I wrote in an earlier post about tiny habits. Small, easily accomplished habits, which we
attach to other habits we have already acquired. One tiny habit I started a couple years ago
is still going strong. I start my day
taking five deep, lung stretching breaths as I gaze out my bathroom
window. In the process I remind myself
to be in the moment… not thinking about what needs to be done , or beating
myself up for a myriad of weaknesses.
Just “be”. As a singer, this
breathing exercise has beneficial consequences. And it fills my bloodstream
with oxygen, which for a human being is helpful.
One day, as I stood at the window, weeping as I inhaled,
grieving at the death of my friend who is like a sister, Cindy, I had a little
epiphany. I kind of think it might have
been Cindy communicating with me, but that’s not essential to know. I had found myself hyperventilating, trying
to inhale, filling my lungs as full as possible. Standing there, my chest puffed out, my eyes
all swollen and red, this little thought came to mind as I stared out over the
wooded hollow:
EXHALE is as IMPORTANT as INHALE.
I felt Cindy, and my mom who had passed the year before,
both whispering that I needed to let go
as much as I needed to acquire. And
so I began focusing as much on the slow exhale as I focused on the steady
inhale.
In life as in breath – we achieve balance – Qi – peace –
when we release things that are no longer useful to us. Spent air, with its oxygen depleted, needs to
not only leave; sometimes it needs to be pushed
out!
In all aspects of our
lives: physical, emotional, spiritual, it is my HOPE that my children, and
others whom I love, will raise their consciousness … that I will raise MY
consciousness…of things, ideas, beliefs and other spent items, so that I free
myself up for a good healthy inhale
to follow.
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