Sometimes I have to remember to breathe. Obviously, thanks in part to our autonomic nervous system, we automatically breathe or we’d pass out and then the autonomic nervous system that controls things like respiration and circulation kicks in and we breathe without needing to think about it. (I am grateful for this, by the way.) Still, I go through some really intense times in which things I’m doing, projects I’m working on, requests people are making of me all seem to converge at the same time. And quite without realizing it, I find that I am holding my breath and have to consciously relax my tensed muscles, exhale, and take a nice deep in breath.
It feels as though I have been running nonstop since–well, I’m not sure since when–late spring perhaps. Issue after issue, project after project, deadline upon deadline (upon deadline.) The summer came and went with no relief, no vacation (a few days of “staycation”). It has been a time of continuous preparation for something. Prepare, turn in report. Prepare, give presentation. Prepare, host meeting. Nonstop preparation for and delivering of something. It seems to be unending. As much as I would like for this current round to over, it seems I am gearing up for more preparing and more delivering.
I suppose this is all part of the ebb and flow of life, at least at my life at this time. Somehow I manage to figure out how to make it work, though admittedly it’s exhausting at times. That is when I have to remember to somehow find a way to truly be in, live in the moment rather than spending time anxiously preparing for the next thing that’s due or lamenting the last thing that didn’t go well. What can I enjoy and appreciate in this moment right now? If you were to take a moment just now (after reading the instructions I’m about to give), take a deep breath (feels good, doesn’t it?) and look around you where you’re sitting right now. I bet it won’t take more than a second for your eyes to light on something that makes you relax just a little and maybe even smile. Or perhaps it’s something you can hear–the sound of music playing softly in the background as you’re reading this. Maybe it’s the feel of your cat or dog resting in your lap or the breeze from the window tickling your skin. It could be the smell of your morning cup of joe or something cooking in the next room. Whatever it is, it has the power to immediately transform this moment into something special, something to be grateful for.
During some of these really intense times in my life it is really helpful for me to remember to appreciate the moment that I’m in right now, and then the next one. In truth we really do only have to focus on this moment to bring on a sense of serenity, gratitude, happiness, or any number of other good things. This is not some magic trick; sometimes life is hard and all the focusing on the moment in the world can’t pull us from the depths of grief, sorrow, depression, fear, anger or any other strong emotion we may be experiencing. But in those moments of simple frazzlement or angst or crankiness or confusion, hitting the pause button, taking a few slow, deep breaths, and searching for the beauty in the moment is enough to put a little wind in our sails, a little smile to our lips, a little lift in our step.
I tried it just now. Right here in the airplane as we’re about to land. I looked down at my hands as I’m typing this blog and looking at the beautiful rings I wear on them–two rings on each hand. I look at them and remember where I got them from, what they represent to me, how much they compliment my skin color and the other jewelry that I wear. It is a simple thing, but it made me smile in gratitude and appreciation at the close of a long day. As I drove home from the airport, I saw the half moon hanging in a clear sky and I smiled. So many simple things bring me such pleasure and joy in the moment. For that I am most particuarly grateful.
