“In the bustle of life, in the pressure of decisions, peace has become a luxury.

Take it when it comes, and cherish it.

It gives you time to breathe.

It gives you rest and hope and life.”

Pam Brown B.  (1928)

Breathing is either conscious or unconscious. As we don’t need to think about it, many of us breathe in a short, shallow manner, particularly when feeling stressed.  Yet managing our breathing allows us to experience calm with less tension. Education in Eastern cultures trains people to respect the philosophy and importance of deep breathing.  By deepening and slowing the breath, our body triggers a flow of calming changes in our physiology and mind.  I encourage you to heed the wisdom of Deidre, my experienced and knowledgeable yoga teacher, who tirelessly calls to her students, “Don’t forget to breathe”.

We live in the midst of moments of uncertainty and changing times. We medicate, we overwork and we succumb to addictions, either positive or negative, becoming fixated on one aspect of our life. We find ourselves in a constant state of anxiety, worried about our future, concerned about our jobs and how to pay the mortgage, concerns that contribute to the daily challenges of life.

Most people want lifestyle assurances: a loving relationship that survives; emotionally intelligent kids who make their way in the world and take responsibility for their lives; a clear, clean bill of health for each family member; and a stimulating career providing continual opportunities for personal growth.  Add to this the prospect of a debt fee future and we declare that our self-confidence grows and our self-worth increases.

Anxiety disappears when we trust ourselves to handle whatever happens in our life. When we permit ourselves to make mistakes, we do so with the knowing that ‘slipping up’ often provides us with opportunities to learn. Fear dissipates when we allow others to be who they are, instead of considering that people have to act in a definite way, or that things must turn out a certain way. We all need to believe that we are in control and that everything should turn out the way we planned.

With this in mind, what if for this week we decided to:

  • Focus on things within our control, like telling the truth, keeping agreements and listening without sharing a verdict.
  • Get up one hour earlier to observe the life commerce takes away.
  • Take a walk outside to reflect and observe the amazing colours of the new season.
  • Stop for 10 minutes during the day and listen to the birds who sing so sweetly for us.
  • Schedule a walk on the beach and delight in the wet sand beneath your toes.
  • Reconnect with someone you love and trust.
  • Review your ‘best friend list’ and give thanks to the ones who make you feel safe and comforted.
  • Take home a happy movie and notice the immense power of laughter.
  • Enjoy the benefits of vitamin D while walking in the sun.
  • Give yourself permission to do ‘the hardest thing’ on your list… tomorrow.
  • Take note of people who convey unsolicited advice… give yourself space.
  • Limit the amount of caffeine and remove sugar in your diet.
  • Ask yourself this question from the thought-provoking work of Marks GC,

“Why is it that I find it so hard to take the time for myself?”

The time to be, rather than the time to do.”

 

Check in with yourself and pay attention to the wisdom of your body. Book into a therapist today, acquire some new skills, learn to cultivate your breathing and rejoice in the serenity and joy of following your peaceful heart.

References.

Brown, P. (1928) as in Exley, H. ( 2005) Taking Time To Just Be. USA. Helen Exley Giftbook.

Cope, S. (2003) Yoga for Emotional Flow. Free your emotions through Yoga Breathing, Body Awareness and Energetic Release: Audio CD. Louisville, CO: Sounds True.

Exley, H. (2005) Taking Time To Just Be. USA. Helen Exley Giftbook.

Marci. (2011) 10 Simple Things to Remember. An inspiring Guide to Understanding Life. Boulder Colorado. Blue Mountain Press.

Nhat Hann, T. (1991) Peace is every step: The Pathway to Mindfulness in Everyday Life. New York: Bantam Books.