Pressing Pause: Finding Rest in a Restless World

WHAT IF THE MOST PRODUCTIVE THING YOU COULD DO IS REST?

The secret to sustainable achievement isn't doing more - it's knowing when to pause.

We live in a culture that worships hustle, mistakes motion for purpose, and ties our worth to what we produce. The result? Full calendars but empty hearts. Constant connection but deep loneliness. Busy days yet a lingering sense that something essential is missing.

Maybe you've felt it: the exhaustion sleep can't fix, the numbness where joy used to be, or the mental fog that makes even simple decisions feel heavy. You're doing everything "right," yet you're still depleted.

Michael and Selah Hirsch were once masters of productivity-until an ancient practice quietly transformed their lives. What began as curiosity became their lifeline during one of the hardest seasons of their marriage, ministry, and family life.

The gift of Sabbath didn't just give them rest. It strengthened their marriage, renewed their connection with God, and reshaped the culture of their home. It became a rhythm of grace that brought them from striving to peace, from burnout to abundance.

Sabbath isn't merely rest. It's the divine pause button your soul has been searching for.

In Pressing Pause, you'll discover:

• Why choosing rest isn't weakness but the foundation for everything meaningful you're called to do
• The Sabbath Soul Cycle - four sacred rhythms that lead you from depletion to abundance
• Five life-changing shifts that move you from chaos to peace, from surface living to soul-deep connection
• How to navigate the resistance that always shows up when you choose sacred rest over hustle
• Simple, practical steps to begin Sabbath - whether you're single, overwhelmed parents, or empty nesters

In a world that whispers, "more, faster, better," the Father calls gently but firmly: "Come to me. Get away with me." Not as a suggestion, but as a lifeline.

Extraordinary things happen when we dare to pause.

Michael Hirsch is the co-founder of Start Sabbath and a passionate leader committed to helping the next generation unlock their potential. With over 25 years in nonprofit leadership, he has founded and led organizations that have impacted tens of thousands of students across states and countries through innovative programs in leadership, character, and entrepreneurship.An ORU graduate and world championship Ironman triathlete, Michael has completed 19 Ironman races, including the prestigious Kona event. He frequently speaks to schools and community groups, inspiring audiences to see the potential in youth to solve real-world problems.Michael's journey from elite athlete to advocate for sacred rest began when he discovered that true, sustainable achievement flows from communion with God-not endless striving. He and his wife, Selah, have been married nearly 20 years and live with their four children: Nya, Anchor, Tinsley, and Asher.

Selah Hirsch is co-founder of Start Sabbath and founder of Express My Brand, where she works with CEOs, founders, and business leaders to build brands that drive growth and impact. Since launching her agency in 2011, she has helped leaders around the world clarify their message and amplify their influence through strategic brand development.Selah is passionate (and always caffeinated!) She understands the achievement-oriented mindset that drives many professionals to burnout. Her discovery of Sabbath as a sacred rhythm transformed her approach to both business and family life, proving that sustainable success flows from rest rather than relentless productivity.Selah brings practical wisdom to the Start Sabbath movement, helping families translate ancient practices into modern life. She and her husband Michael have been married for nearly 20 years and have four children-Nya, Anchor, Tinsley, and Asher.