On Peace, Pace and a Pause

Stillness as a Strategy

In a world that often feels like it’s moving at breakneck speed, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of work, community engagement, and the ever-changing national storylines. Our jobs are 24/7, sometimes because we want them to be, sometimes because we let them be, sometime because we need them to be, and sometimes we just don’t know how or when to create space ourselves.

We push forward, driven by passion and purpose, often forgetting that even the most resilient among us need to pause, breathe, and recalibrate.

This week, I’m giving myself some time back.

The decision to take a week off from the newsletter is one I have actually wrestled with, which is silly! But, still, I have fallen victim to the cycle of action and activity and I see it blurring my focus on achievement and impact. In the midst of significant changes in my career, our community, and the broader national scene, I have to recognize stillness as a strategy—if only for a moment—to find clarity and balance. It’s in these quieter moments that I reflect on where we’ve been, where we are, where we want to go, and how I want to help.

This pause is about reconnecting with the core values that drive our work together. It’s about returning renewed, sharper, and with deeper commitment to the impact we can make.

I’ll see you ll next week. If you have something on your mind, something you want to talk about, ask me to learn about, or a question for this disparate and digital collective, please email me and let me know.

Until then, cheers to peace and pace.

With gratitude,
Graham Cobb
Founder & CEO, Paceline Strategies