My little red tether is my anchor in running with my friends. A beautiful guide dog has been my tether/anchor in mobility and independence for 17 years: 1. Pantera 2. Cricket, and now my beautiful 3. Georgina (Georgie). A life of family and friends is my joy and anchor in life.

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. CC Scott

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Slow down and breathe

I just spoke with a dear friend, in years past with our jobs we would talk/meet for lunch on a regular basis. Her name has crossed my mind so much this past year and then as happens, another day of a busy life would go by; finally in October we began our effort to reach each other. After a few months of phone tag, we finally talked. As we talked, we realized it had been a little over a year since we had actually seen each other. We were both amazed that we had gone that long. She has experienced a difficult year with cancer, chemo, and so much. I was not there for her. She said, do you have a way to record my mantra. I was by the computer ready to type in her words of wisdom. She slowly said this is what has gotten me through this last year: 1. breathe in, 2. breathe out, 3. repeat. I love her and am excited that we are going to spend Friday afternoon together. I have another chance to tell her thank you for teaching me to apply makeup w/out sight, thank you for her patience in teaching me new technology, and being a fun friend that I have really missed the last year. Love ya L and can't wait to see you.

I've reflected on L's mantra -- Breathe!
How often do we stop for a minute and listen to what our body/mind is trying to tell us. Deep Breathing: Inhale deeply, feeling your stomach expand. Hold your breath for a few seconds, then slowly exhale. Picture the tension leaving your body as you let all the air out.

Hope you have a happy, relaxing weekend.

7 comments:

Kauaiart said...

Send her my Love too,. . . .
I love to rest in that pause ( shani) between breaths :-)
The pressure infuses the blood with fresh blood AND we have a moment to consider how we will respond to the next moment. To open to Love or cringe in fear.
Thank You and have such fun! LOve, Susan

Clive said...

I think we'll all practise a bit of that breathing technique here today - bit stressful around here - housebound in the snow for the past few days!

Hope your visit with your friend goes well.

Have a good weekend,
Murray's Mom

Katrin said...

I remind my students all the time to 'breathe' as stress goes right down the leash to your dog. But I am probably one of the worst offenders! :-P Not in regards to my dogs but other stuff, luckily James just rolls with my stress and doesn't feed off it. I had an acupunturist try to teach me how to breathe properly. It was an interesting lesson.

Karen said...

i THINK THAT TAKING THE TIME TO BREATH DEEPLY ALSIO MAKES ONE THINK OF THEIR BLESSINGS AND HELPS PUT THEM IN PERSPECTIVE. i HAD A SIMILIAR FEELING WHEN MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR DOWN HERE TOLD ME HER ADULT SON HAD BEEN IN A COMA FOR 12 YEARS. IT HELPED ME TO LOOK AT LIFE WITH MORE GRATITUDE.

MOM

OSU 98 said...

I say this quite often...surprisingly, it does have a very caling effect. Another phrase that comes out of my mouth quite frequently is "patiently and slowly". This is usually reserved for when I am doing a task by myself that should really be done by 2 people...I have managed to convince myself if I do it patiently and slowly, I can manage it on my own.

3 labs 4 me said...

I'm going to put on my pj's & find a quiet spot & breathe.......... a stressful day with the business & I had to take Honda to the vet. Also, I realized that I had not found the time to call you today.

Nishant said...

To open to Love or cringe in fear.
Thank You and have such fun

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