Remembrance — The Pause That Matters
- Michelle Turpin
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Every year, at 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month, the world seems to hold its breath.
The noise stills.
The pace slows.
And, for two quiet minutes, we remember.
It’s such a simple act — but one that feels increasingly radical in a world that never stops.
Because Remembrance isn’t just about looking back.
It’s about remembering to pause at all — to step out of the rush, reflect on what truly matters, and honour the courage, loss and love that shaped the life we’re living now.
The Weight of Silence
Those two minutes of silence can feel heavy.
Not because we don’t understand their importance — but because we feel it.
The magnitude of sacrifice.
The fragility of peace.
The reminder that, even now, so many still carry the echoes of conflict.
Silence gives space for that.
It allows gratitude and grief to sit side by side — both welcome, both valid.
Remembering in Our Own Way
You don’t have to attend a parade or wear a poppy perfectly pinned to show respect.
You might light a candle, send a quiet thought, or simply stand still and breathe.
What matters is the pause — the moment to reconnect with perspective.
Because for all the noise of modern life — the endless notifications, the hustle, the juggling — remembrance reminds us that we’re part of something bigger.
It pulls us out of the daily chaos and gently whispers:
“You’re here. You’re free. Make it count.”
A Personal Reflection
For me, Remembrance Day is less about ceremony and more about humanity.
It’s a day to reflect on what it really means to live bravely — not just on battlefields, but in everyday life.
To keep showing up with compassion.
To choose kindness over comfort.
To stand up for what’s right, even when it’s hard.
That, too, is a form of remembrance — carrying forward the courage of others by living our lives consciously and well.
So This Year…
Whether you stand in a crowd, sit by yourself, or pause between emails at your desk —
Take the moment.
Let the silence do its work.
Honour those who gave so much, in whatever way feels right to you.
Because remembrance isn’t just about the past.
It’s about how we choose to live, now.
“To remember is to hold gratitude in motion — not just for those who came before, but for the chance to live more fully today.”
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