Finding ease through our breath.
What an incredible human experience we are in the midst of right now. My observer senses have been very heightened as of late. At the end of the day, I would say observing is what interests me the most. Not to be confused with non action. I’m a multi tasker in that sense. I can take care of my social and life responsibilities, and observe your reaction to life at the same time.
If I had to pick my human super power , it would be the ability to have a conversation with you over a meal in a restaurant, and also follow every detail at the table next to me. Also known as “Nosy Nancy”. I should get a “NN” cape! ohh, yes!
For what it’s worth though, I’m not doing this to “get the scoop” - I don’t even know you. But, I am fascinated to observe how we all react to life. I don’t have judgmental reactions, I’m simply observing. It also helps me take this information back to my office (also known as the yoga mat) and allow me to understand how I can use my words to help ease your mind.
So here we are, right? My cape is on, and I’m sure yours is too. We are all witnesses right now.
Witnesses to our unique reactions in a time of crisis prevention.
I’ve been observing "Oh this is silly”, social media posts.
I’ve listened to “we’re all going to die, don’t let my children be alone” discussions.
Then there are the those making jokes not out of disrespect, but as a coping tool.
I’m watching the sort of polite, but on the inside, everyone for themselves shopping carts in the stores.
Also, an incredible societal effort to help save the lives of others as a unit, through prevention.
And the list goes on.
I recently posted on Instagram a book I purchased. Find your Light. Practicing Mindfulness to Recover from Anything, by Beverly Conyers.
The truth is, I was in the bookstore for another book (The body keeps the score), but this was next it, and I was called to grab it, and dive into it immediately. Something greater than myself said - read this now, and remind yourself of this.
Here’s an excerpt.
Why Mindfulness? … among it’s many benefits, mindfulness teaches us how to live intenionally - to consciously direct our choices and actions in ways that bring a greater sense of contentment. It also teaches us
- to quiet racing thoughts and manage difficult emotions
- to weather life’s ups and downs with equanimity
- to replace the darkness of shame with the healing light of self-compassion
-to let go of painful feelings of separateness and connect meaningfully with others.
-to awaken our innate capacity to experience joy.
Deepak Chopra says
meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet. It is a way of entering into the quiet that is already there - buried under the 50,000 thoughts the average person thinks every day.
Something tells me, right now - we are having more than 50,000 thoughts per day. And many of those thoughts are stress related, and maybe more than we might feel like we can handle.
So, I invite you to Breathe.
Breathe in, Breathe out.
Breathe in, Breath out.
Breathe in, Breath out.
Breathe in, Breath out.
Thoughts and emotions will enter your head. When they do, don’t judge or evaluate them. Simply observe the thought, and then gently bring your attention back to your breath again and again as your thoughts and feelings come and go. Just Breathe.
I also invite you to pause (hell, most things are cancelled anyway).
To become your own observer. Use your breath as a tool to observe how you are doing WITHIN.
With all of my heart, I believe this will help us for the greater good. No matter your job title, your current life responsibilities, or your external circumstances, stress is amongst us. We must all breathe. And with a mindful breath, we can make mindful decisions.
And I promise you this…. breathing is NOT cancelled.
xo, alysia