In the Pause, We Find Our Power: How Reflection Drives Meaningful Action in Leadership
Injustice thrives in chaos, where decisions are rushed, and exhaustion leads to reaction rather than reflection. For community leaders, activists, and justice workers, the stakes are even higher. The demands of this work often push us toward relentless action, driven by the urgency of systemic inequities. But the truth is, transformation requires not just action—it requires intentionality. Stillness, far from being a passive retreat, is a strategy for aligning our actions with collective care, justice, and the values we fight to uphold.
Leon Brown reminds us, “The answers you seek never come when the mind is busy; they come when the mind is still.” For those on the frontlines of change, this wisdom invites us to pause, even when it feels impossible. It is in the pause that clarity emerges, allowing us to act not just quickly, but meaningfully.
Hearing the Inward Call of Collective Care
Chadwick Boseman said, “The call for action goes out to all ears in range of the sound, but it is only the chosen who hear the inward call.” For justice-oriented leaders, this inward call is not a solitary experience—it’s a call to collective responsibility. But to truly hear and answer it, we must create space for reflection.
Stillness is where we reconnect with the values that sustain our work: equity, compassion, and community. It allows us to ask critical questions: Are my actions aligned with our collective goals? Am I acting in a way that builds justice, or am I reinforcing harm through unchecked urgency?
The inward call Boseman speaks of is not about individual heroism; it is about the courage to pause, listen deeply, and move forward with compassion and purpose.
Why Reflection is Radical in Activism
We already know that the ‘hustle’ is glorified in so many ways, whether intentionally or unintentionally, as if speed and hurry will get us free. But as leaders, there has to be a narrative shift that rest and reflection are actually the radical acts of resistance we are looking for. Hermann Hesse reminds us, “Within yourself is a stillness, a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” For community leaders and activists, this sanctuary is not a luxury—it is a necessity.
Reflection is a radical practice because it disrupts the narrative that we must always be “on.” Injustice thrives when we are too weary to think critically. By embracing stillness, we reclaim the power to act with clarity and care.
This practice is especially critical in leadership:
Reminding the Importance of Alignment: Reflection allows us to ensure that our actions align with the principles of justice and equity we advocate for. It challenges us to dismantle ego and prioritize the collective.
Sharpening Strategy: When we step back from the noise of urgent demands, we gain perspective on what strategies are effective and which are perpetuating burnout, white supremacy, or harm.
Responding with Intention: Activism is often reactive by necessity, but stillness creates space for thoughtful, transformative responses that move beyond temporary fixes to systemic solutions.
Clarity Through Rest and Reflection
Gabriella Goddard’s words, “Create space simply to ‘be,’ and clarity emerges for you to see,” underscore a simple truth: the solutions we seek often arise not from doing more, but from creating space to simply exist.
For community leaders, clarity is essential. It allows us to navigate the complex tensions of justice work, balancing urgency with sustainability. In these moments of rest and reflection, we cultivate resilience—not just for ourselves, but for the communities we serve.
Rumi’s wisdom, “Listen to silence. It has so much to say,” reminds us that silence is a teacher. It is in this silence that we hear the voices of ancestors, the needs of our communities, and the truths we sometimes avoid. Silence doesn’t absolve us of responsibility; it strengthens our capacity to bear it.
Stillness as a Justice Practice
Justice is not just what we seek; it is how we lead. For activists and community leaders, stillness is a justice practice—it ensures that the way we lead reflects the world we are working to create.
By integrating moments of rest and reflection for ourselves, and those we lead, we create space to ask critical questions: How does our work embody care? How does our strategy honor the dignity of all involved? Are we moving in ways that builds collective power?
As Boseman reminds us, “The chosen listen to that inward call, and so move.” The call to justice is not just about what we do, but how we show up—in alignment with our values, grounded in care, and clear in our purpose.
Rest as Collective Liberation
When we pause, we model for our communities that rest is resistance, that care is justice, and that thoughtful leadership is possible even in the face of urgency.For those leading movements and building pathways to equity, stillness offers a compass. It points us toward actions that are not just effective but transformative, not just urgent but enduring.
In our embrace of stillness practices - like meditation, or rest practices like yoga nidra and sound healing, we ensure that every step we take moves us closer to liberation—for ourselves, our communities, and the generations to come.
Take a moment to reflect:
In what ways does urgency influence my leadership or decision-making, and how might pausing for stillness allow me to respond with greater care and intention?