Week 2: Breathe

This week, the series of challenges focused around breath. Using breathing to meditate, to calm oneself, to breathe properly. I really enjoyed meditating. I would find 10-15 minute guided meditations on my tablet and then listen to them. I find the effects not so much to put me to sleep but an all over relaxation and a much more calmer frame of mind.

This was really put into practice when Mel W in Qld sent a goodbye over instagram. everyone else went crazy and panicked going over and over what could they do to stop her. Emily B DID call her and got her to hospital. I made the decision to not answer the call for the meeting instead I breathed, stopped the freakout and sent a one line message..." Has anyone called her parents?" which solved everything. Mel is doing well apparently , I haven't called but again, I think for myself and her, a bit of breathing room is needed.

Focusing attention on my breath shuts out all the internal and external chatter....stops it in its tracks and then its like a reboot for me to reset, rethink and restart. Instead of just reacting, I'm now thinking first and not flying off the handle so much. Taking that time also to meditate and focus on my breathing contributes hugely to a greater peace of mind, I noticed my day flowed better, although it was tested on a few days with the death of my Em's cat, forgotten things, bad news from the dentist about Piper's teeth.....still I got through it all. It also slowed me down beautifully, my mind and my self and my eyes were opened to seeing some of the beauty around me....like the sunsets, the trees, the way the leaves blow and dance across the road.

Another benefit is the help controlling my breathing has on my running. I can go longer and a little faster, and I can notice how my breathing affects all that. When it starts getting a little weird, I can bring my attention back to the breath and regulate it evenly and get to rights again without having to stop.

I think looking ahead I will continue with breath focus particularly at the start of the day and if I start to feel tense. four or five deep breaths to set myself up for the day, even perhaps into changing situations like upon waking, upon getting to work, leaving work etc.

The Law of Attraction (week 1)  has been working in my life. Troy is leaving his job in a couple of months and I was so worried about how we'll make ends meet. But then, the other managers quit and his work have offered ( and he accepted) a rolling 12 week contract to work half hours for half pay....which will make transition so much easier. The Universe DOES truly provide.


So I think I will combine visualising my day with my breathing exercises to keep the practise of both up. A good way to do my breathing is to evaluate it against this part of a poem.

Are my waves of Breath, of Life, as gentle as a quiet sea, 

softly smoothing sandy stretches of yourself...? 

Or anxious, urgent, choppy waves....? 

Or the crashing tumult of the sea?