve heard of: U2.

At the tail end of One Tree Hill, following an emotionally inspiring interlude with an epic ad lib by Bono, the song suddenly stops; it simply …. stops.

Even despite a timestamp showing there’s still 40 seconds left to the song, everything about the musical elevation and the emotional escalation abruptly ends.

See Exhibit A:👇

In music theory, this term is called a casesure (say-zura). It represents a metrical break between phrases—or in this case, a dramatic pause between the interlude and the (yet-to-be-known) outro.

But because Bono is far too seasoned of a songwriter to simply throw in a generic casesure for the sake of compositional technique, I’m betting the recorded moment had far more to do with creating a period of rest to honor the emotional crescendo, so that us listeners can have space to pause and sit with the impact of the music.

U2 knows the rests in the music are just as important as the notes.

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Our lives need “metrical breaks,” too.

As much as we’d love to keep flying through life, enjoying activity-after-activity and back-to-back vacations and holidays, constant elevation and escalation is not sustainable.

We may like to believe we’re inexhaustible in our ability to accomplish, achieve, succeed, and get things done, but even The Edge knows he can’t play a soaring guitar riff forever.

And for as much as Bono’s solos are compelling, and in the moment we may feel like we never want them to end, the reality is, it’s the halts, the shifts, and the stops in the overall flow of the music that creates space for appreciation.

We need rest.

We need periods of “stop” to honor the emotional crescendos and the ongoing escalation of our lives.

So, as you explore the soul work of rest in today’s intermission, take time to listen to the song of your life.

• Where do you need more space?

• What areas of toil do you need to stop?

• What activity, perhaps, might need an abrupt end?

Pause.

Listen to this.

Sit with the impact.

And remember, the rests are just as important as the notes.

“Just like a musical composition, life requires both notes and rests to create harmony.” —The Oaks

—With Joy

Pause for Thought

Pause for Practice

• Silencio (Silence) — Quiet yourself before God. Put yourself in God’s presence.

• Lectio (Read) — Read the provided passage slowly, allowing a word or phrase to resonate. Linger there. Notice what catches your attention.

• Meditatio (Meditate) — Read the passage again and listen for where the word or phrase connects with your life. What are you being drawn to?

• Oratio (Pray) — Read the passage one more time, listening attentively. Do you feel an invitation to respond? Pray a prayer of your heart.

• Contemplatio (Contemplate)— Deeply receive God’s Word. Sit quietly. Rest in His presence.

Pause for Examination

1. Physical Rest — Adequate sleep is the foundation of a rested body. Listen to your body's signals and prioritize quality sleep. Equally important is moving at a pace that suits you, giving your body the chance to recover and rejuvenate.

2. Mental Rest — Our minds are constantly processing information, often leading to mental fatigue. Engage in activities that encourage mindfulness, like meditation or quiet walks. Give your mind the freedom to slow down and recalibrate.

3. Emotional Rest — Emotions can be as draining as physical exertion. Surround yourself with positive influences, engage in activities that bring joy, and allow yourself to express feelings without judgment.

4. Creative Rest — Even our passions can become overwhelming when pursued relentlessly. Take breaks from creative endeavours to let inspiration flow naturally, rather than forcibly.

5. Digital Rest — In our digitally connected age, stepping away from screens is vital. Designate tech-free periods to truly engage with the world around you.

• ^{Source: The Oaks Center newsletter, 5 Ways to Take A Real Rest, August 28, 2023}

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• Click here for previous month’s art offerings

P.S. May your times of rest be as silly, light-hearted, and as flexible as this little guy’s approach to eating ice cream 😜.