Prayer is a daily ritual for many religions. In Muslim tradition, they pause to pray five times a day. Christians and Jews traditionally say a short prayer before meals. While the words and reasons may differ, these rituals share something in common: they ask us to stop and notice—what we need, what we have, and what matters.
You don’t have to follow a particular religion to understand that. Most of us already do something like it, whether we call it prayer or not.
When something feels overwhelming, I sometimes catch myself whispering, “Please.” Please let this go okay. Please let me find my keys. Please let me get through this. I’m not sure who I’m speaking to—but I acknowledge that I am doing it. I’m naming what I want. I’m noticing what I need.
Over time, I started shifting those moments. Instead of hoping my keys magically appear, I ask for something more useful—like the patience to keep looking. That small shift changes how I feel. It reminds me not to spiral when something isn’t going my way. It helps me notice that I do have (and need) the patience to keep going. Noticing what I need in that moment helps me go from frantic to steady. I’m not outsourcing the outcome. I’m not waiting to be rescued. I’m grounding myself in what’s happening, and what’s possible.
It’s the same with eating. I don’t say a formal prayer, but when I pause—even for just a breath—I notice what’s in front of me. That I have food. That I’m here. That I get to eat and nourish myself. It helps me feel more present and less rushed. And when I do that, I feel more satisfied—like I’ve already received something.
To me, this kind of noticing is its own kind of ritual. A moment to check in with where I am, what I need, or what I’m grateful for. It’s the peace I get to experience when I pay attention.
Whether it’s a whispered “please,” a quiet breath before a meal, or a moment of stillness in the middle of the day—there’s something powerful about slowing down long enough to notice. It’s a practice I keep coming back to—because it really helps.
ACTION: Today, take one small moment to notice. Before you eat, before you send a message, or when something feels hard—pause. Ask yourself: What do I need right now? Or: What do I already have? You don’t have to find the answer right away. Strengthen the practice of pausing to notice—and let that moment be enough.
