Sometimes we just have to RE-Learn how to Breathe

There will be times when storms rage around us, blowing like a Gale wind and washing rogue waves across the bows of our serenity.  When the winds burst forth it is natural to hold our breath, waiting until things calm in order to draw that breath again and receive life giving oxygen.  It is natural to brace ourselves against the coming storm as it attempts to sweep us from the safe decking of our living ship.  But it is not natural to stop breathing.  There will be times when we have to remind ourselves to breathe.  In the chaotic times, it is paramount to re-learn to breathe, possibly in a whole new way than we learned from birth.

What gives us breath?  Well, life and creation begins with the breath.  But look deeper than the obvious.  Under that which hides from our awareness and happens without conscious thought MOST of the time, we must find our own wind and what breathes into our lungs the sustaining winds of our motivation.  For me my breath comes in peaceful moments, inspiration and complete unconditional love.  My breathing is effortless and flawless in giving kindness, love and compassion.  Chaos is not my inherent gift, nor do I think it is for anyone.  But breathing.....is.  It is our gift of creation and life, and yet, we choose to hold it and deny it without giving it any thought.  No one does it to us, we deny ourselves.  Yes other can impress chaos into our awareness, but they cannot take our breath and peace unless we give them permission.

Things to ponder can be "what takes my breath away?"  I don't mean a strong wind, or having the physical wind knocked out of us, what I mean is what situations and circumstances take our breath away?  Is it the loss of a loved one?  Losing our security and safety?  A job?  A sudden shocking situation?  It will be different for everyone and it is personal.  In allowing those things to steal our breath, we give power away to people and situations who have no right to own it and control it for us.  At some point without thinking about it, we give ourselves permission to hold back the pure freedom of breathing.  Sometimes we just need to Re-learn how to breathe with purpose.

To do that we can think about what gives us life, inspiration and joy and then lovingly give ourselves those ultimate gifts.  No one can do it for us.  We have to take responsibility for self sustaining our own life breath.  It is symbolic Dear friends, and yet it is very physically real at the same time.  It is food for thought and something to ponder when life gets difficult and we hold our breath.  Take a deep breath and let your body express just how amazing that feels.  take time to give it time to thank you for that beautiful treasure.   Allow yourself the blessing to breathe in deeply then blow it out.  Sometimes, with the bursting forth of that which we have held for so long, it releases and bursts forth from us with scream...of joy, anguish, relief, sadness or anger.  But after the lungs and soul are emptied completely, the in breath is magical and uplifting. 

Find your breath and treasure it, whatever that means for you.  Give yourself the gift. You matter, you are enough and you are worth it.