Photo: Kim Long Photography

What happens when you turn off your radio in the car, shut down your computer and Blackberry? What happens when your spouse is out of the house, the kids are on a play date and you find yourself alone? Are you able to sit down without turning to a distraction to just be? Most of us call a friend, pop onto Face book for a while, flip channels, or even read. But aren’t these all distractions? When are you quiet, the 5 minutes before you turn in for the night, right? But then your mind starts racing because of all the things you have to do, or you simply pass out. I know this.

My simple guidance is to sit down and be quiet, be still. I know life is crazy and stressful. We’re all trying to do a million things, but simply try to quiet your mind for 5 minutes to start. Set a timer so you don’t have to worry about looking at the clock. Take in all the sounds around you, the ticking of the clock, the wind through the trees, the sound of your breath. There is a shift that occurs in this space of silence, it happens almost immediately when you sit with yourself. It’s the opportunity to simply be alive and be aware of your place in the world. It’s vital that we check in with ourselves once in a while. We’ll call a friend to see how they’re doing, but how often do we check in with ourselves? Seems simple enough, but there are so many distractions in our lives that keep us from ourselves.

This lack of checking in with ourselves is one way the body can start to become imbalanced. Quiet offers us the opportunity to reflect upon what’s happening in our lives and to physically check in with what our body is trying to tell us. The body might be whispering pain, or pushing us to fatigue or nagging at us through other ailments. This turning-inwards helps us to recognize that steps can be taken to help ourselves before this imbalance becomes a more serious condition. This awareness is also crucial for how fully we experience our life. If we never stop to reflect upon how far we’ve come or where we’d like to be as we move through life, what kind of life have we lived? We are responsible for our own life. That life eventually becomes our legacy and our personal story. It was in my own moment of self-reflection that I created a saying you’ve probably heard once or twice if you’ve been to my classes, “Remember to breathe into each moment that makes up such an important part of your unique story”. You create your life. Bringing the breath into your experiences (breathing evenly and with awareness) will enhance every part of your life and add richness to your story.

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. -Carl Bard

Here’s to you and your ever-evolving story! I know it’s a good one! BREATHE….

Namaste!
Julie