#keepbreathing
One of the surest ways to appreciate your breath is to lose it for a few seconds.
Years ago, during my junior year in high school I was at Newport Beach, California with a couple of friends of mine. We were body surfing and wading in the warm, mellow waves, when suddenly I was pulled under the ocean by a dangerous riptide. Completely unaware that an underwater storm off the coast of Hawaii had reached our shores, bringing a current so strong that I would find myself in a fight for my life and my bikini. All I could see underwater was pitch black. I was thrashing and swimming about fighting to find my way out of the water, frantically trying to save myself. Only to be lost in the hurling waves and harsh sand. I didn’t know if I was up or down. What seemed to be forever then, was only seconds of sheer panic. I found myself exhausted trying to fight this powerful undertow, as dark thoughts started to invade my mind, “oh my gosh, I think I’m drowning.” At that desperate moment, I started to give up the fight to find a way out of the crushing current. As I began to surrender to the fact that I couldn’t find a way out, the fact that I was drowning, I felt two hands grab ahold of me and pull me out of the water and onto the shore. I was gasping for air as I fell lifeless to the sand. Unbeknownst to me, a female lifeguard had been watching from her station and saw me struggling. That warm, sunny California day, she saved my life.
Many of us have a heroic tale of being saved or a story of a rescue of someone that we know. It’s quite common that an absolute stranger, seemingly out of nowhere, comes to save the day when we least expect it and need it the most. But, do we really put that much thought into how many times that occurs on a daily basis? Are you consciously aware of the fact that there are millions of people walking around sharing the same breath as you, that would save your life in a heartbeat if you needed it? Probably not. We’re too busy being caught up in worldly events instead. The violent distractions of a giant storm we’ve created here on earth that keep us torn and separated, instead of showing each other unity and love.
Have you ever thought about the moment you were born? The moment you took your first breath? Assuredly, someone remembers, most likely your parents and the doctors and nurses that helped bring you into the world. Have you ever envisioned the smiles and happiness that each of them felt as you took your first breath? You mattered. You still do because here you are, breathing.
As someone who has lost their breath, I understand how powerful it is. Aside from the incredible fact that it keeps us alive, there is also an importance of conscious breathing during a time of healing in our life. Many of us are unconscious of the power of deep breathing during difficult times. We tend to hold onto our breath as if it’s helping us be strong to withstand the pain we’re in, when in fact, shallow breathing forces our body to store our pain and emotions we feel. This storing of emotional and physical pain in our body is one of the root causes of injury and illness. Understanding the importance of our breath during challenging times can transform our life.
One of the ways that I witnessed this firsthand was when I incurred a serious shoulder injury that put my business on hold. I took a fall down my stairs (an act of God to slow me down no doubt) and tore my rotator cuff so severely that I couldn’t even wipe my kitchen counter to clean up crumbs. I started intense therapy and treatment right away, without the use of any pain medications. After several months of healing, still tender, I decided to journey on a road trip with my children to visit our Grandfather and family in the Southwest from Oregon. Our Grandpa was turning 90 and it was a big deal that we be there to celebrate. Of course, with my shoulder still being in recovery, I was nervous, but I understand the power and energy of breath. During our drive, I was given an opportunity to truly test out the power of breath. Anyone who’s driven long distance knows how uncomfortable it can become after several hours of straight driving. We were putting in about 11 to 12 hours each day. Keeping my posture in check was a huge part of the process and deep breathing. Every hour I would do breathing exercises and I would consciously tell my breath exactly where to go that needed the healing. For instance, if I felt tension in the middle of my upper back, I would take a deep breath and I would silently tell my brain, “breath, go to the middle of my upper back” and I would gently focus my breath there and then slowly let it out. Wonderfully, I would feel a release of tension in the area, and as you can image how pleased I was getting the results that I hoped for. I did this all the way until we reached our destination and when we got there, guess what? I was pain free. And, remained it for the entire visit.
The moral of the story: Don’t underestimate the power of your breath. You are breathing for many reasons. Not only because you’ve been given a precious life that matters but because you have the ability to do amazing things with it.
Keep breathing.
