Deep Breath

I use an app that plays ambient noise and music while I meditate each day.  My current streak is 702 days of meditation.  Before that, I missed a day which broke my streak, but before that had many hundreds of days as well.  Give or take, I've been consistently meditating since 2011.  At the end of each session, which have ranged from 2 minutes to 25, I take one deep breath and really center in with myself.  This practice has given me access to peace within myself that has been crucial to my health and growth.  The only other practice I've had that has come close is humming - but for me that quickly turns into a more technical endeavor as I find myself defaulting into musician-mode - not quite able to just let the hum be.  

So I meditate and take that deep breath that saves me.  I invite you to do it now as you are reading this.  Take a moment and stop reading after this next sentence:  

Close your eyes; take one long deep breath into your belly and then slowly let it out, opening your eyes again only at the end.  

I haven't met one person yet who doesn't feel just a teensy weensy bit better afterwards. 

More and more I've become aware of how critical breathing is.  Of course there is the obvious staying alive component.  But for me breath has been more than that, it's the way I access my music and therefore my soul.  It's how I am able to be present. 

Most people are barely breathing, I've noticed.  The more I notice it, the more I think about how it must feel to not breathe in a way that serves you - perhaps not even noticing that you're not doing it in the first place.  It bums me out for those people - because if you're not breathing you're not showing up authentically and fully and in the present.  And if you're not doing that you're not really living.  I'm interested in helping people live better, I've decided. 

Though there are many facets to delve into in order to learn yourself, I do believe it starts with getting curious about your own breathing.  

Let's return to this deep breath I spoke about earlier.  I think we will all need them a lot in the days to come.  As it always has, our world is changing and our true sphere of control is no further than the mirror.  Deep breath.  

When the tension enters in - deep breath. 

When the face and neck feel warm and tight - deep breath. 

When the lump rises in the throat - deep breath. 

When the requests come faster than the answers - deep breath. 

Before you run up the hill, go into the meeting, take the call, give the feedback, take the feedback, pay the bill, open the app, close the door, eat the food, sip the drink - deep breath. 

And for funsies, add in a smile.  Even a smirk will do.  Keep practicing it until it feels authentic - then keep going. 

Just give it a try and see what happens.  I guarantee your corner of of the world will shift, if even a little.  And just imagine what could be if each of our little corners got juuuuust a little better.