Sometimes You Just Need to Breathe

Sometimes I think I forget to breathe. I think I tighten my chest and literally hold my breath. In my every day life I think I do this more often than I realize. An acupuncturist once told me I hold the weight of the world in my shoulder and some days I think she is absolutely right.

Today as I was driving to work I turned off the traffic report and turned up the radio. With the volume blasting and the car slightly thumping to the bass I started to sing. If you know me, you know that I cannot sing. It’s a gift I always wanted, but simply wasn’t born with. Nevertheless I not only belted out the words, but also danced, well as much as one can dance while seated in their car.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous this morning, so I drove to work, (later than expected), singing to myself and smiling the entire way. I took time during the whole trip to think about all of the amazing things I’ve experienced this summer and all of the amazing people I’ve experienced them with.

At a stop light I caught another driver looking at me. I’m sure he thought I was a little crazy, but I didn’t care. I turned up the music even louder and thumped the palm of my hand on the steering wheel. When the light turned green I put the windows down and let the breeze roll it’s way across my chest and face.

I took one deep breath and then another and another. I paused to feel the air against my skin, I belted out the words to a song I’ve heard hundreds of times and allowed the best summer moments to flash through my mind.

Sometimes life moves too quickly to take note of the moments. Today I made a concerted effort to pause.

5 thoughts on “Sometimes You Just Need to Breathe”

  1. I sing a lot on the freeway because I know everyone is driving too fast to notice me, but when I come near red lights, I tone it down. Unless it's a REALLY good song, then I just can't stop myself.

    I always feel better when I sing. And it sure beats being on the cell phone.

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  2. Most of the time, I forget to take a breath when I work in front of the computer. That is really bad and unhealthy. I try to give breaks in every 2 hours and get some fresh air.

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  3. Everyone absolutely needs to breathe. Life gets so hectic and overwhelming sometimes that it can lead to a deterioration of your health. Stopping to smell the roses is your insurance for living a fulfilling life.

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  4. Having the time to relax both your mind and body brings you to realization of more productive ventures. Stress tends to increase the hardship of our daily routines. Peaceful thinking provides valuable decision that ensures more effective thinking.

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  5. A day in the life of me seems to be filled with occurances….I say occurances rather than moments, because moments are rather peaceful whereas occurances require a more spiked level of your stress-o-meter. As my occurance seem to start before the previous one has diminished, there is not a whole lot of time for moments, although, when they do occur…..it is usually because I simply remembered—-to breathe! thanks for your reminding us of how important that is for us to do—-and how important it is for creating—–moments rather than occurances

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