The Breath That Centers

Jan 6, 2013..Today I focus on breath. Several years ago, before I moved to Colorado, and during a stressful time in my life, I was not aware of my breath. As I reflect on that time now, I realize that I was, in fact, not really breathing. There were times when I was actually holding my breath. My body was tensed, the breaths were infrequent.

As I learned the importance of breathing, really breathing, I find that whatever comes up for me-some upset, a stressful day, illness etc, it is greatly lessened by simply remembering to breath. Today, I am so grateful for breath and for learning to breathe through life. This is like a muscle..it takes practice and reprogramming.  I dont just do this randomly. I make a point to remember to do it. I consciously practice this several times a day. 

Last Saturday morning, I was driving to a meeting at 7:45 am. As I drove on the ramp to the interstate a truck behind me began honking-nonstop. He honked and honked until I exited the ramp onto the highway. He then zoomed around me, craned his neck toward my car and was shaking his hand and screaming at me as he whizzed on by. I have no idea what brought on this display and it doesnt matter.  Years ago, an incident like this would have knotted my stomach and upset me. Instead, this Saturday morning, I simply smiled at this raging man and breathed. I continued my day and did not let the incident rattle me. I did silently wish him peace on his lifes journey. I truly felt compassion for someone whose Saturday morning had started in such a way as to make him so angry.

There have been times in my life when I could have used a lesson in breathing..for it truly does bring me back to my heart. It clears my mind and my body. I breathe and silently affirm what I am breathing in. I breathe again and silently affirm what I am breathing out. 

I am so grateful today for breathing, for the breath that brings me back to my heart, to my center.

Today, I breathe in strength. I breathe out love.