Miracle of Life

Picture of the fountain at The Saskatoon Farm in Alberta - taken by J Hirst

‘Many people are alive but don’t touch the miracle of being alive.’ ~Thich Nhat Hanh

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I read this quote several times.  It triggered so many questions in my mind. Why would we not touch the miracle of being alive?

As I contemplated and quested in my mind, I realized that several things come in to play in each of our lives.

• Some of us come with a contract to Earth to do the bare minimum of living.
• Some come to experience a variety of things - drugs, alcoholism, debilitating disease, rejection, becoming a cleric or monk, being a hero, and the list goes on.
• Some come with the ability to enjoy Nature and the little miracles that happen each day but are ignored by many.
• Some come to change the world.

Some are on a continuum of the above that lets them see the miracle of life as they become seniors.  How we live is perfect for why we are here.

Blessings,

Judy

On Taking A Deep Breath

Drawing on the Well of Breath. 

~ Matt O’Dwyer 

It starts with a breath 

Just one good breath 

The calm begins to wash over 

The energy starts to flow 

I feel it’s warmth move through my body 

I feel it move though my heart and my soul 

I drift away 

My body left behind 

I float 

Today to a beautiful pine forest 

It smells sweet and a little damp 

It’s late, but a little sun is left 

I walk to a well 

The stars come out 

They twinkle and dance in my eyes 

I sit on the well and gaze down 

Within myself 

It’s clear and calm

I’m here 

I’m centered 

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Thank you to Matt O’Dwyer for this beautiful writing about breath.  I am so happy that I found this.  Check out the site for Elephant Journal http://www.elephantjournal.com/.

Blessings,

Judy 

About Breath

Mindfulness of breathing is a practice of learning to harmonize your attention with what is, in this moment. Short, long, deep, shallow are all fine breaths. Trust your body; it knows what is needed.   - Christina Feldman, "Meditation Q&A"

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I read this quote and was reminded of a time where I forgot to breathe. 

 I was working on a large project in Las Vegas as both a coder and consultant.  Because of electricity glitches at the time and because of a network with old security constructs stuck in places that stopped the program in testing, I was getting a little bit concerned about meeting the time deadline for the project.  I was sitting in the IT control center, working, when one of the young men got up and came over to my chair and slapped me on the back. I turned to him, shocked.  

“Breathe.” He said.  “You stopped breathing! You get so focused that you forget to breathe.”

I drew in a deep breath and realized he was correct.  My lungs were empty and my body was starting to shake.  I thanked him for noticing.  I sat quietly for a few minutes and closed my eyes and just counted one breath after another until I reached sixty.  My shoulders relaxed.  My body relaxed.  My mind became clearer.  I had the answer to fix my testing system.

Sometimes, to keep going, one just needs to breathe. 

Blessings, 

Judy