A "Fermata", also known as a hold or a pause, is the name of a musical symbol. When placed above a sound or a moment of silence, it extends their duration based on the performer's wishes, preferences, and needs. There are no pre-defined rules for how long they should take.
We often feel pressured to move, to perform, to fix, to do something, feeling rushed by our own anxieties or by the world around us. A Fermata is an invitation to slow down, to pause, to reflect, and take a moment to breathe. It offers you the choice to become the composer and the performer of the life you want to live.
Banner photo credit: Elijah M. Henderson