Need to get healthier? Me too! I do a lot of breathing… not kidding.
Everyone who reads here knows my story. Been a rough ride for awhile and I am working harder than I ever have to just make all things in my life move toward a healthier place. I know that I absolutely have to do that to help myself. People can give you tons of advice, but unless you make an effort nothing will change.
The last time I wrote, I got a ton of email! People kept telling me their stress stories, the negative people they encounter, the problems that are facing them. We are all on the same journey, you know, just traveling different roads. And all we can do is be a kind ear, a caring listener. People ask me what things I do to help myself. And there are plenty of them. But one of my easiest is simple!
I Breathe… that’s what I do…. I breathe.
Sometimes, I have written Dr. Jack emails of panic, whether it has been physical issues or emotional ones. And the responses often began with that word. Breathe…
I write to Rob and he responds with similar things. They include taking some time to just refocus your mind, find the positive in any situation. Taking one minute to shift your energy.
You may shrug at that idea, but it really has merit. I have found that if you practice it and do it long term, it helps. I will give you some examples.
Difficult encounter with a totally negative, energy draining person in your life. Breathe….. sit and breathe in deep and slow and just focus.. who has the problem? You or them? If you sit and argue, what will you lose but valuable energy? You wont have any left to enjoy what comes along. Arguing will not change their mind or attitude, so sorry to say, but leave them in their own misery. Breathe out their toxic and breathe back in your energy and peace and walk away. Because in the end? It’s self preservation.
Christmas crazy? Breathe….. seriously, one of my biggest challenges is losing the idea that I have to do everything perfect. When my children talk about Christmas, no one ever brings up the great thing I bought. Things usually start with, “Remember, mom? Remember the time we were…..”. It’s never about stuff. It’s always some fun story of food we made, or playing a game or cookies that didn’t come out perfect. It’s all about time. So breathe…. I have not sent Christmas cards in a long time, just can’t get to it. This year, there is not a lot of buying going on. My children are still grieving and so am I, and quite honestly not one is much in the Christmas mood. Joey is hurting so much and Sara is a nervous wreck about the baby, while still grieving over Russ Jr.
I keep trying to “fix”it and I can’t, so I have to let this go. Breathe! I put up,a few decorations here and at Sara’s because she is not allowed to lift or do heavy cleaning. I can’t fix it, so I just bandaid it for a little. No one wants to buy a thing, itsa forced effort, so we all agreed, what does it matter? We are not “Stuff” people… so let’s just breathe and keep Christmas low key…. breathe…. we have each other, to lean on, to understand the pain, and to just be grateful that we still have each other. What more is needed? Breatheeeeeeeeee……..
In pain? Personal pain? Problems of any sort? Breathe…. this is going to pass, too. You may wonder later on how you got through it. Some things just need time, so breathe and remind yourself that at the times that were your rock bottom worst? You got out of bed, and you showed up. You showed up for work or your family or just life! Breathe…..
Sometimes at my most challenging moments, I take a minute to find a quiet place, even if it is the bathroom at school, and I just take one minute. Breathe in slow and long…… and breathe out the same. Don’t think about any single thing. Totally clear my mind and find my peace inside. My inner child usually fights me trying to have a temper tantrum, screaming at me that this is impossible. I quiet her and keep breathing, and remind her of a sign I saw once that the word impossible can be rearranged to I M possible. I am possible. I can do this!
Breathe…. we can get through this spot. One minute…. that is all you need sometimes.
Hugs,
Chris