The Power in a Poised Pause

Mizuki's recent post is a snapshot from my mind:

I've always believed that a woman does not have to imitate masculinity in order to be powerful. ...Yet something so simple as standing still in a doorway (if done correctly - believe me - I'm practicing all over my house lol) can draw the attention of a crowd.

By nature, my goal is to get from point A to point B, efficiently. It is only recently that I’ve begun to slow down, be mindful, and employ the art of the poised pause. I communicate with a great deal of composure, leveraging the intellect to take over where the introvert could easily fall short. I take my time, I listen, I artfully weave together ideas under discussion. I pause to gain attention. In speaking, I am poised.

Walking around, however, is another animal altogether.

The past few days, I’ve worked to enter rooms with the poised pause. This is difficult. Also? It is effective. It is difficult because you must be present enough and comfortable enough in your own skin to slow down, for the sole purpose of being noticed. Sure, it helps you be more grounded and graceful. It ensures you aren’t rushing nor wandering aimlessly. But let’s face it: you are announcing your presence. You are inviting others to take notice. And when done correctly, they do.

The first time I employed the pause on entering a coffee shop. A man on the far side of the room stopped what he was doing to drink me in. He continued to eye (not ogle) me for the next several minutes, eventually saying hello before we parted ways. I wondered if it were a fluke, so I tried it again. This time, I fully expected no one to pay attention. After all, I was leaving the local grocer and only pausing in a doorway that led to the parking lot.

I was wrong.

I resumed walking only to find an admirer standing nearby. He made sure to gain my attention, smile and tell me I was beautiful. I thanked him and returned the smile graciously, but it caused me to reflect.

Walking and speaking with poise, commanding a space with a powerfully quiet presence - these things draw attention. I’ve continued practicing (both the pause and walking with more poise in general). Women have given me glances and side eyes (some with admiration, others, curiosity). Men steal looks, sometimes stumbling over words or feet to connect.

The truth is, people notice a poised woman. The poised woman in the boardroom is not ignored, nor trifled with. The poised woman is in charge and others look to her.

The poised woman is leveraging feminine energy, not imitating masculine energy. The more I practice the feminine arts, I realize femininity is like water flowing over a rock: its power is subtle, yet ultimately, utterly profound.