Breathe

In. Out. In. Out.

Take another breath. In. Out. One more time, slowly. In. Out.

Everyone is tense. Anxious. It’s like we’ve collectively forgotten how to breathe.

Count to four and breathe in. Then breathe out slowly on another count to four. Maybe stretch it to eight.

I snapped at a store clerk today and had to apologize. The delay wasn’t her fault. She didn’t make the schedule that left her with a super long line of impatient people. I’d forgotten to breathe.

In. Out.

The sun rose today; it will set tonight like it always does. Tomorrow it will do the same. And the next day. And the day after that.

Breathe.

My husband’s aunt had to stay with a friend for several days when one of this season’s many hurricanes toppled 100+ year old trees onto her house. She’s back home now, but still assessing damage.

In. Out.

Many people still don’t have homes to go to, whether lost to fire, flood, storm, or eviction. But most of us are actually ok on that front.

Breathe in; breathe out.

Everybody hoped the election would be resolved by now. But it’s not the first time counting has dragged on. Who the heck prayed for a lesson in patience? (Be careful what you wish/prayer for!)

Don’t forget to breathe: in, and then out. This is not a good time to hold your breath.

Corona virus cases and deaths are on the rise in many places worldwide. I have allergies and asthma, but I wear a mask when I’m in public. I’d rather work a little harder at breathing through the mask than be on a ventilator. Please, if I can do it, so can you. If not for your own sake, then for mine and others like me.

Breathe again. In. Out.

Smile behind your mask. Watch as others smile back. You can see it in their eyes, and the muscles at the sides if their face if you look closely. They’ve been as angry and anxious as you. We all need smiles.

Breathe. Welcome the essence of some 95% (or more) of life on earth as you inhale. Exhale with thanksgiving for the gift of life.

Sometimes, the most important thing we can do is to pause and do nothing — nothing but breathe. Set aside the plans, the worries, the mistakes we keep beating ourselves up about. Shove them out of the way and give yourself some space, some air.

Breathe.

Grace, Peace and Hugs to you.