Look for pleasurable ways to take a break – be a “pleasure activist” (not the same as a hedonist!) Actually, the term “pleasure activist” is from Fred Plotkin, a master at a lot of intellectual strengths.  A writer, speaker, seeker, and a fascinating (and fascinated) individual, he is best known for his musical analytical talents, and these two books, Opera 101 and Classical Music 101.

Fred Plotkin urges us, when using the senses, “to not analyze what is being perceived while we are doing the perceiving.”  Women over 40, and indeed most people, tend to crash through their lives – constantly rushing, and not hearing the sounds around them, eating but not tasting, smelling but not really savoring, seeing but not perceiving.

So, here is the DARE. Today, try to take pleasure in something that crosses your path – perhaps that flute player in the subway. Stop for a minute and listen to the exquisite note he lets ring. Or perhaps that bit of dark chocolate from Switzerland that you popped in your mouth as you ran for the taxi. Can you sit in the cab and let the velvety taste fill every sense? Close your eyes and enjoy that sweet moment with all of your awareness. That is pleasure activism, and let me tell you, it feels very good! Use your imagination. When you slide into the swimming pool this weekend, feel, really feel, the water over your skin, the sense of weightlessness, the cool relief after the heat of our summer sun.

Let that complete change of brain activity recharge you.

DARE exercise a different kind of muscle!

But, I AM urging all women out there over-40 who are tethered to their BlackBerries, I-phones, laptops, Excel spreadsheets (one of the top female engineers at Google supposedly uses Excel to analyze cupcake recipes!) and other power-phernalia that push them to get things done faster, better, cheaper, smarter than they ever thought possible – PHEW! – to consider for a few minutes this scientifically proven fact:  all that efficiency and rushing around can actually be counter-productive. Plus, if your life comprises working full-time, caring for elderly parents, running a household and worrying about how you’re going to pay for your kids’ college education, no one needs a break more than YOU.

This month, we’ll take you to: snapshots of respected scientists who have found that the best ideas and productive work sometimes emerge only after taking a break … a salute to our favorite funny ladies and drama queens alike who put our minds and phones on hold … and, since we’re all about DARING yourself to do bigger, bolder, braver things, suggestions for fun that builds your body, brain, and soul.  Plus, check out stereotypes that make you think hard about how women over 40 are perceived and portrayed in popular culture.

So, March On!  But, take that break! Recharge! Put the world on HOLD, even for just an hour.  Pause, Just Because! If it isn’t BROKE, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t BRAKE it! And, you shouldn’t have to go BROKE doing it!