Staying with the Breath
Today, amidst Coronavirus and the memories of 9/11, I’m thinking about the breath and about how important it is to breathe.
Last summer I ended up in the hospital with spreading limb numbness that was eventually diagnosed as a mild form of Guillain-Barré. Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare autoimmune response that at its most intense can result in total, but usually temporary, paralysis and require use of a ventilator.
It was a terrifying but important time. I learned how precious our health can be. I also learned how vital breathing is. I watched my oxygen sats on the monitor and breathed deeply. Sometimes they dropped and it felt scary. When I was able to stay calm and centered, I could breathe in fully and my numbers would stay high. Though I have worked in hospitals before with people on ventilators and those receiving Oxygen, having an experience like this myself was truly heart- and eye-opening.
Breath is life. Focusing on the breath and inhaling and exhaling consciously is life-changing. I try to stop and take some long, slow deep breaths when I’m feeling out of sorts. It’s different than praying or visualizing. It’s just being and just breathing.
The clouds clear after only a few breaths. I can be present to my life and what shows up, and I’m always in loving hands.
As are you! Happy Friday.
